406 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



INTUSSUSCEPTION. 



By intussusception is meant the slipping of a portion, 

 or whole of a bowel, into the cavity of another bowel. 

 There may be only two or three inches, or many feet, of 

 bowel invaginated. It is a condition rarely met with, 

 but when it does occur is very serious, and usually results 

 fatally. It may occur in either the large or small intes- 

 tines, although the latter in all probability are those most 

 frequently involved. 



Causes. — It is not always an easy matter to account for 

 the occurrence of this condition. Violent intestinal con- 

 tractions, such as take place in a severe attack of spasmodic 

 colic, will produce it. It is of most frequent occurrence 

 among young animals. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of intussusception are about 

 the same as those of volvulus. 



Treatment. — Treatment is the same as for volvulus, but is 

 generally useless. Purgatives are inadmissible. Some 

 practitioners recommend the performance of a surgical 

 operation to relieve the condition — the method suggested 

 being to cut into the abdominal cavity, and having searched 

 for and found the imprisoned portion of bow^el, to free it. 

 Such an operation may be tried as a last resort for volvulus, 

 as well as this condition ; however, it is not likely to be 

 successful. Sometimes the invaginated portion of intestine 

 may slough off and come away wath the faeces, and recovery 

 take place. 



INTESTINAL TUMOURS, Etc. 



Tumours of a small size sometimes exist for a long time 

 within the intestines without giving rise to any incon- 

 venience wdiatever ; but as they increase in size they begin 

 to cause more or less trouble, especially if the animal be 



