48 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



and the animal is more restless. The skin is cold and dry in the early 

 stage of this disease, but in a more advanced stage this condition may 

 be succeeded by heat of the skin and quick breathing. The fits of 

 trembling, uneasiness, small and hard pulse, and tension of the left 

 flank are symptoms the presence of which should enable one to reach 

 the conclusion that peritonitis exists. 



Post-mortem appearance. — The membrane lining the abdomen and 

 covering the surface of the bowels is reddened to a greater or less 

 extent, and there is usually considerable serous, or watery, fluid col- 

 lected in the abdomen. 



Treatment. — When we have to do with the form of peritonitis result- 

 ing from an injury, as when the horn of another animal has been 

 thrust through the abdominal walls, this lesion must be treated in 

 accordance with directions before given, but the general treatment 

 must be similar to that which follows. Peritonitis resulting from 

 castration or from parturition fever must also be treated in connec- 

 tion with the special conditions which give rise to it, as the general 

 treatment of this disease must be modified to some extent by the 

 exciting cause. 



The aim must be to discover and remove the cause. The cause 

 must be treated according to its nature. Harms strongly recommends 

 borax in the treatment of peritonitis. He gives 6 ounces in the first 

 twenty-four hours, divided into three doses, and afterwards he gives 

 6 drams three times daily. Opium in doses of 2 to 3 drams may be 

 given. To bring on evacuations of the bowels it is better to give 

 rectal injections than to administer purges. The strength may be 

 sustained by coffee, whisky, or camphor. 



The body should be warmly clothed, and it is advisable, when prac- 

 ticable, to have a blanket which has been wrung out of hot water 

 placed over the abdomen, then covered by several dry blankets, which 

 are maintained in position by straps or ropes passing round the body. 

 The wet blanket must be changed as it cools— the object of treatment 

 being to warm the surface of the body and to determine as much blood 

 to the skin as possible. The diet should consist of laxative food- and 

 drinks, such as linseed tea. If peritonitis assumes chronic form the 

 diet should be nutritious, such as selected clover hay, linseed cake, 

 grass, etc., and iodide of potassium should be given in dram doses dis- 

 solved in a pint of water three times a day. 



DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN (ASCITES). 



In this disease there is a serous, or watery, effusion in the cavity of 

 the abdomen. J 



Causes -When old animals are fed on innutritions food or when 

 an animal is reduced by disease, they become anemic; or in other 

 words, their blood becomes impoverished and dropsy may follow this 



