402 
RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 
or morning of the 12th April, 1859, to a fine colt, which was 
found by the attendant dead, from being strangulated by the 
cord and placenta becoming twisted round its neck. My 
attendance was requested, to report on the unnaturally 
swollen state of the external genital organs and rectum, 
accompanied by extreme difficulty in voiding either faeces or 
urine. The circulation was considerably increased, accompa¬ 
nied with other symptoms of a febrile character, loss of appe¬ 
tite, &c. Immediately the parts were touched the mare com¬ 
menced to strain violently, during which she groaned severely. 
The vagina was inflamed and tender; and being nearly 
closed by the swelling, rendered an examination of a difficult 
nature. Upon the hand approaching the meatus urinarius, 
a small quantity of scalding, high-coloured urine escaped, 
but the bladder could not be thoroughly evacuated without 
having recourse to the catheter. The haemorrhage had been 
considerable, as the bedding was greatly stained, and large 
clots of blood were found in the manger and elsewhere. Large 
clots also escaped, with renewed haemorrhage, on exploration 
of the passage, which showed that the roof of the vagina was 
torn in a longitudinal direction to the extent of three or 
four inches. The rectum immediately above the rent con¬ 
tained a large quantity of hardened pellets of faecal matter, 
which appeared only separated from the hand, as it were, 
by a thin stratum of tissue. With great care the pellets 
were removed in the usual manner, when the floor of the 
intestine also proved to be ruptured, but in an irregular 
manner, the long axis of the wound being across the gut. 
Not having witnessed such a case before, from the swelling, 
extreme febrile excitement, and uneasiness of the animal, 
with periodical straining and haemorrhage, my apprehensions 
were of a very unfavorable character, and much more so on 
the account that I could see little benefit was likely to result 
from any particular mode of treatment, setting aside the 
probability of an opening being established between the two 
passages. 
The treatment consisted in the administration of laxative 
and sedative medicine, allowing a cooling diet. Enemas of 
tepid water were regularly used to reduce the matter in the 
bowels to a pultaceous state, and facilitate its expulsion. Tinct. 
Arnica Mont, was applied to the parts. 
Healthy suppuration commenced, and everything went on 
satisfactorily, without even an untoward symptom of any 
kind. The animal gradually recovered the power of evacu¬ 
ating the rectum. She was put to work in about a month. 
It is necessary to state that the process of parturition had 
