PROLAPSUS OF THE RECTUM. 71 



animal's strength. Subcutaneous injections of tincture of cam- 

 plior or ether are better than administering them by the mouth, as 

 they are vomited immediately. Do not give the animal any food 

 until the intestinal obstruction has been removed, or at least until 

 there have been free defecation and the passage of the intestinal 

 gas, and the general condition is improved. When the animal 

 does receive food, it must be of the lightest and easily digested, 

 such as soups, milk, finely scraped rare or raw beef, or some of 

 the various foods used as substitutes for milk. Where an animal 

 is subject to fecal obstructions, it is well never to let him have 

 bones if it can possibly be avoided. 



Chronic Constipation. This is seen occasionally in the dog. 

 It is due to a lessened or weakened peristaltic action of the bowels. 

 It is seen in all chronic diseases that are accompanied by emacia- 

 tion and debility, as in chronic catarrh, fevers, icterus, chronic 

 peritonitis, and in many diseases of the nervous system; but it 

 may be observed in many old but healthy dogs, caused by an 

 atrophy of the mucous and muscular membranes of the intestines. 

 This disease is frequently called chronic obstipation, for it causes 

 a form of constipation which would, as can be readily understood, 

 cause just such a train of symptoms as has been described 

 above. 



These animals should be fed on non-stimulating, easily digest- 

 ible food, with or without the admixture of rice-soup, and also 

 plenty of exercise and small doses of tincture of nux vomica. 

 This treatment is far better than the frequent administration of 

 purgatives, especially castor oil, jalap or aloes, and cathartic pills. 



Prolapsus of the Rectum. 

 {Prolapsus Recti and Ani.) 



Pathological Anatomy and Etiology. The lower bowel 

 is kept in place by the peri-proctal connective tissue, the rectal 

 ring and the coccygeus and obturator internus, and the sphincter 

 ani. By relaxing or distending these supports we have a prolap- 

 sus of the mucous membrane, or even the entire rectum may be 

 protruded. If this prolapsus is not relieved soon, it inflames very 

 quickly and becomes torn and ulcerated from great swelling. It 

 may l)ecome strangulated and in rare cases gangrenous. It gen- 



