192 RUPTURE OF TIIE COATS OF THIG RECTUM. 
perty of a sporting gentleman in this town. On my arrival, 
1 found the animal in great pain, unable to move his hind 
extremities, yet resting slightly on both toes of his hind feet. 
The respiration was quick and painful ; the pulse between 
60 and 70 ; the countenance anxious ; and the skin bedewed 
with perspiration. On inquiry, I found that the horse had 
been out hunting the day previous, but he came home per- 
fectly well, had fed well during the night, and had also taken 
his usual rest. He had likewise been fed in the morning, 
and was then taken out to exercise. He went out per- 
fectly sound, and appeared to be well; but after being out a 
short time he began to go stiff of his hind legs, and was con- 
sequently brought home to his stable. 
From the symptoms now present, I was inclined to con- 
sider it to be either a case of spasmodic attack of the neck of the 
bladder, or paralysis of the lumbar muscles ; but not being 
perfectly satisfied as to its nature, I determined upon examin- 
ing the rectum, and after having removed some hardened faeces 
therefrom, on the return of my hand, 1 found it to be smeared 
with blood of a bright florid colour. After clearing out the 
rectum, I further examined the gut for the seat of the injury. 
Passing my hand up, and directing it inferiorly for some length, 
I could not find any lesion ; but on a closer examination of 
the superior part, inclining to the left side, and about six 
inches from the anus, I discovered the rectum to be com- 
pletely ruptured. The wound being of a circular form, ad- 
mitted the passing of ray forefinger its entire length, by the 
side of the sacrum. From the nature of the injury, my opinion 
of the case was unfavorable ; but as the lesion was evidently 
recent, and the upper portion of the intestine the seat of 
it, I informed the owner that there might be a chance of 
recovery, though only a slight one. 
I at once ordered fomentations to be constantly applied 
over the hind extremities, abstracted four quarts of blood, 
administered a very mild laxative, ordered the horse to be 
kept perfectly quiet, and the diet to consist of bran and 
bruised oat mashes, no hay being allowed. 
The fomentations were continued without intermission for 
twenty-four hours, when a fresh sheepskin was applied all 
over the loins and quarters. This was renewed every twelve 
hours ; and I kept them applied for ten days, during which 
time the horse never laid down. At times the symptoms 
gave one but little hope that he would ever recover. His 
pulse rose to 90 on the fifth day, and was wiry at the jaw ; the 
breathing was often painful, and particularly so after evacua- 
ting his dung, which was voided in very small quantities, but 
