DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 103 



admixed witli the intestinal content. If the hemorrhage has been 

 extensive there will be a general anemia of the entire mucosa. 

 Tjesions of the intestinal mucosa will be observed in those cases 

 in which the hemorrhage has been induced by trauma or chemical 

 irritants. There may be no evidence of intestinal mucous mem- 

 brane lesions in the infective diseases like hog cholera, as the hemor- 

 rhages in these cases are usually the result of blood-vessel lesions 

 rather than mucosa lesions. 



Symptoms. — The first evidence of intestinal hemorrhage is the 

 passing of the blood from the anus. If the discharged blood is 

 thoroughly admixed with the feces and of a brownish cast it indi- 

 cates that the hemorrhage has been well forward in the small intes- 

 tine. If the discharged blood occurs in masses, not mixed with the 

 fecal matter, and has the normal blood color, it indicates that the 

 hemorrhage has been in the anterior portion of the large intestine ; 

 and if the fecal matter is streaked with blood on the outer surface 

 only, the hemorrhage occurred in the rectum. The visible mucous 

 membranes will be pale, pulse rapid and almost imperceptible, and 

 there will be weakness associated with uncertain gait. 



Diagnosis. — The diagnosis of enterorrhagia is usually not difficult, 

 although it may not be an easy matter to determine the exact cause 

 of the condition. In gastric hemorrhage the extravasated blood that 

 passes through the bowel is granular and of a black color; the extra- 

 vasate from intestinal hemorrhage is massive, occurs upon the sur- 

 face of the feces, and is normal in color. 



Treatment.— The treatment of intestinal hemorrhage is problematic, 

 and the relief from this condition is dependent upon removing the 

 cause, which is not a%ays possible. The effected animals should be 

 kept qniet. Ergot may be used to advanta^je. Astringents combined 

 with laudanum may produce the desired results. 



OBSTRUCTION 



Intestinal obstruction is a condition resulting from the occlusion of 

 the intestine by foreign bodies, inspissated fecal material, parasites, 

 abscesses, tumors, cicatrices, rotation of the intestine upon itself or 

 volvulus, and invagination or intussusception. Intussusception is not 

 as common in the hog as in some other animals because of the ar- 

 rangement of the mesentery, although it may, and sometimes does, 

 occur. 



