DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 
159 
anus. Stoppage of the passage, also, generally attends rup- 
ture of the rectum. The extent of the injury may be ascer- 
tained by making a careful examination with the oiled hand. 
Treatment. — Carefully remove any slivers, splinters or 
pieces of foreign matter that may have been left in the 
wound. Remove the manure from the rectum three or four 
times a day, being careful to oil the hand well. After each 
operation give an injection of a little warm water and soap. 
This has a soothing effect on the wound and helps to keep 
the bowels regular. Feed soft food in small quantities in 
order to keep the bowels as nearly empty as possible and 
still allow sufficient nourishment to sustain life. Give the 
following : 
Raw Linseed Oil ^ pint. 
Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Mix and give as a drench. Should there seem to be pain 
after this treatment give one ounce or four dessertspoonfuls 
of laudanum, as a drench, in a little lukewarm water every 
four hours. If the animal be very fleshy give five to ten 
drops of Fleming's tincture of aconite to keep down the 
inflammation. 
17. Tumors or Abscesses of the Rectum. 
This disease is not very common. 
Causes. — It may result from a costive condition of the 
bowels. Injuries caused by rudely inserting the hand or an 
injection pipe may develop into abscesses or tumors. 
Symptoms. — These are most noticeable during the pass- 
ing of manure, which causes severe pain, so severe indeed at 
times that the animal lies down. A large tumor or abscess 
often causes straining which results in the passage of nothing 
from the rectum. 
Treatment. — Make -a careful examination with the hand 
well oiled. Should there be evidence of an abscess contain- 
ing matter, pierce or lance it with a small knife to allow the 
matter to escape. If a tun^or that can be got at, remove by 
cutting it out with a knife. The ecraseur (an instrument 
supplied with a chain for squeezing it off) is often useful in 
such cases. 
For after treatment give raw linseed oil and mix boiled 
flax seed with the feed to keep the bowels loose. 
