186 ABDOMINAL INJURIES. 
subsequently to have recovered. The diaphragm when it yields gener- 
ally gives way upon the tendinous portion. Through the opening the 
peristaltic action soon causes the bowels to obtrude; and death is pro- 
duced by displacement and strangulation of the intestine. The posture 
previously delineated is common to all injuries of the abdomen; so is 
the opposite peculiarity—or the horse remaining upon its chest. The 
last attitude may not, to most persons, appear so strange, seeing that 
the creature assumes it whenever it rises or lies down. Then, however, 
it is only momentary. When it denotes abdominal injury, it is com- 
paratively of long continuance. At the same time the breathing and 
the countenance bespeak the greatest internal anguish. 
Ruptured spleen is the gentlest death of all those which spring from 
abdominal injury. The spleen 
is at present a mystery to veter- 
inary science. It has been dis- 
covered after death of enormous 
size; but the symptoms during 
life had not led to the expecta- 
tion of any very serious disorder. 
Ruptured spleen and ruptured 
liver are both productive of 
similar symptoms; both answer 
to the same tests, and the term- 
ination of each is alike. 
Ruptured stomach mostly 
happens with old and enfeebled 
horses. Night cab-horses are very liable to it; so also are animals of 
heavy draught. The drivers often neglect to take out the nose-bags. 
The horse’s most urgent necessities always yield to man’s passing con- 
venience; so the creature has to journey 
far or to remain out till the empty stomach 
grows debilitated. It is then taken home 
aud placed before abundance. Elsewhere 
this folly has been commented upon. It 
was shown that light food and perfect rest 
were the best restoratives for an exhausted 
frame. The drivers, however, refuse to be 
ACR PHONED STOwONe taught. The horse eats and eats. No con- 
traction of the exhausted stomach warns 
the animal when to stop. The viscus is crammed. Then digestion 
endeavors to commence. With rest the organ recovers some tone. The 
muscular coat of the sac starts into action, and, encountering opposition, 
TEST FOR HEMORRHAGE FROM THE SPLEEN. 
