HEMORRHOIDS 81 



in this case the tumor is hard and puttj^-like and introducing the finger 

 into the rectum it is found to be filled with hard faecal matter. The 

 treatment consists in breaking up the faecal matter and removing it either 

 with the finger, instruments, or by means of clysters, gluten or glycerine 

 suppositories, giving the animal food suitable for this condition. Lienaux 

 operated by cutting the rectum, pulling out all the dilated portion, 

 excising it, and sewing the intestine to the anus as in prolapsus of the 

 rectum, (see Fig, 37). 



Hemorrhoids. 



These are diffuse or knot-shaped (varicose) distentions of the pos- 

 terior veins of the lower bowel at the anus. According to their position, 

 we may call them external or internal hemorrhoids. 



The former are located outside the sphincter ani and in the sub- 

 cutaneous connective tissue. The latter are located inside the sphincter 

 and under the mucous membrane. Sometimes these enlarged veins burst 

 and cause considerable hemorrhage. This, however, rarely amounts to 

 anything, as the mucous membrane is generally more or less inflamed all 

 the time, and often the faeces are covered with mucous when they are 

 passed. It is not a rare affection in older dogs. 



Clinical Symptoms. — The act of defecation is painful, the faeces covered 

 with mucus and sometimes blood — either pure blood or blood and 

 mucus mixed. On making a digital examination, which is very painful, 

 the mucous membrane is found to be roughened and uneven, or we may 

 see one knotty lump in the orifice of the anus. In rare instances they 

 appear as bluish-red ulcers which encircle the reddened rectum. The 

 animal is nervous, irritable, sliding the posterior part of the body on the 

 floor, especially on the carpet, so as to rub the rectum, and licking the 

 anus frequently. 



The causes can generally be ascribed to a stagnation of the veins, from 

 irritation of the membranes, from bile or irritants dvie to poor or faulty 

 digestion, too much food, and in the majority of instances it will be found 

 that the liver is congested or inactive, from chronic constipation or lack of 

 exercise (Vogel states it follows pregnancy), and carcinoma or stenosis 

 in the posterior portion of the intestinal canal. In some cases it is due to 

 a disturbance of the circulation, from disease of the heart or lungs, and 

 from the irritation of habitual constipation. 



Therapeutics. — The best treatment to pursue is first to use saline laxa- 

 tives, but not in large enough doses to purge, such as sulphate of mag- 

 nesia or sulphate of sodium, and cold enema and the application of an 

 ointment of lead plaster. Any knots may be removed by ligature, scarifi- 

 cation, or by the scissors, and afterward touched by the thermocautery. 

 6 



