548 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



portion^ pointing towards the right lumbar region, occupied 

 no more than the pubic division of the abdomen. The 

 right kidney appeared diminished in size^ of a leaden hue, 

 and much firmer to the touch than natural ; the left kidney 

 was enlarged, but exhibited externally its natural healthy 

 appearance. 



"The parts surrounding the ^Yhole were now carefully taken 

 out, and, on a minute examination, I found that the ovaria 

 had become diseased; that, on the left, being scirrhous, and 

 the other in a state of dropsy. As the scirrhous ovarium, 

 from its great size, was completely wedged into the pelvic 

 cavity, I was necessitated to divide the symphysis pubis 

 before I could get a clear view of its dimensions, and dis- 

 engage it from its attachment. Its shape was triaugular, 

 two angles being directed into the abdominal cavity, and 

 the third into the pelvic cavity, occupying the greater por- 

 tion of it. It had completely lost all vestige of its original 

 and natural structure, and presented one extended homo- 

 geneous yellow-coloured scirrhous mass, not weighing less 

 than from twenty to twenty-five pounds, and connecting 

 itself by a kind of projecting isthmus across to the opposite 

 ovarium and fallopian tubes. When cut into, it was found 

 made up of a congeries of abscesses, each having a distinct 

 sac, the walls of which were composed of half-organized lymph. 

 The right ovarium retained its natural structure, was very 

 vascular, was enlarged to the size of a large foot-ball, and dis- 

 tended with a serous fluid. How far this latter phenomenon 

 depended upon the impregnated state of the uterus, as the 

 mare was in foal (the foetus being about the size of a cat) I 

 do not know. This circumstance was very remarkable, as 

 clearly showing the capability of one ovarium being perfectly 

 competent to the fulfilling of the functions of generation in 

 the female, the same as one testicle is in the male : a wise 

 provision of Nature, one showing how providently her 

 arrangements are made for the propagation of every species 

 of animal. On making a section of the left kidney, no trace of 

 disease evinced itself ; but, on cutting through the right one, 

 it was found in a complete scirrhous, disorganized condition, 



