78 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



Ulceration. — Frequent purulent evacuations, with rapid 

 emaciation, and finally death. 



Gangrene. — Sudden suspension of pain, suppression of 

 secretions, cold, clammy condition of body, gums and inside 

 of the lips livid, delirium, convulsions, and death. 



Enteritis may assume a chronic form ; in such a case inter- 

 mittent pains occur, the faeces are alternately watery and hard, 

 the abdomen is tense, and flatulency and vomiting are more 

 or less frequent. 



Treatment. — I have already alluded to the importance of 

 diagnosing correctly between enteritis and colic, and from 

 what I there mentioned it .nil be gathered that stimulants 

 and cordials form no part of our treatment in this disease. 



Our first duty is, if possible, to ascertain the cause. Pur- 

 gatives usually, in enteritis, are not advisable. When, how- 

 ever, the illness can be traced to local irritation from the im- 

 paction of feeces, worms, or foreign matter, a mild dose of 

 castor-oil may be given at the onset with benefit. 



Again, if the liver be associated with it, a small dose of 

 aloes and calomel can also be administered with safety. If, 

 on examination per rectum, impaction of hardened faeces are 

 found, they should be gently broken down with the finger, 

 and a simple warm water enema thrown up to assist their ex- 

 pulsion. Drastic purgatives at any period of the disease are 

 hurtful, and removal of the obstruction, if possible, by me- 

 chanical means is decidedly preferable. Salad oil is a val- 

 uable agent for this purpose ; it effects its object by insinua- 

 tion through the obstruction, supposing it to be the impaction 

 of faecal matter ; it, at the same time, shields the mucous 

 membrane, and if there is intus-susception it facilitates its 

 removail. 



To relieve the pain, from i to 3 grains of opium may be 

 given in a teaspoonful or two of barley-water, and repeated in 

 an hour if necessary. Opiate enemas can also be administered 

 with the same view. 



Counter-irritation to the abdomen is of great value, mus- 



