VENTRAL HERNIA. 
O 
no doubt from loss of blood from the rupture of blood-vessel 
somewhere about the larynx, most probably the result of 
ulceration. 
I am sorry I had not an opportunity of opening her, she being 
ordered to be buried immediately, by order of her master’s 
landlord,* J. W. Dod, Esq., now M.P. for North Shropshire. 
VENTRAL HERNIA. 
By S. Davis, M.R.C.V.S., Towcester. 
Sir, — I beg to offer the enclosed account of a case of 
ventral hernia, resulting from external violence, should you 
deem it worthy^of a place in your invaluable periodical. 
Thursday, October 4, 1853, at half-past six, a.m., I was 
requested to attend a black draught-mare, the property of 
Mr. E. G. Adkins, who resides about two miles from Tow- 
cester. On my arrival, I was informed that on the previous 
evening, the mare had been turned into a small enclosure, 
bounded on one side by a brook, and that this morning the 
wagoner found her in the said' stream, into which, being 
blind, she had unfortunately fallen. She was, however, im- 
mediately extricated and led to the stable, when a consider- 
able enlargement on the abdomen w r as observed. I saw the 
patient about an hour afterwards, by which time the swelling 
alluded to had entirely disappeared, and, with the exception 
of a few slight abrasions about the extremities, there appealed 
nothing amiss. I left her feeding, apparently comfortable. 
Next morning I was sent for, to see the mare immediately, 
the man stating that the swelling had returned. 
Symptoms . — Pulse and respiration normal; faeces natural 
On the right side of the abdomen there is an extensive en- 
largement of an irregular oblong figure, extending from the 
lower extremity of the sixteenth rib, backwards to the papillae. 
It measures about seventeen inches long, and one foot in 
width. The swelling is perfectly elastic to the feel. The 
mare does not evince any particular dislike to its being 
handled. I at once told Mr. A. that the tumour was caused 
by a protrusion of the Intestines through a] wound in the 
abdominal muscles, and that, in all probability, the case would 
turnout a serious affair. Abstracted five quarts of blood, 
and gave an aperient. Ordered hot fomentations long con- 
tinued to the swelling. The patient to have moist diet, and 
very little hay allowed. 
6th. This morning, there is increased sensibility about the 
