46 



post-moriem examination of cliildren, or with us in young eolts. These 

 invaginations occur shortly before death, and are due to irreguhir con- 

 tractions of the bowels that take place during the act of dying. Mus- 

 cular actions are, at this time, iri-egular and tumultuous, and it is not 

 surprising that intussusception is i^roduced. "Intussusceptions of 

 the dying" are characterized by the following peculiarities: They are 

 small, fi'co from any trace of congestion, inflammation, or adhesion, 

 and can very easily be reduced by slight traction; the}' are ax)t to l>e 

 miiltiple, and are most frequently directed forward. In obstructive 

 intussusception, on the other hand, the inturned bowel is in the direc- 

 tion of the anus. There are adhesions of the intestines at this point, 

 congestion, inflammation, or even gangrene. 



Causes of invagination. — This accident is most likely to occur in 

 horses that are suffering from spasm of the bowel or in those where a 

 small portion of the gut is paralyzed. The natural worm or ring-like 

 contraction of the gut favors the passage of the contracted or par- 

 alyzed portion into that immediately behind it. It may occur during 

 the existence of almost Rnj abdominal trouble, as diarrhea, inflamma- 

 tion of the bowels, or from injuries, exposure to cold, etc. 



Symptoms. — Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes 

 strangulated, prol)abl3'' no sj^mptoms will be appreciable, except con- 

 stipation. Strangulation of the bowel may take place suddenly, and 

 the horse die within twenty- four hours, or it may occur after several 

 days, a week even, and death follow at this time. There are no 

 symptoms. positivel.y diagnostic. Colicky i^ains, more or less severe, 

 are observed, and there are no, or but few, passages of dung. I have 

 observed severe straining in some instances of intussusception, and 

 this should l>e given due credit when it occurs. As death approaches 

 the horse sweats profusely, sighs, presents an anxious countenance, 

 the legs and ears become cold, and there is often freedom from pain 

 immediately before death. In some rare instances the horse recovers, 

 even though the invaginated portion of the gut has become strangu- 

 lated. The imprisoned portion here sloughs away so gradually that a 

 union has taken place between the intestines at the ix)int where one 

 portion has slipped into that behind it. The piece sloughing off is 

 found passed Avith the manure. Such cases are exceedingly rai-e, but 

 their possibility should guide us in our treatment. Cathartic medi- 

 cines are more calculated to do harm than good. AVe should treat 

 with anodj'nes and anti-si)asmodics, chloral hydrate, laudanum, and 

 sulphuric ether, and medicines to prevent inflammation. Some prac- 

 titioners favor the administration of powdered opium, 1 to 2 drams, 

 every three or four hours. Injections of salt and water or emulsions 

 of turpentine are given with the somewhat fanciful idea of producing 

 l^eristalsis of the intestines in a direction opposite to the normal one, 

 ■i. e., contraction from the anus forward. If this can be j) rod need l)y 

 these or any other means, it will prove a A'aluable adjunct to other 



