‘16 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
the bowels it is distinguished by greater tenderness in the dack part of the 
belly, and greater swelling; while it is unlike colic in that its pain is con- 
-stant and is attended with acute fever. It is caused by wounds and injuries 
‘to the abdomen; exposure to cold; over-exertion, as in running and leaping; 
‘castration, a cold setting in afterward. It is very dangerous. 
Sym ptoms.—Shivering, followed by fever and inactivity or uneasiness; 
Joss of appetite; thirst; breathing short, and mainly confined to the chest; 
pulse hard, quick or wiry at first, becoming thready later; the disease grow- 
ang worse, the horse paws and looks at his side; stands with legs under his 
body, with haunches against 
HIRI =-N something, or crouches; 
aN motion causes more pain; 
abdomen tender, and in first 
stages tucked up, but after- 
ward grows swollen or con- 
tains wind; nostrils wide; 
anxious look; the animal 
does not lie down and arise 
often, as in colic; urine 
scanty and high-colored. In 
‘ later stages pulse very weak ; 
FREQUENT POSITION DURING PERITONITIS ani Orner cold, clammy sweats; mouth 
oer ae and extremities cold; tremb- 
ling of muscles; the horse stands moodily in one position, finally dropping 
and dying. Peritonitis may pass from the acute to the chronic form, and 
the latter may terminate in dropsy. 
TREATMENT.—During the inflammatory stage give aconite if there 
is high fever; and if there is a bloody discharge from the bladder, alter- 
nate it with cantharis. If there be great swelling and tenderness of the 
belly, with pain and quick, short breath, give belladonna. If the disease 
progresses, and is marked Ly great loss of strength and a dropsical condi- 
tion, arsenicum will be of value, and five-drop doses of Fowler’s Solution 
will be a suitable form for its administration. In cases attended with great 
swelling of the sheath, scanty urine, painful and hurried breathing, bryonia 
will be of value. Rub dry mustard on the abdomen and apply large cloths 
wrung out in hot water to the belly, holding them in place with blankets 
and girths, changing them every hour in extreme cases. All treat- 
ment should be applied at the earliest stage possible. During recov- 
ery be very careful about the diet, giving first linseed tea and well- 
boiled gruels of oat, barley or rye meal, following gradually with soft, 
warm mashes before the ordinary food is allowed. 
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