82 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



owing to the sensitive condition of the intestinal mucous 

 membrane. 



Gastro-Enteritis is usually the result of irritant poisons- 

 The symptoms are those of gastritis and enteritis combined. 

 The treatment must consist, at the onset, in removing the 

 cause, followed by that laid down for the two diseases re- 

 spectively, 



PERITONITIS. 



Inflammation of the peritoneum is more frequent in 

 bitches than dogs. The inflammation may be local or 

 diffused, i.e., it may be confined to one portion of the 

 mettibrane, or extend to the whole. A general or diffused 

 peritonitis is the form usually met with in canine practice. 



Causes. — External violence, as kicks, blows, wounds (par- 

 ticularly punctured), parturition, hernia, constipation, ex- 

 posure to damp and cold. 



Symptoms. — Acute peritonitis is characterised by abdo- 

 minal pain, which is considerably augmented by pressure. 

 The animal exhibits great restlessness, continually moving 

 about and endeavouring to obtain, if possible, a comfort- 

 able position, and this his broadside appears to afford him 

 best. The pulse is small, hard, and wiry, conjunctival 

 membrane injected, nose dry and hot, tongue white and 

 slimy, breathing increased, and expirations hot. 



As the disease advances the pain becomes most 

 intense : the very countenance of the poor animal is 

 expressive of the agony he is enduring. Sharp cries 

 bespeak the torture produced by even the slightest 

 pressure. Lying now in any posture affords not the 

 slightest relief ; and the patient stands, propped up, as 

 it were, with his legs apart, breathing with difficulty, for 

 this act is now performed independent of the abdominal 

 muscles or diaphragm. The abdomen becomes distended 

 the tongue dry and furred, thirst extreme, urine scanty 

 and high-coloured, and there is obstinate constipation. In 



