THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 33 



Ergot may be used to advantage. Astringents combined 

 with laudanum may produce the desired results. 



Obstruction 



Intestinal obstruction is a condition resulting from 

 the occlusion of the intestine by foreign bodies, inspissated 

 fecal material, parasites, abscesses, tumors, cicatrices, 

 rotation of the intestine upon itself or volvulus, and 

 invagination or intussusception. Intussusception is not 

 as common in the hog as in some other animals because of 

 the arrangement of the mesentery, although it may, and 

 sometimes does, occur. 



Lesions. The anatomical changes observed in 

 intestinal obstruction vary according to the cause and 

 duration of the condition. Thus foreign bodies, such as 

 hair balls or nails, may be found; a tangled mass of 

 Ascaris suum is sometimes the only lesion; abscess, tumor 

 formation, or changed relation of the intestine may be 

 the principal lesion. Aside from the obstructing agent 

 there may be inflammatory or necrotic lesions of the 

 mucous membrane or other portions of the intestine. 



Symptoms. The first evidence is inappetence and a 

 tucked abdomen, followed by infrequent defecation with 

 the passage of small quantities of mucous-covered feces. 

 Frequent attempts at defecation without the voiding of 

 any fecal matter may occur. Vomition is a common 

 symptom in the later stages. In some cases there is 

 fermentation of the intestinal content with an excessive 

 accumulation of gas, producing tympany. 



Treatment. The relief of intestinal obstruction 

 depends upon the cause. Obstruction from inspissated 

 fecal matter may be overcome by the judicious use of 

 saline laxatives or enemas. Parasitic obstruction may 

 be overcome by the use of vermifuges given orally or in 

 enemas. Relief from obstruction due to tumors or 

 -abscess formation may be temporarily obtained by 

 purgatives, but permanent relief is obtained only by 

 removing the cause. The treatment for obstruction 

 from volvulus or intussusception is problematic and the 



