390 Narrowing of the Intestine. 



for a few hours only, or for several days (socalled habitual, re- 

 curring or periodic colic ) . With remitting mild or on the contrary, 

 very severe attacks of colic, there develops afterwards an in- 

 complete constipation. In stricture of the small intestine the 

 attacks usually occur shortly after the ingestion of food, and 

 they are often followed by dilatation of the stomach (see page 

 299). In stenosis of the rectum restlessness is noticed before 

 defecation. In cattle there occur, aside from the s^^nptoms of 

 intestinal obstipation, those of a periodically recurring atony 

 of the stomach or overfilling of the nmien (Storch). 



During the attacks of colic, pulse, respiration and temper- 

 ature remain, as a rule, normal or are only changed insignifi- 

 cantly; an exception to this rule is noted, however, when a dila- 

 tation of the stomach or enteritis has set in, or where the under- 

 lying cause of the stenosis of itself leads to fever (abscess, peri- 

 tonitis). 



During the intervals between the attacks the animals either 

 appear perfectly healthy, as for instance in moderate stenosis 

 of the small intestine, or defecation is scanty, occurring only 

 after longer intervals, or instead of being dry and small, the 

 feces may be softer tlian normal, a condition which is due to 

 secondary intestinal catarrh. 



Eectal examination often does not merely reveal the seat 

 of the stenosis but also its cause. In stenosis of the rectum the 

 hand meets an impediment, either near the anus or somewhat 

 more distant from it, which cannot be removed either by 

 spreading the finger or by the injection of lukewarm water 

 (this distinguishes true stenosis from temporary constriction, 

 which can be overcome by the means indicated) ; one often also 

 can feel feces with the finger pushed through the constriction, 

 sometimes a dilatation and occasionally a kink. If the arm is 

 introduced up to the shoulder, narrowing of the small colon may 

 be detected, because all loops of this part of the bowel are in a 

 portion of the abdomen which can be reached from the rectum. 

 A stricture in the posterior third or possibly the posterior half 

 of the left loop of the large colon, or in the upper half of the 

 cecum, the terminal portion of the ileum, or in the loops of 

 small intestines situated below the renal region, nmj be detected 

 in the same manner, and in horses which are not too large they 

 may even be found in the stomach-like dilatation of the colon. 

 One finds the intestinal wall thinner at the constricted portion, 

 possibly adherent to a neighboring organ, or one may detect a 

 large abnormal formation in its lumen or in the neighborhood. 

 In front of the stenosis there is usually an accumulation of 

 feces. Palpation of the right half of the abdomen in cattle may 

 show stenosis of the rectum, stenosis or adhesions of the cecum, 

 stenosis of other portions of the large intestines or of some 

 loops of small intestine. 



The presence of a non-incarcerated hernia of the diaphragm 

 may be assumed with some degree of certainty from the pres- 



