270 
ON DIAGNOSIS IN 
bability arose from aneurism of the anterior mesenteric artery. 
The post-mortem examination of the former cases had proved that, 
when pulsation was found at the back, there was aneurism of the 
mesenteric artery; and that this was accompanied by inflammation, 
followed by exudation and separation of the component parts of 
the blood. A thrombus was formed at the junction of the mesen- 
teric artery with the posterior aorta, thereby nearly obliterating both 
vessels. This information at once decided the mode of treatment 
to be directed, to prevent the formation or cause the removal of 
this thrombus. To this end, calomel seemed to be the best internal 
remedy. The following prescription was accordingly ordered : — 
R Pulv. hydrargyr 3 ij 
“ Kali sulph ... Jviij 
“ Rad. liq Jj 
f. c. aq. Elect, q. s. 
This to be administered with care, to avoid bringing on purging. 
Low diet was enjoined. 
On the 19th the senses were freer; the head in its usual healthy 
state ; the pupils contracted naturally ; and the patient had lain 
down for several hours during the night in a natural and easy posi- 
tion. The pulse was 26 per minute ; the pulsation at the back 
10 per minute; contraction of the heart strong; respiration 15 per 
minute, without, however, being laborious; excretion of the bowels 
loose ; the mucous membranes pale ; temperature of the body 
natural. Treatment the same. 
20 th . — Pulse 22 ; at the back, 14 ;‘ contraction of the heart 
strong ; respiration 16 ; excretions the same as yesterday. 
21s/. — Pulse 18; the same at the back; the respiration 18, 
and synchronic with the pulsation; contraction of the heart stronger 
than yesterday ; appetite diminished, but not entirely suppressed; 
excretions the same. 
The disease had now reached the stadium at which the horse in 
the first case had died ; it was feared by these symptoms that 
mortification was setting in, and that there remained no hope of a 
favourable termination. Herr R. thought it advisable to report 
the unfavourable state of the case ; but this nearly defeated his ob- 
ject, as the orders were, that, if the case was a hopeless one, the 
animal had better be destroyed. He, however, suggested that, 
since the disease was not of common occurrence, it would be better 
to quietly await the result : advice which prevailed. 
The question now arose, was it advisable with so slow a pulse, 
and the strong contractions of the heart, to continue the antiphlo- 
gistic treatment which had hitherto been followed. According to 
therapeutic principles, this must be answered in the negative. 
