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CHAPTER XXII. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES PERITONITIS 



ENTERITIS — DYSENTERY — SPASMODIC COLIC — FLA- 

 TULENT COLIC — IMPACTMENT — STRANGULATION 



CALCULI IN THE INTESTINES. 



Under the general name of inflammation of the 

 bowels there are included two diseases which are pro- 

 perly distinguished by different names. 



PERITONITIS; INFLAMMATION OF THE EXTERNAL OR 

 SEROUS COAT OF THE INTESTINES. 



This is a very frequent disease. It is caused by 

 the application of cold water to the belly of the horse ; 

 either by taking him into the pond, or washing him 

 with cold water ; and sometimes by suffering him to 

 drink plentifully when he is heated. Exposure to 

 rain; over-exertion on a full stomach ; and injuries, 

 have produced it; also it not unfrequently occurs 

 during the later stage of inflammation of the lungs ; 

 but the disease will likewise sometimes occur without 

 any assignable cause. From whatever source it arises, 

 it runs its course with fearful rapidity. Like pneu- 

 monia, it sometimes destroys the horse in less than 

 twenty-four hours ; and occasionally in less than 

 twelve. 



The symptoms of peritonitis should be carefully 



studied ; for many a horse will be lost if they are not 



early recognized. One of the earliest symptoms is 



the expression of very acute pain. The animal paws ; 



H 2 



