n/SEASES OF THE RECTUM AND ANAL REGION 213 



administered. On the next day a further 10 grains of cannabis extract 

 was given, the animal straining occasionally, but not sufficient to expel the 

 yut. After this date matters progressed favourably and the dog made a 

 good recovery.' 



Imperforate Anus. 



This condition is congenital, and is occasionally met with 

 in the ne\vl3--born puppy or kitten, there being no visible 

 anal opening. It may not be observed at once, the authoi 

 having had one case in \\hich the animal was three da^-s old 

 before the owner noticed anything wrong. In this instance 

 there was a distinct subcutaneous bulging of the perinaeum, 

 indicating the presence of a rectum full of material which 

 could not escape. 



Symptoms. — Beyond not seeming to thri\-e, there is nothing 

 to indicate this condition on the part of the patient. An 

 examination is the onh' method of detection. 



Operation. — This is easy if a rectum is present, and consists 

 simply in making an incision through the skin in the position 

 where the anus ought to be, cutting a small circular piece 

 out so as to separate the two edges of the wound, opening 

 the rectum, drawing it into the wound, and suturing it there. 

 If the intestine is otherwise normal, a satisfactor}- termination 

 maN' be looked for. 



In the case alluded to above, all that vi'as necessary was to incise the 

 skin and cauterize the edges in order to prevent union until normal defeca- 

 tion was established. The patient progressed quite satisfactorily. 



Cloaca. 



B}' this is indicated a congenital (or accidental) malforma- 

 tion of females by which the anus and vagina have a common 

 external orifice. If there is enough material present, plastic 

 surge^^' may be tried ; and in cases where it is the result of 

 an accident, the sooner sutures are inserted and the part 



1 Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, vol x., p. 174 ; 

 Veterinary Record, vol. a., p. 213. 



