Diseases of the Digestive Systcm. 197 
lation with the fingers (the animal being held with the 
hind quarters raised considerably above the body), and 
afterwards dressed with cold astringent dressings. Injec- 
tions or suppositories of the same nature should also be 
continued for several days, and the food should be fluid 
and laxative until the evidences of cure are established. 
In chronic cases the organ may become so mutilated and 
enlarged as to call for excision. Zo prevent the disease, 
avoid constipation of the bowels by a periodical feed of 
uncooked liver, boiled greens, or purgation. 
Heemorrhoids or Piles constitute a frequent disease 
in aged dogs, and those subject to constipation and a 
general state of relaxed fibre. Primarily they appear as 
simple bulbs or tumours located on the outer-side of the 
anal opening, or upon the lining mucous membrane 
within. They are, therefore, known as external or 
internal Piles, and consist of the enlarged veins of the 
locality, their condition being due to the pressure arising 
from straining to void feeces during constipation. Such 
pressure being long continued induces a tendency to 
ulcerate or slough, by which a number of sores are formed 
attended with more or less hemorrhage constituting 
“bleeding piles.” Further aggravation leads to the 
formation of js¢u/a; which is an opening in a mass of 
condensed or diseased tissue, leading to a cavity, the 
situation of a former abscess. The lodgment of sharp, 
angular bones, or impaction by hard feces lacerating the 
rectum, are also common causes. The liver is under 
disorder in most cases. 
Treatment.—An oleaginous aperient is best for simple 
cases ; but when ‘the liver is at fault, an aloetic pill with 
calomel or the aperient blue pill should be given. In- 
digestion must receive appropriate treatment as detailed 
under that head, cod-liver oil forming a daily portion. 
Local treatment should consist of the application of cold 
water or ice for both forms, the latter being put inside 
and allowed to remain. Lotions of alum or the sulphates 
of zinc; copper, or iron, are also highly beneficial, but no 
permanent good can result unless the feeding is improved, 
-and sufficient exercise is given to promote healthy 
