INTUSSUSCEPTION 57 



may be given hypoderjnically, or chlorodyne or 

 laudanum may be given orally. If the tympanites 

 is very severe and persistent the stomach or the 

 bowel must be punctured with a trocar and cannula. 

 If these measures do not give relief wilhin three or 

 four hours, an exploratory laparotomy should be 

 performed without further delay; further surgical 

 procedure depends upon the condition found. Quite 

 a number of cases reveal nothing, but for some 

 unexplained reason the operation nearly always gives 

 relief from further vomiting and pain. 



Intussusception 



The commonest varieties of this condition are the 

 ileocecal and the enteric. In the former the ileum 

 is invaginated ' into the colon; in the latter the sjnall 

 intestine is protruded into itself. In some cases the 

 invagination may be so extensive that the bowel 

 protrudes through the anus. It is most commonly 

 seen in puppies and young dogs, but may occur also 

 in ad'xiTts. 



Cause. — Intussusception is produced by a violent 

 peristalsis set up by some irritant, such as intes- 

 tinal worms, indigestible food, or drastic cathartics. 



Symptoms. — The patient is seen to strain con- 

 tinually, as if trying to defecate, but only a little 

 fluid or dark, blood-stained mucus comes away. 

 Colicky pains develop later, and vomiting occurs 

 after the condition has lasted for a few hours. Ex- 

 cept when straining the patient is quiet, tries to 

 hide away, and shuns companionship. The eyes 

 are brighter than normal. Examination of the 

 abdomen by manipulation between the fingers and 

 thumb reveals a sausage-shaped swelling, which in 

 the early stages is not sensitive to pressure. 



