PROTRUSION OF THE RECTUM IN PIGS. 381 
a full supper the night before. If the answer should be, it had, let 
all food be taken out of its reach (if in frosty weather) for from six 
to twelve hours, except about a gill of milk to a pig four months 
old, and in proportion to age upwards, it being of the greatest im- 
portance to have the bowels empty before the rectum be returned ; 
but if the weather is temperate, the pig may have a gill of milk 
every eight hours, and the rectum put up at the end of twenty- 
four hours, to allow the bowels to get thoroughly empty. There 
must be no other pigs with the patient (it had better be put up a 
second time than be out too long in the frost), or much injury may 
be done by them biting the rectum. 
My method of operating is as follows : — If a small pig, 
which can be managed without roping, I direct an assistant to take 
hold of both hind legs, above the hocks. I then get astride of its 
back, while an assistant takes hold of its ears. The hind parts of 
the pig are now raised up, and it stands on its fore feet, the hind 
legs being supported by the first assistant. I then take a soft piece 
of cotton or linen, and cover the rectum over. 1 next take it be- 
tween my two fingers and thumb, of each hand, the cloth being 
interposed between the rectum and them. I then press it back- 
wards and forwards gently for some time, to reduce it in size, 
before I attempt to return it. Having sufficiently softened it by 
manipulation, I then gently return it by even pressure, or occasion- 
ally by a finger or thumb being applied to one side of the rectum, 
under the cloth. It being returned within the anus, I introduce 
one or two fingers, according to the size of the pig, as far into the 
rectum as possible, to thoroughly right the bowel. This being 
done, I take a strong needle, threaded with four threads doubled 
into eight, and pierce the anus on each side, taking hold at least 
of a quarter of an inch, and drawing the thread across in the centre 
of the anus. But before tying the thread, I again introduce my 
finger into the bowel, to replace it, should the pig in its struggles 
have misplaced it. I then tie the thread, but not too tight, into 
three or four knots, pulling tight the last. I then cut off the ends 
of the thread, and let the pig at liberty. Lastly, I order half-a- 
pint of milk, as food, every six hours, for four or eight days, as the 
case may be ; but if solid food is given before the latter period, it 
will be likely to cause the disease to return. If a large pig, it 
must be roped by the nose, and tied to a post, and the same plan 
adopted, except raising the hind parts. 
To Mr. Per civ all. 
Your’s respectfully. 
