Chronic Peritonitis in Solipeds. 393 



occasional slight colics. Some weeks later may be noticed 

 abdominal tension and tympany, with perhaps fluctuation in the 

 lower parts, increasing pallor of the mucosae, and cedematous 

 swelling of the sheath, mammae, abdominal walls or hind limbs. 

 To detect fluctuation it is sometimes necessary to introduce one 

 hand into the rectum. When present hyperthermia is slight, but 

 assists in diagnosis from ascites. 



Treatment should be directed to the primary disease. As that 

 is too often irremediable the peritonitis will resist all other treat- 

 ment. 



In cases that supervene on the acute form, paracentesis, saline 

 laxatives and diuretics with antiseptics, tonics, and counterirri- 

 tants will sometimes succeed. As in the acute form of the disease 

 the removal of the effusion is the removal of the culture fluid, and 

 may be followed by irrigation of the peritoneum with a normal 

 salt solution, or with an antiseptic solution (boric acid or potassium 

 permanganate, i : 20 warm water ; Aluminum acetate, i : 2000. 

 Sulphate of soda given to keep up a moderately laxative action, 

 tends to counteract the contraction of the intestine by false mem- 

 branes, and operates with diuretics in reducing the tendency to 

 exudation or in causing its reabsorption. After removal of the 

 liquid, support by a close (or elastic) abdominal bandage is often 

 of value in preventing further effusion. As tonics, gentian, nux 

 vomica and the iron salts may be profitably employed, and as 

 anti-septics .salicylate of soda and iodide of potassium. As counter- 

 irritants mustard and cantharides may be named. 



