200 Diseases of the Digestive Systent. 
Ascites, or Drops of the Abdomen, is the frequent 
result of peritonitis, but it may arise from conditions 
totally apart from it, as anemia following continued 
asthma or skin diseases, derangement of the liver, &c. 
Cold and damp are common causes in young dogs. 
Symptoms.— Unusual enlargement of the abdomen, 
pale mucous membranes, general coldness and wasting 
of the body, rough staring coat, and falling of the hair, 
nausea, frequent vomition, and indigestion generally, 
husky cough, hurried respiration, subacute fever, intoler- 
able thirst, dropsical states of the body generally, 
oppressed breathing, sinking, and death. 
Treatment.—Tonics, with vegetable bitters and mild 
diuretics are useful. Absorption of the fluid may be 
promoted by regular, but small, doses of digitalis and 
iodide of iron. Cod-liver oil is highly nutritive and suffi- 
ciently laxative to promote free action of the bowels. 
The whole of the fluid may be drawn away by what is 
known as “ tapping the belly,” after which support must 
be afforded by a bandage placed round the body, and 
the operation may be required on future occasions 
to relieve the oppressed breathing from repeated accumu- 
lation of the fluid. 
Hepatitis, or /nflammation of the Liver, is common 
to overfed and pampered animals, especially house pets 
taking little or no exercise. The disease in the acute 
form is said to be more common in tropical countries, 
and even the South of France, than in Great Britain, 
where it more frequently assumes the congestive form. 
Symptoms.—The early manifestations are a dry or 
husky cough, accelerated pulse and respiration, rigors, or 
more commonly shivering fits, and pain on the right side 
which is aggravated by pressure ; nausea and vomiting 
are present, In later stages the mucous membranes and 
the skin exhibit a tinge of yellow, which becomes more 
intense with the progress of the malady. The bowels are 
alternately relaxed or confined, and the evacuations are 
pale, the urine is deficient, having an orange colour ; the 
pain of the right side is increased, and enlargement over 
the region of the liver is evident; bile mingles with the 
