50 EXCISION OF A LARGE MELANOTIC TUMOUR IN A MARE. 
in those of a grey or white colour, and does not at first disturb the 
proprietor of the mare, for it interferes very little with her work. 
During the two last months that preceded the operation these 
superficial melanotic tumours began to soften, and, at length, be- 
came ulcerated. They secreted a black purulent fluid, of a very 
disagreeable smell. The excrement was evacuated with consi- 
derable difficulty. It was often necessary to soften it by means 
of injections, and they often failed. It was necessary mechani- 
cally to abstract one or more of the hardened masses before the 
bowels could be evacuated. The mare soon began to lose her ap- 
petite, and became exceedingly poor. All these circumstances led 
the proprietor to consult me. 
I saw her on the 5th of November, 1842 ; she was then in the 
following state : — She had possessed an excellent constitution, and 
more than usual strength ; but now was become weak and stag- 
gering — she was poor and tucked up. At the inferior surface of 
the base of the tail, round the anus, at the superior commissure 
of the edges of the vulva, there existed an immense quantity of 
agglomerated melanotic tumours, some in a crude state, others soft- 
ened, and some ulcerated. They formed a mass exteriorly of the 
size of two fists at least, and which kept the tail elevated. The 
margin of the anus, which was distorted a little to the left, was 
only apparent when we separated the most salient of the tumours. 
It was not more elastic and much less extended than in its natural 
state. 
By the simple exterior examination in feeling the tumour and 
endeavouring to compress it with the fingers, it was easy to per- 
ceive that the principal melanotic mass was very deep, and that 
it penetrated in the direction of the rectum, between that organ 
and the sacrum. In order to judge better of the size of the 
tumour, I introduced my hand into the rectum, but I could not 
reach it; I could introduce only the index and the middle finger, 
which did not touch the extremity of the tumour. These circum- 
stances were discouraging, but, in spite of them, I advised that an 
excision of the tumour should be attempted. I knew that I had 
much to fear, for all the horses that presented so great a quantity 
of melanosis at the exterior had ordinarily a thorough melanotic 
disposition to overcome. There was, however, no other course 
to be pursued, for the horse could not live longer in this state, 
and could be of no use to the proprietor. 
The proprietor having consented to the operation, the mare was 
conducted to my infirmary. After being prepared by a severe re- 
gimen during two days, she was operated on at eight o’clock in 
the morning. She was cast on her right side. I lifted her 
hinder quarters, and placed a thick bed of straw under her 
