Peritonitis in Carnivora. 405 



When effusion or suppuration has taken place evacuation by 

 puncture may be followed by antiseptic irrigation. 



If with septic metritis, antiseptic injections of the vagina and 

 womb are the first consideration. With boiled water at a tepid 

 heat the womb should be thoroughly washed out, followed by a 

 solution of mercuric chloride ( 1 :2ooo), or permanganate of potash 

 (1:1000), or boric acid (1:25) until the liquid returns clear and 

 odorless. This may be repeated several times a day. The symp- 

 toms of brain congestion, may be met by tying, or packing up the 

 patient with straw so that the head will be somewhat elevated, and 

 bags of ice or snow, or simple cold water may be kept applied to 

 the upper part of the head and neck. When there is no great 

 nervous excitement the nervous functions may be roused by nux 

 vomica in enema, or strychnia subcutem. If on the other hand 

 the temperature runs very high acetanilid may be tried with cau- 

 tion, or resort may be had to wet compresses. 



In case of perforation or rupture, if the animal cannot be at 

 once sacrificed for beef or mutton before inflammation has set in, 

 the only hope lies in laparotomy, followed by the cleansing, dis- 

 infection and suturing of the wound. 



In tubercular peritonitis which constitutes a very large propor- 

 tion of bovine cases, treatment is undesirable, and the animal is 

 unfit for consumption. 



PERITONITIS IN CARNIVORA. 



Causes : gastrointestinal inflammations, metritis, trauma to walls of ab- 

 domen, pyaemia, septicaemia, tuberculosis, cancer, tumors, parasites. Symp- 

 toms : dullness, hidiug away, movements tardy, painful, arched back, re- 

 tracted abdomen, tense and tender, drags hind limbs, vomits, yawns, bloats, 

 hopeless look, snappish, death in 2 to 8 days. Treatment : anodynes, saline 

 laxatives by mouth and rectum, damp compress, warm bath, antiseptics, 

 diuretics, in effusion, puncture, antiseptic irrigation, laparotomy. 



Causes. All inflammatory and other serious affections of the 

 stomach and bowels may be associated with peritonitis. Metritis 

 and injuries to the womb, and all injuries to the walls of the 

 abdomen (kicks, blows, penetrating and castration wounds), may 

 have a similar complication. Pyaemia and septicaemia may also 



