ON THE DISORDERS OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 1 29 



soup for some time after the accident. In chronic cases 

 excision is necessary, and may be boldly resorted to, either 

 by means of the hot iron or by the knife, and the use of 

 the interrupted suture. Mayhew, however, prefers to 

 excise a circular portion of the lining membrane only. 

 To prevent this and other ill-effects of constipation animals 

 of a costive habit should have periodically a feed of un- 

 boiled liver or of boiled greens, podophyllin pills may 

 also be tried. 



Hemorrhoids or Piles are often seen in the dog, being 

 associated with old age, habitual costiveness, and general 

 laxity of the alimentary canal. They are found as tumours 

 external to the bowel, or only protruded when the anus 

 projects after evacuation of faeces ; sometimes they render 

 the margin of the anal opening unsightly and irregular. 

 They are sero-sanguineous, or semi-solid, tumours generally 

 highly vascular. Sooner or later they become sluggish, 

 irritable ulcers. Treatment consists in removal by liga- 

 ture, taking measures for prevention of costiveness, and, 

 in the case of internal piles, astringent suppositories. It 

 is to be remarked that bleeding piles are less frequent in 

 the dog than in man, although occasionally seen ; that 

 the liver is less frequently a cause of piles in the dog 

 than in man ; and, finally, that piles should always be 

 looked for very carefully in examination of dogs as to 

 soundness. They are very liable to be aggravated and 

 prematurely opened by the animal drawing the anus along 

 the ground while "walking along on his forelegs, as he is 

 apt to do when the anus is irritable from any cause. 

 Fistula m Alto is a result of neglected piles or laceration 

 of the lining membrane of the rectum by sharp impacted 

 bones, or its abrasion by means of very dry, hard faeces. 

 It may need operative interference, but generally mea- 

 sures which tend to hasten evacuation of the rectum, and 

 to keep its contents soft, are sufficient; thus oleaginous 

 enemata are useful. Possibly the sinuses of Morgagni 

 have at times been mistaken for fistulas. The rectum is 

 liable to atony, especially in old dogs which do net get 

 much exercise. The fasces accumulate in the rectum and 



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