282 INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINE. 



It is a morbid state, however, not unfrequently seen, especially 

 as the result of poisoning in any of our domestic animals. 



Symptoms. In the horse the very general belief is, that 

 more than usually severe colic, with persistent as well as 

 violent pains, and the animal rolling on its back, &c., are the 

 indications of an inflammatory attack, but these are certainly 

 not usually the signs of true enteritis. In all our domestic 

 animals symptoms of great constitutional irritation accom- 

 pany and even precede any marked abdominal pain in 

 enteritis. A small, frequent, hard pulse, rather strong in 

 the early stages of the disease, but irregular and very indis- 

 tinct in the latter, with irregular temperature of the body's 

 surface, indicated by cold ears and extremities, &c., are 

 amongst the leading general symptoms. 



The visible mucous membranes are deeply congested, appe- 

 tite lost, but thirst often considerable; there is usually con- 

 stipation, though in many cases due to irritant poisoning 

 diarrhoea, and tenesmus are leading signs. The urine is 

 scanty and high coloured. Colicky symptoms, not necessarily 

 very severe, are observed, and there is great tenderness indi- 

 cated in pressing the abdominal parietes. The animal's 

 expression betokens persistent suffering, and danger of a 

 fatal termination; the loins are rigid, belly tucked up, skin 

 dry and tight on the surface of the body; the anima] 

 becomes listless, prostrate, lies down, and turns its eyes 

 anxiously towards the flanks, and though it may attempt to 

 rise, strength fails, and involuntary and apparently convul- 

 sive movements of the limbs are the last indications of a fast- 

 fleeting life. The disease persists from twenty-four hours to a 

 week, according to the severity of the attack. In favourable 

 cases, about the third or fourth day, the free evacuation of 

 urine, normal moisture of skin, regular defecation and com- 

 parative absence from pain, indicate the convalescent stage. 



