200 ACTION OF INDIAN HEMP IN PARALYSIS. 
paroxysms and violent struggles of the animal. Until 
rupture of the organ takes place, spasmodic attempts at 
vomition are constantly present, but the moment the viscus 
is ruptured, this action ceases , and therefore it cannot be 
“ a sign ” of ruptured stomach. As long as the endeavour 
to vomit continues, there is hope, but the moment this 
ceases, and the concomitant symptoms do not subside, but 
become aggravated, we may prognosticate an unfavorable 
result. 
If we could by mechanical means empty the stomach, we 
might save some of these cases, but such means are not pro¬ 
vided for in our department. 
It has been stated that the cuticular portion of the 
stomach triturates the food like the gizzard of a fowl. Is it 
not rather probable that both it, and the lining membrane of 
the oesophagus, are so providentially disposed and thrown 
into folds as to permit of distension under extraordinary 
circumstances, the muscular coat being the active agent in 
effecting its return to its normal condition ? And, further, 
that the mouths of the mucous follicles, by being embedded 
and hid in these rugse or plicae, are defended from the 
mechanical injury they would otherwise be exposed to by 
hard, and oftentimes indigestible , food during the action of 
trituration or comminution ? 
During the time that this mechanical distention exists, 
fermentation is generally actively going on. In only one case, 
however, in a practice of above twenty-four years, do I recol¬ 
lect the tympany to be so excessive and unyielding as to call 
for paracentesis abdominis. In this case, after all remedial 
measures had in every way failed, I plunged the trocar into 
the colon. The result was, the disengagement of a large 
volume of gas; but the instruments supplied us not being 
on all occasions veterinary instruments, I did not foresee that 
the trocar was short, and I fancy as the volume of the dis¬ 
tended bowel subsided, the canula fell away from it, and thus 
the object of the operation was in a measure defeated. The 
elimination of gaseous matter continued unabated, and the 
animal died shortly after. 
The post-mortem examination shewed very little inflamma¬ 
tion as resulting from the operation, and nothing but what 
the usual depletory measures would have combated. 
I am, yours, &c. 
To the Editors of ‘ The Veterinarian 
