ENTERITIS. 151 



to discover such indications in the colt which has died 

 soon after castration. Peritonitis, indeed, too fre- 

 quently follows that operation ; but the proprietor 

 must not, therefore, conclude it has originated from 

 any want of skill on the part of the practitioner. It 

 will best be prevented by observing the condition of 

 the colt before the operation is performed ; and as to 

 requisite precautions at that period the farmer is too 

 often sadly neglectful. 



ENTERITIS — INFLAMMATION OF THE MUSCULAR COAT 

 OF THE BOWELS. 



This disease, if not in the first instance energeti- 

 cally combated, may, in eight hours, reach a fatal 

 termination. It rarely lasts in its intensity more 

 than twenty-four hours. It is often the consequence 

 of gripes or colic; and therefore it appears to endure 

 much longer than it really does. The wiry pulse, 

 with tenderness of the abdomen, and continuous 

 pain, distinguish this attack from gripes ; but from 

 peritonitis it is only to be separated by the faeces being 

 in small black lumps and covered with a bilious 

 secretion rather than coated with mucus ; perhaps, also, 

 by the belly being not quite so painful upon pressure 

 as in the last affection. 



The causes are nearly the same as induce peri- 

 tonitis; but to these acrid or unwholesome food may 

 be added : and enteritis may no£ be, like the former 

 disorder, so frequently connected with injuries and 

 with inflammation of the lun^s. 



In every case of enteritis, spasm is present ; and, 

 as this is associated with inflammation, bleeding is 

 h 4 



