506 
ON ENTERITIS IN THE BOG. 
is still more objectionable, from the difficulty of ascertaining when 
the disease is primarily or chiefly or wholly an affection of the 
peritoneal membrane. 
I will briefly sketch the various intestinal maladies, so far as I 
have been enabled to draw a line of distinction between them. 
I am consulted with respect to a dog who is hiding himself in a 
cold, dark, corner, and especially if it is paved with stone. Every 
now and then he lifts his head and utters a howl, so much like that 
of a rabid dog that I can scarcely distinguish one from the other. 
He fixes his gaze intently upon me, with a peculiarity of expres¬ 
sion which has also been mistaken for rabies. They, how¬ 
ever, who have had the opportunity of seeing many of these cases, 
will readily perceive the difference. The conjunctiva is not so 
red, the pupil is not so dilated, and the gaze is that of a criminal or 
a sufferer anxiously imploring pity, and not menacing evil. I ap¬ 
proach him; but he will not let me touch him until, after awhile, 
I have convinced him that I mean no harm—then I find a peculiar 
slowness attending each motion—his cries are still frequent and 
piteous—his belly is hot and tender—two cords, in many cases, 
run longitudinally from the chest to the pubis, and, on these he 
cannot bear pressure—he abhors all food, but his thirst for water, 
and particularly cold water, is extreme—he frequently looks round 
at his flanks, and the lingering gaze is terminated by a cry or 
groan. In the majority of cases there is considerable costiveness, 
but in others the bowels are freely opened from the beginning. 
This is a description of a case of peritoneal inflammation, some¬ 
times pure, but oftener involving the muscular coat of the intestines. 
Its prevailing cause is exposure to cold, especially after fatigue, or 
the being compelled to lie on the wet stones or grass. Now and 
then it is the result of neglected rheumatism, especially in old and 
petted dogs. 
The treatment is simple : bleeding until the pulse falters—a 
warm bath, and the belly gently rubbed while the dog is in the 
water, and well fomented afterwards—the drinking of warm broth 
or warm milk and water—a repetition of the bleeding, if little or 
unsatisfactory relief is obtained—the examination of the rectum 
with the finger, and the removal of any hardened faeces that may 
have accumulated there—the cautious use of enemata, neither too 
stimulating or too forcibly injected. Then—with regard to medi¬ 
cine! None at all, until the more urgent symptoms are abated; 
and then, calomel! the favourite and destructive medicine of the 
keeper and the huntsman! No, not a grain. We have too much 
and too dangerous irritation already. The case indicates an 
oleaginous and narcotic mixture. Castor oil, one of the mildest of 
our purgatives—syrup of buckthorn, assisting the purgative effect 
of the oil, and containing in its composition as much stimulating 
