On the Life of a Domestic Cat, 
381 
Her recovery was not expected ; but she did recover, pro- 
bably in consequence of the kind treatment which she re- 
ceived, for she was a favourite in the family, up stairs as 
well as down stairs. About a month after, a pistol bullet 
came away from her mouth, and this explained (as we 
thought) the wound which had been inflicted on her. 
Although she was restored to health, yet the power of swal- 
lowing was considerably impaired ; bones or other hard sub- 
stances were apt to stick in her throat, and on several occa- 
sions needed to be pulled away by forceps ; although she 
ate as heartily as before, she had frequently fits of a choking 
cough, which distressed her much. These latterly occurred 
during sleep, and roused her up : when the fit was over she 
went to sleep again. 
She gradually became thinner ; and as a proof of impaired 
health, no longer kept her fur in the beautiful condition of 
which she had been so careful. As another indication of 
ill health, she showed a fretfulness very unusual to her 
formerly, but very much like what is seen in invalids among 
bipeds. She expressed dislike to her kitten, and on its 
approach growled out her unmistakeable feelings. Soon 
after, one or more oval swellings were observed in the 
abdominal walls. I at first supposed them to be abscesses ; 
but they gradually increased in size without becoming softer, 
and it was evident that they were solid tumours. Her 
breathing became afi'ected, the respirations becoming as 
frequent as 40 in the minute. This continued during all 
the latter weeks of her life. She had cough, and the fits of 
choking were more common. She did not refuse food, but 
was capricious as to what she took. She came more fre- 
quently up stairs, not so regularly at meals, but at other 
times, as from a desire to receive help and sympathy. She lay 
on a knee or lap, preferring it to a chair or rug. During all 
this time her purring was constant. This is generally con- 
sidered to be an expression of quiet enjoyment. It was 
curious to notice it in this case, along with the hurried 
breathing. She died on 11th February 1866, having lived 
13J years. 
