262 The Farmer'' s Veterinary Adviser. 



pendent belly with a sense of fluctuation when it is hand- 

 led. In ruminants the right side is especially tender and 

 the animal stands crouching with its four feet near to- 

 gether. The wound of the abdomen usually completes 

 the list of symptoms. 



Treatment. The abdomen may sometimes be cupped 

 or leeched with advantage, though warm fomentations or 

 poultices, (or even warm baths for small animals) followed 

 by mustard poultices, are more generally applicable. 

 Then the preparations of opium may be given in full and 

 frequent doses to allay pain and keep the bowels inactive. 

 Well-boiled gruels may be given frequently as injections, 

 as what is thrown on the stomach is usually vomited or 

 lies un absorbed. During recovery great care must be 

 exercised in feeding. Decoctions of Hnseed, or well-boiled 

 gruels of oat, barley or rye-me'al should gradually give 

 place to soft warm bran mashes and finally to hay and 

 ordinary food. The carnivora may have beef tea. Ano- 

 dynes (opium, prussic acid,) may be given to relieve pain 

 and diuretics (nitre, digitalis, sweet spirits of nitre, etc.,) 

 employed to remove the effusion. Tonics (oxide of iron, 

 gentian, cinchona, etc.,) may be demanded and occa- 

 sionally mustard poultices to remove tenderness. 



ASCITES. DBOPSl OP THE ABDOMEN. 



This may be a result of peritonitis, of obstruction to 

 the flow of blood through the intestinal (portal) veins as 

 in diseased liver, spleen, pancreas, mesenteric glands, 

 valves of the heart, etc., or finally it may depend on an 

 unduly watery state of the blood as in certain parasitic 

 and other disorders. 



Symptoms. Distended (pot) belly, loose and pendulous, 

 with hollow flanks, or if the liquid is more abundant, 

 rounded and tense. Fluctuation is easily felt it pressure 

 is made at two different points, and percussion elicits a 

 dull dead sound in place of the normal drum-like reso- 

 nance of the bowels. The urine is scanty, appetite ant? 



