FOREIGN BODY IN THE RECTUM. 385 



amount and consistence of the faeces rendered this useless. The 

 animal was placed on milk diet, enemata of hot water were slowly 

 injected, and repeated six times daily; i centigramme (•15 grain) of 

 pilocarpine was subcutaneously injected, and the abdomen was mas- 

 saged. 



This treatment was continued during the succeeding four days. 

 Every other day 5 centigrammes of calomel (| grain) were given. The 

 animal only passed very small quantities of faeces, which had been 

 softened by the enemas. 



On the 27th each enema was followed b}' the passage of softened 

 excrement. The calomel was stopped. 



On the following day the animal passed a large quantity of semi- 

 liquid material and fragments of bone. On manipulation of the 

 abdomen the hard mass formed by the distended rectum could no 

 longer be detected. 



On the 2Sth several evacuations. 



On the 2gth passage of almost liquid and slightly blood-stained faeces. 

 Every minute the animal made expulsive efforts. It was fed on milk, 

 containing a feeble proportion of laudanum, and with rice and milk. 



On the 30th similar treatment. The excrement no longer contained 

 blood, and the diarrhoea had diminished. 



On the following days the stools resumed their normal appearance. 



95. Six-year-old water spaniel, left in hospital 14th May, 1898. 

 Had for some months shown incontinence of urine, and was then 



suffering from obstinate constipation. The anus was swollen, and 

 formed a projection as large as a man's tist. The dog continually 

 made efforts to defaecate. The rectum was obstructed by hardened 

 excrement. 



Treatment. — Milk diet ; warm water enemas every two hours. 



On the 15th, after administration of several enemas, a portion of 

 the faecal mass could be broken down and removed. Two centigrammes 

 (i grain) of calomel were administered as an intestinal antiseptic. 



During the three following days the enemas and calomel were 

 continued. The material was still hard, and only passed in small 

 quantity. Straining was still frequent. 



On the 20th a large quantity of softened excrement was passed. 



From the 21st to 25th the previous symptoms gradually 'diminished. 

 The animal was placed on ordinary diet, which it consumed. 



On the 27th the stools were normal. 



Remark. — Among methods of treating constipation in the dog, that 

 usually recommended comprises administration of purgatives, and 

 mechanical removal of faeces. I prefer frequently repeated warm 

 enemata, milk diet, and small doses of calomel. 



FOREIGN BODY IN THE RECTUM. 



96. A one-year-old King Charles' spaniel, left in hospital 15th April, 

 1898. 



Though usually very affectionate this dog had, during the preceding 

 five or six days, become bad tempered and snappish. It even attempted 



B B 



