DILATATION OF THE KECTUM. 301 



with pus. A probe is necessary, as well as manual explora- 

 tion of the rectum, to determine the nature of the fistula. 



Treatment The only treatment consists in using the 

 knife freely, dividing the sphincter ani, and then drawing the 

 lips of the wound together. In the dog, especially, laxatives 

 should be frequently administered whilst the animal is under 

 treatment. 



DILATATION OF THE KECTUM. 



I have witnessed in dogs subject to constipation, the 

 accumulation of faeces in a dilated rectum to such an extent 

 that all natural efforts failed to expel them. In the second 

 volume of the Edinburgh Veterinary Review, at page 412, 

 the following will be found: "Adam observed in a six-year- 

 old poodle and in an eight-year-old pointer, a very peculiar 

 affection of the rectum. The appearances consisted in the 

 dog attempting to void faeces, and straining violently, but 

 without effect. The anus was observed protruded, and form- 

 ing a round, hard swelling, and on examining the rectum 

 with the oiled finger, a solid portion of excrement was found 

 in it, which, in the one dog was fixed in a dilatation above, 

 and in another below, the anus. From the existence of these 

 pouches, faeces accumulated, grew hard, induced tenesmus, 

 and the passage of other feculent matter was totally pre- 

 vented. The treatment consists in allowing only soft food, 

 no bones, giving oil occasionally, and removing the solid 

 excrement by clysters." 



As the abnormal dilatation favours the accumulation of 

 excrement, I would suggest the use of astringents locally to 

 diminish or overcome the deformity. 



PKOLAPSUS ANI EXANIA. 

 This accident occurs in all domestic animals, and is seen, 



