66 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



rougheaed and uneven, or we may see one knotty lump in the 

 orifice of the anus. In rare instances they appear as bluish-red 

 ulcers which encircle the reddened rectum. The animal is ner- 

 vous and irritable, sliding the posterior part of the body on the 

 floor, especially on the carpet, so as to rub the rectum, and lick- 

 ing the anus frequently. 



The causes can generally be ascribed to a stagnation of the 

 veins from irritation of the membranes from bile or irritants, such 

 as frequent purgation, and in the great majority of instances it 

 will be found that the liver is congested or inactive. In some 

 cases it is due to a disturbance of the circulation from disease of 

 the heart or lungs and from the irritation of habitual constipation. 

 "Therapeutics. The best treatment to pursue is first to use 

 saline laxatives, but not in large enough doses to purge. Sulphate 

 of magnesium or sulphate of sodium and cold enema and the appli- 

 cation of an ointment of lead plaster. Any knots may be removed 

 by ligature, scarification, or by the scissors and afterward touched 

 by the thermo-cautery. 



Constipation or Costiveness. 



{Obstruction of the Intestines.) 



Etiology and Pathological Anatomy. Constrictions of 

 the intestinal tract may be formed in any region and may vary in 

 degree. They always produce more or less obstruction to the 

 passage of the alimentary matter, and when the constriction be- 

 comes complete the intestinal contents, being unable to pass, usu- 

 ally return toward the stomach again and are expelled by vomit- 

 ing. In such instances the animals die very quickly. This is 

 noticed in very rare instances where a hernia has strangulated 

 and completely blocked up the canal. (For further details, see 

 chapter on Hernia.) 



Constriction may be caused by abnormal conditions of the 

 intestinal contents from alterations of the intestinal walls, by 

 changes in the position of the intestines, and lastly from external 

 pressure. 



The bowel is often blocked up by masses of excrement col- 

 lecting in the lower bowel, gradually blocking up the entire 

 tract from the constant accumulations of excrement coming down 

 from the small intestine. We also see obstructions caused by 



