Rupture of the Spleen. 561 



into fibrous tissue, constituting the cicatrices of the spleen found 

 in old horses. 



Symptoms appear to have been varied. Colicy pains are gener- 

 ally noted, Tausch has observed vomiting, Millot vertigo, and 

 Wiart coma and trembling. In the author's ca.se the animal was 

 found down, unable to rise, almost unconscious, pulseless, with 

 great pallor of the visible mucous membranes, dilated pupils, and 

 cold extremities. A diagnosis was made of internal hemorrhage, 

 but its actual .seat was only revealed post mortem. 



Treatment. The early mortality usually forbids treatment. 

 When opportunity is furni.shed keep the animal absolutely still 

 and quiet, apply snow, ice or other refrigerant to the left hypo- 

 chondrium, give internally tincture of muriate of iron, matico, or 

 other astringent, and relieve any .severe .suffering by anodynes 

 (hyo.scyamus, belladonna, opium). External wounds may be 

 treated antiseptically. 



Cattle. The causes of laceration and hemorrhage of the .spleen 

 are similar to those acting in the horse. Blcws with the horns on 

 the left side, crowding through a doorway or gateway, and direct 

 blows of other kinds are charged with its pathogenesis. The 

 friability which attends on leucocythsemia has been noted as a 

 predi.sposing cause. Calves by rea.son of their small size and the 

 relative bulk of the spleen are especially liable to rupture by kicks 

 from animals or men. 



Much more commonly than in solipeds, rupture of the spleen oc- 

 curs as a complication of specific microbian diseases like anthrax 

 and Southern cattle fever. 



Symptoms. The mature animal assumes the recumbent posi- 

 tion, refusing to rise, and dies in a few hours. lu calves, life may 

 be prolonged for a few hours longer, and there have been noticed, 

 anorexia, watering of the eyes, accelerated pul.se and respiration, 

 arr&st of intestinal peristalsis, cold ears, rigid limbs, and niode- 

 rately full belb' (Notz). There should also be tenderness on 

 mauipulation or percus.sion of the left hypochondrium, and until 

 coagulation occurs, fluctuation in the lower part of the abdomen, 

 with pallid mucous membranes and other signs of profuse internal 

 haemorrhage. 



Treatment is useless in the majority of cases. In the slighter 

 forms it would be the same as in the horse. 



36 



