518 
RUPTURE OF THE RECTUM OF A HORSE. 
RECOVERY. 
By E. Mellett, M.R.C.V.S., Henley-on-Thames. 
On the 31st of March last I was requested to see a cart- 
horse, the property of the Right Hon. Lord Camoys. The 
history that I received about him was that he had worked 
very hard on the Saturday, and fed very ravenously after- 
wards ; but had been unable to pass any dung since the 
previous morning. On examination I found the pulse and 
breathing but slightly increased, yet the countenance was 
very anxious, and he was continually straining so as to 
evacuate his bowels. Thinking it a case of simple functional 
derangement, I gave a draught of oil and solution of aloes, 
and ordered enemas to be thrown up every two or three hours. 
This treatment was persevered in for the first three days, 
when the faecal matter having become pultaceous, and the 
horse still being unable to relieve himself, I examined him 
per rectum , when I found a rupture to exist in the gut about 
an inch and a half in length, extending from the sphincter 
ani forwards, and situated on the superior part. On dis- 
covering this, I ordered a clyster to be administered every hour, 
a sufficient quantity of the acetum cantharidis to be applied 
ever the ruptured part, and an aperient to be given occasionally. 
The diet to consist of bran mashes with sliced carrots. This 
treatment was continued for a fortnight, after which time the 
horse was enabled to relieve himself without assistance. The 
horse was now turned into a grass field for a week, after 
which time he was put to regular work, and has continued 
perfectly well ever since. 
POISONING OF PIGS WITH BRINE. 
By G. Lewis, V.S., Monmouth. 
A farmer, nine miles distant from this town, sent, requesting 
my attendance immediately. Upon my arrival, I was informed 
that two lots of pigs, in separate compartments — a sow and 
eleven young ones in one compartment, and four large pigs 
in another — were fed that morning (Monday) with food pre- 
pared the day previous in a clean iron boiler, in which had 
been cooked the family dinner on the Sunday. The food for 
