404 Veterinary Medicine. 



result of former peritonitis must also be recognized. As more 

 distant causes, must be named obstruction to the pulmonary circu- 

 lation, as in congestion, asthma, tuberculosis and diseases of the 

 left heart. Seventy-eight cases were traced as follows : to dis- 

 eases of the heart and pericardium, 10 ; to tuberculo.sis„ 8 ; to 

 pleurisy, 4 ; to malignant tumors of the liver and lung, 2 ; to 

 hepatic disease without heart lesion, 3 ; to cancer of the liver, i ; 

 (Cadiot). 



Symptoms. Enlargement of the belly is marked and peculiar, 

 the liquid accumulating below, pushing outward the lower ends 

 of the ribs, and making the lower part of the abdomen baggy 

 while the upper part, under the lumbar transverse processes, is 

 flattened or hollow. The back and loins droop forming a con- 

 cavity superiorly, so that the belly may almost drag on the 

 ground. On. palpation this pendent abdominal sac gives the 

 sensation of a mobile fluid without the usual firm outlines of the 

 intestinal masses, and when percussed it gives out a flat, dull 

 sound and produces a fluctuation or shock at the opposite side of 

 the abdomen. In the upper part of the abdomen over the hollow 

 flank more or less resonance is found. If the animal is made to 

 stand on his hind limbs the .saccular dilatation and flatness on 

 percus.sion are in the region adjoining the pelvis ; if held up by 

 its hind limbs they are transferred to the epigastric and hypo- 

 chondriac regions and the respiration is seriously interfered with : 

 if turned upon his back, the resonance is obtained on the linea 

 alba and at each side, while the percussion dullness is next to the 

 vertebrae. The clearne.ss of the fluctuation is in ratio with the 

 amount of liquid present. 



As in other animals, there are anaemia, pale mucosae, poor con- 

 dition, thin, dry, unhealthy skin, weak pulse, irritable heart and 

 interference with respiration proportionate to the amount of 

 liquid. The urine is scanty, and there may be diarrhoea. 



Diagnosis. From advanced or chronic peritonitis it is dis- 

 tinguished by the history or evidence of diseased liver, heart, 

 or .kidney, the absence of hyperthermia or abdominal tenderness, 

 and the absence in the ascitic fluid, extracted with a hypodermic 

 needle, of blood globules, or leucocytes in numbers, of false 

 membranes, of excess of salts, or of a tendency to coagulate 

 firmly. 



