THE HORSE—THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. wird 
PILES. 
Piles are small tumors in the muscles forming the circumference of the 
anus, caused by swelling and enlargement of the veins, and are the result 
of constipation, unwise use of cathartics, heating food, insufficient werk, and 
an obstruction of circulation which often arises from derangement of the liver. 
Symptoms.—Small, soft tumors at the outer extremity of the rectum, 
sometimes bleeding in efforts to pass dung; straining; occasionally protru- 
sion of the outer end of the rectum; sometimes constipation; symptoms of 
liver derangement; perhaps matter in the rectum. 
TREATMENT.—The bowels should be kept free, though not loose, and 
if there is a relaxed, paralytic condition of the rectum, accompanied by 
obstinate constipation, nux vomica wil] be found valuable, a dose being 
given night and morning. If the bowel protrudes, give podophyllin in 
small doses. Should there be much bleeding or inflammation, apply extract 
of hamamelis and inject a solution of equal parts of the same and water 
into the bowel. If the bowel protrudes and is swollen and very much 
inflamed, apply hot fomentations, and carefully return it after oiling well. 
An excellent application will be found in the ointment here given: 
Stramonium ointment, 3 ounces, 
Pulverized nut-galls, 1 drachm. 
Morphia sulphate, IO grains. 
Mix. Apply warm, passing some into the bowel. 
CONCRETIONS. 
These are balls, usually in the large intestine, composed wholly of im- 
perfectly digested food mixed with mucous matter; or made by some hard 
substance which has been swallowed and acts as a nucleus in the stomach 
for the collection of undigested food. They vary much in size and obstruct: 
the bowels. 
Svmptoms.—Usually no inconvenience is shown, the balls passing out: 
when small; when they become large, great constipation. 
TREATMENT.—If the presence of the balls is certainly known when 
they are small, a purge will remove them. Usually, however, this 1s not 
known until the balls have become so large as to stop the bowels. In this. 
case treatment is of little avail, and the use of purgatives is very dangerous. 
Tnjections of soap and warm water may assist in the removal, as will also 
drenches of olive or linseed oil. To allay the pain, treat as directed for the: 
spasmodic form of Colic, page 67, 
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