142 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Penis Hanging out. — This a serious defect, and is 

 the result of weakness and debility. The organs of gen- 

 eration are weak, the sheath swells clasping the penis in 

 its grasp, and it also becomes enlarged and in most cases 

 never will be able to draw it into its place again, so it 

 will either have to remain so or have it cut off close to 

 the prepuse or sheath. This affection and the opposite 

 condition, Phymosis and Paraphymosis was very preva- 

 lant amongst the horses of the army, in the late war. 



Peristaltic, — A term applied to the serpentine mo- 

 tion of the bowels, one portion contracting and forcing 

 its contents onwards into the next. 



Peritonitis. — Inflammation of the peritoneum or the 

 serous membrane, which lines the walls or inside of the 

 belly, characterized by great pain, and is the result of 

 accidents or injuries and from surgical operations. 



Treatment. — The same as for any disease of an exalt- 

 ed kind by using aconite root, cold water and pure air, 

 and after the pain and fever have subsided, good feeding. 



Periosteum, — The thin pearly covering investing the 

 bone. It is the stretch of this membrane in cases of 

 splint which cause pain and lameness. (See Splint.) 



Phagadena, — A named used in surgery, implying a 

 spreading and destructive ulcer, which spreads rapidly 

 and destroys the surrounding parts. The true meaning 

 of this word is eating, and in its effects are similar to 

 what is called in domestic practice, hospital gangrene — 

 a local, spontaneous combustion, in which oil globules 

 are poured out in great quantity in and around the sore 

 or ulcer. In horses these ulcers are common on the 



