THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 293 



OX. Specimens of considerable length are sometimes 

 described as parasites, and we are told that the animal 

 has '' passed a snake.^^ The casts are flaky on the surface, 

 generally have been thrown out from the mucous membrane 

 of the small intestines, and are of a croupous nature. Hence, 

 the form of enteritis in which they are expelled is some- 

 times termed Croupous Enteritis. It is less acute than 

 the other form, and after expulsion of the false mem- 

 brane recovery rapidly takes place. The treatment 

 in no way differs from that of the ordinary form of the 

 disease. 



Intestinal Apoplexy — Rupture of the intestinal blood- 

 vessels is rare in the ox except in blood diseases. It, 

 however, sometimes results from injuries and in inflamma- 

 tion and partial obstruction. The blood diffuses between 

 the layers of the mesentery. Colicky pains are present, but 

 no diagnostic symptoms. In the ' Veterinarian,' vol. xlii, 

 p. 768, M. Genee records a case of enzootic outbreak of this 

 disorder leading to sudden death, attributed to feeding on 

 the refuse of beet-root. 



Perforation or Eupture op the Intestines may be 

 brought about by external injury, ulceration, the giving 

 way of the disorganised wall of the bowel during opera- 

 tions for relief of hernia, and the use of drastic cathartics 

 in cases of intestinal obstruction. When the rupture is 

 large the signs are those of collapse, but when it is small 

 peritonitis gradually supervenes. If the bowel be exposed 

 and rupture take place catgut sutures may be inserted 

 and the bowel returned. Cases thus treated have been 

 known to do well. Injury of an umbilical or ventral 

 hernia sometimes causes ulceration of the skin extending 

 into the enclosed bowel. From the opening thus formed 

 the intestinal contents constantly escape. It is a ^^ false 

 anus/' and must be closed either by ligature or suture. 



Rupture op the Rectum may occur in cases of pro- 

 lapsus, or the leg of the foetus may be passed through 

 the wall of the vagina and rectum in cases of difficult 

 parturition. These cases are not necessarily fatal, for the 

 terminal portion of the rectum is not invested by peri- 



