190 DISEASES OF THE LUNGS. 



cougliing had caused partial rupture of the diaphragm, 

 which was completed on the day she was exercised, or 

 soon after/^ 



" The second case I attribute to excessive and repeated 

 coughing; for the fibres of the diaphragm in each case 

 seemed as if they were drawn from each other, being 

 tapered out at their edges to the mere thickness of a wafer." 



To these two cases Mr. Cartwright adds a third, in which 

 rupture of the diaphragm appeared to have been caused by 

 parturition, happening in a broken-winded mare, while at 

 pasture, and at a time when her bowels were distended with 

 green food and flatus. 



The next communication on the subject comes from 

 the pen of Mr. Hales, V.S., Oswestry; and it will be found 

 a valuable one, not only for the sensible remarks by which 

 it is accompanied, but on account of its teaching us a new 

 fact — that it is possible for the diaphragm to become 

 "extensively and fatally ruptured by its own vehement 

 muscular contractions, in a horse previously in perfect 

 health." 



During the unparalleled hot weather of July, 1825, a 

 four-year-old mare was put to a carriage, with three others, 

 to go, post, from Oswestry to Shrewsbury — eighteen miles. 

 In general she was led in hand ; but this day one of the 

 postilions — about twelve stone — rode her, and they went a 

 quick pace. After doing this, she was put to work another 

 carriage back to Oswestry. She reached within a mile and 

 a half of her journey's end, and then became so much dis- 

 tressed, that she was taken out of harness, and with difficulty 

 got to her stable. Mr. Hales being from home, an hour 

 elapsed before he saw her. "She was breathing with great 

 difficulty — not in that short quick way that characterises 

 inflammation of the lungs, but each respiration was pro- 

 duced with great eff'ort, like a person labouring under a 

 severe fit of convulsive asthma." " I am free to confess," 

 continues Mr. Hales, "that the peculiarity of the breathing 

 both surprised and puzzled me, as I had never seen anything 

 like it in the horse before, nor have I since ; but, knowing 



