Rupture of the Spleen. 579 



spleen was found to measure 28 inches by 8 ; its base was adher- 

 ent to a loop of intestine, and presented a large cavity filled with 

 a grayish brown foetid liquid, and a piece of oak measuring 17 

 inches by y^, inch. 



Ruminants. In cattle and especially in those that are stabled, 

 needles, pins, nails, wires and other sharp-pointed bodies, that 

 have been swallowed with the food, and have become entangled 

 in the reticulated walls of the second stomach, have been found 

 to penetrate the spleen and determine local abscess and fistulse. 

 The offending body in such cases is found in the interior of the 

 abscess or in its walls. If such cases can be diagnosed the super- 

 ficial position of the spleen would seem to warrant surgical 

 interference for the removal of the foreign body. 



RUPTURE OF THE SPLEEN. 



Solipeds: Causes : Blows, kicks, goring, leuksemia, compression of splenic 

 or gastric veins, anthrax infection. Lesions : Blood may escape into per- 

 itoneum or remain confined under serosa. Splenic degeneration or pulpy 

 condition. Fractured ribs, ecchymosis, surface swellings. Spontaneous 

 arrest. Symptoms: Of interual haemorrhage. Vomiting. Trembling. 

 Vertigo. Coma. Treatment : Rest, quiet, locally ice, snow, cold, internally 

 iron chloride, matico, astringents, anodynes. Cattle : Blows, crowding, 

 leukaemia, youth, anthrax, Texas fever, microbes. Symptoms : Persistent 

 lying down, advancing bloodlessness, surface coldness, stiffness, local 

 tenderness, fluctuation. Treatment as iu horse. 



Horse. This is not a frequent lesion in solipeds, yet the num- 

 ber of cicatrices of the spleen which are found post-mortem in 

 old horses would indicate a considerable number of slight and 

 non- fatal cases. The most common cause appears to be external 

 violence and especially kicks or blows with horns on the left 

 hypochondriac region. Horses running at large in pastures, or 

 in yards, or standing side by side in short stalls or tied with too 

 long halters are the usual victims. Cadeac refers to cases reported 

 by Tausch, Millot, Berndt, Humbert and Pont, and one case 

 occurring in a three year old colt came under the notice of 

 the author. The subject stood in a stall to the right of anirrita- 



