PUNCTUKE OF THE INTESTINE. 677 



inner side of the fore-arm, and may be felt by inserting the 

 hand, from the front, between the breast and fore-arm, and feeling 

 for the slightly prominent head of the bone (radius) just below 

 the elbow joint. The place is described anatomically as being 

 situated just behind the insertion of the flexor brachii muscle. 

 Care should be taken, as the arteiy is but loosely attached, not 

 to push it out of position when searching for it with the 

 fingers. 



Below the hock we may take the pulse of the artery (the great 

 metatarsal) which runs down the groove between the cannon bone 

 and the outer splint bone, by gently pressing a finger on the 

 upper third of this groove. 



The middle coccygeal artery, which occupies the gi'oove run- 

 ning along the lower surface of the tail, will also afford an indica- 

 tion of the pulse. It should be felt close to the body. 



The usual rate per minute of the pulse of heavy cart-horses is 

 about 35, of well-bred horses about 40, and of small ponies about 

 45. The younger the animal, the quicker the pulse. 



Puncture of the Intestine for Flatulent Colic. 



This operation is performed by means of a trocar and cannula. 

 The latter is a metal tube which forms a sheath for the former, 

 and is usually about ith of an inch in diameter and 6 inches 

 long. Professor Macqueen wisely advises that a cannula should be 

 9 inches long, and Jth inch in diameter. The trocar is a steel, , 

 triangidar-pointed rod which fits into the cannida, and is provided 

 with a handle to facilitate its insertion into and withdrawal from 

 the bowel. 



The operation is performed in order to give vent to gas which 

 has collected in the intestines during an attack of flatulent colic. 

 Very little risk attends it when done under antiseptic conditions 

 (p. 70), which consist in clipping or shaving the hair at the seat 

 of operation, and disinfecting the part and the instrument. The 

 veterinary surgeon should place his hand up the rectum to find 

 out where the gas has chiefly accumulated, and where he ought, 

 consequently, to drive the instrument. 



The puncture should be made if the symptoms do not become 

 relieved by the medicine given; but it should on no account be 

 delayed until the horse becomes exhausted, lest fatal complications, 

 such as rupture of the stomach or intestines, may ensue. 



The puncture is made on the right flank, and generally at a spot 

 equi-distant from the point of the hip (anterior iliac spine), the 

 end of the last rib, and the side processes of the vertebrse of the 

 loins (Fig. 115). Mr. J. G. Rutherford {" Vet. Record," 8th March, 



