66 RUPTURE OF THE PERICARDIUM IN THE HORSE. 
RUPTURE OF THE PERICARDIUM IN THE 
HORSE. 
By J. A. Cuthbert, M.R.C.V.S., Wakefield. 
The following ease appears to me somewhat singular: not 
having met with anything of the kind before, nor having 
heard of a like one from any other person, are my inducements 
to send it to you. 
On the 8th of December I was requested to see a bay 
horse, three years old, half-bred, and in good condition, the 
property of Mr. Charles Exley, of this town. The horse had 
been out at grass the whole of summer; and, before this 
morning, the groom in attendance on him had noticed him 
not so playful as usual; and, as he looked rather dull, he 
took him up. 
On my arrival, I found the following symptoms: — 
Looking dull, pulse 40, with free and tranquil breathing; 
extremities natural ; eats his food, though not very eagerly. 
I ordered bran mashes, and gave an aperient. 
December 10th. — He was more lively; fed better; pulse and 
breathing not disturbed. I gave tonic medicine, and ordered 
a little daily exercise. I told the groom, I thought he would 
not need my services any more ; but, if anything transpired, 
to let me know. 
15th, at 9 o’clock in the evening, I was again called to 
see the same horse. I was informed that, since my visit, he 
had been turned out, amongst other young horses, into the 
straw-fold, for an hour in the course of the day, and that he 
appeared as frolicsome as the rest ; and, moreover, had fed 
very well up to that time. On going to feed him this 
evening, however, the horse staggered and nearly fell. At 
first the man thought he was frightened, but soon saw all was 
not right. I was immediately sent for. I found him very 
different from what he -was when I last saw him. His pulse 
was only sixteen beats in the minute, and not perceptible at 
the jaw; it was the radial artery which I felt to ascertain the 
state of the pulse ; it was very irregular, and was intermittent, 
beating three or four times very jerkingly, and then stopping 
for seven or eight seconds, and then again having the same 
kind of pulsation as before. The extremities warm ; the 
breathing heavy, but not at all quickened ; had a disposition 
to hang his head; no pawing, nor the slightest symptom of 
pain ; faeces rather scanty, but moist : I gave an aperient, and 
ordered a bran mash. 
