398 Veterinary Medicine. 



have localization in the peritoneum. It must be borne in mind, 

 however, that purulent and septic infection are less likely to 

 occur in the dog than in cattle, the leucocytes of the dog having 

 much more resisting power. On the other hand the. dog, and, 

 still more so, the cat has a fair measure of susceptibility to tuber- 

 culosis, cancer and various forms of tumors, which show a strong 

 tendency to localization in the abdomen. Para.sites also pene- 

 trate and irritate the peritoneum. 



Symptoms. The animal becomes dull, retiring, and inclined 

 to lie in a quiet place, though his sufEering may lead to frequent 

 change of bed, he moves slowly, painfully, with arched back, re- 

 tracted abdomen, and drooping head, and dragging his hind 

 limbs stifHy. The abdomen is ten.se and firm, hot and very ten- 

 der, drawing forth whines and yelps when it is handled. There 

 are hyperthermia (104°), small, weak, accelerated pulse, hur- 

 ried, catching breathing, vomiting, yawning, tympany and 

 con.stipation. The face has a hopeless, stupid look and the eyes 

 are sunken and at times glazed. Some patients become ill 

 natured and snappish. The animal gradually sinks into a con- 

 dition of prostration and finally of collapse and dies rn two to 

 eight days. 



Treatment does not differ materially from that given for larger 

 animals. Pain may be moderated by belladonna, hyoscyamus, 

 chloral, or even opium, while the sulphate of soda is employed 

 by both mouth and rectum. The abdomen may be enveloped in 

 a damp compress, or a warm bath may be given. Diuretics will 

 be in order and above all antifermeuts, the latter by enema as 

 well. Distension of the abdomen with fluid may be relieved by 

 puncture, followed by antiseptic irrigation. If there is good 

 ground to suspect a gastric or intestinal lesion or tumors, lapa- 

 rotomy is a much more hopeful resort than in the larger animals. 



