150 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



sarily productive of ill-effect. There are many cases on record of 

 the passage of such bodies as needles and skewers from the stomach 

 and intestines to the surface of the body without inducing any un- 

 toward symptoms, and it is well known that aseptic absorbable 

 bodies are removed by phagocytic action within comparatively short 

 time. There is always risk, however, that their exit from infectious 

 centers may establish tracts by which pathogenic microbes may in- 

 vade the peritoneum. Moreover, they may provoke epileptiform 

 symptoms by reflex irritation of nerves. (See The Stomach and 

 the Intestines). 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. When the passage of foreign 

 bodies is attended with infectious processes the symptoms are those 

 of peritonitis. There is often a history of the previous swallowing 

 of a body. As already stated, epileptiform seizures may attend the 

 presence of non-absorbable bodies unaccompanied with infective 

 processes. An explorative celiotomy may be necessary to establish 

 a diagnosis. 



Treatment. Inanimate objects of all kinds should be removed 

 by celiotomy, as by remaining in the abdominal cavity they are al- 

 ways potent pathogenic factors. Tracts by which they have entered 

 must be sealed by suturing, and if peritonitis is present the cavity 

 must be irrigated and free drainage established. Cases have been 

 recorded which have been successfully treated by operative meas- 

 ures. (See The Stomach). 



Verminous Parasites. The parasites which may enter the 

 peritoneal cavity by perforating tract are teniae, ascarides, and the 

 giant eustrongyle. Cysticerci and pentastomes have also been found 

 present but their mode of ingress is undetermined. Instances of 

 perforation of the intestinal wall by teniae and ascarides have been 

 recorded by Cadeac, Lahogue, Dell, Morey, and others. A case 

 was brought to my notice where a multitude of round-worms had 

 ascended the bile-ducts and emerged through the liver tissue. These 

 parasites generally produce sub-acute peritonitis or rabiform symp- 

 toms. The giant eustrongyle enters by perforating tract by way of 

 the kidney. It is also productive of rabiform symptoms (Lisi). 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms being those of peri- 

 tonitis or nervous seizures, are naturally obscure, and a pre-mortem 

 diagnosis could only be established by explorative celiotomy. 



Treatment. The indications are to remove the parasites, close 



