234 THE DIAPHRAGM. 



motion of the diaphragm still continued without any abatement. After the 

 sweating had ceased, the pulse became more perceptible, and the action of the 

 heart more distinct, and I considered this to be the proper time to bleed. 

 When about ten pounds had been extracted, I thought that the beating and 

 the breathing seemed to increase ; the bleeding was stopped, and the patient 

 littered up for the night. In the morning, the affection of the diaphragm was 

 much moderated, and about eleven o'clock it ceased, after continuing eighteen 

 or nineteen hours. A little tonic medicine was afterwards administered, and the 

 horse soon recovered his usual appetite and spirits*." 



Later surgeons administer, and with good effect, opium in small doses, 

 together with ammonia, or nitric ether, and have recourse to bleeding as soon 

 as any reaction is perceived. 



Over-fatigue, of almost every kind, has produced spasm of the diaphragm, 

 and so has over-distension of the stomach with grass 



RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 



This is an accident, or the consequence of disease, very lately brought under 

 the cognizance of the veterinary surgeon. The first communication of its 

 occurrence was from Mr. King, a friend of Mr. Percivall +. It occurred in a 

 mare that had been ridden sharply for half a dozen miles when she was full of 

 grass. She soon afterwards exhibited symptoms of broken- wind, and. at length, 

 died suddenly, while standing in the stable. The diaphragm was lacerated on 

 the left side, through its whole extent, throwing the two cavities into one. 



Since that period, from the increasing and very proper habit of examining 

 every dead horse, cases of this accident have rapidly multiplied. It seems that 

 it may follow any act of extraordinary exertion, and efforts of every kind, 

 particularly on a full stomach, or when the bowels are distended with green 

 or other food likely to generate gasj. Considerable caution, however, should 

 be exercised when much gaseous fluid is present, for the bowels may be 

 distended, and forced against the diaphragm to such a degree as to threaten 

 to burst. 



An interesting case of rupture of the diaphragm was related by Professor 

 Spooner at one of the meetings of the Veterinary Medical Association. A horse 

 having been saddled and bridled for riding, was turned in his stall and fastened 

 by the bit-straps. Something frightened him — he reared, broke the bit-strap, 

 and fell backward. On the following morning he was evidently in great 

 pain, kicking, heaving, and occasionally lying down. Mr. S. was sent for to 

 examine him, but was not told of the event of the preceding day. He con- 

 sidered it to be a case of enteritis, and treated it accordingly. He bled him 

 largely, and, in the course of the day, the horse appeared to be decidedly better, 

 every symptom of pain having vanished. The horse was more lively — he ate 

 with appetite, but his bowels remained constipated. 



On the following day there was a fearful change. The animal was suffering 

 sadly — the breathing was laborious, and the membrane of the nose intensely 

 red, as if it were more a case of inflammation of the lungs than of the bowels. 

 The bowels were still constipated. The patient was bled and physicked again, 

 but without avail. He died, and there was found rupture of the diaphragm, 

 protrusion of intestine into the thoracic cavity, and extensive pleural and peri- 

 toneal inflammation. 



In rupture of the diaphragm the horse usually sits on his haunches like a dog, 



♦ The Veterinarian, 1831, p. 248. J PerciralT, Hippopathology, vol. ii., No. 



t The Veterinarian, 1828. p. 101. 1, p. 152. 



