DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. 697 



lining, is not necessarily fatal ; but if anterior to the termina- 

 tion of the peritoneum, the escape of foecal matters and of blood 

 into the peritoneal cavity will cause death. In one case, where 

 the rectum was pierced by the foot of the foal during parturition, 

 causing a recto-vesical fistula, I was enabled to bring the lips 

 of the wound together by metallic suture, and induce their 

 ultimate union, the mare eventually doing well. 



Inversion of the rectum is caused by violent straining during 

 parturition, or attempts to expel faecal matters; as a result 

 of paralysis; in the coma and spinal paralysis witnessed in 

 parturient apoplexy in the cow ; and in pigs it is a common 

 occurrence owing to constipation. In dogs it results from 

 the impaction of bones or other hard bodies in the bowel, 

 causing violent straining. Its reduction in all animals must 

 be preceded by thoroughly emptying the bowel of all sources of 

 irritation. When this is effected, the bowel, thoroughly washed 

 and oiled, is to be carefully returned into its proper position, 

 and retained there by a suture across the anus, or a rope or 

 truss properly adjusted (West's clamp), and the sense of pain 

 and irritation soothed by opium. For several days the bowel is 

 to be carefully emptied by the hand, or enemas, and the animal 

 fed upon a restricted diet. Purgatives are to be avoided ; the 

 bowel may, however, be lubricated with oleaginous enemas. 



In recurring inversion, which commonly happens in the pig, 

 excision of the protruded intestine may be successfully per- 

 formed ; and in all cases where it is found impossible to 

 return the bowel, the engorged mucous membrane is to be care- 

 fully dissected from the subadjacent structures, and a reduction 

 thus effected. It now and then happens that the sphincter of 

 the anus closes firmly, forming a constricted neck, preventing 

 the return of blood to such an extent that the protruded intestine 

 speedily becomes gangrenous. If the sufferings of the animal 

 be not very great, it is generally advisable to allow a short time 

 to elapse before removing the sphacelated mass, in order that 

 new adhesions may forni ; but if the animal suffers severely, it 

 is advisable to insert sutures for the purpose of causing union 

 between the gut and anal opening, and at once remove the 

 whole protruded mass with a sharp bistoury, the subsequent 

 pain and straining being alleviated by a full dose of opium. 

 When several feet of the intestine are protruded, as sometimes 

 happens after paiturition, it becomes an impossibility to returu 



