DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. 



321 



the mucous membranes are red or cyauosed ; the temperature of 

 the surface of the body is unequally distributed, the extremities 

 are cold. 



3. Retraction and sensitiveness of the abdomen. From the onset 

 the belly is often tucked up ; it is sensitive to the pressure of the 

 Land, which the animals seek to avoid, and which produces com- 

 plaints. Sometimes hypersesthesia of the abdominal parts is at 

 iirst localized; it is extended and generalized with the diffusion of 

 the peritoneal phlegmasia ; in serious peritonitis it disappears at a 

 more or less advanced stage. In horses whose abdomen is exces- 

 sively large, palpation is difficult, and the increase of sensitiveness 

 is only slightly marked. On the other hand, there are very irri- 

 table and ticklish animals which hardly allow anyone to touch their 

 abdominal walls, even when the peritoneum is absolutely healthy. 



In numerous cases we recognize at a certain period of the affec- 

 tion, often shortly after the beginning, a sudden increase in the vol- 

 ume of the abdomen. The flanks are lifted by gases which distend 

 the intestines affected by paresis ; this meteor ism sometimes becomes 

 disturbing. In small animals the augmentation in volume of the 

 abdomen is mainly marked inferiorly and posteriorly ; percussion 

 and auscultation reveal the symptoms of ascites in these regions. 



The peristaltic movements of the intestine, which are still per- 

 ceptible at the beginning of the affection, are completely suppressed 

 later (paralysis of the intestine due to œdematous infiltration of its 

 muscular system) ; it results that defecation is painful, delayed, 

 rare, and even entirely wanting, notwithstanding the violent and 

 repeated expulsive exertions made by the animals. The rectum is 

 distended by small dry and coated dungs. Toward the end of the 

 disease an abundant and persistent diarrhea often develops. 



Micturition shows constant troubles. As a rule, we observe a 

 frequent desire to urinate ; the animals stand extended and make 

 slight exertions to expel the urine. When pericystitis exists there 

 may be retention of urine for several days (paresis of the bladder) ; 

 besides, micturition, like defecation, is rendered painful by the 

 contraction of the abdominal muscles. The urine is ordinarily 

 discharged in small quantities ; the prolonged inappétence renders 

 it acid, its specific gravity increases, and it contains albumin (in one 

 instance we found a large number of bacilli in it when death was 

 approaching). 



4. Anorexia. It may be sudden or be preceded for a few days 



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