DISEASED CONDITIONS AROUND THE ANUS. 271 



enemas ; but in no case should purgatives be given, as in 

 the nature of the case they must aggravate the symptoms 

 and endanger the patient. Pain must be allayed by fo- 

 mentations and opiates, rest enforced, and vomiting quieted 

 if possible. 



If a positive diagnosis can be made moderately early, 

 surgical procedure is indicated. The dog bears opening 

 the abdominal cavity well. But this should be under- 

 taken only by skillful hands, under strict antiseptic pre- 

 cautions, and after the operation the dog should be con- 

 stantly watched, in a suitable compartment, by a discreet 

 person, for at least twenty-four hours. 



In s'ome cases opening into the abdomen will be justi- 

 fiable as a diagnostic measure. Yery often a portion of 

 intestine will require excision and the cut ends brought 

 together by careful suturing. It is most important that ex 

 treme cleanliness be observed, lest inflammation of fearful 

 violence may be lighted up, or blood poisoning intervene. 



DISEASED CONDITIONS AROUND THE ANUS. 



Prolapse of the rectum — i. e., extrusion of a part of 

 the gut — owing to a variety of relaxing and debilitating 

 causes, as constipation, piles, etc., ^occasionally occurs. 

 The indication is to reduce or put back the gut as soon as 

 possible, before swelling, inflammation, or death and 

 sloughing of the part takes place. 



The gut should be washed clean from dirt with an 

 antiseptic solution of weak carbolic acid or corrosive sub- 

 limate (1 in 2,000), the former preferred on account of its 

 sedative action. There is no objection to adding a little 

 laudanum or morphia, to still more allay irritation. The 



