628 
A CASE OF RUPTURE IN THE ILEUM IN A DOG. 
By Thomas Williamson, M.D., of the Leith Dispensary, com- 
municated by James Mercer, M.D., Edinburgh. 
My dear Sir, — Enclosed you will receive an interesting case 
of rupture of the entire thickness in the lower part of the ileum 
in a dog, as the result of an external injury. Such cases are of 
the highest importance, from the infrequency of their occurrence, 
as also from the trifling external appearances to guide the vete- 
rinarian in the anticipation of so severe an internal effect. It is 
already well known that rupture of the stomach, under circum- 
stances with its engorgement, either solid or fluid, sometimes 
happens, and with a speedily fatal termination ; that rupture of 
the diaphragm of the liver and of the spleen also occurs, and with 
the same effect; and all from violent muscular exertion or other 
external causes. But instances of laceration of the small intestine 
in its lower part, in the horse, ox, or dog, are by no means com- 
mon, and which may be partly explained from the extreme size of 
the great intestines, and their apparently secluded and well defended 
situation in the abdominal cavity, especially in the first class of 
animals. 
The subjoined case also agrees much, in the general train of its 
symptoms, with those given by Hurtrel D’Arboval, Lafosse, and 
Dupuy, of rupture of the stomach or upper part of the intestine, 
and especially of the latter viscus, with the exception, perhaps, 
of the special symptom mentioned by the latter author, the 
“ mouvemens convulsifs des muscles coccygei inferieurs.” Such 
instances of so serious and fatal an injury, from so slight an ex- 
ternal cause, “ even though obtained from a dog,” are of the 
highest importance in a medico-legal point of view, both to the 
medical and veterinary practitioner; and should you deem its 
insertion worthy of a place in your Journal, you will oblige, 
My dear Sir, your’s truly, &c. 
On the 8th of February last, a small cocker dog, previously in the 
enjoyment of good health, was set upon by a shepherd’s dog, and 
continued for some short time under the animal’s feet. From its 
cry of distress, it evidently had sustained some severe injury, not- 
withstanding it walked home (a short distance) not, apparent!}', 
suffering much. About an hour, however, after having received 
the injury, it gave evident symptoms of uneasiness, and vomited 
a small quantity of frothy mucus. From this time until forty- 
