In the Stable, Field, and on the Road, 135 



as they thought, vomit ; in consequence, I saw her at 

 eleven p.m., and no particular decided symptoms were 

 manifested; the pulse was 48 and soft, there was slight 

 tympanitis, the breathing was slightly accelerated, and 

 the temperature was normal. At intervals it was 

 seized with a peculiar spasmodic action of the throat, 

 as of difficulty of swallowing, and the eructations 

 occurring at intervals of fifteen minutes, and continuing 

 a few minutes, increasing in severity each time, until 

 the third occurrence, when a quantity — probably half-a- 

 pint of sour smelling fluid, mixed with portions of 

 badly masticated food was discharged through the 

 nostrils. This was followed by a fit of violent cough- 

 ing, caused evidently by the passage of some fluid 

 into the larynx. I mentioned the probability of rup- 

 tured stomach to the owner ; but from the absence of 

 any urgent symptoms always present in cases of rupture, 

 I thought it possible that the emesis might have 

 either been induced by the nature or more probably the 

 quantity of food consumed by the mare while in a 

 hungry and exhausted condition. I administered spirit 

 nitre aBther two ounces, spirit ammonia aromat, one 

 ounce, ext. hyoscyomi one drachm, aq. menthge. pip. two 

 ounces. This seemed slightly to allay the irritability of 

 the stomach, but the coughing and spasms continued for 

 some time, and about half-an-hour afterwards the mare 

 lay down. The spasms with occasional discharge of watery 

 fluid through the nostrils continuing, she lay quietly on 

 her left side for an hour, when she got up, seemed easier, 

 and drank water. The pulse was GO and full. I then 

 gave tinct. opii. two ounces in linseed gruel, and some oil- 



