268 
PROFESSOR SIMPSON’S CAUSTIC. 
The new caustic agent recently introduced by Professor 
Simpson, of Edinburgh, consists of an ounce of highly dried 
sulphate of zinc, mixed with a drachm of glycerine, and 
applied as a paste to the diseased part. It quickly produces 
its effects, and a few applications are deemed sufficient to 
effect a cure. One great advantage which this caustic is said 
to possess is, that it acts only upon parts denuded of cuticle, 
therefore the fingers are free from its influence. It has been 
successfully used by the human surgeon, but we question if 
it will prove sufficiently powerful for veterinary purposes. 
Of the efficacy of the chloride of zinc we can confidently 
speak. 
EOREIGN BODY EOUND IN A BULLOCK’S HEART AFTER 
DEATH. 
From time to time, we hear of remarkable cases of foreign 
bodies traversing many parts of the animal economy, being 
afterwards found in peculiar situations, and frequently causing 
little or no inconvenience during life. This case in point 
presents an example of this description. A few months ago, 
a stout, healthy bullock was slaughtered by a butcher residing 
in this town. On removing the thoracic viscera, a pack join, 
about two inches and a half in length, was found protruding 
through the substance of the right ventricle. On examining 
the heart minutely, the pin was found to have entered near 
the apex of the left ventricle, and passed completely through 
the substance of the heart, emerging about the centre of the 
right ventricle. A small, ulcerated spot existed in the ex- 
ternal wall of the right ventricle, where the head of the pin * 
was in contact with the inner surface of the pericardium. No 
extravasation of blood had taken place within the pericardium, 
the adhesive inflammation set up being sufficient to prevent 
such an occurrence. The pin was very much corroded by the 
action of the fluids of the body, and seemed, from its appear- 
ance, to have remained a considerable period in the animal’s 
body. — Lancet. 
