RECTAL EXPLORATIONS AND MANIPULATIONS. 
529 
in the rectum was strongly adducted, I laid its volar surface, or 
the fingers, against the bands, and after repeated careful attempts 
finally succeeded in drawing these so far toward the right that 
that the colon again took up its position parallel with the 
middle line of the body. 
As I had discovered in my experiments on dead animals, in 
torsion towards the left, the bands of the lower section of the 
bowel offer a purchase for retroversion. After effecting this, 
the pelvic flexure of the bowel, until then filled with gas, at 
once collapsed, the symptoms of colic disappeared, peristaltic 
action, which had almost completely ceased, again set in, the 
small frequent pulse altered its character, and half an hour later 
the recovery of the animal could be confidently foretold. 
It is clear that all torsions of the colon cannot be treated by 
one and the same method ; differences in displacement will ren¬ 
der modification necessary ; but when attention has been directed 
to the point, experience will give valuable indications for pro¬ 
cedure. Puncture of the over-distended colon might possibly 
assist reduction (p. 275). Jelkmann was compelled to puncture 
the caecum five times in thirteen cases, after which retroversion 
succeeded ; the use of the trochar caused no bad results. 
The rectum is of great aid in treating diseases—by the use 
of enemas in flatulent and spasmodic colic, suppositories and 
enemas for inflammation of the prostate and Cowper’s glands. 
Medicated enemas act almost as quickly as though the medi¬ 
cine was given orally. In cases of torpidity of the bowels due 
to impaction of the colon, water may be introduced through the 
rectum clear in to the colon, where it will soften the contents 
so that it may be gotten rid of. Warm enemas relieve pain in 
genito-urinary organs and produce urination where urine is sup¬ 
pressed. Cold (not ice-cold) enemas reduce temperature and 
supply water to the system in pneumonia and other febrile dis¬ 
eases. In dogs suffering from haemorrhoids and constipation 
enemas are serviceable and necessary. 
The large intestines may be punctured through the rectum 
when the gas cannot be reached through the flanks. 
