196 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Give the causation. 



This rarely arises as a primary disease, it being secondary to 

 some other disease, or it may follow an injury or operation, as 

 castration, or it may be associated with some disease of the organs 

 of the abdominal cavity, as enteritis, dysentery, diseases of the 

 liver, of the stomach, of the mesenteric glands; or it may be asso- 

 ciated with aneurism. 



^ Peritonitis sometimes arises in pregnant animals, or it may 

 be seen after birth where there is metritis ; this is very common in 

 the human subject, and it may occur in our animals. 



The microorganisms enter through the ruptured or inflamed 

 parts. 



What is the pathology? 



The lesions may be general or local ; they are local where the 

 membrane becomes thickened, and in these cases it is very apt 

 to spread. This is a serous membrane, and the pathology is about 

 the same as we find elsewhere. At first the membrane becomes 

 congested and dry; after a time exudation of fibrine and the 

 effusion of serum takes place. The fibrine forms flakes, which 

 form adhesions. 



Describe the symptoms. 



Unless peritonitis follows pregnancy, some operation, or some 

 noticeable disease, the symptoms are more or less vague and mis- 

 leading. 



It is a febrile disease ; the pulse is small, quick, hard, and wiry 

 at first, becoming weaker and more feeble as the disease goes on. 

 The temperature varies, it being 104° to 105° F. in the beginning, 

 while later it is not so high. The respirations are difficult, short, 

 and thoracic; the mucous membranes are reddened, the appetite 

 is lost, the bowels are constipated, tympanites is present. The most 

 prominent symptom is pain, which causes the animal to become 

 uneasy, move about, lie down (carefully). 



What is the prognosis? 



Usually grave ; ascites may be the result, the latter being rare 

 in the horse. 



Give the indications for treatment. 



They are about the same as given for enteritis. Eest, ano- 

 dynes, and locally heat and moisture. Cathartics and enemas are 

 contraindicated. 



