STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES. 
253 
How the change of the tribasic to the monobasic condition 
of the phosphates is brought about I am not chemist enough to 
explain; but, if there be anything in my theory by which an 
abler mind can effect any benefit to science, my having been 
the means of thus indirectly doing some good, and of advancing 
the interests of our profession, will be to me an ample reward. 
ON STRANGULATION OF THE INTESTINES OF 
THE OX. 
By Thomas Couchman, Y.S., Wadhurst. 
In the December number of the Veterinarian, a case is 
published by Mr. V, Vine, w 7 hich he has designated “ Stran- 
gulation of the Intestines of an Qx,” and which I had 
hoped would, ere the lapse of three months, have called 
forth some remarks from some of your numerous corre- 
spondents. Such, however, not being the case, I venture 
to make a few friendly observations in reply to Mr. Vine. 
My practice has led me to doubt whether strangulation of 
intestine of the ox really does arise from such a cause as is 
usually assigned, namely, that of a cord , connected with the 
pelvis , passing either under or around a portion of the 
bowel. How 7 such can take place, unless the mesentery is 
first ruptured, I can hardly understand. I have seen many 
animals which have presented the symptoms described as 
being characteristic of “gut-tie,” which have recovered on 
the exhibition of purgative and stimulating agents combined ; 
and I should like to have known whether this treatment had 
been tried and had failed in Mr. Vine’s case. 
I am aware that many practical men, and men of talent 
also, think as Mr. Vine does, and therefore I feel that I 
may bring down on me the criticism of some of them; but 
this I forego, as I think it is a point which really ought to 
be settled, as to whether this form of “ gut-tie” is a fact or 
not. That ordinary strangulation can and does occur, I 
admit ; but the question 4s, are oxen frequently affected with 
a special form of strangulation of the intestines ? I know 
of several veterinary surgeons wdio believe in the existence 
of these cases, but none of them appear to be able to say 
what the cord really is — whether it is the spermatic cord, 
or a false membrane which " ties the gut.” We are there- 
fore left to form our own conclusions on the subject. Nor 
