PERITONITIS. 195 



while now and again it arises in consequence of protracted strain- 

 ing, produced by the presence of a large calculus in the colon. 



Treatment. — The first thing to be done is to return the pro- 

 truded mucous membrane; if it has become swollen and dry by 

 reason of long exposure, fomentation with hot water is desirable 

 in the first instance, after which the hand should be well lubri- 

 cated with carbolized oil, and the exposed parts returned into their 

 normal position; it very frequently happens that immediately this 

 is done the horse strains, out comes the membrane as before, and 

 all the work has to be done over again; in such cases a pad must 

 be applied to the anus, which will bring external pressure on the 

 parts and be kept there by passing side lines tightly drawn and 

 fastened round the chest, the lines being first attached to a broad 

 band that passes over the pad and keeps the same in position. 



Ignatia ix, a dose every hour, especially in foals, is a useful 

 remedy where there are much straining and frequent ineffectual 

 efforts to pass faeces; as soon as any relief is obtained, the fre- 

 quency of the dose must be reduced to three times a day and con- 

 tinued for a week to overcome any well-established weakness of 

 the parts. 



Merciirius corrosivus 6x. — In cases where the prolapse is at- 

 tended with much irritation, accompanied by a discharge of mucus, 

 and particularly if diarrhoea is present. 



Accessory measures. — After the protruded bowel is returned 

 the application of cold water is frequently attended with satisfactory 

 results, not only externally, but internally, by means of a syringe 

 or enema tube. The animal should be kept perfectly quiet. The 

 diet should be light, nourishing, and calculated to favor a healthy 

 and easy action of the bowels. If worms, calculus, constipation 

 or diarrhoea are the cause of the condition the treatment under 

 these headings must be consulted. 



PERITONITIS. 



The intestines are covered and supported by a ver^^ fine mem- 

 brane, described as the peritoneum; this membrane, which is of 

 the serous order, lines the abdomen and also covers the intestines 

 and other organs of the abdomen; when attacked by inflammation, 

 it is called peritonitis; inflammation of this delicate membrane 

 may arise from cold; from irritation arising from an inflamed con- 



