658 
PROLAPSUS ANI. 
sphincter, to a darker and even purple hue ; the membrane 
becoming, at the same time, inflated and oedematous; and 
gradually changing its colour from red to yellow and to brown, 
though still having a humid shining aspect, from now be- 
coming glairy from albuminous secretion, which is not only 
mucous but at times purulent. 
Causes. — These may be summed up in irritation , either 
direct or sympathetic, of the mucous membrane lining the anus 
and rectum. It is possible that prolonged constipation, from 
giving rise to violent straining efforts at expulsion of dry and 
hardened faeces, might bring it on; or even the strains of partu- 
rition. The action produced by excessive purgation may cause 
it; but more especially irritation of a mechanical kind, arising 
from direct injury to the membrane or rectum during the 
operation of raking or manual exploration of the gut, or of 
clystering. It may prove an accompaniment of an enteritic, 
colicky or diarrhoeal condition of bowel. It is possible it may 
ensue on nicking ; though I never knew it to follow that 
operation. Violent struggles of any kind, as in such a case as 
is mentioned in The Veterinarian (vol. XXV), by Mr. J. Brown, 
V.S., London; wherein the horse “ had forced out nearly a foot 
of the rectum in struggling violently to release himself,’ 5 
while being cast. 
Treatment — The formidable, and indeed awful aspect 
of this disease, is apt to operate in the mind of the owner of 
the animal favorably for the veterinary surgeon, inasmuch as it 
gives rise to his being called to the case sooner than he other- 
wise would have been. Should the summons be an early one, 
at the time that the protrusion is recent and its volume 
nothing so very alarming, judicious exercise of the taxis, 
if employed at the moment, may succeed in the return of the 
gut. Distributing the fingers of both hands over the rugose 
and turgid body of the protrusion, steady, firm, and forcible 
pressure ought to be maintained against it for such length of 
time as appears to afford any chance of success, augmenting the 
force used whenever there be any remission of the straining 
Should the first efforts of this description fail, the protruded 
mass may have its bulk lessened and constricted as much as 
possible by local application of some sort, than which none 
offers a better chance of succeeding than such as follows from 
sudden and intense cold, though to a part so sensitive and 
vascular, the practice is not devoid of danger. Ice may be 
powdered and inclosed in a linen bag, so as to form a sort of 
bolster that may be held or braced with firmness upon the 
tumefaction. The contrary of such treatment as this, however, 
though the object be the same, is generally preferred ; viz. 
