MELANOSIS. 
494 
there was a considerable deposit of lymph. I next cut down 
on the pelvis, the anterior portion of which looked rather dark ; 
and on cutting down in the same direction still further, I found 
a black spot or two. I then had the whole of the lumbar ver- 
tebrae removed, together with a small portion of the sacrum ; 
on examining which, immediately underneath the lumbar ver- 
tebrae, on the near side, I found a very extensive grumous 
mass, as black as your hat, which not only existed under the 
vertebra, but had insinuated itself into the spinal canal. The 
spinal cord was much wasted for a considerable space, and at 
the posterior part was almost absorbed, which at once accounted 
for the very peculiar action the animal exhibited previous to 
falling. Never having had the opportunity of observing such 
a case — which, I need hardly say, proved to be melanotic — I 
thought, as a rarity, it might be acceptable to you. With this 
account of it I have forwarded the vertebrae and a portion of 
the substance removed. I have no doubt now, that, when I saw 
the horse in January, the disease had commenced its attack, 
notwithstanding that he went on with his work after that up to 
the 20th of June. I must tell you, this was a very powerful 
grey cart-horse. There was not the least appearance of mela- 
nosis externally, so that I could only conjecture as to the nature 
of the affection, little expecting to find such a disease. I was 
very glad to have the opportunity of examining it, and that one 
of Mr. Henderson’s sons happened to be with me at the time, 
who assisted me in the examination. If the account is worth a 
place in your Periodical, deal with it as you please, and you will 
oblige 
Your’s, very truly, 
F. King. 
To William Percivall, Esq. 
*** The black “mass” alluded to by Mr. King appears to 
have been seated beneath the last lumbar vertebra and first 
bone of the sacrum, the surfaces of which are much blackened 
by the contact. From this part the disease seems to have 
made its way, through the foramina giving passage to the 
nerves, into the spinal canal, and to have there caused so much 
pressure upon the medulla as to have produced considerable con- 
densation, if not absorption, of it. — Ed. Vet. 
