VENTRAL HERNIA. 
207 
arch ; and the liquid and pulpy contents soon issued freely 
from the aperture. The mare continued for three weeks in this 
state, when I was requested to examine her, about the 6th 
January last. I found the opening was nearly large enough to 
admit my four fingers, and it had a very unhealthy appearance 
— the discharge of pulpy and watery food was great, and the 
smell very offensive — so much so, that it was with difficulty any 
person could be found to attend to her. The pulse was ranging 
from 50 to 60, and the appetite tolerably good. 
In consequence of the mare being with colt, and an old fa- 
vourite besides, the proprietor particularly requested me to en- 
deavour to do something in the way of effecting a cure. 
There were two favourable circumstances attending this case, 
which induced me to try — the length of time that had elapsed 
since the injury was effected, and the absence of inflammation. 
Having cleansed the wound, I closed the opening with a strong 
suture of packing-thread, with a common packing-needle, tak- 
ing in as much of the integuments and abdominal muscles as 
possible. I then applied a pledget of tow soaked in a solution of 
chloride of lime, and supported the whole by means of a thick 
woollen bandage, laced along the spine. I ordered the wound to 
be cleansed and the solution to be applied every morning, and 
her head to be tied to the rack, to prevent her from lying down. 
These directions were promptly and regularly attended to. I re- 
quested to be sent for should my attendance be required again, 
for I had very little hopes of producing a cure, and was unwil- 
ling to incur to the proprietor a useless expense. 
About five weeks afterwards, being in the same neighbourhood, 
I called to inquire after my patient, when to my surprise I found 
her alive and well, the wound having completely healed. 
Had this case happened nearer my residence, I should have 
endeavoured to have instituted some experiments with regard to 
the process of digestion on different kinds of food ; and this, I 
believe, might have been done without endangering the life of 
the animal, as there was a copious discharge of food for three 
weeks previous to my attending the mare. 
ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF 
SHOEING HORSES. 
“ HORSES SHOD ON THE MOST APPROVED PRINCIPLES.” 
,e HORSES SHOD ON THE EXPANSION PRINCIPLE.” 
I have noticed this over many forges in and about the me- 
tropolis, and allude to them now, not with the intention of in- 
