A CASE OF SPINAL MENINGITIS. 589 
not appear to have lost much blood, and I soon effectually closed 
the orifice. I offered him some water which had been standing 
a considerable time in the stable, and he eagerly drank it. He 
was then quiet for a little time, when his violent and incessant at¬ 
tempts to rise recommenced. We assisted him, and at length got 
him up again. His bowels were slightly acted upon. He ate a 
little hay and mash, and what he did eat he ate greedily. He 
did not seem to suffer so much pain as when he was down, and 
he was much better satisfied. 
8 p.M. —Still standing, but becoming more uneasy, looking 
round at his shoulder, or the anterior part of his chest. Pulse 80, 
respiration short and laborious, and accompanied with sighs and 
catchings, and the extremities were getting cold. The rowel 
acts; dressed it well; ordered hand-rubbing and bandages. 
Gave fever ball, and directed that gruel should be suspended over 
the manger. Gave strict injunctions, which 1 had done two days 
before, that he should not be left for an instant. 
\2th, 8 A.M. —I found him down, and making the violent and 
incessant attempts to rise which he had done on the preceding 
day. We got him up with difficulty, when, although evidently 
in great pain, he was pleased with the change, and he ate and 
drank heartily. The pulse was 80, as on yesterday, and the 
symptoms scarcely changed, except that he sooner began to b& 
fidgetty with his affected leg, but which he could now just move, 
and no more. As I was standing by his side, talking with the 
owner, I was startled, for all at once his breathing became more 
laborious—it was performed by snatches—there were spasms of 
the muscles of the side and of the cheek—the flexors of both fore 
legs became contracted—^and he fell as if he were dead. Presently 
all the laboured breathing and the other symptoms returned. I 
started to see whether I could find Mr. Youatt’s veterinary friend, 
to obtain his advice once more. 
4 p.M. —I was unable to meet with him until nearly this hour. 
He said at once that it was a hopeless case ; and that it was one 
of those obscure cerebral cases to which horses are so subject, 
and in which so little can be done. If, however, it was wished 
that any thing more should be done, he advised that a physic 
ball should be given, and followed up by doses of laudanum and 
spirit of nitrous ether. A physic ball was given, but the horse be¬ 
gan again to beat himself about, using his head and his neck if 
he could not his fore legs; and continued to do so until his 
strength was conipletely exhausted, when he died early in the 
morning of the 14th. 
Post-mortem examination .—The investing membranes of the 
contents of the abdogien shewed very few marks of disease, nor 
VOL. VI. 4 G 
