196 Diseases of the Digestive System. 



water will be useful, if assisted by breaking up of the 

 faeces by the finger inserted within the rectum. Crude 

 opium (one to three grains), chlorodyne, Indian hemp, 

 &c., given in one or two teaspoonfuls of barley water, 

 may be given to counteract pain and spasm, and may be 

 repeated hourly as needed. Enemas containing one of 

 these remedies are also of great value. A warm bath 

 often proves highly beneficial if due care in drying, &c., 

 is observed. In recovery the greatest care in feeding, 

 &c., must be observed, or the animal when approaching 

 convalescence will suddenly change, droop, and die from 

 a recurrence of the malady. Poisoning must be met by 

 appropriate remedies or antidotes. {See Poisons.) 



Beef-tea, broth, milk, or cod-liver oil should be given 

 with the medicines by the mouth, and by the rectum 

 with astringents. Violent pain must be met by opium 

 (one to three grains) hourly, or at longer intervals as 

 needful to subdue the pain. Some practitioners add 

 sulphate of copper with manifest benefit. A hot linseed 

 poultice, or the spongio-piline {see Poultices) applied to 

 the abdomen is often highly beneficial, and suppositories, 

 or injections of an astringent nature should be employed 

 in conjunction ; iced water is sometimes added. Clean- 

 liness, with fresh air, are all important in the means of 

 cure. 



Prolapsus Ani, or D?'oppiHg of the Bowely appears in 

 the form of an unsightly tumour beneath the tail, which 

 often suffers considerable enlargement with the discharge 

 of faeces, while some pain and difficulty attend the act. 

 The usual causes are debility, the result of age, neglected 

 constipation of a general character, as well as impaction 

 of the rectum itself. It is also common in over- fed and 

 idle dogs. It may be partial, consisting of the mucous 

 membrane only, or the entire rectum may be everted, in 

 which case swelling ensues with more or less strangula- 

 tion, inducing changes which greatly militate against a 

 speedy and successful return as well as retention of the 

 organ. 



Treatment consists of returning the bowels within the 

 abdomen by means of careful side-pressure and manipu- 



