CONSTIPATION 61 



Treatment. — This depends largely upon circum- 

 stances. In the constipation found in the course 

 of fevers the condition does not get so far as the 

 formation of the "fecal tumor" above described, and 

 a mild laxative is all that is required in ordinary 

 cases. 



Foreign bodies may require surgical interference 

 if laxatives do not bring about the desireti result, 

 but in no instance should drastic purgatives be given. 

 In peritonitis and enteritis, if the case demands the 

 correction of the constipation, enemas alone should 

 be relied upon to empty the bowels. 



In old, debilitated, and improperly fed dogs, where 

 the fecal tumor is well marked and there is marked 

 absence of peristalsis (paralysis of the bowel), small 

 repeated doses of olive oil and 1-100 to 1-60 grain 

 of strychnin must be administered. Enemas of 

 warm oil should be injected three or four times 

 daily to soften the impacted mass, and the abdo- 

 men gently massaged to stimulate peristalsis. 

 Where the impacted mass can be reached, it must 

 be removed piecemeal, either by the finger, a rectal 

 spoon, or, best of all if available, by an "instrument 

 known as French's rectal curette, which is a blunt 

 curette having a hollow shaft and an opening in the 

 spoon portion. A rubber tube is attached to the 

 shaft and a continuous flow of water, obtained from 

 an elevated douche can, washes away the particles 

 removed by the curette. Much patience and gentle- 

 ness of manipulation is required to avoid injury to 

 the walls of the rectum, but the operation must be 

 repeated and persisted in until all the impacted 

 mass is removed. After recovery the dog should 

 be fed on lean meat, free from bones, milk, and beef 

 tea. Regular exercise should be insisted upon, and 

 the animal given a good nerve tonic. In cases that 

 do not yield to the above treatment laparotomy 



