142 KENNEL DISEASES. 
The refuse when solid is streaked with blood, and sometimes purulent 
matter; while when soft the discharges are of small size, and they may be 
ribbon-like. 
Only a person having an intimate knowledge of the appearance of the bowel 
in health can detect when it is diseased; consequently, if a fissure is suspected, 
professional assistance should be sought. 
The treatment appropriate for the trouble in man is the proper one to apply 
with dogs. 
In extremely rare instances they suffer from fistula in ano, which is of the 
nature of a tubular or pipe-like ulcer, which may be complete, that is, have an 
external opening near the orifice of the bowel and another in the wall of the 
bowel, a little above its orifice; or it may be what is called a blind intestinal 
fistula, which opens into the bowel but not externally. 
Irritation and pain in the affected part cause the animal to act much the 
same as when suffering from piles. If the fistula opens externally, less diffi- 
culty will be experienced in making a diagnosis ; but still, in only a few cases 
will detection be easy; indeed, rather the reverse, for in many instances the 
opening is minute and needs very close scrutiny to discover it. 
The course of an external fistula is that of a frequently recurring abscess; the 
cavity fills up and discharges, the opening then closes, and again the cavity fills. 
In searching for a fistulous opening, a minute drop of water in the centre of 
a slight swelling will often be found to mark its location. To explore its track 
a small “knitting-needle” will be sufficient. 
When a blind internal fistula exists its presence may be suspected if there 
is a quite constant oozing or discharge from the outlet of the bowel of a thin 
watery fluid tinged with blood and of offensive odor. 
Fistula is a common result of abscess near the orifice of the bowel. And if 
one forms and is allowed to “break” into the bowel, before the opening can 
heal up refuse matter is quite sure to enter, and thereafter this trouble will 
generally persist until removed by operation. Or fistula may be the result of 
an ulcer in the wall of the bowel, which, “eating” through the same, allows the 
passage of refuse into the cellular tissue, and once there it sets up an irritation 
and an abscess forms. 
Palliative treatment may be employed by caretakers, and consists in correct- 
ing, in so far as possible, existing defects in management and health. Consti- 
pation should be overcome by a judicious selection of foods; or if they are not 
sufficient, a laxative must be employed. Ample exercise and other imperative 
essentials to right being must also be provided. 
A radical cure of fistula demands a surgical operation. Of several popular 
methods the elastic ligature is the safest and best. But when an operation is 
imperative, a surgeon should be employed, and the method of procedure be left 
entirely to his judgment. 
