n/SEASES OF THE RECTUM AND ANAL REGION 205 



treated antiseptically by iodoform or other suppositories and 

 lotions, the dog or cat receiving opium for two or three da)s, 

 and restricted milk or beef-tea diet for a week, in order to 

 give the anus as little work as possible. 



Gersuny's Wax Opepation (sec p. 209) is also of value in 

 these cases, the sterilized paraffin melting at 105° being 

 injected subcutaneously, and in the submucous tissue, near 

 the anus, in such a \\-a.y that pillars are formed which 

 mechanically obstruct and tighten this orifice. 



Prolapsus Recti. 



Sometimes the prolapse is met with in a puppy in 

 apparently good health, but, as a rule, it occurs after (or 

 during) some debilitating illness and suddenly ; the animal, 

 apparently all right a fe\\- moments beforehand, now having 

 an inch or more in view. Constipation, diarrhoea, hemor- 

 rhoids, any rectal irritation and the consequent straining, are 

 prevailing causes. 



Symptoms. — The patient withdraws from the societ}' of its 

 companions, and is quieter than normal ; the floor «-here it 

 has lain down is blood-stained, the hind-quarters also, and it 

 resents interference with the region of the tail. Examination 

 of the region reveals the prolapsed gut in a more or less 

 congested, and perhaps lacerated, condition. If not attended 

 to, it becomes in a few hours intensel}- swollen, livid, and 

 acutely painful. If neglected altogether, death is apt to take 

 place either from shock, collapse, or septic absorption ; or 

 adhesion may take place at the anal ring, the part below 

 being constricted and ultimatel)' sloughing a^^'a}•. If the 

 patient is seen in the act of defsecation or attempted defae- 

 cation, the gut ^\'ill be protruded and retracted as straining 

 takes place and ceases again. After these efforts the animal 

 looks round at the affected part. 



If observed within an hour or so, the bowel is readily 



