130 SPRING-TIME SURGERY 



fuse, the separating membrane is absorbed and 

 thus there is produced a continuous canal. 



Failure of the anal invagination, failure of 

 fusion of the anal and rectal walls, or failure of 

 solution of the separating membrane would re- 

 sult in an imperforation and there would be no 

 outlet for the escape of the contents of the diges- 

 tive tube. 



The communication between the bladder and 

 intestine may persist thus allowing the fecal mat- 

 ter to discharge into the bladder. A communica- 

 tion may also occur between the intestine and 

 urethra or the intestine and vagina. 



The young of any domestic animal could not 

 survive long without evacuation of the contents 

 of the digestive tube. Atresia ani occurs most 

 frequently in pigs and calves, though colts and 

 other animals are not exempt. This malforma- 

 tion is usually easily relieved by an operation the 

 nature of which depends upon the specific con- 

 dition existing. If there has been failure of ab- 

 sorption of the separating membrane it may be 

 ruptured by the use of a blunt instrument no 

 further treatment being necessary. In those 



