92 VETERINAKY MEDICINE AKD 8UKGERY. 



Etiology. — Inflammation of the intestines may occur as a sequel of 

 colic, or it may arise from continued constipation, or from any of the 

 many causes which induce indigestion, or from intussusception, or from 

 excessive action of a purgative. It is more likely to be produced, how- 

 ever, by washing with very cold water while the animal is heated, by ex- 

 posure to cold, or by over-work. Peritonitis is occasionally caused by 

 any wound of the membrane covering the bowels and lining the abdomi- 

 nal cavity, and often by castration. 



Symptoms. — Unlike colic, which comes on suddenly, enteritis is 

 usually preceded by dulness, lack of appetite, and feverishness, while re- 

 peated small evacuations of fgeces are noticed. 



After a short time, pain sets in and is constant. The animal becomes 

 very restless, stamps and paws, looks anxiously at his belly, breaks out 

 into a profuse sweat, the body is hot and cold by turns. 



The earli/ symptoms are the same as those of colic, but with this 

 marked distinction which at once shows the disease, namely the alsence 

 of any intervals of ease. The pain, though in general less violent, is con- 

 tinuous throughout, and the pulse from first to last is accelerated to a 

 high degree, to double or perhtips treble its usual number. In colic re- 

 lief is usually experienced from rubbing the belly, but in enteritis it is 

 exceedingly tender, and touching it gives pain. 



The further symptoms are those usually present in inflammatory at- 

 tacks, namely, cold extremities, dry mouth, and either unnaturally hot 

 or cold hurried and oppressed respiration, unduly dilated nostrils, with 

 an erect and quivering tail. As the disease progresses, the pulse sinks, 

 and the legs and ears feel death-like cold. The mouth feels chilly. 



Treatment. — Relieve the pain, if possible, by a dose of 



Laudanum | i. to 3 iij. 



or a hyperdermic injection of 



Magendie's solution of opium gtt. xx.-xl. 



Some highly recommend the use of extract of belladonna in place of the 

 above, in doses of an ounce, and subsequently, at intervals of six hours, 

 smaller doses of two drachms. 



In the preliminary or very early stage, if the animal is a strong one 



