As a _dernier resort_, Gaullet performed laparotomy but with no success as the animal died the following day. The horse was, however, in extremis at the time of the operation and a portion of the intestinal wall was blackish and gangrenous. To be successful such an operation should be practiced before there is any probability of gangrene, and while the patient is still in good condition for recuperation. But these are just the cases in which success is to be hoped for from less dangerous measures. Again the conditions for its success are best in case of obstruction of the pelvic flexure, as that could easily be drawn out through a spacious abdominal wound, incised, emptied and sutured with careful antiseptic precautions, and with little risk of infection of the peritoneum. But this is just the point where an obstruction can be efficiently dealt with in a less dangerous way, by kneading through the rectum for example. The operation, however, is not one to be utterly condemned, but in any case in which it is certain that the obstruction is otherwise irremediable, it should be adopted at as early a stage as possible, under anæsthesia, and with antiseptic precautions. The after treatment would consist in a restricted diet of milk or gruel with antiseptics to prevent fermentation and bloating. IMPACTION OF THE COLON IN RUMINANTS. Causes: Debility, hard, fibrous food, dry winter feeding, privation of water, astringents, smut, ergot. Symptoms: Hard, moulded, coated dung, blood-streaked, and in small quantity, tympany, dullness, debility, splashing sound when right flank is pressed, rectal exploration. Treatment: Laxative food, water, salt, strychnia, eserine, barium chloride, enemata, oils. This is not a common affection in cattle, yet it does occur in weak and debilitated conditions, and in animals fed on fibrous and innutritious aliments. The ingesta are delayed in the gut, their liquid portion absorbed and the remainder accumulates in a hard mass, which distends and weakens the bowel. Dry winter feeding, with a scarcity of water strongly contributes to its production. Astringent plants in the hay, or smut or ergot may add to the tendency.