DEATH OF A HORSE FROM SWALLOWING A TOOTH. 417 
gastric disease. Was it in the convolutions or the caecal portion 
of the small intestines ? How then could I explain the evident 
distention of the large intestines, and the expulsive efforts, so 
violent, and so continual, to which the animal abandoned itself ? 
It was more likely that the tooth was lodged either in the colon or 
the caecum ; or rather it was probably situated in the irregulari- 
ties of the floating colon, and partially or entirely prevented the 
passage of the faecal matter. It was difficult to imagine that 
in the space of two days the tooth could have reached the further 
part of the intestines. 
Having determined on the nature of the case, I was some*- 
what embarrassed to ascertain its precise seat. I attempted to 
introduce my hand into the rectum, but all the circumvolutions 
of the bowels were so much distended with gas, and so com- 
pletely filled the pelvis, and the mere introduction of my finger 
produced such violent efforts to expel the contents of the rectum, 
that I was forced to abandon this mode of exploration. 
In the mean time the swelling rapidly increased, and threatened 
suffocation. 1 then determined to have recourse to the only 
means in my power to prevent this ; namely, to puncture the 
caecum. This was immediately effected with the trochar used 
for hoove in sheep ; and in an instant the swelling sub- 
sided, and the symptoms of suffocation disappeared. I was then 
enabled to introduce my hand into the rectum ; but I could not 
by this means discover, in the least degree, the situation of the 
tooth. While I was exploring the rectum, the canula escaped 
from the caecum. The swelling now recommenced, and increased 
with extraordinary rapidity. I was about to plunge the trochar 
once more into the intestines, when I perceived all treatment 
was useless. The animal was evidently in the agonies of death, 
and, in a few moments he expired. 
The post-mortem examination took place immediately after 
death ; and I found in the heart and in the lungs all the lesions 
which usually accompany death by suffocation. 
The digestive canal was distended with gas. The stomach 
was half filled with barley meal ; but not a portion of it was to 
be found through the whole extent of the small intestines, nor 
was there the slightest trace of inflammation of the mucous coat. 
The caecum contained a great quantity of fluid of a bloody tint ; 
but there was no lesion or redness on any part of the internal 
face of the viscus which could indicate the source whence the 
blood had been derived : probably it came from the wound made 
in the puncturing of this intestine. 
In the cavity of the caecum, and towards its point, we found 
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