DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. G87 



throwmg itself suddenly down and causing a fatal lesion, 

 namely — 



EUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 



The symptoms are, sudden tremors, particularly of the fore 

 extremities ; in many cases extension of the near fore limb, 

 profuse perspiration, great prostration of strength ; the animal 

 breathes heavily, staggers in its walk, looks round to the flanks, 

 and is generally seized with symptoms of vomiting, during 

 which the head is suddenly depressed, the nose brought down to 

 the sternum by spasmodic contractions of the inferior cervical 

 muscles, and in many cases there occurs an actual expulsion of 

 food from both the mouth and nostrils. 



The value of vomition as a diagnostic symptom of rupture 

 of the stomach is certainly very great. Occurring in rupture of 

 the stomach, it is said to be due to the muscular coat having 

 first given way, thus allowing the mucous membrane to pro- 

 trude, and the rugse of the cardiac orifice to become unfolded. 

 This conclusion is true in part only, for vomition will occur in 

 rupture of the colon or other intestine, and in dilatation of the 

 cesophagus. It must, however, be admitted that the act of 

 vomition is much more complete in rupture of the stomach 

 and dilatation of the cardiac orifice than it is in any in- 

 testinal lesion. The differential symptoms of rupture of the 

 stomach, which occurs in the great curvature towards its 

 pyloric portion, and a paralyzed condition of the cardiac orifice, 

 are chiefly those manifested by the general condition of the 

 animal. In rupture, prostration and rapid sinking of the animal 

 powers are very extreme, the pulse feeble and fluttering, and 

 death soon closes the scene ; whilst in the other condition, 

 though sweats bedew the body, and the animal exhibits extreme 

 agony, the vital powers still remain tolerably strong ; the pulse, 

 though frequent, still retains some fulness, and the surface of 

 the body and extremities are never deathly cold as in rupture. 



Abdominal pain, as ordinarily manifested by rolling, striking 

 violently at the belly, &c., is not a constant symptom of rupture. 

 In some cases the animal will stand immoveable, breathing 

 heavily, being seemingly afraid to perform any movement which 

 may increase its anguish ; in other instances, the ordinary symp- 

 toms of abdominal pain, combined even with delirium, are present. 



