648 SCOTTISH METROPOLITAN VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
When abortion and premature birth prevailed in the lambing 
seasons of 1869 and 18/0, I had numerous opportunities of 
examining the bodies of lambs. Many of them had been dead 
for a considerable time previous to expulsion, as shown by an 
advanced state of decomposition ; others were expelled soon after 
death had taken place ; some were born alive, but only to give one 
or two convulsive efforts to breathe, and then expire. In every case 
ascites was present ; in some of them the distension from this cause 
was very great. The want or absence of the liquor amnii was 
another noticeable feature, which led one very intelligent shepherd 
to remark to me that it seemed as if the water was all inside the 
lamb. All the bodies presented a very bloodless appearance. The 
placental membranes too appeared blanched and bloodless. 
What influences were in operation to cause this state of things 
was and is to me still matter of speculation ; for, as I said before, 
it was found occurring under very different systems of feeding and 
management ; but it may be remarked that, although no two of the 
flocks were fed exactly in the same manner, all of them in which 
abortion and premature birth occurred were fed very liberally. 
Gentlemen, in concluding these very desultory remarks, I would 
just say that when any calamity such as this comes upon the stock- 
owner he naturally looks to the veterinary surgeon for advice and 
guidance ; and it is when we are able to assist him to arrest or avoid 
it that we prove ourselves fit representatives of a profession of which 
it ought to be our highest ambition to become efficient members. 
However baffled we may have been hitherto, let us return to the 
inquiry, and we shall gain much that will be of use to us in practice 
and in the course of our investigations. 
The discussion which followed was of a very animated and inter- 
esting description, and was entered into by all present with great 
spirit. At the close of the debate Professor Williams brought a 
horse from the Veterinary College affected with disease of the heart 
for examination. The symptoms characteristic of this disease 
were so permanently marked that the members expressed themselves 
much indebted to the professor for his kindness in affording them 
an opportunity of examining such an interesting case. Another sub- 
ject was brought by Mr. Aitken, Causeawayside, Edinburgh, a 
cart mare, affected with paralysis of the gastrocnemii muscles of the 
hind leg ; the peculiar action of this animal was minutely examined 
and much commented upon by all present. Cases of the kind are 
of very rare occurrence, and Mr. Aitken was requested to report to 
next meeting how the animal was progressing under his treatment. 
A vote of thanks to the essayist and president terminated the 
proceedings. The next meeting was appointed to be held in August, 
when the Secretary will contribute an essay, subject — Bone; some 
of the accidents and diseases to which it is liable. 
James Mitchell, 
Secretary . 
