DILATATION, ETC., OF RECTUM AND ANUS. 
B49 
In dogs the following method can be employed. The protruded piece 
of bowel is transfixed close behind the anus with two needles arranged 
crosswise, and provided with two long threads (fig. 157). The prolapsed 
part is then cut through, about \ to § of an inch behind the threads, 
which are then drawn forward out of the intestinal opening. By 
dividing these in the centre, one has four threads (fig. 158), which when 
united form four stitches, and are generally sufficient. Should it be 
seen on cutting away the posterior part of the bowel that union is still 
incomplete, another pair of stitches can be inserted between each two 
of those previously existing, thus forming eight ligatures, which are 
sufficient even in large animals. Savournin saw a horse in which the 
rectum had already become necrotic, but by ligaturing it in two portions 
he effected complete healing in twelve days. In the case of a mare, 
Grammlich gave chloroform and then performed multiple ligation, 
cutting off the prolapsed portion of bowel about half an inch behind the 
ligatures. The bowels did not act naturally (i.e., without assistance) for 
six weeks. It is scarcely necessary to add that, both in selecting the 
ligature and in carrying out the operation and after-treatment, it is 
necessary to practise antisepsis as far as possible. To facilitate ligation 
Beuter recommends thrusting into the lumen of the prolapsed bowel a 
conical piece of carrot, turnip, or even of soap, before commencing the 
actual insertion of the ligatures. In swine Olivier divides the prolapsed 
bowel in its long diameter and ligates the two pieces separately. 
(4.) In old cases of prolapse, where union between the layers of 
peritoneum is complete, and no chance exists of opening the peritoneal 
cavity, simple removal of the prolapsed part is sufficient. This method 
has been used in swine, but caution is required; simple or multiple 
ligation is greatly preferable. 
YI.—DILATATION, STENOSIS, AND PARALYSIS OF 
THE RECTUM AND ANUS. 
After operation for atresia ani, amputation of prolapsed portions of 
the rectum, and injury to the anus, cicatricial contraction sometimes 
occurs, causing marked stenosis and difficulty in defalcation. Sometimes 
the anus is completely closed, as in Johne s case, in a six months old 
pig after ligation of the prolapsed rectum, or in Volk s, in a pig, where 
the same accident followed spontaneous sloughing. Occlusion of the 
rectum occurs, both in pigs and dogs, in consequence of clnonic diarrhoea, 
particularly during the first years of life; the epithelium is lost, the 
opposing mucous surfaces become adherent, and finally unite. 
Cicatricial contraction of the rectum may also result aftei injuiy 
or ulceration of its mucous membrane, and cause stenosis, or new 
