28 
RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
method is fumigation. This is done by making the powder 
into a paste, with water, and adding to it sulphuric acid. 
The gases evolved act as a powerful disinfectant. 
[We, also, can bear testimony to the efficacy of Mr. 
M‘Dougall’s powder. It is both a deodorizer and a disin- 
fectant. At once it checks the decomposition, and removes 
the smell of putrefying organic matters; and that far more 
effectually than does peat-bog charcoal. Moreover, it has 
an advantage over this substance, namely, it does not simply 
absorb the fetid odours, but it decomposes them by the dis- 
engagement of sulphurous acid. We kept urine, by means of 
it, in the summer, for nearly two months, without its becoming 
at all offensive ; and the amount of phosphate of ammonia 
and magnesia thrown down from it was great; hence we 
should think it would prove highly beneficial when mixed 
with the drainage of stables, cow-houses, &c., in furnishing 
a valuable manure for the agriculturist; also for public 
urinals.] 
TWO CASES OF RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM 
FOLLOWING ACUTE ABDOMINAL ATTACKS. 
By J. Carless, Jun., M.R.C.V.S., Tamworth. 
In the early part of March last, I was called in to see, and 
professionally treat, a horse, suffering from abdominal pain ; 
and as the case proved to be one of an uncommon and fatal 
character, 1 will endeavour to give you an outline of its his- 
tory. I do not know that I should have troubled you with 
the particulars of this case had it not been connected with a 
very strange and remarkable coincidence. 
The horse in question was the property of Mr. Jennings, 
of this town, a wholesale druggist and grocer, and his illness 
commenced in the following manner. After resting for a few 
days, he was put to a cart for the purpose of fetching a load 
of coals from a colliery, distant about two miles from his 
home. I must here remark that the roads at that time were 
very slippery and awkward from the effects of a long-continued 
frost. The animal performed his task with comparative ease, 
but in a short time afterwards he was observed to manifest 
symptoms of .griping pains, which occurred in paroxysms, 
and at first appeared of a slight and subacute nature. The 
groom, imagining that he was in pain from a retention of 
