DISEASES OP THE OX AND SHEEP. 539* 



portion of the rectum, or near the anus, and caused by a varicose 

 condition, generally, of the rectal veins. They give rise to pain 

 during the act of defecation, and protrusion of the anus, and 

 the feces are tinged with blood. They seem to be occasioned 

 by habitual constipation, or by disorder of the liver. Some- 

 times they may be removed by ligature or otherwise. The food 

 should be soft, and laxatives may occasionally be administered. 



The displacement known as prolapsus ani differs from hernia,, 

 in so far as the protrusion occurs through the natural opening 

 afforded by the anus, and consists in chief part of mucous 

 membrane. It results from violent straining occasioned by 

 intestinal obstruction, by labour pains, or by obstruction to- 

 the outflow of urine. After the rectum has been protruded, it 

 will probably become strangulated, take on a bright red hue, 

 and subsequently become very much enlarged owing to effusion, 

 and then cold and of a purple colour. 



The cause of straining should be obviated, and the bowel 

 should be well washed with cold water, and, if possible, carefully 

 returned by pressure. If the portion protruded has become 

 purple, amputation of it may be resorted to, the edges of the 

 two cut portions being united together by sutures. After he has 

 operated, the veterinary surgeon will probably prescribe some 

 suitable sedative, such as opium. Soft food only should be 

 allowed until recovery has taken place. 



Volvulus or twist of the bowel sometimes comes on as the 

 result of violent struggles during the intense pain of colic. The 

 abdomen may be opened by a skilful surgeon, and the intestine 

 operated upon. The seat of incision is about opposite to that 

 for rumenotomy, and on the right side ; but the operation is 

 only to be resorted to as a last resource, and even nine owners 

 out of ten would prefer slaughtering. 



Intussusception, or invagination, is the name given to a 

 folding of one portion of intestine — generally near the ceecum 

 in the case of the ox — within the canal of another portion. It 

 is rare in the ox, and comes on from colic. Operations have 

 been performed with success in these cases. 



EUPTURE. 



By the term hernia, or rupture, we understand the protrusion 

 of some of the contents of the abdomen or belly out of their 



