12 
SUPPOSED RUPTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 
stimulus of pure air, in artificial respiration, exert a marvel¬ 
lous influence. The records of cases of suspended animation 
show the wonderful progress science has made in the treat¬ 
ment of cases where none but the most sanguine could see a 
gleam of hope—where hours have been occupied in efforts 
that still seemed fruitless; and vet a “ saved life” has at last 
rewarded the untiring patience that calmly works in the faith 
of correct principle, in apparent ignorance of the existence 
of the “ impossible.” 
The theory which shows all disease to consist in depres¬ 
sion, and to be therefore treatable by stimulants, is too sweep¬ 
ing in its clauses to be absolutely true; but we ask practi¬ 
tioners of the veterinary art to look to it, whether or not these 
agents are estimated as they merit, as they are estimated in 
human medicine. 
SUPPOSED RUPTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 
Ity B. Cartledge, M.R.C.V.S., Sheffield. 
On September 18th my attendance was requested on a bay 
farming-horse, five years old, belonging to Frederick Hunt, 
Esq. 
T he account given by the man was, that the animal had a 
cough, and, after drinking, a swelling appeared in front of 
the neck, which seemed to him in some measure to give rise 
to the coughing. In most other respects he thought the 
horse was in tolerably good health. 
When I first saw the horse I could not detect the swelling 
alluded to, although I had him led to the trough, and he 
drank freely. The pulse gave no indication of disease. The 
animal was feeding well, and in the absence of any un¬ 
favorable symptom, I merely directed a stimulant to be 
applied to the throat, with a view to relieve the cough, and 
gave an alterative. 
A few days afterwards, as my assistant was passing the 
place, I desired him to call; and he, like myself, saw nothing 
amiss with the horse. He therefore sent him to work, and 
requested that we might be informed if the animal did not 
g on well. 
Until the 11th of October I heard nothing more of him, 
and of course inferred that there was no further cause for 
complaint. On that day, however, the owner called upon 
