Treatment is manifestly useless excepting in the case of some such fortunate condition as in the case of abscess of the rectum in which the free use of injections and the antisepsis of the abscess cavity proved successful.
LACERATION OF THE INTESTINE IN SWINE.
This is rare and appears to have been observed only in connection with scrotal and ventral hernias, with adhesion. It may lead to an artificial anus which in its turn may cicatrise and close, or to the discharge of fæces into the peritoneal cavity with fatal effect. If seen early enough, laparotomy with suture of the bowel and careful antisepsis will be indicated.
LACERATION OF THE INTESTINE IN CARNIVORA.
Obstruction and overdistension, necrosis, ulceration, feculent impaction, kicks, parasites, caustics, abscess, tubercle, cancer. Symptoms: peritonitis following accident, vomiting, no defecation. Treatment: laparotomy.
The most common cause of intestinal rupture is obstruction by foreign bodies, with overdistension of the bowel immediately in front, or necrosis and ulceration of the portion of the bowel pressed upon. Feculent impaction acts in a similar way. Kicks and other external injuries sustained on a full intestine will lead to rupture. Perforation by parasites, by caustic agents swallowed, by abscesses, and by tubercle or cancer is also to be met with.
The symptoms are those of sudden peritonitis, with marked abdominal tenderness, tucking up of the abdomen, bringing the legs together under the body, vomiting, suspension of defecation and peristalsis. Rabiform symptoms have been noted.
Treatment. As in swine there is every hope of success by suture of the intestinal wound if done early. The same general method may be followed as in closing the wound after extraction of a foreign body.
ABSCESS OF THE BOWEL IN SOLIPEDS.
In strangles, from puncture, kicks, blows, foreign bodies in food, larva, cysts, large or small, creamy or cheesy, open into bowel or peritoneum, infective peritonitis. Symptoms: rigor, ill health, unthrift, colics, tender abdomen, tympany, painful movements, lying, rising, turning, going downhill, rectal exploration, phlegmonous swelling, pus passed by anus. Treatment: open when it points on abdominal wall, or when near rectum, antiseptics, support strength, careful dieting, antipuruleut agents.