REPORT OF CASES. 
221 
REPORT OF CASES. 
- 'jCK - 
TYMPANITIS TREATED BY PUNCTURE. 
On the 1st of August, at 4 p. m., I was called to see a sorrel horse, 
8 years old, one of a team used in an ice wagon. I found he had been 
sick about two hours, and two antispasmodic draughts had already been 
given, but he had now commenced to swell rapidly. I was, therefore, 
sent for. I administered spt. am. ar., sodae sulphis a. a. oz. j.; also gave 
enemas occasionally. I repeated the medicine ; still no improvement; 
I then gave calx chlorin, oz. ss. in solution. 6 p. m. —Pulse, 75 ; very 
feeble; mucous membranes very much congested, and of a purple hue; 
abdomen distended to its utmost capacity; respiration performed with 
great difficulty; body and extremities covered with a cold perspiration; 
mouth clammy ; walking round his box, he now threw himself down and 
rolled over in one corner of his box ; he struggled, but was unable to 
get up; I had him pulled out, and lifted him up; he now stood still for 
ten minutes, gasping for breath; the tongue and mouth almost black ; 
he again commenced wandering aimlessly around the box. I saw, un¬ 
less he had immediate relief, it would be too late ; I therefore decided 
to use the trocar. I had him led into the corner of the box ; I chose 
the right side; the most prominent part was six inches to the antero¬ 
inferior part of the anterior spine of the illium ; I did not put the animal 
under any restraint, or divide the skin, but drove the trocar into the dis¬ 
tended intestine ; as soon as I withdrew the trocar the gas rushed out 
with a hissing noise ; in about two minutes the abdomen resumed its 
natural size; I then withdrew the cannula; the horse did not move 
during the operation, but gave a sigh of relief as the gas escaped. I now 
had him well hand-rubbed and blanketed; also gave him a diffusible 
stimulant; he did not move a step in six hours; he then rallied and 
took a mash; being so much exhausted, it required a week’s rest before 
he was able to resume work; the wound healed by the first intention 
and he is as well as ever. 
C. Burden, D. V. S. 
