Rupture of tJic Spleen. 561 



into fibrous tissue, constituting the cicatrices of the spleen found 

 in old horses. 



Symptoms appear to have l^een varied. Colicj- pains are gener- 

 ally noted, Tau.sch has ob.served vomiting, Millot vertigo, and 

 Wiart coma and trembling. In the author's case the animal was 

 found down, unable to rise, almost unconscious, pulseless, with 

 great pallor of the visible mucous membranes, dilated pupils, and 

 cold extremities. A diagnosis was made of internal hemorrhage, 

 but its actual seat was only revealed post mortem. 



Treatment. The early mortality usually forbids treatment. 

 When opportunity is furnished keep the animal absolutely still 

 and quiet, apply snow, ice or other refrigerant to the left hypo- 

 chondrium, give internally tincture of muriate of iron, matico, or 

 other astringent, and relieve any severe suffering by anodynes 

 (hyosc3'amus, belladonna, opium j. External wounds may be 

 treated antiseptically. 



Cattle. The causes of laceration and hemorrhage of the spleen 

 are similar to those acting in the horse. Blows with the horns on 

 the left side, crowding through a doorway or gateway-, and direct 

 blows of other kinds are charged with its pathogenesis. The 

 friability which attends on leucocythsemia has been noted as a 

 predisposing cause. Calves by reason of their small size and the 

 relative bulk of the spleen are especially liable to rupture by kicks 

 from animals or men. 



Much more commonly than in solipeds, rupture of the spleen oc- 

 curs as a complication of specific microbian diseases like anthrax 

 and Southern cattle fever. 



Symptoms. The mature animal assumes the recumbent posi- 

 tion, refusing to ri.se, and dies in a few hours. In calves, life may 

 be prolonged for a few hours longer, and there have been noticed, 

 anorexia, watering of the eyes, accelerated puLse and respiration, 

 arrest of intestinal peristalsis, cold ears, rigid limbs, and mode- 

 rately full belly (Notz). There should also be tenderness on 

 manipulation or percussion of the left hypochondrium, and until 

 coagulation occurs, fluctuation in the lower part of the abdomen, 

 with pallid mucous membranes and other signs of profuse internal 

 haemorrhage. 



Treatment is useless in the majority of cases. In the slighter 

 forms it would be the .same as in the hor.se. 



36 



