DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 159 



anus. Stoppage of the passage, also, generally attends rup- 

 ture of the rectum. The extent of the injury may be ascer- 

 tained by making a careful examination with the oiled hand. 



Treatment. — Carefully remove any slivers, splinters or 

 pieces of foreign matter that may have been left in the 

 wound. Remove the manure from the rectum three or four 

 times a day. being careful to oil the hand well. After each 

 operation give an injection of a little warm water and soap. 

 This has a soothing effect on the wound and helps to keep 

 the bowels regular. Feed soft food in small quantities in 

 order to keep the bowels as nearly empty as possible and 

 still allow sufficient nourishment to sustain life. Give the 

 following: 



Raw Linseed Oil l / 2 pint. 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Mix and give as a drench. Should there seem to be pain 

 after this treatment give one ounce or four dessertspoonfuls 

 of laudanum, as a drench, in a little lukewarm water every 

 four hours. If the animal be very fleshy give five to ten 

 drops of Fleming's tincture of aconite to keep down the 

 inflammation. 



17. Tumors or Abscesses of the Rectum. 

 This disease is not very common. 



Causes. — It may result from a costive condition of the 

 bowels. Injuries caused by rudely inserting the hand or an 

 injection pipe may develop into abscesses or tumors. 



Symptoms. — These are most noticeable during the pass- 

 ing of manure, which causes severe pain, so severe indeed at 

 times that the animal lies down. A large tumor or abscess 

 often causes straining which results in the passage of nothing 

 from the rectum. 



Treatment. — Make a careful examination with the hand 

 well oiled. Should there be evidence of an abscess contain- 

 ing matter, pierce or lance it with a small knife to allow the 

 matter to escape. If a tumor that can be got at, remove by 

 cutting it out with a knife. The ecraseur (an instrument 

 supplied with a chain for squeezing it off) is often useful in 

 such cases. 



For after treatment give raw linseed oil and mix boiled 

 flax seed with the feed to keep the bowels loose. 



