160 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



18. Protrusion of the Rectum or Back Bowel. 



This is often met with. It is a miserable looking sight, 

 especially when the protruded portion is allowed to remain 

 out for some time and become swollen. 



Causes. — A horse in jumping a fence may get caught 

 and lie with his belly half over. The extreme pressure of 

 his weight upon the fence in this position may cause it. 

 Extreme cases of bloating, as with wind colic or acute indi- 

 gestion, sometimes causes sufficient pressure to force the 

 rectum out. It has been met with in cases of diarrhoea, 

 being the result of straining. Constipation, however, is the 

 great cause of protrusion. The straining is so great in pass- 

 ing manure as to frequently press the rectum out. A mare 

 while foaling or an old stallion while being castrated may 

 strain sufficiently hard as to bring about the same result. 



Symptoms. — A red mass of bowel hanging from the anus, 

 varying in extent from three inches to three or four feet and 

 in some cases even more than this. 



Treatment. — Place a twitch on the horse's nose. While 

 one attendant holds up one of the front feet to keep him 

 from kicking and another holds the tail out of the way. 

 cleanse the protruding bowel thoroughly by washing it well 

 with lukewarm water. When satisfied that it is thoroughly 

 clean, oil well all over with sweet oil. Commence by return- 

 ing the bowel in at the anus, after which it should be pushed 

 well back into the body with the hand and arm according 

 to the amount protruding. The tail must be held down tight 

 over the anus for an hour or so after the operation, until 

 straining has ceased, to prevent its coming out again. It is 

 well to place straw or boards under the hind feet to keep the 

 rear end of the body higher than the front. Give: 



Raw Linseed Oil 1 pint. 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



This will act upon the bowels and also relieve the pain 

 Shake well together and give as a drench. Feed soft feed 

 containing plenty of boiled linseed to keep the bowels loose. 

 If constipation be the cause of protrusion give : 



Bitter Aloes 8 drams. 



Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 



Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful. 



Mix with a pint of lukewarm water and give as a drench. 



