THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 329 



matters, be they in the liquid form, or in that of gas or vapor." — ■ 

 Lectures delivered to the College of France, by M. Magendie. 



MELANOSIS. 



Melanosis exists in the form of tumor or tubercle of an irregu- 

 lar shape ; and when cut into, presents a sort of black color. 

 There seem to be two kinds — one located in visceral organs 

 and in the eye ; the other generally locates about the tail and 

 under the common integument. Gray horses are more subject 

 to it than those of any other color. The only treatment known 

 to the author is, extirpation with the knife. 



Extirpation of two Melanotic Tumors from the Body of a Horse, 

 while under the Influence of Chloroform. 



History of the Case, fye. — The subject, a gray stallion, aged 

 nine years, the property of D. Hanlin, Harrison Avenue, was 

 observed, about eighteen months since, to have small tumors, 

 occupying a space known as the humeral region, (below the shoul- 

 der blades.) They had gradually increased in size ; yet, as the 

 horse was performing his ordinary duties without the least incon- 

 venience, very little notice was taken of the matter, and the owner 

 considered the swelling as nothing more than an " eyesore." Lat- 

 terly, however, the horse had been used in the shafts ; and either 

 in consequence of bruise, or friction from the shafts, the swelling 

 had rapidly increased in size, so as to interfere with the normal 

 action of the shoulder ; in consequence of which, our advice was 

 sought, and after an examination, we proposed an operation, to 

 which the owner consented. 



Operation. — Friday, November 4, 1853. The patient was 

 cast, off side up. Dr. Fletcher Oakes, of this city, kindly con- 

 sented to superintend the administration of chloroform. A sponge, 

 being saturated with two ounces of this article, was enclosed in a 

 suitable breathing apparatus, and thus applied to the patient's 

 nostrils. The quantity used during the operation was three and 

 a half ounces. The pupils of the eyes being dilated, and sterto- 

 rous breathing having commenced, a straight incision, of eleven 

 inches in length, was made over the region occupied by the 

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