G88 SPORADIC DISEASES. 



I have observed that all medicinal remedies increase the severity 

 of the symptoms. This is undoubtedly due to their escaping 

 into the peritoneal cavity. Mr. Percivall asks the questions — 

 Can vomiting take place after rupture ? Will the real stomach 

 retain any power of ejection ? Would ejection of the contents 

 upwards be produced by the abdominal muscles and diaphragm 

 without the aid of the stomach ? And replies, " I shovild very 

 much doubt it. I should rather feel inclined to the opinion that 

 the act of vomiting should be taken as a proof of the entireness 

 of the stomach. At all events," he says, " we may have rupture 

 happen without A^omiting ; and, consequently, we must cease to 

 regard that symptom as pathognomonic, though w^e may justly 

 consider it, in company with others, as one throwing much liglif; 

 upon the nature of the case. Our guides, in the absence of any 

 one infallible pathognomonic sign, must be — the history of the 

 case, the subject of it, the circumstances attending it, the inflated 

 or enlarged condition of the abdomen, the symptoms of colic or 

 grijDcs ceasing and becoming succeeded by cold sweats and 

 tremors, the pulse, from being quick and small and thready, 

 growing still more frequent, and at length running down and 

 becoming altogether imperceptible ; the countenance denoting 

 gloom and despondency of the heaviest character, with or with- 

 out vomiting." 



This graphic description contains some errors. For example, 

 the enlargement of the abdomen is not generally associated with 

 rupture ; on the contrary, the belly in some instances is smaller 

 than natural, the abdominal muscles being rigid and tense from 

 tonic spasm, and the condition of rupture is undoubtedly as- 

 sociated with vomition, for it not unfrequently happens that the 

 animal dies immediately after that act. 



In addition to impaction from over-feeding, the stomachs of 

 old horses particularly become ruptured from degeneration of 

 their walls. When this occurs the gastric walls are exceedingly 

 thin, and atrophied for some distance around the breach ; and 

 if examined microscopically the tissues are found to have lost 

 their histological character, being reduced to a granular debris or 

 an oily material. 



There is no treatment for this lesion ; and if the veterinary 

 surgeon is satisfied that it has occurred, he will do well to order 

 the animal to be put out of its misery. 



