158 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



inflammatory symptoms, and of course reduces the size of the 

 tumor, so that some time should be spent in bathing the parts ere 

 the reduction be attempted. 



A case of prolapsus ani was treated by the author a short time 

 ago, which is here introduced as an example to illustrate the 

 treatment. The subject was a bay gelding, nine years old, of 

 plethoric habit ; he had been used but little during the previous 

 three weeks, although kept on full feed ; the groom had noticed 

 that the animal strained hard in voiding the excrement, and that 

 considerable protrusion of the rectum took place at such times. 

 The prolapsus was of two days' duration ere the author's atten- 

 tion was called to it. 



The protrusion was large, presenting a highly-inflamed lobular 

 surface of thickened mucous membrane, very sensitive, and some- 

 what gangrenous near the anal opening ; emitted a fetid odor, 

 and discharged a sanious fluid. 



Treatment. — A drench was given, composed of 



Sulphur, 1 ounce, 



Cream of tartar, £ ounce, 



Flaxseed tea, 1 pint. 



After which, a clyster of salt and water, to avoid mortification, 

 was administered. It brought away some slimy excrement, yet 

 aggravated the prolapsus. The parts were then bathed by means 

 of a soft sponge, with an astringent wash, (one ounce of tincture 

 of muriate of iron to a bucket of water,) which, after a time, re- 

 duced their size. With a view of producing an astringent effect, 

 and thus collapsing the rectum, a small portion of the liquid was 

 thrown into the interior, taking care to let it flow from the syr- 

 inge in a gradual manner, so as not to excite peristaltic action. 



Reduction of the Tumor. — A pad of linen, wetted with alum 

 water, was placed on the tumor, and constant pressure, aided by 

 a sort of kneading of the fingers, was kept up for some time, but 

 to no purpose, when the following expedient was resorted to : 

 Having procured a middling-sized bladder, the air was pressed 

 out of it ; on being softened with warm water, a common horse 

 catheter was introduced through its neck, and there fastened 

 with twine ; after being smeared with olive oil, it was introduced 

 within the rectum ; an assistant was now directed to place the 



