CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY. 
71 
lightness of structure. This should, therefore, act as a warning to 
all keepers of valuable animals, that the greatest care should be 
observed by them in feeding their animals from off a floor covered 
with saw-dust ; for the greediness with which certain animals, 
especially the feline tribe, devour their food, will, under many 
circumstances, give rise to a sudden inhalation of the particles, 
and which may be followed by a fatal termination as rapid in its 
course as in the case we have just related. 
In a medico-legal point of view we are inclined to look upon 
the above case as being one of very considerable importance to the 
veterinarian. It points out to him the necessity, in all cases of 
sudden death, of making a most minute and careful examination 
of every part and every organ of the body, previous to the forming 
of his opinion as to the cause of such death. 
It has occurred, and it may occur again, where a valuable animal 
changing owners has suddenly died, though in a state of perfect 
health previous to being sold, and when, from an imperfect exa- 
mination having been made, improper damages have been awarded. 
These cases of sudden death are too frequently looked upon as 
being the result of natural causes, or, in other words, from the 
previous existence and influence of some morbid state of one or 
other of those organs essentially necessary to life. Diseases of 
the nervous system, especially apoplexy ; rupture of some of the 
cavities of the heart, or of an aneurismal tumour in connexion 
with some of its larger vessels; cardiac syncope, produced by 
chronic disease of its lining membrane and valves ; hemorrhage on 
some of. the larger internal surfaces, or from some sudden effects 
produced by the previous operation of latent diseases, — by the 
existence of one or other of the most important pathological ap- 
pearances which usually accompany any of the above diseases, an 
opinion is too often, and perhaps too hastily, formed, as to the im- 
mediate cause of death in the case under investigation, and thus 
an improper verdict might be given in the case, if it happened to 
be brought under the scrutiny of the law ; and though I should not 
attach so much importance to cases of sudden death as to suppose 
that, in the majority of instances, asphyxia was the immediate 
cause, yet I should think it of such importance as to form one of 
those essential conditions that may give rise to a sudden cessation 
of life without the existence of any previous disease. 
