OBSERVATIONS ON A DOG WITH BILIARY FISTULA. 369 



Observations on a Dog with Biliary Fistula. Novem- 

 ber 15, 1861, a biliary fistula was established in a young 

 cur-dog weighing twelve pounds. The abdominal organs 

 were very little exposed, and the experiment, from the first, 

 promised to be very satisfactory. The bile-duct was first 

 ligated next the intestine and at its junction with the cystic 

 duct, and the intermediate portion exsected. The incision 

 in the abdomen was in the median line just below the ensi- 

 form cartilage, and was about three inches long. The fun- 

 dus of the gall-bladder was then drawn to the upper portion 

 of the wound, and the bile was evacuated by a small open- 

 ing, the edges of which were attached to the abdominal pa- 

 rietes. The wound in the abdomen was then closed, except 

 the opening into the gall-bladder, into which a few shreds of 

 lamp-wicking were introduced. 



The animal appeared to do perfectly well after the opera- 

 tion, and ate the usual quantity the next day. He was kept 

 in a warm room, though the weather was mild ; and a care- 

 ful record was made of his condition every day. The fistula 

 occasionally showed a tendency to close, but it was kept 

 open by the occasional introduction of a glass rod. From 

 time to time, while the animal was under observation, he 

 licked the bile as it flowed from the fistula. This was finally 

 prevented by a long wire-muzzle, the sides of which were 

 covered with oil-silk. 



The abdomen was somewhat tumid, with some rumbling 

 in the bowels, for five days after the operation. The first 

 alvine discharge took place on the evening of the second day. 

 The fseces seemed in all regards normal. After that time, 

 they became very infrequent, though the animal ate well 

 every day. The fseces that were passed after the third day 

 were of a grayish color and moderately soft. They had an 

 exceedingly offensive and penetrating odor. At about 

 the fifteenth day, the faeces became more frequent; and 

 from that time were passed three or four times a day. Gen- 

 erally they were clay-colored ; but on one or two occasions 

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