DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 161 
19. Peritonitis. 
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the serous membrane 
which forms a lining to the inside of the belly and over the 
outside of the bowels. 
Causes. — Exposure to cold after some weakening disease 
is the more general cause. A colt who, after being castrated, 
is allowed to remain out in a cold rain, or to remain stand- 
ing in a cold east wind or to walk through a river when 
warm, is liable to develop peritonitis. It may also be the 
result of a severe bruise on the belly. 
Symptoms. — There are indications of slight pain. The 
patient lies down, stretches himself out and moans, sweats 
freely if in warm weather, gets up again, moves about and 
appears to be very weak. The breathing is heavy — almost 
as heavy as in a case of inflammation of the lungs. The 
pulse increases to 70 or 80 per minute but is very weak. 
Should the disease remain unchecked the ears and legs 
become cold. The ears lop over and there is every indica- 
tion of extreme weakness — in fact when once down he seems 
to have scarcely sufficient strength to regain his feet. Place 
your ear to the side and you notice that the bowels are work- 
mg only slightly. Press with your hand over the bowels 
and the pressure seems to cause pain. There is no appetite 
and the manure in many cases has a very glossy appearance. 
Treatment. — Give 
Raw Linseed Oil 1 pint. 
Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 5 to 10 Drops. 
Mix and give as a drench. Apply plenty of heat to the 
belly by means of woolen blankets wrung out of hot water. 
Follow with a mustard plaster over the bowels and a bag 
containing a half pail of hot salt over the back. Feed soft 
food containing plenty of flaxseed to keep the bowels regu- 
lar. Should the pain continue to be severe after giving the 
first drench, follow with 
Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 5 to 10 Drops. 
Mix in a pint of lukewarm water and give every two 
hours as a drench until the pain is relieved. Sometimes this 
disease is followed by dropsy — the collection of water in the 
belly. 
