DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 87 



on account of the exhibition of pain, there may not at first be great un- 

 easiness immediately accompanying the rupture; but very shortly this 

 becomes a prominent symptom, chiefly from the escape of the contained 

 material into the peritoneal cavity and consequent inflammation of the 

 membranes and organs there. Kapidly the pulse and respirations become 

 affected, and show the same characters as in other form — sinking Avith 

 anxious exjDression of the countenance, attempts at vomition, and, it may 

 be, sitting on the haunches. As the case advances, the pallid state of the 

 mucous membranes, and the cold, clammy condition of the mouth, be- 

 come more marked. During the progress of the symptoms the feeble and 

 frequent condition of the pulse is persistent; while towards the termina 

 tion the animal may show little pain, but stand persistently, until he 

 finally drops; at other times he is violent to the last, gradually becom- 

 ing unconscious." 



No treatment will be of any avail, administration of medicines has 

 been observed to add to the distress of the animal. A fatal termination 

 is inevitable. 



CONSTIPATION. 



Definition. — A condition of the bowels in which the faeces are wholly 

 retained or scanty, hard and small. 



Etiology. — Mechanical obstruction of some kind in the intestines, 

 insuflBcient peristaltic motion, and defective secretions in the bowels. 



Symptoms. — The evidences of constipation are not usually very 

 pronounced, except when of long standing, in which case the hair is 

 long, the coat staring and rough, slight swelling of the extremities, some- 

 times a distended condition of the belly, and loss of appetite. In all 

 cases, the animal, during the act of voiding the faeces, will be seen to 

 strain. The faeces will be small hard, dry balls, although it is said that, 

 in some cases, the local irritation from the hardened masses will excite 

 a watery secretion which may give the appearance of diarrhoea. There 

 is not usually an accompaniment of pain. 



Treatment. — In mild or recent cases, careful attention to the diet, 

 which should be as varied as convenient, and somewhat laxative, will 

 usually effect a cure. An enema of tepid water and sweet oil, twice a 

 day, for a day a two, will be found useful. In prolonged cases, a good 

 purgative, at first, may be necessary, and aloes may be used, as: 



