SPLENITIS IN THE OX. 
429 
Splenitis terminates in resolution when its attack is sudden, 
and yet not intense; and by rupture of that organ and death 
if the inflammation is carried to a great extent, or the beast is 
compelled to work while labouring under it. It becomes chro¬ 
nic, and leads to disorganization of the viscus, if it continues 
long or is intermittent, or the resolution is incomplete. We 
shall see all these variations in the following cases. 
CASE I. 
Acute splenitis, simple. —In the month of April 1834, re¬ 
markable as a season almost constantly wet, an ox was harnessed 
to draw gravel. He was eight years old : he had a voracious ap¬ 
petite, a vast abdominal capacity, and had just been feeding plen¬ 
tifully on dry lucern. He worked for two hours without any 
symptom of illness; nevertheless he had not ruminated, because 
he had neither the time nor the means, being compelled to em¬ 
ploy ail his energy in drawing the cart to which he was attached. 
His companion, of a stronger constitution, and caring less for 
the goad, ruminated at intervals. All at once it was perceived 
that the ox of which we are speaking moved with pain; that he 
refused to draw; and that his flanks heaved violently. I was 
immediately sent for. He was then quiet: he did not manifest 
any pain when I pressed on his loins; but he shrunk when 
pressure was forcibly made on the superior part of the last false 
ribs. The left flank was tense and hard ; it rendered a dull and 
full sound on percussion. The muzzle was not moist, but it had 
not that dry and rugous appearance which it usually exhibits in 
intense abdominal inflammation. 
Diagnostic. —Acute splenitis, simple. 
Treatment. —Twelve pounds of blood were drawn from the 
subcutaneous abdominal vein: during the bleeding the tension 
of the flank entirely disappeared, and rumination commenced. 
The ox rested two days; he then was allowed only one-half 
of his usual food, and recovered, 
CASE II. 
Very intense acute splenitis, with gastro-enteritis. —In the 
month of September 1833, an ox employed in the vintage had 
not ruminated since the morning. About an hour after noon he 
began to walk as if in pain ; liis left flank was swelled ; the 
tension extended to the last false ribs superiorly ; and, on per¬ 
cussion, the flank yielded a dull and full sound. The ox mani¬ 
fested pain when pressed on this part, and he uttered frequent 
plaintive lowings. 
VOL. V III. 3 N 
