562 
PROTRUSION OF TIIE RECTUM. 
was often the case, as his bowels were very lax in consequence of 
his having escaped into some after-grass. Gave pulv. opii 3j. 
Sep. 1, Three P. M. — Has not yet evinced any abdominal pain. 
Bowels sufficiently lax. The tumour is frequently protruded, but 
is growing smaller, and seems becoming disorganized, its red hue 
changing to a brownish colour. This, I fancy, is the effect of the 
continued action of the sphincter muscle upon it around its neck. I 
bathed it with cold water and a solution of oak bark, and returned it. 
Sep. 2. — About the same. Continue same treatment. 
4 th . — About the same ; if any thing, the tumour is less. The 
gut comes down about as often as before. He never evinces any 
abdominal pain, nor does he strain any more than usual. When- 
ever he dungs, or even coughs, the tumour is protruded, and on 
the rectum retracting is not permitted to pass through the sphinc- 
ter. The muscle being stimulated by it, contracts around its neck, 
and so prevents its retraction. The tumour is very vascular to- 
wards its base ; but the great bulk of it is of a dark brown and 
yellowish colour, and has every appearance of sloughing : indeed, 
about the cracks we can already detach small pieces. I ordered it 
to be put up occasionally ; but told them not to give themselves 
much trouble about it in the night, as I thought it would take no 
harm if it was left out ; on the contrary, indeed, for then the 
sphincter might act as a ligature on it, and cause it to slough away. 
Take care not to over-feed him. 
8 th . — Going on very well. Tumour less ; removed portion of 
dead matter, and afterwards applied the actual cautery. Also 
sent a liniment of diluted acid. mur. to apply to the joints. The 
tumour recedes of itself occasionally after dunging. 
11/A. — Still diminishing. I removed more flaps of dead matter. 
There now remains but little of the actual tumour, but what does 
remain is very vascular and ragged. Applied the cautery again, 
and also some cupri sulph. It mostly returns of itself after dung- 
ing. All that I am afraid of, now, is that it may take on some un- 
healthy action, of a cancerous nature, and not heal up. He is 
turned out a little every day into the field, and is in perfect 
health. 
13/A. — The tumour continues to grow less. Seldom stops out 
now after dunging. Apply argent, nit. to it. 
16/A. — I introduced my hand up the rectum to ascertain what 
condition the tumour was in, but found scarcely any of it remain- 
ing, merely a little ragged surface, which I touched with cupri 
sulph. Whenever he dungs the gut retracts where the tumour 
was ; and there is nothing now for the sphincter to lay hold of. 
He is to be turned out night and day, and left to nature. I have 
