45 



of a physic, or they may be removed by the hand when found to occupy 

 the last gut. 



Treatment. — As in concretions of the stomach, there can be but little 

 done more than to overcome spasm (if any exists), and to give physics 

 with the hope of dislodging the stone or stones and carrying them on 

 and outward. 



Intussusception or Invagination is the slipping of a portion of the in- 

 testine into another portion immediately adjoining, like a partially 

 turned glove linger. This may occur at any jjart of the bowels, but is 

 most frequent in the small guts. The invaginated portion may be 

 slight — 2 or 3 inches onl}^ — or extensive, measuring as many feet. 

 Treves, who has written a most valuable work on intestinal obstruc- 

 tion in man, may be quoted in substance, to some extent. He cautions 

 us not to confound what he classes as "obstructive intussusception" 

 with intussusception of the dying. This latter is often seen upon 

 post-mortem examination of children, or with us in 3'oung colts. These 

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

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

 cular actions are, at this time, irregular and tumultuous, and it is not 

 surprising that intussusception is produced. "Intussusceptions of the 

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

 free from any trace of congestion, inflammation, or adhesion, and can 

 very easily be reduced by slight traction,- they are apt to be mul- 

 tiple, and are most frequently directed forward. In obstructive intus- 

 susception, on the other hand, the inturned bowel is in the direction of 

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

 tion, 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 i)aralyzcd. The natural worm or ring-like con- 

 traction of the gut favors the passage of the contracted or paralyzed 

 portion into that immediately behind it. It may occur during the ex- 

 istence of almost any abdominal trouble, as diarrhea, inflammation of 

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



Symptoms. — Unless the invaginated portion of the gut becomes strang- 

 ulated, probably no symptoms will be appreciable, except constipation. 

 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 positively 

 diagnostic. Colicky pains, more or less severe, are observed, and there 

 are no, or but few, j^assages of dung. I have observed severe straining 

 in some instances of intussusception, and this should be 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 



