378 
E. MUSK 
Case 11. A good-sized, coarse, open built brown mare was 
brought to my stables for treatment. Abdomen enormously tym¬ 
panitic. Was dull and stupid; manifested no great pain; res¬ 
piration much embarrassed. Medical treatment gave no relief. 
Punctured through right flank with a trocar as in other cases— 
no gas escaped. Concluded colon contained a large quantity of 
feces. Soon after we punctured the left side through the point 
most prominent and affording most resonant sound—no relief— 
died. Post mortem: A black and tarry-like condition of the 
blood; stomach full of ingesta; colon contained an immense 
quantity of feces. No other abnormal condition observed. The 
query arose with us was, whether death had not been caused by 
absorption of the gases, thus poisoning the blood, or whether the 
black condition of the blood was merely the result of imperfect 
seration caused by direct pressure upon the lungs. 
Case 12. Was a gray gelding that had been driven to a hack 
many miles during the day, and when five miles away from 
home showed symptoms of flatulent colic. Although very un¬ 
willing to travel, he was urged on to his home. We were called 
to attend him about 9 o’clock in the evening. His symptoms 
were then very violent. Gave him medical treatment without 
relief. We feared immediate death or rupture. We therefore 
punctured the right flank, which afforded perfect relief from all 
urgent symptoms, with the exception of loss of appetite, and dull 
and stupid condition. Milk, gruel and whiskey were given him, 
but he gradually sank and died five days after. Post mortem 
revealed nothing abnormal save a black condition of the blood as 
noticed in Case 11. A little traumatic gangrene in the punc¬ 
tured region, but nothing of the kind was observed about the 
point where the trocar had penetrated the bowel. We are of the 
opinion that it was a case of blood poisoning from absorption of 
the poisonous gases. 
Case 13. Was a medium sized, powerful gray mare, an excel¬ 
lent roadster, used to a butcher’s wagon to collect stock. Had 
been driven many miles during the forenoon, was fed a full feed 
of oats at noon, and immediately started towards home, a distance 
of seven miles. Her driver observed nothing particularly amiss, 
