THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 221 



by the side of the animal ; a state of things which I have 

 invaribly found to exist in effusion into the pericardium, and 

 especially if much fluid is present. I felt satisfied that this 

 was a case of this description, and consequently formed an un- 

 favorable opinion as to the issue. To relieve the distended 

 vessels, I took away eight or ten pounds of blood, and gave a 

 slight purgative, which appeared to aftord temporary relief. 



" For two or three days the appetite improved, and the cow 

 appeared to move with greater freedom and less pain. On the 

 sixth day after my first visit she suddenly relapsed, and died 

 on the seventh. - 



" This animal had for some time past wasted in flesh, but as 

 her general appearance was healthy, little notice was taken of 

 it. It is surprising that she should have gone on so well as she 

 did with so extensive disease of the heart, As to the nature 

 of the affection I shall offer no remarks, but leave this to be 

 explained by you." 



The following remarks are added hj, the editor of the above 

 named journal. " This was but another of several specimens 

 which we have received from time to time, in which the ex- 

 ternal surface of the heart was covered with layers of effused 

 and partially organized fibrine. The pericardium was thickened 

 to three times its natural substance, and within it was contained 

 several ounces of colorless serous fluid. The effused fibrine 

 hung in grapelike appendages from the base of the heart, each 

 of which had a floculent condition. These bodies were devoid of 

 color, and had altogether such aa appearance as would lead us 

 to doubt whether the effusions resulted from active inflammation. 

 The muscular substance of the organ and its internal lining 

 membrane were alike free from organic change. A similar 

 specimen was, a few years since, laid by us before the Patho- 

 logical Society, and will be found published in the record of its 

 proceedings." 



The following case which occurred in the practice of Mr. 

 Williams, may also prove interesting and instructive to the 

 reader. 



"On the 16th of June, I was requested by Mr. Thomas 

 19* 



