I 
extracts from foreign Journals. 231 
Two similar cases are also recorded by Mr. Chau vain, 
with similar results and rapid recovery.— Ibid . 
PERFORATION OF THE DUODENUM BY A PIECE OF WOOD. 
By Mr. Mollereau. 
This case is quite unique in respect to the cause which gave 
rise to the lesion which carried off the patient. 
A mare kept in a stable between two horses which were 
suffering with typhoid fever (abdominal influenza) was one day 
found ailing, and presenting some slight symptoms of colic, 
with a dull appearance, and in a state ot complete anorexia. 
Examination of her condition resulted in a diagnosis of pleu¬ 
risy, which was suggested by the condition of the respiration, 
and by the signs revealed by auscultation and percussion, the 
pulse, besides these, being hard and full, and temperature 40°C. 
Treated accordingly, principally by injections of morphine, 
for the relief of the abdominal pains, the mare, however, died 
about forty-eight hours after the attack. 
At the post-mortem examination the thoracic cavity was 
found to be healthy, but on exploring the abdomen lesions of 
extensive and acute peritonitis were exposed, with abundant 
effusion and extensive false membranes of recent formation. 
In searching for the cause of this peritonitis, the author 
found on the duodenum, at its great curvature, about opposite 
the opening of the ductus communis choledocus, a small frag¬ 
ment of wood, about twice the thickness and size of a match, 
being about ten inches long, with blunt ends, and somewhat 
flexible, engaged through, an opening which it had perforated, 
and through which intestinal liquids had escaped, and thus 
given rise to the fatal inflammation. It is quite surprising that 
with its pliable condition, this splinter of wood had not broken 
in pressing against the wall of the intestine which it had per¬ 
forated.— Ibid. 
A CASE OF DIFFICULT PARTURITION. 
By Mr. Grun. 
The patient was a mare in labor. She was eighteen years 
old, and had had several deliveries without trouble. This 
time, when the contractions occurred, the extremities of the 
