270 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



possible, relieve pain, vomiting, etc. The diet must, of 

 course, be specially studied. 



It is important for purposes of diagnosis to get the 

 animal to submit quietly to a careful palpation of the 

 abdomen, as very often an enlargement of some organ, or 

 possibly adhesions, etc., may be detected, and when the 

 diagnosis is certain, the case is so hopeless that, if there 

 is nmch wretchedness or rapid wasting, it may be kindness 

 to chloroform the animal to death. 



INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION. 



This serious and generally fatal condition may be due 

 to foreign bodies, faecal masses, the passage of one portion 

 of the gut within another {intussusception)^ twisting of 

 the gut, or constriction, the result of peritonitis or some 

 other form of inflammation, and kindred causes. 



Symptoms. — Usually constipation, which may be pre- 

 ceded by diarrhoea, increasing pain of a colicky character, 

 general disturbance, flatulent distention, haggard expres- 

 sion, vomiting, which may increase in severity till bile, 

 and later fgecal matter, is regurgitated, prostration, etc. 



Diagnosis. — At first obscure. The abdomen should 

 always be carefully palpated, with the view of detecting 

 tumors within. When there is vomiting of fgecal matters, 

 or prolonged vomiting in the absence of the other symp- 

 toms of gastritis, obstruction should be suspected. 



Prognosis. — Yery bad ; the disease generally proves 

 fatal. Occasionally the affected ])art sloughs away (drops 

 off), and natural union of the adjacent parts follows. 



Treatment should be directed to allaying irritation by 

 emptying the bowel beyond the obstruction by copious 



