REPORTS OF CASES. 
719 
minutes he would kick and struggle with his legs, but could not 
raise his head. Breathing stertorous. The reflexes were visible, 
as he would respond when the cornea was touched or the ear 
tickled. After twenty-four hours, advised destroying the horse, 
as there was no improvement. They would not permit of a 
post-mortem, to my regret. 
My theory is that the inflammatory products thrown out 
were carried down the trachea to the lungs and completely filled 
the air cavities. Hardly think there could have been a case of 
pneumonia with this history and symptoms. 
A RECTAL “BALLOON.” 
By F. A. Zucker, D.V.S., Elizabeth, N. J. 
This was not a mysterious case, but an interesting one. 
Was called to see a horse belonging to a colored man, which he 
thought had bloody piles, as he called it. 
History .—The horse had colic the day previous, and was 
treated in New York, where he went every day. On arriving 
home that night he again showed signs of colic, and the man 
introduced a large sponge into the rectum. Upon withdrawal 
of the hand and sponge a large red mass also came. 
Observation .—I was called two days later and found a large 
protruded sphere, which when percussed sounded hollow, or 
full of gas. Upon close examination found a laceration in the 
mucous membrane of the superior wall of the rectum and that 
this “ balloon,” as it were, was due to the inflation by the flatus 
being passed. If it were not for the inflamed and already putre¬ 
fied condition due to maggots having gotten into it already, 
would have punctured it and allowed it to slip back. 
Advised amputation, and, as the animal was 22 years old, 
gave a doubtful prognosis. Said he would let me know next 
day. Next day the u balloon ” was almost twice as large, more 
flatus having gained entrance. I simply put an elastic ligature 
around the pedicle and told him to wash with creolin solution. 
Saw horse two days later and the mass was atrophied to a small 
knob, which previously measured twelve inches in diameter. I 
cut this away with my scissors and the rest slipped back with 
the ligature attached. Gave enemata of creolin solution twice 
a day, tonics internally. Two days latei upon introduction of 
hand found ligature gone and all healed nicely. But the an¬ 
imal was losing his appetite. After a week anorexia was com¬ 
plete, and two weeks from time of operation he died. Whether 
it was due to old age, or the shock, I never could determine. 
