PERITONITIS. 116 



provided that it be thoroughly cleaned and no decomposable matter be left 

 within it. The subject has further been experimentally investigated in 

 animals by Wegner, and the results obtained by him tend to show that, if 

 only a portion of the peritoneum be exposed to irritation, the liquid exuda- 

 tion is rapidly absorbed by the healthy part of the membrane, so that the 

 cavity is kept dry and free from putrescible matter. In rabbits it was 

 found that a considera;ble quantity of simple water, or even of fluids, con- 

 taining septic bacteria, could be injected into the peritoneal cavity without 

 evil results following, the fluids being rapidly absorbed and carried into 

 the blood-stream, fi, however, the quantity injected was greater than 

 could be thus rapidly disposed of, septic peritonitis invariably followed. 

 The entrance, into the abdominal cavity, of dung from a wounded boweli, 

 dirt, or blood is extremely liable to give rise to fatal peritonitis. The most 

 obvious lesson to be gained from the foregoing observations is the necessity 

 of the employment of the strictest possible antiseptic precautions (p. 70) 

 in all operations (such as castration) by which the peritoneum is necessarily 

 wounded, and in the treatment of all injuries by which the peritoneum has 

 been hurt. 



VARIETIES. — Peritonitis may be circumscribed (confined to 

 one spot) or diffuse (affecting more or less the entire surface) ; 

 acute or chronic ; primitive (appearing independently of any other 

 disease), or secondary to an injury or other affection. In horses, 

 it is almost always acute and secondary. 



CAUSES.-^The usual cause is injury to the peritoneum, as in 

 castration, penetration of the abdomen, hernia, and foaling. 

 Drinking excessive amounts of cold water or eating inordinate 

 quantities of snow or ice may bring it on. 



SYMPTOMS. — ^Frequent and wiry pulse (showing "fcigh arterial 

 pressure) ; hurried breathing ; rigidity and distension of the 

 abdomen, which is very painful to the touch ; arching of the back 

 and tucking up of the belly ; great depression and distress ; dis- 

 inclination to move ; frequent and painful attempts at making 

 urine, which is voided in small quantities ; and coldness of the 

 ears and legs. Up to the last, the lungs seem to act well ; but the 

 hea^t appears unable to supply them with blood. Towards the end, 

 the pulse becomes imperceptible. In fatally acute cases, the animal 

 dies after a few hours' suffering. 



CHANCES OF RECOVERY.— As a rule, an attack of peritonitis 

 in the horse is followed by death. 



TREATMENT.— Try the effect of f oz. of Indian hemp in a ball ; 

 or 1^ oz. of chloral hydrate in a pint of water, and apply warm 

 fomentations to the part ; or the patient might be bled. 



8* 



