454 
RUPTURED STOMACH OF A HORSE. 
bandaged the legs, clothed the body, and then left him for 
a short time, without, however, any hope of recovery. 
4 a.m.—The pulse is more feeble; the ears and extremities 
are cold. Remove the mustard plaister, which has acted 
slightly. 
8 a.m.—The animal continues to stand with his head in 
one corner of the box; a gurgling sound is heard in the 
trachea, probably from some of the vomited matter having 
found its way down that tube. Repeat the enema, but give 
no more medicines. 
12 o’clock.—He has been quiet since I left him, but now 
begins to be more restless. He walks round his box occa¬ 
sionally, the pulse is imperceptible at the submaxillary 
artery, the breathing is quicker, the spasmodic twitchings of 
the muscles of the face have increased, and the eyes are 
amaurotic. In this state he continued until between one 
and two p.m., when death put an end to his sufferings. 
Autopsy .—The trachea contained a quantity of semifluid 
matter, consisting of the medicines, mixed with the food; 
congestion of the lining membrane of the lungs, heart, &c., 
existed. Upon laying open the cavity of the abdomen, a 
quantity of ingesta was seen floating among the intestines; 
the peritoneum was reddened in places; the large intestines, 
with the exception of the rectum, were full; the stomach 
was nearly empty, having a rupture in its peritoneal and 
muscular coats, to the extent of fourteen inches, along its 
greater curvature ; the rent in the mucous membrane was 
sufficient to admit of one’s fist; the walls of the stomach 
were very weak, and a large quantity of bots were found ad¬ 
hering to the lining membrane, which was inflamed; the liver, 
kidneys, and spleen were healthy; the latter organ was small. 
I do not forward this case with an idea of there being 
anything uncommon, either in the symptoms or in the post¬ 
mortem appearances, being fully aware that there are plenty 
of cases of this kind on record. At the same time, having 
had an opportunity which seldom or ever offers itself to a 
private practitioner of closely watching the progress of a case 
from its commencement to its termination, I have thought it 
might not be without some value. 
In conclusion, I would state that there was not any tym¬ 
panitis present. At what period did the rupture take place? 
I am of opinion that the external and middle coats gave way 
at the commencement of the spasms, if not when at work. 
Is vomition in the horse a sure sign of rupture ? So far as 
my experience has gone, it is not, for I have known a horse 
to vomit a large quantity of food and recover; and I remember 
