414 INFLAMMATIONS. 



Chronic inflamynntion icith constipation is very apt to occur in 

 doffs which are not exercised, and are fed with biscuit or meal 

 without vegetables. The consequence isj that the bowels after a 

 time become inflamed, and diarrhoea is set up ; but, this soon 

 ceasing, the mucous membrane is impaired in tone, and there is a 

 want of the proper secretion, so that the fieces become hard, and 

 the muscular coat refuses to act as it should do. In such a case, 

 the belly becomes distended, and there is excessive pain, with more 

 or less spasm. In some instances the f(eces have become so im- 

 pacted that no means covdd be used which would overcome the 

 mechanical difficulty, and the dogs have died " undelivered." It 

 is easy to distinguish these collections, because they may be readily 

 felt through the flank, and nothing but a case of pregnane}^ can 

 be mistaken for them. The treatment of habitual constipation 

 should be by giving regular exercise and green vegetables with 

 the food. Coarse oatmeal will almost always act gently on the 

 bowels of the dog, and a costive animal may be fed upon jDorridge 

 with great advantage, mixing wheat flour with it or Indian meal, 

 so as to correct any over-activity. It is better to avoid opening 

 medicine as a rule, though there is no objection to an occasional 

 dose of a mild drug like castor oil. (See xlperients, page 345.) 

 If VciQfmces are impacted, throw up warm water or gruel repeatedly, 

 till they are softened, and at the same time give the aperient (12), 

 (15), or (16). If there are piles, which may be seen. as dark nut-like 

 tumours round the anus, give as much brimstone as will lie on a 

 shilling to a dog of average size every morning mixed up in his 

 food. 



