55 



or, as is still more common, foUoAving the operation of castration. It 

 follows frequently from strangulated hernise, invagination, rupture 

 of the stomach, intestines, liver, or womb. 



Sijnipto)ns. — Peritonitis is mostly preceded bj' a chill; the horse is 

 not disposed to move, and if comj)elled to do so moves with a stiff or 

 sore gait ; he paws with the front feet, and probablj' strikes at hisbelh* 

 with the hind ones; lies down very carefully, and as the pain is 

 increased while down he maintains during most of the time the stand- 

 ing position; he walks uneasily- about the stall. Constipation is usu- 

 ally present. Pressure on the belly causes acute pain, and the horse 

 will bite, strike, or kick at you if so disturbed; the abdomen is tucked 

 up; the extremities tine and cold. The temperature is higher than 

 normal, reaching from 102° to KM"" Fall. The pulse in peritonitis is 

 almost, of itself, diagnostic; it is quickened, beating from seventy to 

 ninety beats jyev minute, and is Jiard and icinj. This peculiarity of 

 the puise is characteristic of inflammation of the serous membrane, 

 and if occurring with colicky sjnnptoms, and, in particular, if follow- 

 ing any injuries, accidental or surgical, of the jperitoneum, we may 

 rest assured that peritonitis is present. Peritonitis in the horse is 

 mostly fatal when it is at all extensive. If death does not occur in a 

 short time, the inflammation assumes a chronic form, in which there 

 is an extensive effusion of water in the cavity of the belly, consti- 

 tuting what is known as ascites, and which, as a rule, results in death. 



The iveatment of peritonitis is to be somewhat like that of enteritis. 

 Opium in powder, 1 to 2 drams, with calomel, one-half dram, is to be 

 given ever}- two, three, or four hours, and constitutes our main depend- 

 ence in this disease. Extensive counter-irritants over the belly, con- 

 sisting of mustard-plasters, turpentine stupes, or even mild blisters, 

 are highly recommended. Purgatives must never be given during 

 this complaint. Should we desire to move the bowels it can be done 

 by gentle enemas, though it is seldom necessary to resort even to this. 



Ascites, or droi)sy of the abdomen, is mostly seen as a result of sul)- 

 acute or chronic peritonitis, but may be due to diseases of the liver, 

 kidneys, heart, or lungs. There will be found, on opening the cavity 

 of the belly, a large collection of yelloAvish or reddish licxuid; from a 

 few quarts to several gallons may be present. It may be clear in color, 

 though generally it is yellowish or of a red tint, and contains numer- 

 ous hjose flakes of coagulable h'mph. 



Symptoms. — There is a slight tenderness on pressure; awkward gait 

 of the hind legs; the horse is dull, and may have occasional xevy slight 

 colicky j)ains, shown by looking back and striking at the belly with 

 the hind feet, Oftener, however, these colicky symptoms are absent. 

 Diarrhea often j)recedes death, but during the progress of the disease 

 the bowels are alternately constipated and loose. On percussing the 

 abdominal walls we find that dullness exists /o the same lieighf on both 

 sides of the belly; bj'" suddenly pushing or striking the abdomen Ave 



