RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 
161 
mucous membranes are about natural in colour; the mouth 
cool and moist; the pulse 36, full and compressible; 
constant borborygmus is present, and constipation of the 
bowels, alternating about every twenty-four hours with 
diarrhoea. There is likewise a constant disposition evinced 
to turn across the stall and stretch at full length, in which 
position he would stand for a considerable time, pawing 
with the fore feet, principally the near foot ; at other 
times he would lie upon his side, with his legs straight 
out, groaning as if in pain, and afterwards roll as in 
indigestion. 
It was little that I could learn in addition from the 
attendant, and although I felt convinced of serious changes 
going on within, of what precise nature they were I could 
not determine. 
I had him led out, when he appeared weak and staggered 
in his walk, dragging his hind limbs in a careless manner after 
him, one sometimes coming in forcible contact with the 
other. Auscultation furnished but little information, but 
I thought that a peculiarly forcible action of the heart existed. The 
sound was dull, and appeared the result of a more than 
usual muscular contraction, in which an apparent prepara¬ 
tion took place for the accomplishment of the ordinary beat. 
Thinking such might arise from irritability, as the animal 
was very nervous when led out, dependent upon some 
organic disease, I did not pay so much attention to this 
symptom as I have since felt in justice should have been 
done ; however, I was convinced that little could be expected 
from treatment, and informed my friend the owner so, who 
immediately placed the animal under my care, although more 
for experiment. I commenced by giving a draught con¬ 
sisting of— 
01. Lini, 3viij; 
Spt. Ammon. Aromat., 3 j; 
Tr. Opii, 3 j. 
This had the effect of bringing about a regular state of the 
bowels. My patient evincing a desire for food, hay tea, 
good oats, &c., were supplied, of which he partook satisfac¬ 
torily. The exhibition of opium and catechu, with vegetable 
tonics and diuretics, followed for two or three days, during 
which my attention was called to other cases of urgency, 
which prevented my seeing him. On my return, however, I 
found that, although the appetite had increased, all the other 
symptoms were of a more formidable character. The chest, 
abdomen, hind legs, and sheath, were intensely swollen, the 
xxxvii. 11 
