706 DISEASES OF SWINE 



as firmly as possible. Some operators consider it good practice to 

 scrape the edges of the opening with the back of the knife before 

 stitching them in order that more new tissue will be formed in the 

 healing of the wound. This is perhaps a good plan, especially if the 

 hole be a large one. 



The edges of the skin wound should now be stitched together, 

 or, if desired, this wound may be packed with gauze, which should 

 be replaced with fresh material each day. The hog should then be 

 placed in a clean pen and kept away from the balance of the herd 

 until completely recovered. 



This operation offers a considerable amount of difficulty, and, 

 as the conditions found are not exactly the same in any two cases, 

 it would be a risky one for the owner to undertake. If it is consid- 

 ered advisable to treat these ventral ruptures, a skilled veterinarian 

 should be called, as the conditions met with in these cases are such 

 as can be handled only by a man with a thorough knowledge of the 

 anatomy of the parts and of proper surgical procedures. 



PROLAPSE OF THE RECTUM 



Defmition. — This is a rather uncommon condition, in which 

 there is a protrusion or prolapse of the lining membrane of the 

 rectum through the anal opening. The condition is met with most 

 commonly in young shoats and growing pigs about the age of wean- 

 ing or shortly after. It may occur, however, in hogs of any age 

 under those concUtions which favor its production. 



Causes. — The most frequent cause of prolapse of the rectum is 

 constipation. As a result of the difficulty in moving the bowels 

 the animal strains repeatedly, and finally forces a part of the bowel 

 out through the anus. In like manner, a severe diarrhea may result 

 in prolapse. In these cases the exhausting discharge so weakens 

 the sphincter muscle that guards the anal opening that it becomes 

 relaxed and the bowel prolapses or slips out. iK 



Pigs that are allowed to feed around a coal pile or on a cinder 

 bed are often subjects of prolapse of the rectum. It is also met with 

 in many cases of perverted appetite where pigs eat rotten wood, 

 earth, and other similar indigestible materials. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of prolapse of the rectum are some- 

 what similar to those of eversion of the uterus, but much less 



