572 
RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
into the thoracic cavity, while the posterior portion was still re- 
tained in the abdomen. False membranes had been thrown out, 
by means of which strong adhesions had been formed, uniting 
the diaphragm to this portion of the stomach as well as to the ribs. 
There was also a convolution of false membranes which connected 
the apex of the pericardium, with the stomach and diaphragm, to 
the right ribs, towards which the whole of these viscera were slightly 
drawn. 
Herr Hildach suspected that these organic alterations were 
caused by some foreign body, most likely pointed or sharp, which 
had penetrated the stomach, diaphragm, and pericardium ; but no- 
thing of the sort was found; not the slightest cicatrix could be 
perceived. On opening the pericardium a quantity of yellow 
serum escaped. The bloodvessels of the heart were injected in 
several places. The muscular structure was firm. The right 
ventricle contained frothy blood ; the left, coagulated blood. The 
pulmonary artery, as well as both lobes of the lungs, were gorged 
with blood, which was coagulated in the largest vessels. The 
right side contained much more than the left ; this, however, was 
accounted for by the cow lying on the right side. Some hydatids 
were also found in these parts. 
Considering the different adhesions, this state of hernia of the 
diaphragm must have existed for some time. How the functions 
of digestion were performed is difficult to say. The rectum, fixed 
as it was in the rupture and attached by strong adhesions, could not 
have performed any of its normal functions. And how this exten- 
sive normal injury was inflicted is also a mystery. It might have 
been produced by the pressure of some blunt instrument, such as 
the horn of a cow, which in the act of butting might have struck 
the cow in question just at the termination of the sternum. The 
deviation to the right of the organs would lead to the supposition 
that the injury was inflicted on the left side, and that the animal 
had since constantly lain on the right. The skin, by the pressure 
of a blunt substance, would stretch sufficiently without dividing to 
rupture the diaphragm, and the other accidents which succeeded 
would be accounted for. 
Magazin fur die Gescimmte Thierheilkunde, 
]tes Quartalheft , Berlin , 1848. 
*** Want of space compels us to defer the examination of the 
Belgian Journals until next month. 
