Diseases of the Bowels. . 87. 
Where these measures fail, an operation will be neces- 
sary ; and this generally consists in removing one of the 
folds of the mucous membrane by knife or ligature, or the 
destruction of a portion of it by actual cautery. It is need- 
less to remark that either operation should be performed 
under the influence of chloroform, and by a veterinary 
surgeon. 
FISTULA IN ANO. 
Fistula of the anus is frequently met with in dogs, parti- 
cularly of the pampered house tribe, and is usually the 
result of neglected piles; it may occur from wounds, 
abscess, or ulceration of the rectum (the latter generally 
consequent on piles), or from impaction of hardened feeces. 
The fistula may be external or internal, complete or par- 
tial, z.e., external if the orifice of the wound is in the in- 
tegument, or internal if within the rectum; complete, if 
the two orifices exist together, partial when there is but 
one orifice. 
Symptoms.—The symptoms of fistula in the dog are con- 
tinual irritation of the affected part; the animal will be 
observed continually licking the anus, and dragging himself 
along the floor with his fore-limbs. If the fistula be ex- 
ternal it requires little diagnosis ; if internal, and not com- 
plete, there is an offensive rectal discharge, and the feces 
are often coated with matter and blood. 
Treatment.—The treatment of fistula lies in laying open 
the sinus with a fine probe-pointed bistoury, and after- 
wards treating it in the first instance as a common wound, 
and subsequently with a solution of chloride of zinc. If 
considerable hemorrhage follows, the part should be packed 
with lint or cotton-wool steeped in tinct. of iron, or a solu- . 
tion of tannic acid ; or if it be from a divided artery, to tie 
