386 PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA IN THE OX. 
watching my patient, I soon perceived that feculation was 
effected only with difficulty, and a sanious discharge was still 
escaping. The animal functions, however, were only slightly 
deranged, the pulse being normal, respiration quiet, coupled 
with a gay expression of countenance, clearly denoting that 
there was little fear of immediate danger. 
On examining per rectum , the origin of the illness was pal- 
pable, there being considerable tumefaction superiorly, about 
six inches distant from the anus ; the internal area of the 
intestine having thus become diminished, leaving but a con- 
tracted space for the passage of the faeces. In the centre of 
the swelling was a lesion sufficiently large to admit the 
finger, which I opined resulted from injury from without. I 
supposed his attendant had been misled respecting the void- 
ance of pus, basing my opinion on the fact, that the animal 
indicated no symptom of disease till within a few hours be- 
fore my examination. Thinking it impolitic to be over in- 
quisitive, little was done to unravel either the depth or 
direction of the lesion. A mild laxative was administered, 
conjoined with which was ordered a succulent diet, such 
being all that was deemed by me requisite. His original 
health soon became re-established, so that he resumed his 
work in the beginning of the present month. 
All went on well until the evening of the 18th inst., when 
slight dulness was observed to be present ; yet there was 
nothing to call for any marked attention, but the subsequent 
morning brought fresh disclosures. The appearance of the 
animal was now desponding, with a staggering gait, which pre- 
vented his walking from without his pasture. On my seeing 
him at 3 p.m., he seemed to be in a most pitiable condition, 
he was lying by the fence, with the head turned to the side, 
occasionally moaning; pulse 103, and weak in tone; respira- 
tion normal; conjunctival membrane on the right side spotted 
with ecchymosis of a florid colour, a small number of spots 
were aiso present on the opposite side, which were mostly 
discernible in its superior palpebral reflection, thus forming 
a singular contrast with the bloodless appearance of the con- 
tiguous parts ; the oral mucous membrane was unusually 
pallid ; and muscular tremors affected the trunk. On waiting 
awhile he arose, and shifted his feet, but soon returned to 
his former posture, seeming to suffer from general discom- 
fiture. On walking over the field there were found several 
lumps of dark coloured grumous blood, about six or eight 
ounces in each lump. At other places, there was an admix- 
ture of fecal matter with the same fluid, giving a brown tint 
to the whole as if they were quite incorporated. 
