VIII.— DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA. 



On Thursday last a horse, which had suffered from cohc for nearly 

 a week, and whose state had rapidly become aggravated during the 

 last night passed in its own stable, was sent here for advice. At the 

 time of examination it was in a very grave condition, profoundly 

 depressed, and staggering on its legs. The face was drawn, the pulse 

 almost lost, the respiration very rapid and oppressed. Percussion of 

 the thorax revealed dulness in the lower third and tympanitic reso- 

 nance in the upper parts. On auscultation an exaggerated respirator}- 

 murmur was heard in the upper third of both sides of the chest ; 

 between the upper and middle thirds a slight deep-seated tubal 

 blowing sound ; in the lower parts a sound indicating the presence of 

 liquid, and borborygmus. The heart-beats were very feeble, and both 

 jugulars showed a venous pulse. 



The extreme depression, marked pain, irregularity and exaggeration 

 of the flank and chest movements, and especially the signs furnished 

 by auscultation, led me to diagnose diaphragmatic hernia. In order 

 to confirm this diagnosis I washed and shaved the lower half of the 

 left costal region, and was preparing to puncture the chest with 

 Dieulafoy's aspirator, when the animal suddenly fell, and died after a 

 slight struggle. 



The post-uiortem examination confirmed the diagnosis just made. 

 We found an old-standing diaphragmatic hernia with a very large 

 rupture and extensive injury. Many of you were absent on that date, 

 and neither saw the horse nor the state revealed on opening the body. 

 As this is a very rare condition, of which we shall probably not see 

 another case during the course of this year, M. Darras will read to you 

 the notes which he made : 



A twelve-year old gelding used for rapid work. 



On the morning of the nth October this horse, previously in good 

 health, showed symptoms of colic. He appeared anxious and restless, 

 pawed and turned his head towards the right flank, indicating that as 

 the seat of pain. These symptoms disappeared in a few hours, to 



