142 RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 

 RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 



The horse not being able to vomit if the stomacbTbe 

 distended, and by the distention not paralyzed, it will 

 contract upon its contents; but, not being able to urge 

 them forward or to cast them upward, the viscus is 

 often torn asunder by the efforts which nature makes 

 for its relief. This is always fatal ; and yearly de- 

 stroys many animals. Old horses, those which are 

 kept long out fasting ; then brought home to have a 

 loaded manger placed before a ravenous appetite : 

 these are the animals which most frequently die 

 from rupture of the stomach. The work and long 

 fast deaden the sensibility. Hungry and weak, they 

 feed and feed without nature warning them that the 

 stomach is full. At length a drowsiness ensues : 

 symptoms of colic may follow ; but more often they 

 do not appear. The animal then suddenly seems 

 better; but the lesion has taken place; and the horse 

 experiences only a temporary relief. The signs which 

 are generally regarded as indicative of violent colic 

 now commence in earnest. The pulse is quick but 

 sharp, although, at the same time, small. There are 

 efforts to vomit ; and the horse not only rolls, but he 

 may sit upon his haunches. The head is turned to 

 the side, and with the foot the belly is struck. The 

 pulse becomes more hurried. The breathing grows 

 quicker; the brain at length sympathizes; the horse 

 wanders about for a time, and then expires. 



In these cases nothing can be done ; and, in fact, 

 could the existence of the injury be correctly ascer- 

 tained, the knacker should be employed instead of 



