THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXXVI. 
' No.424. 
APRIL, 1863. 
Fourth Series. 
No. 100. 
Communications and Cases. 
RUPTURE OF THE COLON OF A HORSE, WHICH, 
IT IS SUPPOSED, HAD TAKEN PLACE SEVERAL 
DxiYS BEFORE DEATH. 
By Professor Yarnell, Royal Veterinary College. 
I HAVE been favoured with the details of a po8t-mortem 
examination, and also a brief description of the symptoms 
observed shortly before the death of an aged cart-horse, the 
property of a gentleman in Essex, which possess such an 
unusual degree of interest as to warrant their publication. 
With reference to the post-mortem appearances, a perfect 
reliance may be placed on the statement that I have received 
from Mr. Thomas Billington, M.R.C.V.S., who instituted the 
examination; but with regard to the correctness of the in¬ 
formation which he received from those who had the care of 
the animal previous to its death, this cannot be equally 
vouched for. It will be seen from the following statement 
that great doubt must exist with reference to the period the 
rupture of the colon took place, although it may be inferred 
that no doubt existed in the mind of Mr. Billington on this 
point; and it is on this account, at least I so consider it, that 
its importance to the veterinary surgeon, in a practical point 
of view, chiefly depends. I also think that a due consider¬ 
ation of the particulars of this case, in connection with 
veterinary medical jurisprudence, may be valuable. Mr. 
Billington writes to me as follows: 
“IlENnAM, Essex; 
“ Jamiary 13, 1863. 
Dear Sir, —On the 27th of December, 1862, I was 
requested to make a ymt-mortem examination of a bay cart- 
XXXVI. 13 
