INTERNAL HEMORRHAGE 61 



INTERNAL HEMORRHAGE 



Bleedng from a large vessel in one of the cavities of the 

 body occurs occasionally in equine subjects. A hemor- ^ 

 rhage of this kind may follow a hard puU on a heavy \ 

 load after a period of idleness, and in such instances may 

 be confused with azoturia. Moderate internal bleeding 

 does not provoke marked symptoms aside from the altered 

 character of the pulse. Serious internal hemorrhages are 

 accompanied by trembling of muscle groups in all parts 

 of the body, the horse appears drowsy, and may perspire 

 in spots. The pulse is thready and fast; the tempera- 

 ture subnormal by a degree or two. The visible mucous 

 membranes soon become pale or blue-pink, and the respi- 

 rations rapid. 



The prognosis is not unfavorable as long as the pulse 

 can be felt at the maxilla. When the pulse becomes 

 imperceptible in the glosso-facial artery the condition is 

 in grave danger of being fatal. 



The important factor in the handling of an internal 

 hemorrhage is the prompt diagnosis thereof. If the ease 

 is at first confused with something else and considerable 

 time is lost, it may terminate fatally, although it may 

 have come into the veterinarian's hands early enough 

 for a favorable outcome had the proper treatment been 

 given at once. 



The first thought in every inaecesible internal hemor- 

 rhage should be atropin. From one-fourth to one-half 

 grain of atropin sulphate should be given hypodermatic- 

 ally. If convenient, the water used for the solution 

 should be warm, so that absorption will begin the instant 

 it is injected. The patient should not be moved; treat 

 him where you find him, and do not allow him to be moved 

 until all alarming symptoms have passed off. When it 

 appears safe to the attending veterinarian, the patient 



