Stricture of the Intestine. 351 



bosis, the exudate into the intestinal walls, undergoing organiza- 

 tion, at once thickens and constricts the tube, and determines as 

 secondary result the dilatation in front of it. 



Professor Mauri, of Toulouse, records the case of a horse with 

 a rectal stricture 4 inches from the anus, and a great dilatation 

 in front. The removal of the stricture secured normal defeca- 

 tion, (whereas before this the faeces had to be removed by hand) 

 and the colics entirely disappeared. 



In cattle strictures have been found mainly at or near the 

 pylorus, less frequently in the rectum, and on one occasion 

 (Revel) in connection with a cancerous tumor, in the colon. 



In the dog the pylorus is also the favorite seat of thickening 

 and stricture, yet it may occur in the small intestine, the rectum, 

 or the colon. 



Symptoms. These are gradually advancing, as the stricture 

 approaches more and more nearly to a complete stenosis. If the 

 stricture is in the pylorus or duodenum, the patient can not eat a 

 full feed of grain without discomfort. He stops, hangs back on 

 the halter, plants the fore feet in front, arches the neck, draw- 

 ing in the nose and eructating gas. If he cannot eructate he is 

 liable to show colics, tympany, and the general symptoms of 

 gaseous indigestion of the stomach. 



In cattle there is tympany, partial loss of appetite, tardy 

 rumination, and loss of condition. 



Dogs show vomiting as a prominent symptom. When the 

 stricture is in the rectum there is a gradual lessening of the 

 amount of faeces passed at a time and an accumulation of fecu- 

 lent masses in advance of the obstruction, recognizable by rectal 

 exploration. When in the terminal part of the small intestine or 

 in the colon, a gradual lessening of defecation with tympanies 

 and colics, culminating in complete obstruction, may afford a 

 suggestion of the trouble but no means of certain diagnosis. 

 In the smaller animals some additional indications may be had 

 from abdominal palpation. 



Treatment is usually hopeless unless the stricture is in the 

 terminal portion of the rectum. In the latter case gradual dila- 

 tation by the passage of the hand, the finger, or of bougies 

 which are used larger and larger, as they can be forced through 

 with moderate pressure may secure a sufficient dilatation. 



