DISEASES OF THE SPINAL CORD. 311 



posterior aorta between the tiimour and the bifurcation of the vessel 

 into the iliac arteries was scarcely to be felt, which I attributed to 

 pressure of the enlarged mass upon the aorta. 



I looked upon the case as one of very doubtfvJ recovery, thinking 

 that I had most likely to deal with the formation of an internal 

 abscess as a sequela of influenza, which is not a very uncommon 

 occurrence ; but my patient's appetite was good, the heart's action not 

 much disturbed, and the fasces and urine healthy. I considered 

 treatment justifiable. Counter - irritants were therefore applied 

 to the loins, and pot. iodidum given internally with vegetable tonics. 

 Under this treatment the tumour gradually became less in size, 

 and much softer in consistence. The rigidity of the muscles was like- 

 wise less violent when pressure was applied to the spine. 



On the 24th a ' charge ' was applied to the whole of the lumbar region ; 

 mineral and vegetable tonics were daily given with the iodide of potas- 

 sium, and exercise was enjoined. 



From this date up to the 18th of November there was a gradual 

 wasting away of the muscles ; the appetite was generally good, the 

 animal eating an average quantity of the most nutritious provender 

 that could be obtained. 



During this period the urine became highly impregnated with 

 albumen, but which gradually diminished in quantity, until on the 18th 

 of November, after which time I entirely failed to detect its presence. 



On several occasions during the above period, the peculiar spasmodic 

 contraction of the muscles, the tympanitic state of the abdomen, the 

 anxious and protruding eyes, and the intense suffering would come on, 

 but lasted only for a short time. These symptoms generally occurred 

 two or three days in succession, and were not again seen for six or 

 eight days. 



On the 18th of November I found that the tumour was very much 

 smaller, and also soft and flaccid. The pulse and breathing were 

 perfectly natural, both in character and number. The spasmodic 

 contraction of the muscles did not occur even when pressure was 

 applied to the spine, and the animal looked more cheerful and lively. 



From this date up to the beginning of December the mare slightly 

 improved in condition, and I had more hopes of her ultimate recovery, 

 but on the 6th of December the symptoms again returned, and in as bad a 

 form as before. They continued for several days, and then disappeared. 



On the 23rd of December, at eight o'clock in the evening, she was left 

 apparently no worse. She drank an unusual quantity of water, and 

 ate her food with avidity ; but early on the following morning she was 

 found dead and cold. 



PosT-MoRTEM Appearances. — The thoracic viscera, the spleen and 

 the liver, were all very pale in colour, but otherwise healthy. The left 

 kidney was very much enlarged. The stomach, intestines, bladder, 

 uterus, and right kidney were likewise healthy ; but the pancreas was 

 filled with small tumours, varying in size from a pea to a walnut, whicli 

 contained a yellowish jelly-like substance. The spinous processes of 

 the lumbar vertebrae were extensively diseased. The second, third and 

 fourth cervical vertebrae were extensively diseased. In the broad, flat 

 spinous process of the dentata, there existed a circular aperture, extend- 



