166 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



extent, and may be eaten through the walls. If it is but slight, treat 

 with carbolic acid, and attend to the general health of the animal ; give 

 tonics, good food, etc. Tumours in the rectum may interfere with the 

 passage of the feces. Endeavour to remove them, either with the knife 

 or ecraseur. 



Protrusion of the Rectum is often met with in all animals, and it 

 looks very formidable, especially to a casual observer, and if it continues 

 for some time it swells and becomes inflamed, and may attain a consider- 

 able size. It is caused in various vyays, and is symptomatic of acute 

 indigestion. In other cases it is due to a slight injury to tlie rectum — 

 from inserting the hand violently. It is also brought about by exposure 

 to cold ; by irritating clysters, using too much soap, or even by giving 

 clysters too frequently ; from diarrhoea or constipation, and in some 

 cases debility ; or the animal standing with the fore parts higher than 

 the hind parts. In the dog it may be produced by aloes. The most 

 common cause, perhaps, is constipation. It requires a little tact and 

 perseverence to reduce it. Endeavonr to find how long it has been pro- 

 truded. Bathe with tepid water to remove any dirt, scarify in one or two 

 places, being careful not to cut too deeply, then bathe with tepid water 

 and laudanum, and if it is from constipation it may be necessary to 

 remove the contents of the rectum, by giving an injection and allowing 

 it to escape, then bathe well and return it, and you may meet a case 

 where you will have to return it every day perhaps for a week or ten 

 days, and if due to constipation it is sometimes necessary to give a 

 purgative to get the bowels in a natural condition, then elevate the hind 

 quarters to a certain extent. Sometimes a portion may become gangren- 

 ous, when you will have to remove the gangrenous part, and recovery 

 may still take place. It has been recommended to place a truss to the 

 parts, but it is difficult to do. 



Imperforate Anus, in which the skin covers the anus ; and this con- 

 dition may extend in for a considerable distance. Make two incisions, 

 one across the other, but if the anus is not developed properly, death 

 will soon result. 



Peritonitis, — The abdominal cavity is covered with a serous mem- 

 brane, reflections of which cover the various organs. Inflammation of 

 this is called peritonitis, and is rather a serious affair, and is apt to lead 

 to serious results. This and enteritis may both occur at once. However, 

 it may exist independent of enteritis. 



Causes. — Exposure to cold ; food is not likely to produce it ; exposure 

 after some debilitating disease. It often supervenes enteritis, and is 

 often a sequel or a result of castration, especially if not properly per- 

 formed ; from a change of weather, etc. 



Symptoms are somewhat deceptive, and it may go on to some extent, 

 especially if it is due to an injury, and be overlooked. There is not the 

 same pain as in enteritis ; the pulse is perhaps seventy or eighty, and 

 wiry, the breathing affected to some extent, and you are apt to think the 

 horse is suffering from irritation of the lungs ; pressure causes pain, and 

 in many cases, no difference what causes it, a post mortem will reveal 

 a great amount of effusion into the peritoneal cavity. The symptoms 

 sometimes come on gradually. At first he is dull, will not move unless 

 forced to, refuses food ; pulse seventy or eighty, and wiry ; the breathing 

 quickened some, and he will look at the sides, etc. It is apt to extend 

 over a large surface, and may involve the whole peritoneum. When it 

 comes from castration, suppuration does not take place in connection 



