DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. I5y 



or even to constipation. \'oIuntary defecation is almost im- 

 possible when paralysis of the rectum exists, in such ca es 

 he ag:tat,on of the body during locomotion causes the e 

 to be passively discharged through the gaping anus 



InvolnuMry evacuations of the bowels occur in cerebral 

 spasms and m paralysis or relaxation of the anus. The latter 

 IS common m the course of severe diarrheas, here the semi- 

 liquid feces flow down on the legs 



Defecation is painfrd in the course of painful inflamma- 

 tory conditions m the abdominal cavity r intestine, periton- 

 eum) diaphragm or abdominal walls. These conditions all 

 mrfere_ with the normal contrac^on of the abdominal mus- 



fbonesT"^ .f ""' °' '^'^^^^^°°- '^ ^°^^ ^--^- bodies 

 (bones) in the intestines, and obstructions bv agglutinated 

 hai. at the anusof long haired dogs, are particularTv tro'ue 

 some. The patients groan, cry or howl during attempts at 

 defecation; they avoid the act as much as possible and' L 

 bring on constipation. 



b. Frequency of defecation. Carnivora defecate once 

 or twice daily, herbivora much more frequently; horses 8-10 

 times, ,,ttle 12-18 times. These figures are increased by 

 bodily exercise-particularly in horses that travel much. 



When the normal frequency of defecation is reduced, we 

 say the animal is constipated. This is mostly the result of 

 diminished peristaltic motion which is also attended with in- 

 creased absorption of fluids. Constipation mav result from 

 impaction._ occlusion, and dislocation of the intestine, first 

 stages of intestinal catarrhs, inflammations, etc. Constipation 



withn%^""''^fil '''T°" "^ '°^'^' '' ^"^>' °^^"^' however, 

 without any other cohc symptoms. In ruminants the ingesta 

 are usually retained or retarded in the paunch and omasum! 

 rarely m the intestines. 



The term diarrhea is applied to frequent and usuallv 

 copious evacuations of liquid or semi-liquid feces; it occurs 

 m all irritated conditions of the intestinal mucous membrane 



