Dilation of the Intestine. 341 



The persistence of the canal of the umbilical vesicle has been 

 repeatedly observed in solipeds, in the form of a pouch or dilata- 

 tion connected with the ileum three or four inches in front of the 

 ileocaecal valve. Rauscher records one of these of thirteen inches 

 long and having a capacity of seven quarts. These have been 

 noticed in cattle as well. 



Another form of sacculation results from rupture of the muscu- 

 lar coat through which the mucous forms a hernial sac in the 

 peritoneal cavity. On a small scale these sacs are not uncommon, 

 the size of a pea, a bean, or a marl)le, and very often containing 

 larval or mature worms. Degive records an enormous dilatation 

 of the horse's caecum, Peuch, one of the pelvic flexure of the 

 colon having a capacity of forty pounds, and Simonin one of the 

 floating colon. Dilatations of the rectum always take place in 

 the new born affected with atresia ani. 



Dilatation of the rectum into a cloaca is found in the horse 

 and ox, often connected with disease or injury of the terminal 

 part of the spinal cord, and is very common in dogs and cats 

 in connection with the compulsory retention of the faeces indoors. 

 Pigs also present instances of the kind. 



The symptoms are in the main .slight colics, with or without 

 tympany and recurring after each meal. In the small animals 

 the distended gut may often be recognized by palpation through 

 the abdominal walls, and in the larger animals by rectal explora- 

 tion. The distended viscus has not the firmness nor hardness 

 of impaction or calculus and is mainly recognizable by its bulk 

 and form. When the distension is in the rectum it may be easilj' 

 reached and contents dislodged with the effect of giving complete 

 relief for the time being. 



Treatment. Treatment is necessarily mainly palliative and 

 consists in the removal of abnormal accumulations. From the 

 rectum this can be done with the hand, or in the smaller animals 

 with the finger. For abnormal dilatations more anterior, purga- 

 tives and mucilaginous injections are required, with kneading 

 of the bowels through the abdominal walls, or through the rectum 

 in the larger animals, and stinmlation of the peristalsis by nux 

 vomica, ergot, barium chloride or eserine. 



Having unloaded the dilated portion of any undue collection, 

 further accumulation should be guarded against by giving nutri- 



