134 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



In complete obstruction of the intestine we frequently observe 

 vomiting. 



The fever is never intense, but at an advanced period of the 

 affection we may detect great nervous depression. The movements 

 are slow and lazy ; the males urinate without lifting the leg. Lastly, 

 the tail is carried straight in a particular direction; this sign in 

 most cases permits us to make the diagnosis from a distance. 



Duration. The duration of the disease varies from a few days 

 to five or six weeks ; it is, on an average, from eight to fourteen 

 days. When it lasts over a month the mucous membrane becomes 

 irritated by the excrements, and we may note the appearance, as 

 complications of enteritis, of necrosis of the mucous membrane, 

 and of peritonitis by perforation. The disease sometimes leaves 

 behind it organic alterations, such as cicatricial retractions and 

 intestinal diverticula, which may themselves in their turn cause 

 constipation. 



The rectal obstruction may be confounded with an abdominal 

 tumor ; but the particular form of the dilatation being outlined, as 

 well as its consistence, its direction, and the course of the disease, 

 a minute examination always permits us to recognize it. People 

 ignorant of veterinary medicine often believe in the existence of 

 constipation when defecation is suppressed on account of prolonged 

 abstinence. 



Constipation generally ends in a cure. Its prognosis is not 

 serious ; however, at the beginning of the disease, and when it has 

 lasted for some time, the prognosis must be reserved. 



Treatment. In the great majority of cases treatment must be 

 dietetic — mechanical or medicinal. Surgical treatment may be 

 indicated in exceptional cases (such as puncture, incision, or enter- 

 otomy), in abscess, hypertrophy of the prostate, or foreign bodies 

 in the intestine. 



We must suppress all food that is heavy and voluminous (as 

 bread, bones, potatoes, etc.) ; at first the animals may even be sub- 

 jected to an absolute diet of fresh water only. Later, it is advisable 

 to sustain them with milk, beef-tea very salt, and a little lean meat 

 without bones. The peristaltic movements should be stimulated 

 by frequent walks. 



Among the mechanical means, we must first mention lukewarm 

 water clysters, given with a rubber tube. Cold-water injections 

 are particularly advisable in intestinal paresis. Glycerin injections, 



