RUPTURED STOMACH IN A MARE. 
621 
the cost of my employer, that it seldom does good, and very often 
harm, and that cases in general have done better where it has not 
been had recourse to. 
Still, I do not mean to say that all cases will go on in so straight¬ 
forward a manner as this one. All cases do not present the same 
chance of recovery. Yet it is my firm belief that, in very many 
instances, there rests more fault with the medical attendant in not 
pursuing a right line of treatment, and in being over-officious, than 
with any want of that power afforded by Nature to the fractured 
part. 
Remarks. —Now, it is my opinion that, in the present case, at 
my first visit the bone was not completely broken in two, and 
for these reasons :—First, because the leg and thigh presented a 
straight line, which it did not afterwards; and, secondly, from its 
not evincing play upon shaking, as it did upon my second visit. 
But, being so far weakened from the effects of the cramp, my 
opinion is that, from the efforts of the cow laying down and getting 
up, the fracture was made complete, and separation produced; 
otherwise, how could I so easily have detected it at my second 
visit] Neither can I agree with some authors who declare that 
almost all cases of simple fractures may be cured ; but I do agree 
and believe with those who assert that many more cases might be 
cured than are, providing no more artificial means were employed 
than become absolutely necessary. 
In cases like the above, and especially in instances of very acute 
lameness, and where there exists no visible sign for a favourable 
diagnosis, or where the case appears doubtful, it may be as well 
not to be too forward in giving an opinion; since it may lead to 
some unpleasantness, or be not unlikely, should our employer be a 
man of choleric temperament, to lead to a prompt dismissal. 
RUPTURED STOMACH, 
RESULTING FROM THE IMPACTMENT OF A PORTION OF CALCULUS 
WITHIN THE INTESTINES OF A MARE. 
By J. WOODGER, VS., Market-street , Paddington. 
An aged brown mare belonging to Mr. B- was sent to my 
infirmary on the 12th August last, suffering under a severe attack 
of gripes, which had been in existence about half an hour. She 
had not worked on that day, but had fed, and appeared as usual up 
to the period of the attack, which was sudden and violent, occur¬ 
ring about noon. 
