PROLAPSUS ANI. 
81 
attempts to return the intestine to its natural position, I at 
once had recourse to the knife, and removed the projecting 
portion of the gut: — I first cut through the mucous mem- 
brane close to the anus, and then carefully dissected the 
submucous tissue, and which, by-the-bye, was loaded with 
sanguineous fluid. In doing this, some small vessels were 
divided, but which proved of no importance in the progress 
of the operation. Having cut down upon the mucous coat on 
the inner side of the gut, I dissected the connecting tissue 
away from it, so that as little of the membrane was removed 
as possible. After excising the whole, the small portion of 
the mucous coat which had been left, and which was ori- 
ginally inverted, was quickly retracted, so that nothing could 
be seen externally. The horse soon appeared quite easy, 
and having a disposition to take food, was supplied with a 
bran mash. I ordered a mild laxative in combination with 
Tinct. Opii; and gave instructions for the animal to be kept 
as comfortable as he could possibly be under the unfortunate 
circumstances he was placed in ; namely, out in the open 
air exposed to a piercing cold, north-east wind. On the next 
day he appeared free from pain, fed very well, and voided the 
feces without difficulty. From this time he continued to do 
well ; in fact, he never appeared to suffer from the operation, 
and was fit to return to his duty on the 6th of December. 
Case II. — Partial Prolapsus Ani. 
November 22d. — A brown gelding, 7 years old, was ad- 
mitted in the early part of the day with abdominal pains, 
brought on by sand in the intestines. The exhibition of 
clysters, and hand-rubbing of the abdomen, seemed to relieve 
him, and by noon he appeared to be quite free from pain. 
23d. — About six this morning, he was observed to be strain- 
ing violently, and twice during these expulsive efforts, a por- 
tion of the rectum was forced out, the mucous coat of which 
was greatly congested and thickened. A man was set to 
watch him, w T ith a view 7 to prevent his forcing out the intes- 
tine, until a pad could be arranged to press on the anus ; 
but after its application, it was even then found necessary 
to keep a man constantly wdth him. Tinct. Opii, ^iss, was 
given, and for a time he seemed easier. The pad was re- 
moved occasionally, when he generally voided some feces, 
and which w 7 ere found to contain a quantity of sand. At 10 a.m. 
I gave a laxative, and ordered a mash diet. He remained 
much easier till about 5 p.m., when he commenced straining 
again very violently; and during the short time the pad was 
off, to allow the feces to pass, he again forced out the gut, 
xxix. 11 
