A PROBABILITY. 
93 
much spoken of, known to them, from their readings, if not 
practically. Space forbids me to dilate at present on the true 
nature, on the explanation of certain of the characteristic 
features, and on the treatment of the malady. I postpone 
these considerations to the next number of this Journal 
16 , Upper Woburn Place. 
(To he continued .) 
Facts and Observations. 
A PROBABILITY. 
By C. Dickens, M.R.C.V.S., Kimbolton. 
My dear Professor, — The perusal of your analysis of 
the calculus connected with the interesting case reported in 
your last number, by Mr. Hutton, in which you found a nail 
as its nucleus, reminded me of an incident which occurred 
some two years since to myself. Its relation may not throw 
any light on past cases, but perhaps it may support that 
good counsel which you have given the profession ever since 
I have had the honour of your friendship (and for which I 
cheerfully acknowledge myself your debtor ), viz., the necessity 
of compounding our own medicines . 
Passing through a distant village, I was requested to look 
at a valuable horse, he having been ill for some hours ; I will 
not, however, occupy your space with the details of an every- 
day case : sufficient that I thought it essential to exhibit a 
cathartic immediately ; and not being provided with any, my 
client borrowed a dose of purgative medicine of a neighbour, 
who boasted of always keeping some by him, made at a 
druggist’s. The ball as obtained was marked six drachms. 
Four drachms being sufficient for my purpose, I proceeded 
to detach a third part, and in doing so I found a nail im- 
bedded in the mass, which is best described by stating that it 
resembled those I have occasionally seen in pieces of coarse 
canvas tacked on to the original gourds of Barbadoes aloes. 
This, doubtless, found its way into the mass through the care- 
lessness of the manipulator, and had my patient had the 
benefit of the full dose of physic, it is very probable imme- 
diate or ultimate mischief would have ensued, and it might, 
perhaps, have formed a nucleus for a calculus. 
