TRAUMATIC LESIONS OF THE GENITAL ORGANS, ETC. 639 



and for twelve days it appeared to be going on favorably, when it died in a, few hours. 

 A rupture of the diaphragm at its central part, extending for three inches, and with 

 much inflammation around it, was found. The wound -in the abdomen and uterus was 

 healthy, but the vagina was very dark-colored and jelly-like. Death in this instance 

 may have been due to septikaemia ; though Hayes was of opinion that it was owing to the 

 rupture in the diaphragm. 



SECTION VIII. — RUPTURE OF THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES. 



We have, at page 280, when treating of " Hernia of the Uterus " during 

 pregnancy, explained under what conditions, and the manner in which, 

 rupture of the abdominal muscles occurs. The accident can scarcely be 

 designated as one consecutive to parturition ; but its treatment may 

 nevertheless engage the attention of the veterinary surgeon, after ^ the 

 uterus has been emptied of its contents. In the same section allusion 

 has been made to the appropriate measures. 



SECTION IX. — RUPTURE OF THE SACRO-SCIATIC LIGAMENT. 



We can only find one case of this accident on record ; so that it must 

 be extremely rare. It is given by Naylor ( Veterinarian, vol. xxxiii. p., 

 321), and the subject was a three-year-old cart Mare, which had a mal- 

 presentation. The animal was down, and the fore-feet of the foetus pro- 

 truded beyond th^ vulva, but the head was not visible, it being bent back 

 to the side of the chest ; the young creature was dead. Embryotomy 

 was resorted to, and one limb was about to be removed, when the uterus 

 suddenly contracted with great violence, and half expelled the foal ; 

 traction then removed it. " All attempts to get the filly up were ineffec- 

 tual, and an examination showed that a rupture of the sacro-sciatic liga- 

 ment on the right side, with other lesions, had taken place." Stimulants 

 and laxatives were administered, and a mustard plaster applied to the 

 loins. "In two days she was on her legs, and tottering about the yard. 

 Suffice it to say that she ultimately recovered, and though for two years 

 the off-quarter was less in size than the other, she ultimately got quite 

 well, and had two or three foals." 



