Physical Injuries 55 



ity. It was almost certainly the result of a long-standing penial 

 wound. 



In another case to which the author was called the accident 

 was recognized at the time of its occurrence, blood and feces 

 were voided, the perineal region was swollen. Manual explora- 

 tion revealed a large rent through the rectal walls into the peri- 

 proctal connective tissue six to eight inches from the anus, con- 

 taining a mass of feces equal to about two liters impacted into 

 the readily distensible wound. The feces occupying the sac and 

 those from the rectum immediately anterior to the rupture were 

 carefully removed by the hand and the sac was cautiously flushed 

 out with an antiseptic solution. This method of handling, re- 

 peated twice daily, along with restricted, laxative diet and com- 

 plete rest, brought about a prompt recovery with little sacculation. 



According to Harms, false copulation in the sow is usually fol- 

 lowed by no more serious consequences than a swollen anus, 

 accompanied by a bloody discharge. 



In the mare the accident is preventable by ordinary precautions 

 on the part of the stallion groom, whose duty it is to see that the 

 penis is guided into the vulva or, at least, not permitted to enter 

 the rectum. To this end, it is best not to attempt service in case 

 of a mare not certainly in proper estrum. It is a part of the busi. 

 ness of the groom to see and to know that the penis of the stal. 

 lion is properly entering the vulva of the mare. If the mare is 

 kicking or otherwise violently resisting the stallion, he should be 

 promptly withdrawn, since copulation under such circumstances 

 is unwarrantedly dangerous for both animals. Such violent re- 

 sistance of the mare is sometimes offered by the groom as an 

 excuse for his failure to see and know that the penis of the 

 stallion was being properly entered in the vulva, but it is not 

 valid. The mare or cow with retracted anus should be placed 

 with her hind feet on a lower level than her anterior members, 

 leaving the ground upon which the male is to stand at a higher 

 level and thus bringing the vulvar opening more nearly perpen- 

 dicular. In the cow and sow, the accident is not usually pre- 

 ventable. 



The prognosis of penial injuries to the rectum must be based 

 largely upon the position and extent of the injury. When the 

 lacerations perforate the peritoneum and cause escape of feces 

 into the peritoneal cavity the injury is essentially fatal, veteri- 



