82 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 
owing to the sensitive condition of the intestinal mucous 
membrane. 
Gastro-Enteritis is usually the result of irritant poisons. 
The symptoms are those of gastritis and enteritis combined. 
The treatment must consist, at the onset, in removing the 
cause, followed by that laid down for the two diseases re- 
spectively. 
PERITONITIS. 
Inflammation of the peritoneum is more frequent in 
bitches than dogs. The inflammation may be local or 
diffused, ze. it may be confined to one portion of the 
membrane, or extend to the whole. A general or diffused 
peritonitis is the form usually met with in canine practice. 
Causes —External violence, as kicks, blows, wounds (par- 
ticularly punctured), parturition, hernia, constipation, ex- 
posure to damp and cold. 
Symptoms.—Acute peritonitis is characterised by abdo- 
minal pain, which is considerably augmented by pressure. 
The animal exhibits great restlessness, continually moving 
about and endeavouring to obtain, if possible, a comfort- 
able position, and this his broadside appears to afford him 
best. The pulse is small, hard, and wiry, conjunctival 
membrane injected, nose dry and hot, tongue white and 
slimy, breathing increased, and expirations hot. 
As the disease advances the pain becomes most 
intense: the very countenance of the poor animal is 
expressive of the agony he is enduring. Sharp cries 
bespeak the torture produced by even the slightest 
ressure. Lying now in any posture affords not the 
slightest relief; and the patient stands, propped up, as 
it were, with his legs apart, breathing with difficulty, for 
this act is now performed independent of the abdominal 
muscles or diaphragm. The abdomen becomes distended 
the tongue dry and furred, thirst extreme, urine scanty 
and high-coloured, and there is obstinate constipation. In 
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