RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
571 
and, in spite of the disturbance caused by the deglutition of the 
liquid food, and an occasional rumination of the remainder of the 
ingesta of the rumen, the parts began to heal. 
As the last of the sutures came away, the wound opened again 
to a considerable extent. To re-apply sutures to the oesophagus 
was impossible, on account of the tumefaction of the parts caused 
by the application of the cantharides. Large pledgets of tow were 
applied, and a bandage, drawn as tight as possible. By this 
means, in the space of three weeks the wound was perfectly healed: 
nothing could be seen but a small cicatrix. About the beginning 
of the third week after the operation loss of appetite occurred. 
This was attributable to the absence of solid food in the diet, the 
digestive organs becoming fatigued by the constant liquid food. 
This slight indigestion was removed by the administration of de- 
coction of wormwood and chamomile, with the addition of antim. 
potass, tartras. 
Magazin fur die Gesammte Thierheilkunde , lies 
Quartalheft, Berlin, 1848. 
Rupture of the Diaphragm, with the Introduction of 
Part of the Reticulum into the Thorax, in a Cow. 
By HlLDACH, Veterinary Surgeon, Quarg. 
This cow was six years old, and exceedingly emaciated. She 
refused her food — was very dull — gave little milk — rumination 
was suspended — slight tympanitis — alvine evacuation scanty. 
Some sulphate of soda had been given. At the end of a week the 
cow died, and Herr Hildach was requested to make the autopsia 
cadaveris. 
On opening the abdomen, about a quart of yellow reddish fluid 
presented itself. The stomachs were distended, but it required 
great strength to draw them from their situation. The blood- 
vessels of their outer coats were injected. The rumen contained a 
quantity of coarse food. The small intestines were quite empty. 
The large intestines contained very little ingesta. The liver, 
spleen, and pancreas, were normal, with the exception of several 
hydatids on the liver. The diaphragm adhered to the ribs through 
the medium of a plastic exudation ( membrana spicra); about 
the middle of this organ, rather more to the right, close to the ster- 
num, there existed a round opening about three inches in diameter, 
through which the anterior portion of the reticulum had penetrated 
