410 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



of the liver, feeding, on certain descriptions of food, as 

 Indian corn, pea-straw, or any kind of very dry food, all 

 tend to cause constipation. Another cause is feeding upon 

 food of a highly nutritious character, as oats, beans, etc., 

 and not allowing the animal a sufficient supply of coarse 

 bulky food, as ha}'. Inferior food may also produce it. Ic 

 may also follow indigestion, or any derangement of the 

 digestive system. It is most frequently seen occurring in 

 old animals. 



Symptoms. — The condition as a rule is easily detected. 

 There may be a slight diarrhoea at the commencement of 

 the attack. This is about the only symptom that is likely 

 to mislead the practitioner. The diarrhoea soon ceases, and 

 if fceces are passed they are seen to be in hard pellets, and 

 perhaps coated with mucus. The animal has a dull appear- 

 ance, and is sluggish in his movements. Abdominal pain 

 is manifested in the usual way, and may be caused by 

 slight spasm. He rolls and paws, but not in the violent 

 manner of colic ; and it is evident that the pain is much 

 less than in a case of colic. There may be slight flatulency, 

 giving rise to tympanites, and explaining the presence of 

 the pain. The f^cal matter usually accumulates in the large 

 intestines : most commonly in the colon, and sometimes in 

 the rectum, in consequence of which, and more particularly 

 if the constipation be caused by inferior food, the intestines 

 may become partially or wholly paralyzed and distended, 

 the muscular fibres lose their contractile power, and the 

 animal becomes totally unable to expel the faeces. A 

 symptom often noticed when obstinate constipation is 

 present, more particularly when in connection with the 

 large intestines, is a tendency on the part of the animal to 

 back his buttocks up against the wall or manger and press 

 upon the parts, probably in an endeavour to relieve pain. 

 Another symptom is more or less protrusion of the rectum, 



