80 
TRANSACTION'S OF THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
(b) On the hack involving the superficial area of the trapezius muscle, 
and extending forward to and including the nose, 
( c ) The proximal flexures of the four limbs, 
(d) The feet and tail, where it was closely adherent. 
Opening the abdominal cavity by a median incision, an ecchymotic 
spot about 1.5 cm. square situated on the abdominal wall external to the 
right lobe of the liver wais brought to view; but the peritoneum was in 
tact, the viscera normal, and no accumulation of gas in the cavity. 
The thorax was then explored. hTo accumulation of gas was found 
there. In the right thoracic wall two broken ribs were encountered — 
fractures of recent origin — no doubt the result of the encounter with the 
dog. All the tissues were pale — anaemic. Bubbles of gas were observed 
beneath the investing membrane of the trachea, and by manipulation 
they could be pushed forward into the neck, there communicating with 
the subcutaneous channels, which characterized this peculiar case of 
emphysema. Following up this clew a patient research was rewarded by 
the discovery of a small foreign body lodged in the right bronchus. 
Contiguous to the foreign body, the bronchus had undergone disin- 
tegration. Through this lesion gas escaped, loosening the investment 
of the trachea, and thereby gaining access to the subcutaneous space 
aforesaid. The ulcerative process had so cut the bronchus that a portion 
of its wall projected like a hinged trap-door into the lumen of the tube, 
permitting air to enter the lung at each inspiratory effort, but preventing 
its egress through its natural channel from the right lung; it found a 
line of least resistance along the exterior of the bronchus and trachea 
from the point of the lesion to its subcutaneous channels. While the 
gas accumulated in these channels was not chemically examined it was 
odorless, and supposed to be expired air. 
The enormous distension of the labial membrane into bilateral pouches 
presented a very curious appearance, and the power of so thin a mem- 
brane to retain a gaseous body is of special interest. 
III. 
SUMMARY. 
1. The unusual condition and appearance as illustrated by the photo- 
graphs. 
2. That the lodgment of the foreign body in the right bronchus was 
the cause of such serious trouble. 
3. The well preserved but anaemic condition of the tissues. 
4. The absence nf putrefactive changes. 
