2i6 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



pain. The parts are ver}- painful on manipulation and during 

 defa;cation, especially if constipation is present. 



Operation. — Treatment consists in opening up each sinus 

 freely with a director and bistoury, and carefull\' curetting 

 the walls (or treating them cautioush- \\'ith some caustic to 

 destroy their indurated lining), and afterwards appK'ing anti- 

 septics in the same way as to a sinuous wound. 



Vvo'^nosis. — In cases where ulceration of the bowel has not 

 taken place, the wound generalh" heals up and brings about a 

 satisfactory termination, although progress may be slow. 

 Either a local or general anaesthetic should always be used. 



Obstruction of the Anal Glands. 



The anal glands are t^^■o sac-like pouches, lined \\ith 

 mucous membrane, situated one on either side of the rectum, 

 and opening into the latter by orifices \\hich are to be found 

 just inside the anus. The\' frequently become filled with 

 purulent or semi-solid sebaceous material which cannot escape, 

 and give rise to symptoms of irritation and anno}'ance on 

 the part of the animal. 



Symptoms. — The patient will be continually licking the 

 anal region or rubbing it along the ground. Examination 

 reveals that the parts are sore, perhaps visibly s\\'ollen, and 

 often ulcerated. Defaecation, too, especially if constipation 

 is present, is painful. 



Operation. — Temporary relief can be given b}' the applica- 

 tion of pressure, the finger being introduced into the rectum 

 and the contents of the glands evacuated, but as a rule they 

 refill in a ^•er^• short time. 



An hour before operating the rectum should be emptied 

 by a warm glycerine and boric acid enema. 



The parts should be painted A\ith a 5 per cent, cocaine 

 solution or a general anaesthetic administered (see p. 23), and 

 the glands freely opened from the outside about a third or 



