simple operation when performed on the human subject than it can possibly be rendered to the horse. The patient is more susceptible of control; and to jag the dura mater with the instrument, or plunge it into the substance of the cerebrum, accidents, which the struggles of an animal might easily occasion, would greatly endanger the case, and probably place the operator in no very enviable situation. The surgeon, however, should have the heart of a lion, and, had there been no other objections, I should not have hesitated. Again; the cranium of man is, in a great measure, free from muscular attachment; that of the horse is entirely covered by a muscle second to none in the whole body in vascularity, and as constantly and actively employed as any other, if we except those of organic life ;-I mean the temporalis. To cut through and remove a large portion of the substance of this muscle was a proceeding which I thought required a pressing necessity for its justification, and, had it been safely effected, and the operation even successfully concluded, I could not forget that the cranial bones are never reproduced. A horse with a hole in his skull, or a cavity simply closed by skin and membrane, would seem to me to be a creature unfitted for the safe uses of his master. When we consider how frequently the head of the horse is struck, and how much it is subjected to pressure and irritation caused by the harness, it certainly appears to me that the entirety of the normal protection is not more than equal to the efficient protection of the brain. Moreover, the relative position of the veterinary and the human practitioner is very different. Let the one but save the life, even though he leave the body powerless and the mind vacant, gratitude and reward are heaped upon him: but of us it is demanded not simply to preserve existence ;-the horseman does not ask us merely to prolong the life of his faithful servant, but to renew and to restore those energies that render the animal's services of value to him. We may subdue the disease, remove all danger, yet if we leave the activity or intelligence of our patient weaker than before, no matter how much we may have striven to avert those consequences, the owner looks at the bill, and, at the lessened value of his servant, adds up the two amounts, and by the total estimates the veterinary surgeon's professional labour. It is not with life then, but with pounds shillings and pence, we have to deal, and we have always to calculate how much we can

save when a case is undertaken. Thus, then, as I felt that a horse that had been trephined on the cranium, even though the operation were attended with the most successful result that could be expected from it, would be greatly lessened in value, I thought it better to watch the progress of the case, which did not at that time present any very urgent symptoms.

Six or seven days after his admission, the horse during the night became extremely violent. The watchman immediately gave the alarm, and without loss of time, though certainly at considerable hazard, he was bled from the jugular vein. How much blood was extracted I cannot say the stream was allowed to flow until the animal fell. The orifice was then pinned up: shortly afterwards he arose, and was removed to a larger box, when the urgency of the symptoms became increased-he again fell, and was secured; but no time was afforded us to adopt any further treatment, as in a very short time he died, exhibiting the most violent symptoms of phrenzy.

The post-mortem examination exhibited the viscera of the abdomen and thorax healthy. A large extent of surface of the frontal, together with a portion of the parietal bones, inclining to the right side of the head were found softened; while upon the internal surface, both facial and cranial, of the frontal bones, there was observed an extensive osseous deposit, proving that the internal inflammation had been considerable. The dura mater was much injected, and in the substance of the cerebrum an abscess containing about two drachms of pus, in a well-defined cavity, was found. The vessels ramifying in the substance of the right hemisphere were dilated and engorged with blood, and, by comparison, it was easily perceived that the diseased side of the brain was considerably enlarged. (See engraving, fig. 1.)

In this case, then, pressure was present: yet it was unattended with any loss of action; indeed, action in excess was developed during the progress of the disease, phrenitis in its most acute form marking the termination of the case. The pressure had been gradual, and to this the brain had accommodated itself. It is surprising how great an extent of gradual pressure the brain can sustain without giving rise to functional disorder, and equally wonderful is the slight amount of sudden concussion which may deprive it of

vitality. In Mr. Barrow's case the pressure was endured till the growth of the tumour positively compressed the nerves; and in it we must remember relief was afforded twice by treatment, though in neither instance can we believe the means had recourse to retarded the growth of the tumour. In the case of cerebral abscess which I have just related, the pressure was of secondary importance; the spread of inflammation consequent on the suppurative action producing phrenitic symptoms in their most active and violent form.

My dear Sir,

6. A CASE OF DISEASED HOCK.

By Mr. J. TOMBS.

Pershore, Sept. 10th, 1844.

I HAVE sent per rail-road the off hock of a half-bred mare. It was kicked on the outside about a month ago; and there has been a copious discharge of synovia ever since. The usual remedies were resorted to, which proved ineffectual. The hock being so extensively diseased, I considered it advisable to have the animal destroyed. I have forwarded the diseased specimen, thinking it might be serviceable to some of the junior members of the Associ

ation.

I am, dear Sir,

Your's very truly.

To Mr. W. J. T. Morton.

This morbid specimen having been examined by Mr. Mayhew, he found a small opening on the exterior surface of the joint, from which there was an exudation of laudable pus. The hock was much swollen, and, on removing the skin, an extensive patch (about the size of the palm of the hand) of inflammation was observed. This patch of inflammation was of a dark colour, loose and fibrous, presenting an appearance of having contained fluid, but none was present: around this part, running between and beneath the tendon and ligaments, was a considerable quantity of

laudable pus, which, however, seemed to take no definite direction, but appeared to be indiscriminately distributed over nearly the entire joint. After the removal of the skin, the bone could be plainly felt by the probe being passed down the tube of the external orifice.

On cutting into the superior synovial sac, a large quantity of dark-coloured opaque fluid escaped; and the internal surface of the membrane was discoloured, inflamed, and in places had begun to granulate. The cartilage on the tibia and astragalus was in some parts absorbed, in others ulcerated, while in some parts it was discoloured, and shewed the inflamed bone beneath it. No fracture could be detected.

Sir,

7.-CASE OF RUPTURED RECTUM.

By Mr. J. Woodger.

Paddington, Aug. 25, 1844.

I HAVE sent some morbid parts, with the history of a case which I think may not be uninteresting to the members of the Veterinary Association. It is that of a ruptured rectum, which, as you perceive, was caused by a part of an oat-hair calculus that had become separated from the remaining portion lodged in the colon, and, having passed on to this intestine, it became impacted there until rupture ensued, which I think was caused by the animal's suddenly falling down.

The subject from which it was taken was an aged chestnut horse. He was brought at three o'clock, P.M., on Friday afternoon last, to my infirmary. The symptoms then present were those generally exhibited in spasmodic colic. He was attacked at seven o'clock, A.M.; but the owner neglected to send for medical assistance until the above period. Not the least hope of my patient recovering was entertained by me when I first saw him, and he died three hours after he was admitted.

Post-mortem appearances. — The abdomen was nearly full of dark-coloured fluid, which had escaped from the rupture in the

rectum, caused as I have already stated. The other portion of the calculus I found in the colon: the peritoneum, and nearly the whole of the large intestines, presented a very intense degree of inflammation.

I am, Sir,

Your humble servant.

COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTRACTS.

CASE OF OSSIFICATION OF THE CEREBELLUM OF A HORSE.

By PROFESSOR SEWELL.

In the museums of the universities of Milan in Italy, and Upsal in Sweden, and in the possession of a private individual in this country, to which publicity has been given in an early number of the Proceedings of the Veterinary Medical Association, are specimens of ossified brains of oxen; at least these morbid growths are so designated. They appear to me to be osseous tumours proceeding from the inner table of the skull, and, as the brain is displaced by them, so they fill up the cranial cavity. The present case is altogether dissimilar to these, and it occurred in the horse. The preparation was sent to me, several years since, by Mr. Child, V.S., when he was residing near High Wycombe.

The entire brain was forwarded; but the cerebrum and medulla oblongata were so much crushed that not any thing definite was observable, except what appeared to be granules of ossific depositions pervading their structure. The cerebellum, however, was solid; thus it preserved its form, and so dense was it, that it had been sawn through into two nearly equal portions. These have been carefully preserved by me; for I believe the specimen to be unique in this country, a similar one not being found in the museums of the college of physicians or of surgeons.

The history of the case, which accompanied the preparation, is briefly this :-The horse was observed to be extremely lethargic and inactive for some weeks, when he was placed under the care of a country practitioner. The treatment had recourse to is not