004 TREATMENT OF PROLAPSE OF THE ANUS. 



The above is also true of prolapse of the rectum with invagination, 

 except that as a rule defsecation is difficult, the passage of material 

 being interfered with in the invaginated portion of bowel. The 

 animals strain severely, causing further portions of intestine to 

 protrude, these soon become cedematous, the folds in their mucous 

 membrane disappear, and the surface of the prolapsed portion conse- 

 quently appears smooth. The surface of the bowel, which is dirty 

 and not infrequently injured by the animal rolling or lying, gradually 

 becomes dry and presents a dark red or black colour. Pigs sometimes 

 bite off the prolapsed portions in other pigs. 



Death is generally due to injury followed by infection of the 

 prolapsed bowel. No particular demonstration is required to show 

 that prolapsus ani involves less danger than prolapsus recti, especially 

 when the latter is complicated with invagination, and though 

 spontaneous healing sometimes occurs, by the necrotic portion of 

 bowel sloughing, it is very exceptional. Prolapses of the anus are 

 most easily healed, when they have persisted for a short time only, 

 and the mucous membrane of the protruding part is not much altered. 

 Should prolapsus recti be complicated with invagination, and have 

 existed for several days, reposition becomes impossible, because the 

 peritoneal surfaces have already become either adherent or united. 

 Herbivora withstand the condition far better than carnivora. 

 In dogs, invagination is very general, and the commonest subjects 

 are weakly animals, or those whose constitutions have been lowered 

 by continued diarrhoea, as Haubner has already noted. Pigs bear 

 prolapse better, but horses frequently die of it, while oxen generally 

 recover. 



Treatment. In recent prolapse the mucous membrane is cleansed 

 and replaced by regular and steady pressure with the hand, or in 

 small animals with a finger. Sometimes this requires to be repeated, 

 and the owner or attendant may be instructed how to carry it out. 

 Tenesmus is combated by clysters of mucilaginous or oily fluids, 

 containing, if needful, opium ; cocaine may also be worthy of trial. 

 Diarrhoea must be treated by suitable diet and internal medication. 

 Should the prolapsed mucous membrane be swollen, scarification 

 and bathing with astringents as 2 to 5 per cent, alum solution 

 will facilitate reposition. Continued recurrence or structural change 

 in the mucous membrane may necessitate surgical removal of the 

 protruded part. 



The procedure is the same in simple prolapsus recti, but prolapsus 

 recti with invagination offers greater difficulty. In such case 

 reposition must be effected as soon as possible, for the longer prolapse 



