198 DADD’S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGEE.f. 
Those who follow such advice as this would be very apt to lose 
their patients, either through the direct influence of meddlesome 
medication, or by converting peritonitis into dropsy of the abdo- 
men. But let us see what Watson says on the subject of the 
treatment of peritonitis : 
“Most writers whose worth I am acquainted with recommend 
purgatives as highly serviceable in peritonitis. I do not think the 
good which they are calculated to do, as antiphlogistic remedies, 
ean at all be put in competition with the harm that I am per- 
suaded they may produce, by increasing the peristaltic action of 
the intestines, and so causing additional friction and tension of 
the inflamed membrane. I believe that in all cases of well-marked 
and pure peritonitis, when the inflammation is limited to the se- 
rous membrane, it is fur better and safer to restrain than to solicit 
the internal movements of the alimentary tube.” 
In human practice, physicians, instead of giving purgatives, 
resort te the use of narcotics, in view of tranquilizing the system, 
and fur the purpose of mitigating the intense pain which exists 
during the acute attack. 
Symptoms.—The most marked symptoms of peritonitis are as 
follows: In the early stage, the animal paws slightly, but not 
with that sort of viciousness which is characteristic of colic or 
strangulation of the intestines. Soon, he shows febrile symptoms, 
the pulse runs up to seventy or more, and a shivering fit sets in. 
When pressure is made on the abdomen, the animal evinces signs 
¢f pain. He will sometimes get down and lie on his ack, but 
he soon finds out. that the best way of lessening his pains and 
aches is to keep as quiet as possible. His tonguc is usually coated, 
and the bowels are inactive 
Treatment.—Give the patient mucilaginous drinks, as in the case 
of enteritis, and drench him occasionally with an infusion of poppy- 
heads, in pint doses. Empty the rectum by means of soap-suds 
enemas, and then throw in a quart of infusion of hops. Cloths, 
wet with warm water, should be applied to the abdomen, and the 
surface of the body should be kept warm by means of blankets, 
This kina of treatment, with good nursing, will probably restore 
the anirna: to health. Should symptoms of dropsy set in, give twe 
ounces of fluid extract of buchu, daily. 
