46 VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



active counter-irritant over the whole abdomen and chest 

 and by the prompt administration of stimulants. Mustard 

 well rubbed into the skin, warm blankets held closely to the 

 body by two or three surcingles, a drench of two ounces of 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia in a pint of hot water and finally 

 a good hot enema, is a combination of expedients that should 

 not be omitted in the treatment of neglected bloats in aged 

 horses. 



Shock is particularly an unfortunate sequel because the 

 operation may justly be blamed for having caused it. Erst- 

 while, the case may have been considered favorable, now it 

 is known to be hopeless, a. situation that reflects seriously on 

 the operation. 



(3) Circumscribed peritonitis, is a very common sequel 

 of enterocentesis. It begins about four days after the opera- 

 tion and is manifested by a nominal pyrexia of 102 to 104° 

 Fahr., tucking of the flanks, more or less anorexia, disinclina- 

 tion to move about, and marked manifestations of pain when 

 the right side of the abdomen is palpated. The cause may be 

 pyogenic infection, frequent repetition of the operation, 

 haemorrhage or the flow of ingesta into the peritoneal cavity. 

 It runs a course of about eight to ten days and generally ter- 

 minates favorably. Laxatives, laxative diet and absolute 

 rest in a roomy box is the only necessary treatment. Anti- 

 phlogistics internally and externally fomentations in the form 

 of hot wraps are indicated if not absolutely essential. 



(4) Abscesses in the Ventral Walls.— The tract of the 

 instrument through the abdominal muscles may become in- 

 fected with pyogenic microbes and become the seat of a more 

 or less serious phlegmon, varying from a small subcutaneous 

 pus sac to a large, deep-seated abscess with a capacity of sev- 

 eral pints-. During their evolution these abscesses may cause 

 threatening general symptoms as well as intense local pain, 

 simulating peritonitis. Soon, however, the nature of the 

 trouble manifests itself by the appearance of a hot, extremely 

 painful, and hard tumefaction of the flank at the seat of 

 operation, that later points and discharges its contents over 

 the surface of the region. The real abscess may be preceded 

 by a nominal discharge from the cutaneous orifice made by 

 the canula. 



These abscesses are usually caused by driving infectious 

 matter, (hairs, skin dirt, dirt upon the canula, etc.) into the 

 tract, by not having taken proper preventive measures. The 

 accident is excusable when, in urgent cases, there was not 

 time to spare for the important preliminary disinfection of 



