190 
FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA. 
must have remained as great during the tranquil stage as it 
was during the paroxysms which threatened asphyxia? 
I think that no one will deny that there must have been 
something in addition to the state of the trachea to produce 
so much change in the horse’s breathing. 
I am induced to make these remarks, because just now I 
have a patient which ten days ago came to the infirmary, 
having been reported to have fallen, on parade. When I saw 
the horse, the pulse and breathing were natural ; he also ate 
mashes, &c., freely. Not to tire your readers with unnecessary 
details, I may state that the breathing continued tranquil 
till the animal was taken out for exercise next day, when 
spasm of the larynx immediately came on, and so severe 
were some of the subsequent attacks, that blood issued 
from the nostrils, the abdomen heaved, and the animal 
expressed in his countenance the extreme anxiety and agony 
endured for want of breath. I found that rubbing the throat 
gave relief, and that the attacks generally passed away in 
an hour or so. But as the symptoms became more serious, 
I performed the operation of tracheotomy, and the horse has 
had no recurrence of dyspnoea since, and is feeding and 
apparently doing well, proving the nature of the attack, but 
not the cause; that is to me in the region of conjecture at 
present. Perhaps if I had allowed the patient to die from 
asphyxia, I should have discovered a condition of the upper 
air-passages which, by reflex action of the nerves upon the 
muscles of the larynx, would account for the spasms of those 
muscles. I cannot help thinking that the urgent symptoms 
in Mr. Overed’s case of partial occlusion of the trachea 
were induced by spasms of the larynx, consequent upon 
nervous excitement produced by the morbid condition of that 
tube. 
FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA. 
By “ Qujesitor.” 
On Sunday afternoon, the 17th October last, I was sent 
for to an accident, and on arrival I found a bay carriage geld- 
ing, comfortably stabled in a loose place, but with his off 
hind leg lifted slightly off the ground, and evidently suffering 
great pain. 
From the general appearance of the animal I immediately 
guessed what was the matter, viz. that the leg was broken, 
and subsequent inquiry and examination confirmed my view. 
The owner’s servant then told me, that on leading this horse 
