258 DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



prejudiced in favor of vinegar as a cure in many diseases. 

 His favorite horse was taken ill in very warm weather, and 

 as he thought vinegar was a cooling article, he ordered a pint 

 to be given to his horse at once. It was no sooner given than 

 the horse lay down, stretched himself out, and died." 



Medulla Oblongata. The commencement of the spinal 

 marrow, within the cranium. 



Membrane, Mucous. This membrane is folded into all the 

 orifices of the animal, as the mouth, eyes, nose, ears, lungs, 

 intestines, bladder, &c. ; in fact, into every cavity that has a 

 direct communication with the external surface. Its structure 

 of arterial capillaries, venous radicles, nervous projections, 

 &c, is similar to the skin, and is considered a duplicate of the 

 external surface. Its most extensive surfaces are those of the 

 lungs and intestines. This membrane furnishes from the 

 blood a fluid called mucus, to lubricate its own surface, and 

 protect it from the action of materials taken into the system. 

 The skin and mucous membrane are a counterpart of each 

 other. If the action of the skin is suppressed, the mucous 

 membrane performs a part of its office ; thus a cold, which 

 closes the pores of the skin, stops perspiration, which is now 

 forced through the membrane, producing discharges at the 

 nose, eyes, &c. 



Serous membrane. Of this kind are the pleura and perito- 

 neum : they are distributed in all parts of the system, lining 

 muscles, tendons, and tendinous sheaths, the ends of mova- 

 ble bones, &c. ; in short, wherever there is need of the pro- 

 tection of parts against friction. They secrete from the blood 

 a fluid called serum, for the purpose of affording this protec- 

 tion. The excessive discharge of fluids into cavities lined 

 by serous membrane, constitutes the different forms of dropsy. 

 There are other membranes, viz., adipose, which secrete the 

 fat of the body ; synovial, which secretes synovia, or joint 

 oil ; and cellular membrane, or tissue, is the common connect- 

 ing substance of most parts of the body. 



Mesentery. A thin membrane by which the bowels are 

 held together, and over which the lacteals, or chyle vessels, 



