84 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



that locality, was consulted. On his arrival he gave but little 

 hopes of recovery, seeing she was to so great a degree debilita- 

 ted. A stimulant was administered, and an incision, about 

 seven inches in length, was made in the most depending part 

 of the swelling, through which more than a quarter of a peck 

 of food was removed from between the muscles. The wound 

 being now held open, and a candle placed in front, th^ rupture 

 of the oesophagus became quite apparent. It proved full three 

 inches in length. The wound was cleaned. A common side- 

 saddle was placed upon her back, and fastened on with a girth 

 in the usual manner ; a small-sized piece of ash-wood was 

 shaved so as to render it pliable at one end. The large end 

 was then tied to the crupper-loop of the saddle, and passed then 

 between the pummels, which kept it in its place, and elevated 

 it half way along the neck. The oesophagus at this part being 

 rather deep seated within the loose fleshy part of the dewlap, 

 it was not convenient to pass sutures through the edges of the 

 laceration. A pledget of tow dipped in some digestive was put 

 into the wound, and pressed against the ruptured part. A pad 

 of flannel was then placed over the outside, and a broad band- 

 age, with some thin but flat pieces of wood sown to it, to pre- 

 vent its becoming too narrow. This was carried round and 

 over the stick above the neck, which, being pliable, acted as a 

 spring, that kept a moderate but equal pressure as she moved 

 her head up and down. She was mainly supported upon gruel 

 made of barley and bean and wheat flour ; but in addition, occa- 

 sionally, was allowed a little green food. Tonics and stimulants 

 were administered. Any food that accumulated in the wound 

 was removed, and it was regularly dressed twice a day. Three 

 weeks after she calved a live calf; but, from the weakness be- 

 fore parturition, she became so reduced as to require assistence 

 to get up for a short time. I went home from college on the 

 6th of May. On the 8th I saw her myself. There was then 

 a small circular opening, leading into the oesophagus, sufiiciently 

 large to admit the finger, which was prevented healing by the 

 frequent escape of food. The edges of the wound were thick- 

 ened, and apparently healed over. They were occasionally 



