G32 INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS. 



regarded as a distinct and substantive disease, but rather as a 

 symptom or manifestation of many diseased conditions. It is 

 undoubted that both in amount and character the discharges 

 from the bowels are largely modified by the nature of the 

 dietary upon which the animal is subsisting, and that there 

 exists in health a great range in these features of intestinal 

 excretion perfectly compatible with the healthy exercise of 

 function. 



When appearing as a symptom, or in connection with any 

 special disease, it will require individual and special considera- 

 tion. Sometimes in these conditions it is a matter of much 

 importance. 



When existing independent of any recognised or particular 

 diseased condition, but as a disorder ^jer se, it rarely pro- 

 ceeds to such an extent as to endanger hfe, or even to cause 

 alarm. 



Even in many instances usually regarded as simple and 

 uncomplicated constipation, it may be discovered that such is 

 not really the case, that it is but the result of certain disturb- 

 ance or change, either in the alimentary canal or in some other 

 organ more remotely associated with digestion. 



Certain disorders of function of the gland-structures imme- 

 diately or more remotely concerned in the process of digestion, 

 may not unfrequently operate injuriously in thus altering 

 the excretions of the canal ; and although thus disturbed, 

 they of themselves may give no direct evidence of the dis- 

 turbance by pain or other special visceral symptoms. Thus, 

 what we regard as constipation pure and uncomphcated, may 

 be only a manifestation of disorder or disease of a very 

 different organ or structure from the alimentary canal. 



b. Causation. — As a simple and uncomplicated disorder 

 unconnected with structural lesion, constipation is chiefly 

 observed associated Avith — (1) Mechanical obstruction in some 

 part of the intestinal tube. This will, in its different mani- 

 festations, come under notice in another section. (2) Want of 

 sufficient peristaltic motion, the result of impaired nervous 

 irritability of the bowel. (3) Diminution in the amount of 

 fluid material from defective secretion, or in some instances 

 excessive absorption. 



These latter conditions are both very intimately connected 



