54 
DEATH FROM OLEUM CROTONIS. 
Observation . — It is possible, and even probable, that in these 
two cases the second dose was given too soon, and thereby the 
death of the animals was occasioned ; but this much may be 
said, that sixteen drops will not produce purgative action, since, 
in the first case, thirty hours had elapsed before the second dose 
was given. It seems that with the oleum crotonis, as with the 
aloe and other drastics, a great deal depends on the animal’s 
constitution, his age, temperament, &c. M. Einicke, for the sake 
of experiment, gave four drachms of the hydrarg. chlor. with four 
ounces of aloes to a horse in one dose, without the slightest 
effect. Six days after this, one lb. of sulphate of soda with two 
ounces of aloes were given to the same horse, which only ren- 
dered the faeces slightly pultaceous. To another horse was ad- 
ministered a ball consisting of hydrarg. chlor. Jj ss and aloes 
ifjss, which in the space of thirty hours produced such a violent 
effect that the horse was ill for three days, and ate nothing ex- 
cept a little hay. Whenever dangerous purgation follows the 
use of the abovenamed drastics, that produced by the croton is 
the most dangerous and unmanageable. In cattle suffering from 
obstruction in the bowels, M. Einicke has given the croton oil 
with the best effect, in doses from 3jss to 3jj daily, for six or 
eight days consecutively. 
ENORMOUS DISTENTION OF THE RIGHT AURICLE 
AND VENTRICLE OF THE HEART IN A 
TWO- YEAR-OLD COLT. 
By Stratman, V.S. First Class. 
[Translated by W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., Dockhead.] 
ON the arrival of Herr Stratman, the colt was stretched out, 
lying on its left side, but motionless. The information obtained 
was, that the colt had been bred on the farm ; that it never had 
been ill ; that it had been put to the plough for the first time a 
few days since, and had only been kept at it for short intervals 
in the morning. The servant had reported that the colt was not 
so lively, and had not consumed above half its ration of provender. 
About one o’clock, P.M., it began to reel about and fell down, 
but lay very quiet for a few minutes; then got up, when it was 
immediately sent to the stable : in going there it reeled about 
so much that it was difficult to keep it upon its legs. As soon 
as it got into the stable, it fell for the second time, and there it 
had lain ever since. On examination, the following symptoms 
