8 FRACTURE OF THE SKULL. 



before the struggling had ensued, hopes of recovery had been en- 

 tertained. On this account, it is of vast importance, when the case 

 holds out prospects for treatment, to house the animal somewhere 

 close to the place where the accident has occurred. In general, 

 bloodletting will be proper ; though the symptoms from loss of 

 blood or nervous depression may be such as not only positively to 

 forbid this evacuation, but even, to demand the exhibition of sti- 

 mulants. My estimable and never-to-be-forgotten deceased friend, 

 Mr. John Field, whose extensive range of practice brought such 

 cases as these within his notice, has recorded two * which are 

 well worthy our attention : — 



Oct. 27th, 1832. — A brown horse belonging to Col. D., on the road to 

 Windsor, started opposite Knightsbridge Barracks, in consequence of a kite 

 falling upon his head, and ran as far as Kensington, where he slipped up on 

 the stones, and never rose again. He was bro light to Mr. Field's infirmary 

 on a brewer's dray. He possessed common sensation, could struggle, and 

 was sensible ; but was unable to rise, and to stand when raised in the slings. 

 Bled largely, and a purge exhibited. Pulse 48. Oct. 28th. — Pulse 90. 

 More irritable ; is able to turn over ; neighs when persons approach him ; has 

 passed some hard faeces ; pupils do not contract at the approach of a candle ; 

 pulse more feeble ; restlessness ; increased struggling ; occasional tremor of 

 limbs ; sweats profusely ; respiration much accelerated. Aloes 3iv given. 

 Catheter introduced, and some urine withdrawn. Raked and clystered. 

 Towards evening became much weaker, and died about two o'clock the following 

 morning. — Examined same afternoon. Some effusion of lymph upon the right 

 side of the cranium, occasioned by chafing in throwing the head about ; but no 

 fissure or fracture. On removing the calvarium the dura mater was observed 

 distended with black blood upon both hemispheres. The upper part of the 

 occipital bone being struck, the neck suddenly dropped, evidently from some 

 detachment ; and on further examination it appeared that the basilary process 

 must have been fractured by the accident, and the vessels on its surface 

 ruptured. The brain was very sanguineous : its veins were excessively dis- 

 tended. The lungs and other viscera were undergoing very rapid change. 



Sept. I7th, 1821. — A bay gelding, in being led out of Col. R.'s stable-door, 

 hung back from the collar, reared up and fell backwards upon the pavement. 

 From this time he was unable to stand without support of men on one side, 

 the wall sustaining the other. No appearance of fracture about the cranium 

 at this time. His limbs were all paralytic. Eyes very turgid ; senses all 

 perfect, excepting no power over the extremities ; breathing quiet. With 



* Among his Posthumous Cases. 



