SACCULOUS DILATATION OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 
There was scarcely any palpable displacement of the parts ; 
nor did the spinal marrow appear, on the closest investigation, 
to be lacerated, but was very much congested opposite to the 
fractured portions of bone ; which congestion, indeed, could 
be traced along the canal to the brain. A small quantity 
of dark-coloured serum escaped from the foramen-magnum. 
I regret that time did not permit me to continue the investi- 
gation so far as the brain was concerned; but the examination 
of the spinal cord was as satisfactory as circumstances would 
allow. 
I consider this case interesting in one or two particulars. 
First, from the unusual length of time the animal survived 
after fracture of a vertebra in a locality which, so far as my 
experience goes, is unparalleled, since a fracture correspond- 
ing to the respiratory tract of Bell is well known to produce 
instantaneous death in any vertebrate animal. The next 
interesting point was the small amount of blood poured out 
into the spinal canal itself ; though, taking into consideration 
the quantity effused into the contiguous parts, there can be no 
doubt that one or both of the vertebral arteries w r ere rup- 
tured, although I failed in discovering any such injury. 
Lastly, on removing the medulla oblongata from the foramen- 
magnum, the small quantity of discoloured serum which 
escaped, coupled with the congestion, evidently indicated 
the presence of cerebral inflammation, consequent upon the 
injury, which most probably was communicated along the 
membranes of the cord, and which cerebral inflammation, in 
my opinion, was the immediate cause of death. 
I remain, yours, &c. 
Nov. 17 th, 1852. 
SACCULOUS DILATATION OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 
By John Tekyll, M.R.C.V.S. 
To the Editor of ‘ The Veterinarian .* 
Sir, — T he following case is to me interesting and unique. 
If it should be considered by you of sufficient interest to be 
worth a page in your excellent periodical, you will oblige by 
placing it there. 
Sir, yours, &c. 
Nov. 9th, 1852. 
On the 28th day of February, 1848, I was called to 
Firsby to attend a five-year-old bay gelding, the property of 
