IMPERFORATE ANUS. 107 



three separate portions excisefd by this method within a month, 

 and ultimately made a good recovery. A stricture may some- 

 times follow, but as a general rule the case terminates satis- 

 factorily. 



Operation for Imperforate Anus. — This condition is one 

 occasionally met with in the newly -born puppy or kitten, 

 there being no visible anal opening. The operation for its 

 relief is very easy if a rectum is present, consisting simply in 

 making an incision through the skin covering the end of the 

 intestine in the seat where the anus ought to be, cutting a 

 portion out so as to separate the two edges of the wound, and 

 keeping them from uniting by the application of nitrate of 

 silver or some other caustic until defsecation has become fairly 

 established. If the intestine is normal a satisfactory termina- 

 tion may be looked for. 



