Acute Peritonitis in Solipeds. 393 



bodies, parasites, etc. , and by abuse of too powerful purgatives 

 in cases of obstruction. The resulting infection is very abundant 

 and varied, and the microbes accustomed to an anseorbic existence 

 in the intestines, multiply with extreme rapidity in the peritoneum 

 and prove rapidly fatal. Beside the bacillus coli commune, there 

 are usually staphylococcus and streptococcus pyogenes and not 

 unfrequently the baccillus of malignant cedema. 



c. Perforating ulcer. Though having a separate point of 

 origin, the effect of this is precisely the same as in rupture, the 

 same bacteria escaping and the nature of the infection being 

 identical. Inasmuch, however, as the perforation is usually 

 small at first and the escape of contents very limited the symp- 

 toms advance more slowly and reach their acme later. 



d. Perforation of the Parturient Womb. This usually de- 

 pends on a case of dystokia in which the organ is torn by a foot 

 of the fcetus or by some ill-directed instrument. The infection 

 has usually been carried in on the hands or instruments, or intro- 

 duced as dust by an aspiratory movement in the intervals of labor 

 pains. The healthy womb is usually sterile as regards microbes, 

 yet L,ignieres claims that he has found staphylococcus pyogenes 

 albus and aureus and in contagious abortion the specific bacillus 

 of this affection can always be found. In woman peritonitis fol- 

 lowing rupture of the womb usually shows streptococcus pyogenes. 



e. Rupture of Abscess into the Peritoneum. As an 

 abscess is nearly always the product of pus microbes it follows 

 that its rupture into the abdominal cavity will determine infection. 



' If the abscess contains some special infective germ like that of 

 strangles or glanders the resulting inflammation partakes of its 

 nature. 



/. Penetration of Microbes through the Circulation. 

 Healthy blood is free from germs, yet it is not uncommon to find 

 a few circulating in the blood in given conditions. Debility, 

 toxin and ptomaine poisoning and other conditions render it 

 possible for bacteria to successfully invade the circulating blood, 

 hence, many infective diseases are at first local, and later on be- 

 come generalized. Under these circumstances any cause of de- 

 bility operating especially on the peritoneum opens the door to 

 their infection. Under such debilitating causes all those already 

 referred to as chills must be recognized, together with kicks, 

 blows, local congestions and other injuries. 



