272 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



gut should be gently pressed back, the hind part of the 

 animal's body elevated, then some cold water, or a solution 

 made slightly astringent with tannic acid, injected gently 

 and retained for a short time. The patient should have 

 twenty grains of Dover's powder or a hypodermic injec- 

 tion of a quarter of a grain of morphia, to induce quiet 

 and relieve pain. 



If the intestine still tends to protrude, a special dress- 

 ing or extemporized truss must be applied. No exercise 

 should be allowed for some days, and then only gently. 

 The bowels should be confined, and the diet nutritious and 

 concentrated, but not abundant. 



Files are not uncommon in old dogs, especially if 

 neglected. The circulation is weak, and if the strength 

 fails becomes still weaker, so that injudicious management 

 — as lack of exercise or a diet favoring constipation — leads 

 to that portal (venous) congestion which tends to induce all 

 sorts of digestive disorders. Any pressure, as from faeces, 

 on the large gut tends to keep the veins over full, leads to 

 loss of elasticity of their walls, slowing of the blood-cur- 

 rent, coagulation within them, inflammation, ulceration, 

 etc. Especially is this the case if the piles protrude from 

 the anus. Blood in the stools, straining, licking the anus, 

 dragging the hind parts, should lead one to suspect piles. 

 So long as the piles are internal there is more hope of re- 

 lieving the condition by medical treatment ; when ex- 

 ternal^ surgical measures will generally be required. 



Treatment. — The indication is to remove the cause and 

 allay irritation. Such food should be given as will of 

 itself relax the bowel — as oatmeal or wheat-meal porridge 

 with milk, boiled liver, or vegetables. A cure is hastened 



