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?Inflammation of the Bowels??Peritonitis.Symptoms.-The disease usually begins abruptly, though in exceptional cases some pain and soreness may be felt for two or three days before the patient becomes seriously ill. The pain begins at' some particular point, and extends over the entire abdo men ; it is usually of a sharp, cutting nature, aggravated by move ments of the body, or even by a deep breath. The patient, therefore, is extremely careful to avoid any change of position, or any violent use of the lungs, such as sneezing or coughing. The patient usually finds that the pain is less acute if the. knees be drawn up toward the abdomen ; he therefore assumes this posture in the majority of instances. The abdomen is extremely tender, even the pressure of the bedclothes occasioning pain ; and there is usually swelling and distension of the abdomen from the presence of gas in the intestines. The attack is usually ushered in with vom iting, an act which occasions great pain. The prostration of the patient is a marked symptom of the disease ; the countenance denotes anxiety and distress, and the face sometimes exhibits a peculiar pinched expression, the upper lip being drawn tightly over the teeth. This, the so-called " hip- pocratic countenance," is quite characteristic of the disease when present. There is usually difficulty in emptying the bladder and bowels - a difficulty largely due, doubtless, to the pain occasioned by the effort. Cause.-Acute peritonitis is usually secondary to an inflam mation in some one of the abdominal organs ; most frequently to the inflammation of the womb which occurs in childbed. Some times disease of the intestines will cause peritonitis; and the disease may also result from an inflammation in the female genital organs, which so often occurs from imprudence during menstruation ; from attempts at abortion ; and from the various affections of the female genital organs. Acute peritonitis may also result from direct injury to the abdomen, such as a blow, or the kick of a horse. In a few cases there appears to be no cause for the disease, which is apparently spontaneous. It is necessary for the non-professional observer to remember that several other affections present symptoms more or less resem bling those of peritonitis. The most frequent of these is colic, in which, however, the prostration of the patient is far less severe. In some cases the inflammation remains confined to a portion of the peritoneum, in which case the disease is, of course, less severe. The pain and tenderness are confined to a limited part of the abdomen. The prostration of the patient is less marked. Treatment.-The most important agent in the treatment of this disease is opium. As the patient usually vomits, the drug must be given either by injection into the rectum or by insertion under the skin. The patient can usually endure, without danger, an amount of opium which could not safely be administered to a healthy person ; thus half a grain to a grain of opium can be given every three or four hours, according to the severity of the pain ; the general plan is to administer the drug until the pain is subdued. Hot applications should also be made to the abdomen ; these may consist of light mustard poultices, or of cloths wrung out in hot water ; the latter may be sprinkled with turpentine. It should be remembered that the bowels must not be disturbed during peri tonitis ; even though the patient have no evacuation for several days or a week, it is advisable to avoid the use of cathartics. Whenever it becomes necessary to secure a passage of the bowels, this may be done by a rectal injection of hot water. These constitute the measures which are applicable to all cases of peritonitis. In many individual instances it is desirable to employ other remedies also, which must be determined for each particular case. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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