674 
REPORTS OF CASES. 
ing and surging about until the handle was broken into pieces 
and the prong driven in its full length. It came through on 
the inside of the joint, just beneath the patella. Great excite¬ 
ment in the village, the horse squealing, kicking, throwing 
himself down, and the blood flying all around. After getting 
the horse somewhat quieted and secured, a stalwart fellow pulled 
out the fork, having to make the second effort and use his full 
strength. The prong was bent in different places and direc¬ 
tions. On arriving two hours later, found an ugly lacerated 
wound on outside of thigh three inches wide and into the bone, 
and having a pocket three inches deep. Inside of joint showed 
a small puncture where point of prong came through. The 
horse was suffering intensely, keeping the injured limb in con¬ 
stant motion. After cleansing wound and limb, rubbed in blister 
ointment, thoroughly over the entire joint, and also plastered the 
exterior wound full of the same (getting severely criticised for so 
doing). Next morning horse stood firmly upon the injured limb, 
breathing naturally and feeding well. Rubbed on more ointment, 
although the blister was acting freely and the leg already enor¬ 
mously swollen. The swelling kept very tense for three days, 
but the horse stood and trod firmly. Gave him much walking 
exercise (for which I was again severely criticised). On the 
fourth day the outside wound commenced to discharge a healthy 
pus. It was syringed twice daily with chloride of zinc lotion, 
ten grains to the ounce, and the whole leg bathed frequently 
with vinegar and cold water, equal parts. Upon the twelfth 
day the leg had resumed its natural size, and upon the nine¬ 
teenth day the horse was put to work, the wound having healed 
and lameness all gone. 
In justice to some of the Dutch villagers, will state that the 
fork^ was carefully greased and put in a dry place before I 
arrived. 
CENTRAL RUPTURE OF THE VAGINA.* 
By W. J. Martin, V. S., Kankakee, Ill. 
The patient, a bay mare, aged five years, of the trotting 
breed variety, was brought to mv infirmary on August i6 of the 
present year, suffering from a central rupture of the perineo¬ 
vaginal walls, caused by a difficult parturition some four months 
previous. In driving, and even when standing still, the mare 
would pass gas and a muco-purulent pus from the vagina, 
which, fallin g upon her tail and hocks, presented a disgusting 
* Read before the Illinois State Vet. Med. Ass’n, Nov. i6, 1898. 
