ig4 Veterinary Medicine. 



protect the mucosa. When it reaches the colon, the ingesta as a 

 whole becomes more solid and invested by this, the body is often 

 passed without danger. Other methods failing laparotomy re- 

 mains. The dog is stretched on his back on a table with the 

 forelimbs held well apart. The skin of the epigastrium is 

 denuded of hair and washed with antiseptics (mercuric chloride 

 solution 1:500). Hands and instruments are also made aseptic. 

 Then an incision is made in the epigastrium or in the situa- 

 tion where the offending body has been felt, and the finger 

 is introduced to locate the body. At this point a thread is 

 passed through the walls of the stomach, and these are drawn 

 well out through the abdominal wound and incised to the extent 

 of an inch or more. Through this orifice the foreign body can 

 be easily felt and extracted. Then in case the stomach is over- 

 filled it may be emptied, and the edges washed with the antiseptic 

 and carefully sutured with sterilized catgut. The usual care 

 must be taken to turn the mucosa inward and bring the muscular 

 and serous coats in accurate opposition. Finally the abdominal 

 wound is closed by a continued suture of silk or catgut. 



The greatest care must be taken to prevent the escape of any 

 of the gastric contents into the abdominal cavity, to render both 

 wounds aseptic and to protect the external wound especially 

 against infection. A wash of carbolic acid (1:100) with a little 

 of some intense bitter (quassia) will often succeed in preventing 

 licking or gnawing. 



Even greater care must be given in the matter of diet. At 

 first a few teaspoonfuls of cold water only need be given. After 

 twenty-four hours a little well strained beef tea ; later milk or 

 gruel may be added, and by degrees more solid food. In three 

 weeks. the ordinary food may usually be resumed. 



In case the foreign body has escaped into the peritoneal cavity, 

 the same method may be pursued, the edges of the gastric or 

 intestinal wound being made raw, treated antiseptically and care- 

 fully sutured, and the abdomen washed out with an antiseptic 

 solution (aluminum acetate solution) and closed. 



