104 KENNEL DISEASES. 
ACUTE PERITONITIS. 
A delicate membrane lines the abdomen and envelops all the organs 
therein, —the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, etc. This is called the per- 
itoneum, and inflammation of it is peritonitis. It is a grave disease always, and 
especially so in dogs, in whom it is far more easily produced than in man. 
On examination after death, which has occurred in the stage that is usually 
fatal in these animals, the affected organs are found more or less covered by an 
exudation, that generally appears flaky and of yellowish tinge. There is, as a 
rule, considerable watery fluid in the abdominal cavity ; and here and there, if it 
is not diffuse, is seen very decided redness of the intestinal surfaces. Those 
surfaces are glued together more or less firmly, also to the organs within the 
cavity, and to its walls. 
The causes of this malady are many and varied, and include blows, kicks, 
penetration of the abdominal walls, etc., also injuries received during whelping, 
and possibly exposure to cold and wet. It may be an extension of inflammation 
in adjacent organs or parts, due to the bursting of abscesses within the abdomi- 
nal cavity, a complication of purulent pleuritis or empyema, or a part of a 
general inflammation that exhibits a decided preference for like membranes 
throughout the body, such as is noted now and then in infectious diseases. It 
also often occurs in pyemia, or pus-poisoning of the blood. 
To this disease dogs are very susceptible, and many influences which man 
might successfully resist are capable of exciting it in them. For instance, if a 
dog suffers from severe bowel trouble, as enteritis or dysentery, and the inflam- 
mation is not speedily controlled, it is liable to extend to the peritoneum. Again, 
it has seemed that colic even invited the occurrence of peritonitis. But doubt- 
less in most cases it is caused by intestinal obstruction or perforation of the 
intestines. The latter, by the way, seems generally induced by worms, which 
bore through the intestinal walls far oftener than is commonly supposed. 
The symptoms of peritonitis vary with its extent, severity, and the causes 
which produce it. Occurring as a complication of uterine or intestinal inflam- 
mation or obstruction, it usually develops slowly and insidiously, consequently 
in some instances its presence is not detected until after death. When there 
is perforation, however, and in like cases in which the peritoneum is suddenly 
and violently attacked, the inflammation is soon intense and spreading rapidly. 
In man its progress is attended from the first by an agonizing, cutting, boring 
pain, that is greatly aggravated by pressure and movements of the body. But 
dogs, as a race, are naturally much less sensible of pain than their masters. 
Again, it is a very remarkable fact that in many cases of peritonitis in them 
there appears to be but little pain ; and even firm pressure of the hand is often 
borne without shrinking. Indeed, this seems to be the rule. Like all others, 
