HERJNIA, OR RUPTURE. SGi 



drinks, or rude exercise, or when the animal, in a state of half- uncon- 

 sciousness, has violently beaten himself about. The midrifif has then 

 given way, and a portion of the intestine, or of one of the stomachs, 

 or of the omentum or caul, or of the liver, has been forced into the 

 cavity of the chest. This may be suspected when, after the usual 

 symptoms of hoove or colic, great difficulty of breathing suddenly 

 comes on, and is evidently attended by excessive pain — when the 

 animal is every moment looking at her side, and especially at the 

 left side — when she shrinks, and bows hei'self up as if the muscles 

 of the belly were violently cramped — and when she stiflfens all over, 

 and then suddely falls and dies in convulsions. 



Exan ination after death has sometimes displayed chronic rupture 

 of this kind. The attack has been as sudden, but the colicky pains 

 have not been so violent ; they have intermitted — disappeared ; but 

 an habitual difficulty of breathing has been left behind — disinclina- 

 tion to rapid motion — fright when suddenly moved — anxiety of 

 countenance — perhaps impairment of condition — and certainly im- 

 possibihty of acquiring any considerable degree of condition. This 

 has continued during several months, until the animal has been de- 

 stroyed, or has died from some cause unconnected with these symp- 

 toms ; and then an old rupture of the diaphragm has been discov- 

 ered, the edges of which had been completely healed, and the second 

 stomach, or the liver, had been firmly placed against the opening, 

 and had occupied it, and in a slight degree projected into the thorax. 

 No medical treatment or operation could be of the slightest service 

 in this case. 



HamcBopathic treatment. — In connection with the surgical means, 

 arnica is to be administered very often, externally and internally. 

 The animal must be kept quiet, and all flatulent food carefully 

 avoided. If inflammation take place, aconitum should be given 

 repeatedly. Sulphuric acid, diluted, m-iy be used externally. 



