EDITORIAL. 
391 
the Horse, particularly in reference to the cause of death ; and 
the use of the trocar and canula in tympany.” He describes three 
forms of torsion of the double colon which he attributes to three 
causes: “ (1.) By rolling about in the agonies of colic or when 
turned out to grass, by pitching forward on the nose in attempts 
to lift a load, or from losing the feet in slippery weather, or by 
falling over an embankment; (2.) by the powerful contraction of 
the muscular walls in spasms of the intestines; (3.) by the action 
of gas (tympany) in the interior of the gut when it is compara¬ 
tively empty.” 
The subject of intestinal diseases is one of unusual interest, 
and Prof. Walley renders the profession an important service in 
elucidating some of the causes and describing symptoms which 
accompany the above disease. The author of the article claims 
further that he is enabled, from the observations which he has 
made, to unerringly diagnosticate this condition and consequently 
to prognosticate with equal accuracy. Regarding the use of 
trocar and canula in tympanitis, we agree with Prof. Walley that 
in some instances it offers immediate and permanent relief, while 
in others it fails entirely. We have seen many of the cases of 
fermentation which he describes where “ the ingesta, fluids and 
gas form a seething mass.” It is particularly apt to occur in 
some districts as a result of feeding Indian corn, when warm 
weather first makes its appearance in the spring-time. 
In these cases little or no gas is liberated from puncturing, 
and internal medication must be relied upon for success in treat¬ 
ing. Contrary to Prof. Walley’s experience, we have seen ill 
results follow the use of the trocar. We have seen one case in 
which acute peritonitis caused death, and a post mortem revealed 
no cause of the disease other than the traumatism. In another 
instance, we were so unfortunate as to puncture one of the colic 
arteries, and fatal hemorrhage ensued. Yet, notwithstanding 
these accidents, we are strongly in favor of the employment of 
this method of treating tympany, for without it the percentage 
of deaths would be much greater than now. 
