476 
ON TIIK TRKATMKNT OF llUrrUliE, 
before the public, and the discussions which ensue, have this 
effect—they bring to our remembrance facts which have fallen 
under our own observation, and which go either to confirm or to 
shake the theoretical opinions as to the kind of practice which dif¬ 
ferent correspondents may recommend. As an example, I may 
instance the splendid case of the never-to-be-forgotten old black 
mare,” furnished by Mr. Simonds. The animated debate which 
followed, and the judicious remarks that were offered, prove how 
much assistance we may derive from a comparative retrospect of 
our practice. 
In my early days I was sometimes much perplexed and some¬ 
times much exposed to unfriendly observations, with regard to my 
treatment of ruptures of different kinds, arising from accidents and 
natural causes in horses, dogs, and horned cattle. During a some¬ 
what lengthened practice in a sporting country, I met with many 
such cases in hunters and hounds, they being particularly liable 
to stake themselves in the act of leaping. I have known ruptures 
of the intestines (the latter extensively torn) in horned cattle, with¬ 
out the skin being broken, which, of course, were always fatal. But 
all these are of frequent occurrence in the common routine of prac¬ 
tice ; and your valuable pages must not be encumbered with what 
falls within the observation of every-day practitioners. 
One of the great difficulties we all have had to contend with, I 
apprehend, is the securing of a proper position of the animal under 
operation. Even in hounds, I have found great difficulty in return¬ 
ing the intestines, for want of taking the precaution of keeping the 
fore and hind legs as far distant as possible; for it is obvious that, 
on the animal being thrown, the legs being confined together, his 
power in forcing out the intestine is much greater than that of the 
operator in his attempt to return it. My object in addressing to 
you these few lines, is principally to give the result of my attempts 
to obviate this difficultv. 
«/ 
About eighteen months ago, I was consulted by N. Naftel, Esq. 
of this island, concerning a colt that was ruptured. I observed that 
such was often the case with colts, but that it generally disap¬ 
peared as they grew up, and recommended that no notice should 
be taken of it. Mr. Naftel being in want of a stronger horse than 
the mare, exchanged her. She and her foal then passed into dif¬ 
ferent hands, until they came into the possession of Mr. Allez, 
farmer, who soon after consulted me about the colt. I gave him 
the same opinion I had given to Mr. Naftel, but added, that if he 
found it did not go back, he might bring him to my stable, and I 
would see what I could do for him. Accordingly, a short time 
since he brought him, observing that it was smaller, but that if I 
could do any thing for him he would wish to have it done. 
