630 
COMMUNICATIONS FROM MR. KENT. 
The bay mare died on Monday evening, about a quarter past 
six. Five drachms of aloes were given to her at the same 
time as the other mare, which operated the next morning, 
and continued to do so to such an extent that wheat-flour 
gruel was given to her several times, also a drachm of opium 
in gruel. Upon being opened, her stomach, lungs, heart, 
and intestines were all found considerably inflamed. 
As some persons say the cause of death was giving them 
cold water, which treatment I have generally followed during 
the time I was with you and since, I shall feel greatly obliged 
if you will inform me whether it is your opinion that two 
small doses of aloes, such as 1 have stated, would have 
caused inflammation, and killed two horses, when only the 
bucketful of water was given them at night, and the same 
the next day ; especially as they were always accustomed to 
have water left with them. When I saw the medicine opera- 
ting, I took the cold water from them. Their thirst was in- 
tense. Please to state particularly what has been your practice 
as to cold water, and whether you ever knew horses die in the 
same state as described. They were never griped to the 
last moment, nor ever struggled. An answ ? er will oblige, 
as it will be a great satisfaction, both to myself and master. 
With best respects, 
I remain, your obedient servant, 
Zachariah Huggins. 
The stomach, w 7 ith part of the intestines, w T as sent to Mr. 
Herapath. I send you a copy of his reply, in wdiich you 
will see in the second of his “chances” that blame is throwm 
upon me. This I deny, as I consider their death to have 
been caused by something put in the balls. 
To Mr. John Kent, V.S., Bristol. 
(Copy.) 
Bristol; Semptember 12 th, 1857. 
Sir, — On inspection I found the stomach and intestines 
of your animal inflamed sufficiently to cause death. And 
this, connected with your detail of circumstances, leaves 
scarcely any doubt on my mind that the death w T as in some 
way or other dependent upon the administration of the 
medicine. In analysing the remains, I sought for all the 
ordinary poisons resorted to by the malicious poisoner; 
therefore, such as are sometimes the cause of death from the 
ignorance of a groom, and, also, such as w r e have means 
