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An Abscess in the Thoracic Cavity of a Horse
Abscess z"n the Thoracic Cavity
0/ a
Horse.
355
AN ABSCESS IN THE THORACIC CAVITY OF A HORSE. BY J. CONNOCHIE, JUNR., M.R.C.V.S., AYTON.
Sub/cd.-A chestnut thoroughbred gelding, rising
SlX
years old.
Htstory.-He was bought at a hunt sale on June 10th, and two days afterwards was observed dull and disinclined to feed. This was attributed to the horse taking what is commonly called" cold," and so nothing serious-was anticipated. However, there was no cough nor discharge from the nose, and, as he was not getting either better or worse, professional attendance was requested. Symptoms.-When first seen he appeared dull and listless and not inclined to move much. The pulse was accelerated and of a quick, jerky nature, and the temperature was 103!. The breathing was slightly hurried and abdominal, and a slight tremulous movement of the breast was apparent. The visible mucous membranes were infected, and there was stiffness of gait and slight cedema of the limbs. Treatmcnt. --It is unnecessary to enter fully into all the details of this case; suffice it to say that he got the best of nursing all through, and medicinal treatment calculated to do no harm at least if it did no good. The latter was discontinued after being persevered with for three weeks, as it was evident from the aggravation of the symptoms and the rapid emaciation that the case would have a fatal termination. From the first heart mischief was suspected, as auscultation over the region of that organ revealed it to be beating in rather a palpitating manner, with a hard, metallic ring about it. The lungs at first seemed only a little congested, but latterly there were distinct evidences of pleuro-pneumonia and hydrothorax, from which he eventually died. Post-mortcm.-On opening the thoracic cavity, an enormous quantity of reddish-brown fluid escaped; exposing the lungs coated with coagulated lymph, bands of which connected them with the ribs. They were greatly consolidated, and showed red and grey hepatization in varying degrees. The most noticeable lesion, however, was a bladder-like swelling, about the size of a man's head, situated on the inner aspect of the left side of the cavity, low down in front of, and, in fact, displacing the apex of the heart. On opening this swelling, a large quantity of ripe-looking pus escaped; it had the usual creamy look and consistency, and was free from smell. Th e walls of the abscess, if that is the proper term for the swelling, seemed to be composed of thickened
The Veterinary Journal. pleura costalis. Although a careful look-out was kept for any trace of a foreign body, nothing was observed, and it was concluded that this was a stray abscess in a case of irregular strangles, but the horse's previous history from his earliest youth shows a clean bill of health. The direct cause of death seemed to be the displacement of and the interference with the heart by the abscess.
~rln!!
U dertnar~
mepartll1ent.
THE undermentioned Veterinary Officers embarked in P. O. ss. "Caledonian" on 1st October, for a tour of service in India :-Vet.-Major G. D. Whitfield, Vet.-Captains J. B. Savage, R. W. Burke, E. R. C. Butler, and Vet.-Lieutenant A. C. Newsom. The following transfers of Veterinary Officers have taken place :-Vet.-Major J. K. Grainger from Weedon to Newcastle; Vet.-Major W. A. Coorv from Chatham to Exeter; Vet.-Major D. C. Pallin from Canterbury to Chatham; Vet.Captain R. W. Raymond on return from special duty in South Africa to 8th Hussars, Cahir; Vet.-Captain J. Caspar on return to duty from sick leave of absence to 6th Dragoons, Dundalk; and Vet.-Lieutenant W. A. Pallin from 8th Hussars, Cahir, to N ewbridge. Vet.-Lieutenants H. M. Lenox-Conyngham, W. A. Pallin, and P. J. Harris have been placed under orders for early embarkation for India. Vet.-Lieut. E. VV. Lander has been presented with a testimonial on vellum by the Royal Humane Society for" assisting in saving from drowning a fireman belonging to the ss. 'European,' by jumping overboard from ss. 'Duncan,' at Cape Town." Extract from London Gazette, September 28th, 1897:"Vet.-Major J. W. Evans is placed on half-pay, on account of ill-health. Dated 29th September, 1897. "Vet.-Major J. W. Evans, half-pay, retires, on retired pay. Dated 29th September, 1897. "Digby Bolton, gent., to be Vet.-Lieutenant in succession to Vet.-Major J. W. Evans. Dated 29th September, 1897."
AN epitome will be given next month of recent patents more or less connected with the profession.
0/ a
Horse.
355
AN ABSCESS IN THE THORACIC CAVITY OF A HORSE. BY J. CONNOCHIE, JUNR., M.R.C.V.S., AYTON.
Sub/cd.-A chestnut thoroughbred gelding, rising
SlX
years old.
Htstory.-He was bought at a hunt sale on June 10th, and two days afterwards was observed dull and disinclined to feed. This was attributed to the horse taking what is commonly called" cold," and so nothing serious-was anticipated. However, there was no cough nor discharge from the nose, and, as he was not getting either better or worse, professional attendance was requested. Symptoms.-When first seen he appeared dull and listless and not inclined to move much. The pulse was accelerated and of a quick, jerky nature, and the temperature was 103!. The breathing was slightly hurried and abdominal, and a slight tremulous movement of the breast was apparent. The visible mucous membranes were infected, and there was stiffness of gait and slight cedema of the limbs. Treatmcnt. --It is unnecessary to enter fully into all the details of this case; suffice it to say that he got the best of nursing all through, and medicinal treatment calculated to do no harm at least if it did no good. The latter was discontinued after being persevered with for three weeks, as it was evident from the aggravation of the symptoms and the rapid emaciation that the case would have a fatal termination. From the first heart mischief was suspected, as auscultation over the region of that organ revealed it to be beating in rather a palpitating manner, with a hard, metallic ring about it. The lungs at first seemed only a little congested, but latterly there were distinct evidences of pleuro-pneumonia and hydrothorax, from which he eventually died. Post-mortcm.-On opening the thoracic cavity, an enormous quantity of reddish-brown fluid escaped; exposing the lungs coated with coagulated lymph, bands of which connected them with the ribs. They were greatly consolidated, and showed red and grey hepatization in varying degrees. The most noticeable lesion, however, was a bladder-like swelling, about the size of a man's head, situated on the inner aspect of the left side of the cavity, low down in front of, and, in fact, displacing the apex of the heart. On opening this swelling, a large quantity of ripe-looking pus escaped; it had the usual creamy look and consistency, and was free from smell. Th e walls of the abscess, if that is the proper term for the swelling, seemed to be composed of thickened
The Veterinary Journal. pleura costalis. Although a careful look-out was kept for any trace of a foreign body, nothing was observed, and it was concluded that this was a stray abscess in a case of irregular strangles, but the horse's previous history from his earliest youth shows a clean bill of health. The direct cause of death seemed to be the displacement of and the interference with the heart by the abscess.
~rln!!
U dertnar~
mepartll1ent.
THE undermentioned Veterinary Officers embarked in P. O. ss. "Caledonian" on 1st October, for a tour of service in India :-Vet.-Major G. D. Whitfield, Vet.-Captains J. B. Savage, R. W. Burke, E. R. C. Butler, and Vet.-Lieutenant A. C. Newsom. The following transfers of Veterinary Officers have taken place :-Vet.-Major J. K. Grainger from Weedon to Newcastle; Vet.-Major W. A. Coorv from Chatham to Exeter; Vet.-Major D. C. Pallin from Canterbury to Chatham; Vet.Captain R. W. Raymond on return from special duty in South Africa to 8th Hussars, Cahir; Vet.-Captain J. Caspar on return to duty from sick leave of absence to 6th Dragoons, Dundalk; and Vet.-Lieutenant W. A. Pallin from 8th Hussars, Cahir, to N ewbridge. Vet.-Lieutenants H. M. Lenox-Conyngham, W. A. Pallin, and P. J. Harris have been placed under orders for early embarkation for India. Vet.-Lieut. E. VV. Lander has been presented with a testimonial on vellum by the Royal Humane Society for" assisting in saving from drowning a fireman belonging to the ss. 'European,' by jumping overboard from ss. 'Duncan,' at Cape Town." Extract from London Gazette, September 28th, 1897:"Vet.-Major J. W. Evans is placed on half-pay, on account of ill-health. Dated 29th September, 1897. "Vet.-Major J. W. Evans, half-pay, retires, on retired pay. Dated 29th September, 1897. "Digby Bolton, gent., to be Vet.-Lieutenant in succession to Vet.-Major J. W. Evans. Dated 29th September, 1897."
AN epitome will be given next month of recent patents more or less connected with the profession.