392 Narrowing of the Intestine. 



Treatment. In the majority of cases the treatment recom- 

 mended against fecal impaction is indicated (see there). In 

 the cases of narrowing of the intestine, which are due to a non- 

 incarcerated hernia or to an excessively large foreign body, it is 

 not advisable to use laxatives with intense action, because in- 

 carceration of the hernia or complete occlusion by the foreign 

 body may occur. In such cases one should confine oneself to 

 the use of the neutral salts. In rectal stenosis, local treatment 

 may be assisted by mild laxatives. If dilatation of the stomach 

 has occurred the use of the stomach tube and lavage of the 

 stomach are indicated. 



If these methods are not successful, or if an improvement 

 cannot be expected from them in consequence of the nature of 

 the stenosis, relief may be attempted by operative procedures. 



Pediculated tumors of the rectal wall should be removed 

 by crushing or ligation of the pedicle ; tumors with a broad basis 

 or those of the paraproctal connective tissue must be removed 

 by excision. Periproctal abscesses must be properly treated 

 after an incision. Douville removed a cyst from the rectum of 

 a horse by puncture, followed by injection of Lugol's iodine- 

 iodide of potash solution. Certain forms of stenosis situated 

 in front of the pelvis may be attacked through the rectum (tear- 

 ing of adhesive bands, displacement of enlarged organs). (Guit- 

 tard temporarily relieved in this manner, a stenosis caused by 

 an enlarged rumen.) 



The great majority of cases of stenosis formed in parts 

 that are distant from the pelvis can be treated only by a lapa- 

 rotomy or eventually an enterotomy. It is absolutely necessary 

 first, to ascertain the exact nature and seat of the stricture by 

 rectal exploration, because laparotomy is a dangerous oper- 

 ation, particularly in the horse, and its successful performance 

 requires the selection of the proper place for the incision; the 

 latter should, if possible, be made at a place nearest to the site 

 of the intestinal stricture. In smaller animals, however, the 

 best place for the laparotomy incision is, as a rule, the median 

 line (linea alba). Stenosis caused by adhesive bands can be 

 removed most easily, because all that is generally necessary 

 after laparotomy is the severing of the constricting bands. 

 Plosz & Marek have successfully performed laparotomy in such 

 cases. Deghilage broke up adhesions of the small colon with the 

 hand introduced through an incision in the vagina. De Meis & 

 Parascandolo have removed a carcinoma of the cecum in a dog 

 by laparo-enterotomy. 



Proper regulation of diet (green feed, bran slop, thin flour 

 pastes, milk, occasionally molasses) usually postpones the de- 

 velopment of complications and of an unfavorable termination. 



Literature. Achilles, Unters. vieb. Darmgesehwiilste beim Pferd, etc., Diss. 

 Leipzig, 1907 (Lit.).— Averous, Eev. vet., 1903, 546.— Belton, Vet. Eec, 1905, 114.— 

 Cad^ac, Journ. vet., 1908, 51.3.— Damecoiirt, Rev. g6n., 1907, X, 251.— Deghilage, 

 Ann., 1907, 17.— Dignac, Eev. vot., 1907. :no.— Eckardt, P.. t. W.. 1,SS9, 41.— 



