377 
, ACUTE INDIGESTION, ETC. 
he seemed to be in a fair way to recovery, until the second day 
when symptoms of peritonitis supervened. He continued quite 
uneasy from pain and spasm for about two days. During this 
time he was treated with opium sufficient to repress pain. Food, 
in the solid form, was withheld. Gruel and mucilagenous drinks 
were freely given. He was fully convalescent in twelve days 
after he was punctured. He soon thereafter appeared in full 
vigor, evincing his usual high and proud spirit, and was in a few 
years afterwards sold for a high price, bringing his owner, it was 
said, $2,500. 
Case 7. In June, 1871, was called to attend a medium-sized 
black mare. Tympanitic distension was great, medical treat¬ 
ment was given but afforded no relief. We punctured through 
right flank with satisfactory results. Her respiration continued 
unnatural and laborious for a day or two, but she was soon there¬ 
after restored to health. 
Case 8. A large bay gelding was brought to my infirmary on 
Spring street, in November, 1872, with severe symptoms of flatu¬ 
lent colic. He had eaten largely of apples during the day. Med¬ 
ical treatment was given him. He came in at 8 o’clock in the 
evening, and suffered great pain from that time until 2 o’clock in 
the morning, when it seemed as if he was bound by inevitable 
law to an unseen land, unless some unusual remedy came to his 
immediate relief. We punctured the right flank, which afforded 
the desired effect. Bloat and pain both disappeared at once. The 
patient was put to work within live days. 
Case 9. In October, 1873, a gray gelding used as a team 
horse. Symptoms distressing. Was tapped and relieved. Was 
dull for several days after. Oblique abdominal muscles con¬ 
tracted and hard. Seemed loth to move freely, but recovered 
completely within two weeks. 
Case 10. In October, 1873, a black mare was brought to my 
stables on Spring street. Symptoms of a violent character ; was 
gasping for breath, and seemed as if about to expire. We imme¬ 
diately punctured the intestines as in the other cases, with the 
same result. An abcess formed in the punctured region, but ter¬ 
minated favorably. Recovery was complete within two weeks. 
