450 
KEPORT8 OP CASES. 
I scud this as I think such a case apt to occur anywhere as 
long as “ smart ” horse dealers “sponge ” animals with any dis¬ 
charge from the nostrils, for the sake of palming them off on the 
unsuspecting; and with the hope that it may help some one else 
to make a correct diagnosis. 
RECTO-VAGINAL RUPTURE. 
By Robert Yoxjng, (Bowmanville, Can.) 
I s§nd you reports of two cases met with in my practice; 
On the morning of the 13th June, I was called to see a mare, 
the property of Mr. Win. Stevens of this town, the messenger 
stating that she could not foal. On arriving at his place I found 
a four year old mare, (primapara) with the four limbs and head 
of foetus protruding from the anus. She had evidently been in 
labor the greatar part of the night. I had her raised to her feet, 
led to the edge of a bill, facing her down hill with one hand in 
vaginal, the other pressing against the foetus ; during intervals 
between labor pains I succeeded in bringing it into the natural 
passage, after which I had little difficulty in extracting the foal. 
After removing the foetal membranes, which was difficult as they 
were firmly adherant to the walls of the uterus, I proceeded to 
ascertain the extent of the rupture. On examination per rectum I 
found about live inches from the anus a large rupture, the walls 
of which from their previous distention were loose and flaccid. I 
decided to suture the rupture. With a needle armed with a 
strong waxed cord, I brought the edges together with four 
sutures which was easily accomplished per rectum owing to the 
sphincter beiug very much relaxed. I next administrated a 
strong opiate to relieve pain and straining, which had the desired 
effect. She was now placed in a roomy, loose box, ordered 
nothing to eat but small quantities of grass and bran mashes. 
Pulse about 60 per minute. 
June 14—Mare quite lively, passed small quantities of foeces 
per anus. 
June 17—Doing well, pulse natural, slight discharge of 
healthy pus from vagina. Did not see her again for ten days— 
