THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 275 



in the ox, both on account of the special structural pecu- 

 liarities of the intestines, and because of the comparative 

 rarity of colic^ of which it is a sequela. The caecum is the 

 most frequent seat of intussusception in the ox ; it may 

 become completely fixed in the colon. The mesentery is in 

 some cases torn away from the involved part, in others 

 remains intact. 



Symptoms are those of colic which lose their intermit- 

 tency without access of fever. The patient retains the 

 recumbent position, looks at and strikes the flank, and 

 either there is obstinate constipation or a discharge of 

 blood per anum. The rectum seems very liable to become 

 involved in this manner. The portion of bowel being 

 strangulated and gangrenous when death ensues, but cases 

 have been known in which the enclosed part sloughed 

 away and recovery occurred. 



Treatment — If the presence of a lesion of this nature is 

 suspected a tobacco-smoke enema may be resorted to. In 

 other animals artificial tympany thus induced has been 

 found useful against intussusception. Stimulant and 

 anti-spasmodic doses also may prove effectual against the 

 early and rapid prostration and the spasm which is present. 



Prognosis, however, is unfavorable. 



Volvulus, Ileus, or Twist of the Bowel, is another 

 sequela of colic. In it the bowel is twisted upon itself 

 or one portion of the intestine has passed round another, 

 resulting in obstruction and strangulation. There is 

 nothing about the symptoms which is diagnostic of 

 this condition from that last mentioned. It very 

 seldom occurs in the ox, but when it does so a small 

 knuckle of bowel only may be involved, and thus no 

 obstruction to the intestinal canal take, place. Explora- 

 tion per rectum may prove useful from a diagnostic point 

 of view in these obscure abdominal affections, and Pro- 

 fessor Walleyes paper on the " Differential Diagnosis of 

 Abdominal Affections '^ should be carefully perused by 

 all members of the veterinary profession (' Veterinary 

 Journal^). Laparotomy might be resorted to in extreme 

 cases of this kind. It is recommended by continental 



