182 SOFTENING AND RUPTURE OF THE LEFT KIDNEY. 
was ordered generous diet, and no medical treatment was 
pursued beyond the use of a stimulating embrocation, and the 
subsequent application of fresh sheepskins in succession to his 
back and loins. After the lapse of a few days, we fancied that 
the general symptoms indicated a slight amendment, and we 
were in hopes that Boxer would soon “be himself again;” which 
was much to be desired, as he was a special favorite with all, 
from his noble owner downwards to the least boy on the 
estate, and with whom, from his docility, he could safely be 
trusted; but on the morning of the 4th of February, he 
was found dead in his slings ; an event which seemed to have 
happened without a struggle. 
Post-mortem examination. — The pericardium contained about 
a pint of fluid ; the heart was pale, and its wails were very 
thin. The lungs were healthy, excepting a slight emphysema 
of the left. The stomach contained a considerable quantity 
of soft food ; its internal surface was very healthy, but its 
muscular coat towards the pylorus was so thin as to be very 
easily torn. The intestinal tube was normal throughout. 
The situation of the left kidney was covered with a mass of 
clotted blood, at least a gallon, and the structure of the organ 
was found to be so much softened, as scarcely to be recog- 
nised, while all traces of its membranous covering were gone. 
It was quite free from calcareous deposit, and had evidently 
burst from over-distension. The right kidney, when in situ , 
looked very healthy ; but, on removing it, its pelvic portion 
was found to be literally crammed to repletion with calculi, 
similar to those I forward for your inspection. They weighed 
at the least 8 oz., and the ureter also was completely plugged 
with them. The walls of this canal were so much dilated, as 
for it to readity admit, when emptied of its contents, of the 
passage of two fingers. The bladder, especially for so large 
an animal, was remarkably small. Its structure had under- 
gone no change. 
[ Description of the Calcareous Deposit . 
The calcareous matter, kindly forwarded to us by Mr. 
Dickens, exists in fragments, very irregular in shape, and 
varying in size from that of a pin’s head to a walnut. The 
colour is dark brown ; smell urinous ; by calcination about one 
half its "weight is lost, the residuum dissolves entirely in dilute 
hydrochloric acid with considerable effervescence. The 
solution rendered neutral gave an abundant precipitate with 
oxalate of ammonia. There was no indication of the existence 
of the phosphates. 
The inference is, that the deposit consists of carbonate of 
lime and animal matter.] 
