INTESTINAL HEMORRHAGEENTERORRHAGIA 177 



of the mucous membranes may be recognized. When the 

 hemorrhage has been severe from the small bowels the feces 

 will be very dark and of a tarry consistency; from the large 

 bowels and rectum the color is a bright red the blood being 

 well preserved. In severe hemorrhage the symptoms are 

 those of extensive hemorrhage from any source. Sudden 

 paleness of the membranes, rapid weakness, etc., are the 

 most prominent symptoms observed. Repeated small hemor- 

 rhages, such as occur during ulceration, action of parasites, 

 etc., may produce different grades of anemia, depending upon 

 the extent of the hemorrhage. 



Diagnosis. This can only be made after a careful examina- 

 tion of the animal and the discharges from the bowels. When 

 slight hemorrhages take place, a microscopic examination 

 of the discharges may be necessary to determine the presence 

 of blood. 



Prognosis. This depends upon the cause, and the extent 

 of the hemorrhage. In most cases bowel hemorrhage should 

 be considered serious, as it is often impossible to determine 

 the cause or extent of the hemorrhage. 



Treatment. The cause should be determined if possible, 

 as the treatment depends very largely upon this factor. 

 Opium is often of great value to suppress peristalsis. The 

 tincture may be used in the following dosage: For dogs 

 (0.5-1.0), cats (0.2-0.5), rabbits (0.2-0.5), birds (0.1-0.2). 

 Astringents, such as tannic acid, etc., are also indicated. 

 They should be administered in rather large doses, and 

 repeated every hour or so. Adrenalin chlorid is most useful 

 in severe hemorrhage: The dose for dogs is 2.0 of a 1-1000 

 solution given every hour; other animals one-half the quantity. 

 Ergot may also be used. Hemorrhage from the rectum or 

 large bowels is best treated by injections of gelatin dissolved 

 in hot water, astringents (alum 2-5 per cent.), or cold water. 

 The injections should be repeated as often as necessary to 

 control the hemorrhage. 



When there is great loss of blood, normal salt solution 

 (500.0) should be administered intraperitoneally or per 

 rectum. Further treatment depends upon the symptoms 

 that develop. 

 12 



