CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY. 
25 
adopted its use (which I did as a dernier resort , and knowing it to 
be an absorbent), the animals certainly began to recover; at least 
all, and even more, than I then considered could possibly have 
survived. 
The toss was eight out of thirty-two. 
The symptoms and post-mortem appearances above-described 
being correct and unexaggerated, we may rely on their being those 
of arsenic absorbed by the system, through the medium of the 
skin ; at least such was my opinion at the time, and, since then, 
you are aware that there has not been any cause for changing 
our opinion. 
My letter has run out to such a length that I can only bid you 
good-by, and assure you of the affection and gratitude of your old 
pupil. 
C. L. 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY. 
By JAMES Mercer, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Sur- 
geons , and Lecturer on Anatomy, Edinburgh . 
PART I . — On the Morbid Appearances seen in the Skeleton of a 
trained Tiger, as explanatory of the Mode of taming these 
Animals. 
The fame which several daring individuals have obtained within 
the last few years for their power and influence in overcoming the 
feelings and passions of the most ferocious animals of the desert 
and of rendering them subject to their wills and the caprice of their 
fancy, have given rise to much wonder and speculation in the minds 
of the curious, as to how this “ lion-taming influence” has been 
obtained. 
Many conjectures have been started as to how this can be ac- 
complished. Some contend that it is on the same principle as that 
which was pursued by the celebrated Irish Whisperer; or that which 
is adopted by the natives of the South American Continent in the 
breaking-in and taming of their wild horses, by whispering into their 
ears and insufflation of air into their nostrils ; others that it is the 
result of emasculation or spaying in the respective sexes, by reason 
of which the animal feelings and propensities are entirely overcome, 
and, with these, the ferocious tastes and appetites of the animals. 
A third set contend that it is produced by powerful narcotism, fol- 
lowing full feeding previous to the public appearance of " the Lion 
VOL. XVII. D 
