STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES OF AN OX. 697 
fourth lumbar vertebra. Into the opening thus made, I 
introduced my hand in a backward and downward direction, 
when I found the cord, and which was apparently united to 
the Psoas muscles, about opposite to the last lumbar vertebra, 
by strong tendinous connections, the inferior part being 
attached a little to the left of the symphisis pubis. The in- 
testines were hanging as in a sling. I next separated the 
cord from its inferior connection, and having thus released 
the intestines, brought it to the edge of the wound, and 
divided it, excising a portion thereof. I then drew the right 
leg forwards, put four sutures through the edges of the 
wound, and allowed the animal to rise. The operation lasted 
about seven or eight minutes. 
At 8 p.m. my patient was free from colicky pains, but 
shivering. I therefore gave — 
Mag. Sulpli., ^viij. 
with a diffusible stimulant. An enema was also thrown 
up. 
6th, — 9 a.m. The animal was easy; he had voided some faeces, 
which were stained with blood and mucus. As he showed a 
disposition to partake of food, I ordered him some bran mashes, 
and linseed gruel. From this time he went on to my perfect 
satisfaction, and was quite restored in about a week. His 
bowels required attention, and the occasional use of an enema. 
The wound also had to be fomented, in consequence of the 
swelling which supervened on the operation. 
[As this form of strangulation of the intestines of the ox is 
not of unfrequent occurrence, as we are informed, in several 
parts of the country, and as it is involved in much ambiguity, 
we shall be obliged to our professional friends, if they would 
enable us to investigate its true nature, by an examination of 
the structures implicated. This could best be done by the 
slaughter of an affected animal in our presence, it being ne- 
cessary to make a minute dissection.] 
