PERITONITIS. 
251 
Davis & Co. prepare a most reliable fluid extract, and of this 6 to 8 
drachms may be given, repeated as necessary. Plenty of linseed 
gruel should be allowed, also stimulants. Purgatives must on no 
account be given. If the animal recovers, bring him gradually on 
to his full ration. No harm will be done by keeping him short till 
he has quite recovered. . 
Peritonitis. 
Inflammation of the glistening membrane which lines the abdo- 
minal cavity and is reflected over the bowels, etc. 
Causes. — It may occur as an independent disease, due to exposure 
to wet and cold, or resulting from inflammation or obstruction of the 
bowels, but more commonly in elephants it is caused by punctured 
wounds of the abdomen, the result of goring, or falling on sharp 
stakes (septic peritonitis). 
Symptoms. — Very similar to those of obstruction just mentioned ; 
high fever is an early sign. 
Prognosis. — Unfavourable, usually running a rapid and fatal 
course. 
Treatment — Must be according to the symptoms and consists 
in relieving pain as laid down under that condition. As the bowels 
require perfect rest, enemas must not be used and food must be 
given in the form of gruels only. Stimulants such as brandy, rum, 
may be administered at intervals. Wounds must be carefully treated 
as laid down under " Punctured wounds " {see page 181), 
Vomiting and Choking. 
Though emetics appear to have no action on the elephant, vomit- 
ing in a severe form is occasionally met with. Gilchrist and Hawkes 
describe the condition, the cause being ascribed to washing an 
animal immediately after coming off a journey when much heated. 
In two cases of haemorrhagic septicaemia vomiting of green matter 
at intervals was observed. 
Symptoms. — An elephant, apparently quite well, suddenly com- 
mences to vomit freely ; great irritability of the stomach is manifested 
by the animal being unable to retain liquids or solids for some 
hours after the commencement of the attack. When the irritability 
subsides, the animal will take food, but after swallowing the pellet 
it may become impacted in the gullet and soon after even the 
power of swallowing is lost. A lump may sometimes be felt in the 
