THROMBOSIS 207 



The pulse was irregular and rather weak, and also gave a peculiar 

 thrill to the fingers ; cardiac examination showed the second sound of 

 the heart slightly indistinct. 



The affected limb was slightly swollen, and at times the animal 

 would stand level on it. The rectal examination appeared to cause a 

 great deal of distress. 



April 21. — Lameness slightly improved, the owner stated at times he 

 observed the mare to bend the hock of the near hind leg in a peculiar 

 manner outwards and to place the foot behind the off hind fetlock for 

 short periods. 



A diagnosis of thrombosis of the iliac artery was given and destruc- 

 tion was advised. This the owner, at first, did not like, saying he 

 preferred to have the animal on grass as she was an old favourite, so he 

 decided to let her stay on for a week. 



April 26. — Owner telegraphed to say that the mare was much 

 improved, the lameness was slight, and that circulation had returned to 

 the limb. 



On attendance the limb was found normal to the touch, and the animal 

 able to walk well. On trotting her for a short distance the want of 

 power was apparent, and she knuckled over on the fetlock. The pulse 

 still gave the peculiar thrill of the fingers. 



Being very anxious for a post-mortem examination, the owner was 

 persuaded to have the animal destroyed. 



May 2. — After walking to the place arranged, about three and a half 

 miles, the lameness became excessive, and the animal could not have gone 

 much farther. It took i lb. 9 oz. of chloroform to destroy her, and on 

 this point there are some interesting details for a future note on 

 anaesthetics. 



Autopsy. — Immediately after death. On removing the abdominal 

 organs, a very large, dark-coloured tumour was apparent on the right 

 side of the posterior aorta, a short distance above its division. This 

 proved to be an enormous aneurism. Its walls were so thin that it was 



