ON ENTERITIS IN THE DOG. 
597 
power as is safe—and the syrup of white poppies, the most conve¬ 
nient anodyne to mingle with the other medicines, and which will 
generally be successful in allaying the irritation already existing, 
and preventing the development of more. Even this must not be 
given in too large quantities, and their effect must be assisted by a 
repetition of the enemata every fifth or sixth hour. 
On examination after death the nature of the disease is suffi¬ 
ciently evident. The peritoneum, or portions of it, is highly in¬ 
jected with blood—the veins are turgid—the muscular membrane 
is corrugated and hardened, while, often, the mucous membrane dis¬ 
plays not a trace of disease. In violent cases, however, the whole 
of the intestines exhibit evidence of inflammation and disease. 
Chronic Inflammation of the Peritoneal Membrane 
is a common disease in dogs. He loses his appetite and spirits— 
he gets a little, and sometimes not a little, cross—he becomes thin— 
his belly is tucked up, and, when we examine him, we find it con¬ 
tracted and hard, and those longitudinal columns of which I have 
already spoken are peculiarly hard, and almost unyielding—he 
now and then utters a half-suppressed whine, and he occasionally 
seeks to hide himself. In the greater number of cases, he, after a 
while, will recover; but he too often pines away and dies. 
On examination after death the case is plain enough. There is 
inflammation of the peritoneal membrane, more indicated by undue 
congestion of the vessels than by the general blush of the membrane. 
The inflammation has now spread to the muscular coat, and the 
whole of the intestine is corrugated and thickened. 
I regard this as chiefly a peritoneal affection, aggravated by com¬ 
bination with a rheumatic tendency,—that to which the dog is more 
disposed than any other domesticated animal. 
This disease has its most frequent origin in cold—in the being 
too much fed on stimulating and acrid food,—and, probably, from 
other causes which have not yet been sufficiently developed. 
Here, again, no drastic purgative is to be admitted. It would be 
adding fuel to fire with a vengeance. Not a grain of calomel if 
the life of the animal is valued. The same castor-oil mixture— 
the proportions, three, two, and one, with a drop or two of oil of 
peppermint. This will afford the most effectual remedy. 
The dog is subject to fits of COLIC, principally to be traced to im¬ 
proper food, or a sudden change of food, or exposure to cold. 
This is particularly the case with puppies. There is no redness 
of the eye, no heat of the mouth, no quickened respiration, but the 
animal labours under fits of pain. He is not easy for a minute 
in a place. He gets into one corner and another, curling himself 
closely up; but he does not lie there more than a minute or two. 
