RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM IN FOALING. 433 
enlarged, and had contracted intimate adhesions with the paunch 
and the hypochondriac region, and its surface was irregular 
over a considerable part of its extent. I cut into it in several 
places, and its texture was partly changed into a tuberculous 
mass : the irregularities which appeared externally contained 
concrete or semi-fluid pus. It was with difficulty that we could 
discover any trace of the proper bloodvessels of the viscera, but 
the most complete disorganization existed at the superior part, 
in the neighbourhood of the diaphragm. There were also some 
tubercles of small size in the substance of the liver and the 
pancreas. The gastro-intestinal mucous membrane was ulcer¬ 
ated at some points; the peritoneum and mesentery were pale 
and thickened. 
In the thorax, the left lung adhered to the costal pleura, but 
otherwise it was sound. The right lung had, at its posterior 
part, numerous tubercles ; and the mediastinum was nothing 
more than a mass of morbid productions, varying in volume and 
in condition. It formed a body of a scirrhous appearance inti¬ 
mately united with the oesophagus. This last circumstance 
explained the convulsive cough which was heard before the ox 
began to ruminate; it was a preparatory shake in order to pre¬ 
pare the canal for the ascension of the pellet of food. 
This malady often affects our beasts of draught, and it is of 
much importance to be able to distinguish it. Usage has con¬ 
stituted it an unsoundness, and with very good reason; for it 
has been shewn, that if splenitis has become chronic, although 
it may not be complicated with any other organic lesion, the 
beast is not the less lost for the purposes of work. He can, 
however, be readily fattened, if the disease has not committed 
any great ravages ; if it is not accompanied by diarrhoea; and 
if marasmus has not commenced. 
Joimialy Nov. 1834. 
RUPTURE OF THE DIAPHRAGM IN FOALING. 
Bi/ Mr. R. Thomson, Beithy N.D. 
I WAS sent for one Sunday in sermon-time to attend a mare 
that was attempting to foal, and when no person except the owner 
was at home. The position of the foal was such that I could 
not much assist her without more help, for the almost constant 
pressure prevented me from putting the foal in a proper position. 
The whole four feet were presented ; the bead was bent below the 
chest; and the vci tebrse of the neck were bent and stiff, shewing 
