THE EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
165 
IV. — Cats. 
No. of Cases. Deaths. 
Ascites . . . . .1 
Rupture of Tendo- Achilles . . . . 1 
Total number of Cats . . 2 
No. of Cases. Deaths. 
Pneumonia . . . . .2 
Although many of these cases offered, during their continuance, 
peculiarities of character especially interesting and valuable to the 
practical student, and that might on that account be worthy of more 
particular detail, still, as this can scarcely with propriety be effected 
in an article like the present, I content myself with some remarks 
on a few of the diseases in general. 
On comparing the number of cases of disease of the air-passages 
with the deaths under that head it will be seen that the propor- 
tion of fatal cases is very small. Although several cases under 
the head influenza were, during their progress, accompanied by 
inflammatory action to a considerable extent, and involving the 
thoracic viscera, more especially the heart and its membranes, still 
it will be seen that we had not any fatal cases either from influenza 
or its consequences. This disease has been particularly prevalent in 
Edinburgh for some years past about this season, and during its 
continuance great liability or disposition to inflammation of a pe- 
culiar kind is manifested by the fibrous serous membranes within 
the chest, and, in consequence of this, involving the pericardium 
and proper serous covering of the heart, as well as occasionally the 
heart itself, and requiring a modification of treatment, which, if unat- 
tended to, was followed by much greater mortality. We have been 
successful in curing several cases of broken wind, some even of 
old standing, and great relief has been afforded to others. 
The greatest proportion of fatal cases has occurred in enteritis. 
Two of these terminated in rupture of the intestines, and one case 
ended fatally in a few hours: the inflammation in this instance ex- 
isted with great intensity in the mucous membrane. 
The animal afflicted with tympanitis died in half an hour after 
it was seen. Inflammation of the absorbents, and especially of the 
hind legs, is much more frequent than in England. It is accom- 
panied by swelling of these vessels and the glands through which 
they pass, rendering them perceptible to the feeling, like firm round 
cords accompanying the veins, and causing great enlargement of 
the limb with intense pain and lameness. These cases generally 
do well under proper management. 
