26 
REPORTS OF CASES. 
abdomen tightly applied, as well as operating under thorough 
antiseptic rules, is absolutely necessary for a successful opera¬ 
tion. I will not hesitate to perform the same operation again 
as soon as the opportunity presents itself. 
PUNCTURED RECTUM—RECOVERY. 
By C. Burden, D.V.S. 
On December 3, 1892, at 5 p.m., I was called by the F. F. 
Co. to see a bay gelding, eight years old, weighing about 
1,500 lbs. I found him breathing rapidly, pulse 70, almost im¬ 
perceptible, membranes blanched, continually shifting his 
position. The history of the case was as follows : he and his 
mate were attached to a large truck and were driven through 
the street not far from the curb, when a grocery wagon tried 
to pass but struck against the hub of the front wheel, and 
that caused the shaft to strike this horse; they at once took 
him out of harness and sent him home, though they could 
not see that he was injured; this was at 1 P.M. 
When I saw him, in addition to the symptoms already 
described, I found a slight swelling of the inferior part of the 
anus, also traces of blood ; the driver said the shaft might have 
entered the rectum, but he did not know. 
I therefore thought it best to make a rectal examination. 
I at first explored the superior and lateral parts but could 
find no lesion; I then pressed my fingers along the inferior 
surface, and about eight inches from the anus I found a 
puncture, large enough to put my fingers through; I took 
them out and put them through a second time, to be sure 
my diagnosis was corrcet. 
I at once reported the case to the owners. My prognosis 
was that he would die from hemorrhagic shock within 
twenty-four hours. 
4th. Still alive, anxious countenance, pulse about the same, 
temperature ioo°, refuses all food, breathing more labored. 
5th. Pulse a little stronger, otherwise about the same ; laid 
down several times through the day. 
