CASES OF DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA. 479 
more than probable ; at the same time we do not pretend to offer 
any explanation of this alleged etiology. 
Our treatment has been simple and successful. The malady 
has shewn every disposition to yield to mild aperients combined 
with diuretics, with suitable collyria*, and abundance of walking 
exercise. In no case, save the one which took to rapidly and 
fearfully swelling upwards, have we deemed it necessary to ab- 
stract blood. The ophthalmia has proved troublesome in such cases 
as it has affected the eye itself, but in none others ; and then we 
have found the greatest benefit to arise from the use of the acetum 
cantharidis (as a sweating blister) upon the cheek and temple, 
sponging the parts with warm water immediately on the serous 
exudation making its appearance, and thereby saving the hair. So 
soon as the required aperient effect has been produced, we have 
found it of advantage to put the animal (from a mash diet) again 
on a generous one ; — corn and vetches have proved great restorers. 
Some cases have proved so slight that they have restored them- 
selves (without medicine) simply on change of diet. Many, most 
cases, have gone on recovering as soon as the effects of the ape- 
rient had subsided. Few have had more than a week’s duration. 
The ophthalmia of the eyeball has been the most enduring and 
troublesome symptom. 
The case of Strangulated Diaphragmatic Hernia sent us by Mr. 
Gabriel will be read with great interest and satisfaction. Some 
analogous cases stand on record. Two are related in the first 
volume of The Veterinarian, by Mr. Cartwright, in both of 
which there existed rupture of the diaphragm from fracture of 
the ribs, without, however, any supervention of hernia; owing, 
seemingly, to death happening while the ruptures were so recent. 
A case of “ chronic rupture,” very like Mr. Gabriel’s, is men- 
tioned by Mr. Youatt in his Veterinary Lectures, in the fifth 
volume of The Veterinarian. Another is reported by Mr. 
Hayes, of Rochdale, in which a portion of the ccecum had gained 
entrance into the thorax, and there become ruptured, and had dis- 
charged its contents. 
* Argent, nitrat. gr. v, in aquae distillat. Jj, has proved most serviceable. 
