PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 181 



ful post-mortem was made in both of these subjects, no 

 internal injuries were found. 



2. Prolonged Pain or Suffering. — This cause is the im- 

 portant one to the veterinarian. Animals may sufifer from a 

 severe pain or some condition of discomfort for a long time 

 and maintain a fair condition of general strength, but if by- 

 some intervention sudden relief is given, shock may prompt- 

 ly supervene. Shock from this cause follows lancing of 

 large abscesses; evacuation of intestinal gases, tapping the 

 dropsical thorax or abdomen; ablation or reposition of an 

 inverted uterus, etc., etc. Any surgical operation that af- 

 fords instant relief of a long-standing suffering may cause 

 fatal shock. A fatal shock was observed in a gelding from 

 the simple operation of relieving an over distended bladder 

 by lancing a stricture that had resulted from amputation of 

 the penis some two weeks previously. The amputated 

 stump cicatrized over the urethra and gradually obstructed 

 the flow of urine. When examined the bladder was found 

 enormously distended, but the patient was in fair condition 

 of health. The appetite was normal, there was no fever and 

 the countenance was normal. The only abnormality ap- 

 parent was the frequent unsuccessful attempts to void 

 urine. The urethra behind the seat of amputation, dis- 

 tended and fluctuating, was lanced with the scalpel. The 

 bladder rapidly evacuated its contents, but instead of afford- 

 ing the expected relief the patient almost immediately be- 

 gan to tremble as if in a chill. Soon a slight perspiration 

 appeared about the forehead and ears and then over the 

 entire body. The countenance became anxious, the eyes 

 staring, the respirations accelerated, the pulse small, fast 

 and weak, and the mucous membranes pale and anaemic, 

 and finally cyanotic. This chain of symptoms continued in- 

 cessantly for two hours, at which time death terminated its 



