246 
RUPTURE OF TIIE STOMACH . 
RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 
By W. Miles, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
Dear Sir, — I send you the subjoined transcript from my 
case book, not from the rarity of the subject, but as an 
interesting record of the absence of all those urgent asso- 
ciated symptoms, usually accompanying so fatal a lesion , as 
well as of the consequent difficulty of forming a correct 
diagnosis about our silent patient. 
The subject, a half-bred stallion, eleven years old, in beau- 
tiful condition, belonged to a car-proprietor in this city, a 
good horse master ; and he was driven by a careful, steady 
servant, (a rara avis in this part of the world.) I mention 
these trivialia to show he was not subjected to any ill usage. 
I was called in on Monday, March 28th, at 10, p. m., and 
informed that the animal had shown slight but continued 
symptoms of “ gripes f from the previous Thursday. He had 
been doing no work since Friday, when he went with a funeral 
to the Botanic Gardens (about one mile and a half). On 
Saturday the Farrier gave him a ball, (a dose of physic, I 
presume,) which had not operated. On the Sunday morning 
he had been walked to water, but of which (it was said) he 
did not drink a dozen swallows. He had neither eaten nor 
drunk since ; had been constantly uneasy, lying down, look- 
ing at his sides, rolling on his back, and remaining tranquil in 
that posture ten or twelve minutes. He had passed no 
faeces, but had staled often, in small quantities. 
Symptoms. — Pulse 60, full and soft; respiration slightly 
humid; flank rather tucked up; ears and legs cool; body 
warm, skin glossy, mouth warm, nasal membrane a little high 
coloured, eye full and lively. 
As soon as I had finished my examination, the horse re 
commenced pawing, then turned round several times, with 
his nose to the ground, desirous, but apprehensive, of lying 
down ; at length, with the utmost care, he softly let himself 
down, stretched on his side for a second, rolled upon his 
back, and then remained still. 
Diagnosis. — Enteritis, supervening on colica spasmodica. 
Treatment. — After abstracting about 7lbs. or 8lbs. of 
blood, the pulse fell to 45, and became so weak that I stopped 
further abstraction. I administered an aperient opiate draught, 
and laxative injection, had the legs hand-rubbed and ban- 
daged, and left him apparently easier. 
Tuesday , March QQth, a. m. — Much the same. No relaxation 
or exacerbation of symptoms ; pulse 50, soft and weak ; legs 
