196 VETERINARY HOMOEOPATHY. 



dition of the abdominal organs, such as the intestines, the livei" 

 and the uterus; from blood contamination in certain specific fevers, 

 such for instance as are associated with the puerperal state in 

 females; from operative surgery, such as the infliction of a wound 

 in penetrating the abdomen for the relief of flatulent colic, or even 

 in castration. 



Symptoms are generalh' ushered in by shivering and an eleva- 

 tion of temperature; pain is exhibited in the abdomen of a more 

 or less constant character, and the parts are generally so sensitive 

 that the animal can ill bear anv pressure, the pulse is quick and 

 thready; the patient is restless, and will not maintain any one 

 position long at a time, repeatedly tvirns the nose to the seat of 

 pain, and wears an anxious expression of countenance. In peri- 

 tonitis, the result of mechanical injury or surgical wounds, the 

 animal gives evidence of very marked internal pain by pawing 

 restlessly with the fore feet and paddling with the hind ones; the 

 respirations are short and quick, and are performed by means of 

 the ribs and thoracic muscles; the pulse is very hard, thin and 

 wiry; the internal temperature rises above the normal, and very 

 considerabl}' so if the mechanical injury is a serious one; the 

 horse will not bear the abdomen to be hand rubbed, as in simple 

 colic, as no doubt the pressure externally produces considerable 

 pain within. 



Treatment. — Aconite ix when peritonitis is due to cold, and 

 tTie febrile sjnnptoms are very pronounced; the doses to be re- 

 peated hourly for some time. 



Bryonia 3X follows the previous medicine in similar cases and 

 where the pain appears sharp and is aggravated by motion; con- 

 stipation and general uneasiness are further indications for its 

 use. 



Arnica 3X when peritonitis owes its origin to mechanical injury 

 and surgical operations, under which conditions it should be re- 

 lied upon from the outset. 



Mercicriics corrosivus 6x. — In cases other than those due to me- 

 chanical injury, especially when tympany and diarrhoea ai'e pres- 

 ent, and the lining membranes of mouth and eyes are very yellow. 

 Dr. Hughes affirms: ' ' I have used it more frequently than Bryonia, 

 and with most gratifying results." 



Accessory measures. — Hot fomentations by means of flan- 



