16 
W. L. WEST. 
the artery of the floating colon; and if we go back to the 
broncho-oesophageal we have it communicating with the gas¬ 
tric, so that we have nearly a complete collateral circulation 
posterior to the broncho-oesophageal. 
Now, my idea is that we start with parasitic aneurism of 
the anterior mesenteric, with a thrombus and endoarteritis; 
with induration of the tunica intima and media, any sudden- 
acceleration of speed or volume of the blood stream, regard¬ 
less of its causes, may break off a portion of the thrombus and 
sweep it along until it completely occludes some smaller ves¬ 
sel. The anaemic condition of the territory formerly supplied 
by the now obstructed vessel causes paralysis of the intestine, 
stasis and, possibly, a reflux of venous blood and chapedsis 
into the coats of the bowel and very frequently a flow into 
the lumen of the bowel, the paralysis of a portion of the bowel, 
without a consequent paralysis of the remainder, frequently 
leads to volvulus or invagination. The contents of the bowel 
rapidly undergo fermentation with the liberation of noxious 
gases and the formation of ptomaines, the absorption of which 
quickly poisons the nerve centers, causing coma and death, 
or death may occur from pressure exerted upon the diaphragm 
causing asphyxia, or again, rupture of the intestine may and 
frequently does occur. I think also death may occur from 
cardiac syncope from excess of foreign gases in the blood. 
Symptoms .—Horse refuses to eat, has great thirst, pulse 
60 to ioo, full and strong, but not wiry nor thrilling at first, 
but may be so in secondary stage; constant pain, dull at first, 
later of lancinating character; lies down often, and very care¬ 
fully ; hippocratic countenance ; sweats profusely ; may sit on 
his haunches, or walk in a circle; abdomen usually slightly 
tympanitic; pupils dilated; pressure on abdomen causes 
severe pain—this, of course, is not seen if gangrene has taken 
place; temperature, 102 to 106°; respiration, 40 to 80, labored 
and noisy. 
Treatment. —Quiet, an immediate hypodermic injection 
of morphine, gr. iij, atropine, gr. with aseptic precautions. 
Warmth to surface of abdomen, moist if conditions favorable, 
dry if adverse; if pain abates give Brown’s chlorodyne 3 j, 
