EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN JOURNALS. 
177 
EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN JOURNALS. 
VOLVULUS IN A HEIFER—RESECTIONS OF A PORTION OF THE 
INTESTINES—RECOVERY. 
By P. J. T. Saccven. 
A heifer, two years old, was taken witli colics while returning 
from drinking. Iler condition was good; her pains not very 
severe; nose dry and hot; pulse strong and quick (130); com¬ 
plete anorexia. She strikes at her abdomen, especially toward the 
right flank; stretches herself, with her hind legs crossing each 
other right and left; her tail, elevated, shows an alternate con¬ 
traction and relaxation of the anus. She voids a small quantity 
of soft foeces, thin, semi-liquid, and soon nothing but bloody mu- 
cosity. There are frequent and incomplete pandiculations, stim¬ 
ulated by the pinching of the vertebral column ; also sometimes 
when the animal lies down. The left flank lias its normal form, 
but on the right side the ventral wall, slightly raised, is flabby 
and depending, and the concavity of the flank then seems in¬ 
creased. 
Shaking at the right flank is followed by a noise of displaced 
liquid in that region. Tressure in the flank is painful. 
Rectal examination gives, on the right side, lying on the in¬ 
clined surface of the rumen, an elongated cylindrical tumor, quite 
dense and painful to pressure. A diagnosis is made of volvulus 
or intestinal invagination. 
A drench of sulphate of soda, with rapid exercise, are pre¬ 
scribed, with a hope that the intestines may by the movements of 
the animal be returned to their place. No change, however, 
takes place. 
The next day the condition continued unchanged; small pulse, 
of 150; dry and cold muzzle ; looks less anxious; the animal still 
kicks at her flank. Bloody mucosities are passed through the anus ; 
no excrements. Same treatment, and same negative result. 
This condition lasted for six days, when the symptoms grow¬ 
ing worse, Mr. S. decided to open the abdomen and act directly 
on the diseased organ. 
