2o8 CAN/XE AND FELINE SURGERY 



The middle finger is then inserted as far as possible, and the 

 interior of the rectum adjusted, a morphia suppository 

 inserted, and one or more stitches put across the anus. If 

 preferred, the draw-string or tobacco-pouch suture (as recom- 

 mended by Miiller),^ made b}- passing tape or stout silk suture 

 material in an ' in-and-out ' manner through the skin around 

 the anal orifice, ma}- be inserted (see p. 56). These are left 

 in sittt for a week or so. Stockfleth- advises a similar pro- 

 cedure for constricting the rectum, b}' placing pins at in- 

 tervals around the anus and uniting them with threads. 



Pessaries introduced into the rectum usually do more harm 

 than good, and act as a continual source of irritation. 



The chief trouble to be dealt with is the straining which 

 takes place afterwards and causes a return of the prolapse. 

 This is to be guarded against b\- keeping the animal as quiet 

 as possible, resort being had to the medicinal use of opium 

 by the mouth or rectum, the latter in the form of suppository. 

 Diet should consist of milk or beef-tea for about a week, and 

 the patient must be kept under obser\-ation for some time, as 

 it is a trouble which is ver}- apt to occur again even after t\\ o 

 or three months. The author had one case in ^\'hich the 

 rectum \\ as prolapsed and returned fourteen times before 

 the owner consented to further operati\'e measures. A 

 course of nerve tonics such as strychnine or arsenic, 

 together with attention to the state of the bowels to prevent 

 constipation and the administration of regular meals and 

 exercise,- should be commenced after the acti\e s^-mptoms 

 have subsided. 



Major Operations. — In cases of recurrent prolapse the animal 

 becomes a continual care and nuisance, and one or other of 

 the following operations ma)- be done : 



I. Gersuny's operation, made popular in this country in 

 human surgery b}' Mr. Stephen Paget,-^ which consists in 



' ' Diseases of the Dog ' (Glass's translation), p. 73. 

 ' /dem. "' La?tcet. 



