REPORT OF CASES. 
35 
the injection is effected, for the succeeding operation must act in 
conformity with the preceding one. 
As brief as this paper is, I hope its contents are demonstrative 
and explicit enough to enable the veterinary practitioners to ener¬ 
getically advocate the interstitial administration of medicines for 
the above described affections. 
REPORT OF CASES, 
RUPTURE OF THE OESOPHAGUS—RECOVERY. 
By E. F. Thayer, V.S. 
West Newton, Mass., June 19, 1863. 
I was called to a horse belonging to C. E. Townsend, of 
Granville, four miles distant. The statement was that the 
animal was frightened by a straw hat, which was blown off the 
head of the driver, which caused him to run away, throwing over 
the horse and cart; the horse could hardly breathe, and the 
throat was badly swollen. On examination I found an extensive 
swelling over the region of the fauces, filling the intermaxillary 
space, and extending downward and backward for six or more 
inches, the animal breathing with great difficulty. I at once 
opened the trachea and inserted the tube, which immediately 
relieved the breathing, and applied a digestive ointment over the 
swollen part. On the 24th there was fluctuation. An opening was 
made, and a large quantity of pus escaped. A little green clover was 
given to eat and in a few minutes I found the grass passing out of 
the opening made by the lancet. I then ordered that all solid 
food be discontinued and gruel substituted. On the 27th I again 
visited the animal, and found that my orders were not obeyed. 
As the owner was a merchant and absent from home most of 
the time, I requested that the horse be sent to my place, which 
was done. I made a pad with tow and chamois to fit the aper¬ 
ture, and allowed a liberal quantity of gruel, which he drank with 
avidity, but little escaping through the wound. In four weeks he 
was sent home, the external wound having entirely healed, the food 
passing down without any obstruction ; the animal could trot a 
lively gait without difficulty of respiration. It was soon found 
that the fright was a serious matter; that lie was afraid of any¬ 
thing in motion, and as an old gentleman (the owner’s .father), 
drove him and used him on the place, it was thought unsafe to 
keep him ; he was sold to go into the army. The case was inter¬ 
esting, from the fact that there was no permanent injury to the 
organs of deglutition or respiration. 
