ULCERATION OF TIIE SMALL INTESTINES. 
141 
affected, emaciation usually results. But in this horse, the 
ulceration not being very rapid, no signs whatever were ob- 
served which would induce the owner to seek advice. The 
horse, moreover, was a fast trotter, and had been recently 
clipped, whereby we may infer that his physical powers, so 
far as man could detect them, were really in full vigour. The 
state of the bowels was also healthy, the faecal matter being 
neither relaxed nor costive ; and he had eaten and drank his 
last meal with apparent appetite. All these things indicated 
health. But although it is probable that it was this which 
sealed his doom, is it not likewise strange that such a con- 
dition of parts should have drawn forth only partial symptoms 
of congestion at the outset of the animaPs illness ? The irrita- 
tion of the serous membrane, together with the rupture of the 
vessels of the mesentery, will readily account for the floating 
particles of lymph, the colour of the effusion, and the pallid 
hue of the membranes, as well as for the chilly surface of the 
body. 
In rupture of any of the abdominal viscera violent griping 
pains are generally witnessed ; but in this case nothing of the 
kind was exhibited. Three draughts, each of a most pungent 
character, were likewise administered, and no sign of incon- 
venience followed, the horse taking them as if they had been 
merely water. We are told that such agents are a test for 
rupture of the alimentary canal; but in this instance they 
failed to call forth any symptoms. This may perhaps be attri- 
buted to their comparative small quantity, and the ulceration 
being situated on the upper portion of the intestine, or near to 
the mesentery, and the drinks flowing along the floor of the 
channel. This conjecture supposes the intestines to be sta- 
tionary, whereas every one is aware they are in continual 
motion, and, therefore, the naturally superior often forms the 
inferior portion of the bowels. That three draughts should 
have been swallowed, and the ulcer have been so situated as to 
retain the fluid on each occasion, does appear opposed to the 
doctrine of chances. Still granting such to have been the 
fact, this circumstance does not explain the mystery which 
envelopes the other symptoms. 
There are two circumstances that call for particular remark. 
In the first place, the simple absence of the mucous mem- 
brane over a small space, allowed the muscular coat to be 
ruptured for a considerable distance ; and the power employed, 
supposing it to have been the passage of the alimentary 
matter, was only such as, we may conjecture, had been daily 
in operation for some time past. Now physiologists teach 
us that, in a living body, muscular fibre is endowed with a 
