628 THE EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
the hoof, drawing the limb slightly forward, and, by a web above 
the knee, fastened above the hock of the hind leg on the same side. 
An incision three-fourths of an inch long through the skin and 
cellular tissue was then made upon the centre of the tendons on the 
inside of the leg ; a curved strong and narrow probe-pointed bis- 
toury was passed, with its back to the bloodvessels, nerves, and 
suspensory ligaments, and, by a gradual sawing action of its sharp 
concave edge against the tendons, they were divided. It required, 
however, yet some degree of force to bring the limb to its natural 
state of extension. This was done by drawing the foot forward, 
making the knee a fixed point, and was accompanied by a crack- 
ling noise, as of the old adhesions giving way. Since the opera- 
tion the case has progressed favourably, the foot, pastern, and 
shank- bone occupying their natural relative situations to each 
other ; the small external incision to which appropriate dressings 
have been applied is almost healed ; and there is every probability 
that, in another four weeks, the horse will be fit for work, as it 
generally requires seven weeks, or upwards, for reproduction of the 
tendons. 
The case of “ Rupture of the Intestines” was not seen until after 
death. The circumstances of the case were these : — A bay mare, 
belonging to a coach proprietor in Leith Walk, was found dead in 
the stall on the morning of Sept. 22d, although on the previous 
evening there was nothing to indicate the existence of any disease, 
and she had, during the night, eaten the food that was left with 
her at the time the stable was closed. An examination of the 
body was requested by the owner, which was accordingly made. 
On opening the abdomen, although there was considerable con- 
gestion of the intestinal organs observed, still the appearance could 
scarcely be said to be of that character we ordinarily consider in- 
dicative of actual inflammation. There was a quantity of bloody 
fluid in the abdomen, among which particles of half-digested food 
were floating, shewing that rupture of some part of the intestinal 
canal had taken place. The stomach and intestines generally were 
distended with food and flatus. 
On searching for the seat of rupture, while the intestines were 
retained by their mesenteric attachments, it was not discovered ; 
the bowels were therefore carefully removed from the abdomen, 
and, commencing at one extremity, the search was renewed. 
On arriving about the middle of the ileum, a portion of food 
was found impacted between the mesenteric folds, and through 
one of them there was a comparatively small opening, by which 
the food had escaped into the abdominal cavity. On examining 
the intestine in connexion with this portion of peritoneum, a long 
slit was discovered at that point where the two folds of membrane 
