DISEASES OF THE INTESTINAL TUBE. 
459 
CASE II . — Abdominal Hernia and Stercoral Fistula. 
A mule, seventeen years old, and of moderate size, received a 
violent kick on the right flank, which occasioned the development of 
an oblong hernia, about the size of a man’s head. It was brought to 
us on the 18th of February, four days after the accident, and sub- 
mitted to an antiphlogistic treatment, in order to reduce the pain 
and tension of the injured part. 
24 th . — Hernia of the large intestine was perceptible. The re- 
duction was easy, but the extent of the solution of continuity of 
the abdominal parts left little hope of its permanent utility. No 
sooner was the bandage removed, than the intestine escaped 
afresh. The patient was left entirely without treatment until 
the 1st of March, at which period an abscess situated on the ante- 
rior part of the hernia was punctured. 
A new abscess shewed itself about five days afterwards. Some 
farther efforts were used to endeavour to obtain a reduction of this 
tumour, but they were rendered fruitless by the adherences that 
had been formed between the sacs and the displaced viscera. The 
mule was, therefore, given up to be experimented upon. A new 
abscess w*as punctured, but so deeply that the intestine was 
wounded, and fragments of food escaped by the incision. 
During some days he did not appear to suffer any fatigue. 
The digestive functions were regularly exercised; the appetite 
was returned ; and the animal was particularly eager for drink. 
The wound was almost well, and formed a true fistula, permitting 
the introduction of the little finger. A yellow fluid was permitted 
to run, drop by drop, mingled with some remains of food, and ex- 
haling the odour of faecal matter. 
The exterior opening had a considerable resemblance to the 
anus of a dog. The intestinal mucus was united with the skin, 
and formed, round the circumference of the sore, several organized 
scars. This state continued during a month, without any altera- 
tion. An attempt was made to close this fissure by moistening the 
edges of it, and establishing a suture. A reunion was impossible ; 
the suture immediately detached itself. The patient was kept for 
three or four weeks, and then destroyed for anatomical purposes. 
On post-mortem examination of the abdomen, a rupture of the 
muscles of the right flank was perceived. The herniated portion 
included the whole caecum, the point or extremity of this was 
folded back in an inverse direction to that of its natural state, and 
corresponded with the cavity , of the basin. 
The herniary sac, formed by the skin and thick muscular tissue, 
was separated from the peritoneum, and adhered strongly at all 
points to the surface of the caecum. We were compelled to have 
