REPORTS OF CASES. 
511 
had to be ligated. There was nothing to be discovered at ne¬ 
cropsy that should have caused this horse’s death except the kid¬ 
ney, and I did not examine that as closely as 1 should, for the 
weather was cold and gave me a chance to send to New York for 
examination while fresh. 
What caused the sudden failure ? Exception might be taken 
to the place I selected for external opening, but I contend that 
that was the better place for incision; first, for drainage ; second, 
easier access to location of disease, and safer ; but I would not 
argue that it was the best place for incision in nephrotomy, but I 
could have removed this kidney in this case had I been able to 
see its condition as I would have in a flank incision. In explana¬ 
tion, to cause of no swelling, etc., I would state that I think if 
every surgical operation was performed with the following pre¬ 
cautions there would be less unfavorable results : the operator 
should not touch the horse or rope until the animal is cast and 
secure, and veterinary surgeons, lam sorry to say, are too careless 
about the condition of instruments and their hands when operat¬ 
ing. Every instrument, as well as the hands of the operator, should 
be thoroughly washed in carbolized water. The proper use of 
disinfectants and antiseptic remedies in the apartment occupied 
by tke patient is just as necessary as that they should be applied 
to the wound. 
STRANGULATION OF SMALL COLON. 
By W. H. Adair. Y.S. 
An aged gelding, weight ten hundred, had been used regularly 
for the past two years on public carriage. I was called in haste 
at 6 a. m., January 9th. He was all right at 5 a. m., eating his 
regular feed. After eating about half, he began to perspire very 
freely, so much so that it ran off in great drops. He staggered 
and fell backwards, breaking his halter. When I arrived he was 
unrestrainable—even unto madness—sweating profusely, rearing, 
crouching behind, falling backward, rolling upon his back, sitting 
on his haunches, pressing his nose to left flank and biting at 
abdomen. A subcutaneous injection of 6 grs. of morphia stopped 
perspiration and pain to a certain extent for half an hour. At 
this stage his pulse was 50 and strong, temperature only 90°; the 
