140 
DISEASE OF THE SPLEEN IN CATTLE. 
animal from its attacks, especially when weak and in low 
condition. 
Local dropsy of the cellular membrane, and particularly 
that enlargement beneath the thorax which has the strange 
appellation, in some parts of the kingdom, of “ feltoric/’ has 
none of the characteristics of real farcy ; it is general debility, 
to a greater or less degree, and not inflammation of the 
absorbents. Youatt says that if properly treated it soon dis- 
appears, except that occasionally, at the close of some serious 
disease, it indicates a breaking up of the constitution ; but he 
never once hints at any particular mode of treatment. The 
fact is, it is very difficult to manage, and in some counties it 
proves very fatal, therefore I think there is still much to learn 
respecting it. 
Should you think this communication merits a place in the 
Veterinarian , possibly it may meet the eye of some talented 
veterinary surgeon who will not think it beneath him to enter 
more fully into the nature, causes, and treatment of this 
disease. 
I am, gentlemen, 
Yours obediently. 
DISEASE OF THE SPLEEN IN CATTLE. 
By B. P. Foster, Spalding. 
On the 24th of August last I was sent for to examine a 
bullock that had died very suddenly, it being found dead in 
the morning, and this being the second that had so died 
wuthin two or three days, and that without any symptoms of 
illness being manifested, the owner was anxious to ascertain, 
if possible, the cause of death. 
Post-mortem appearances . — Upon laying open the cavity of 
the abdomen, the intestines and internal organs generally 
presented the appearance of being spotted with blood, and, 
indeed, I at first thought this was the case, arising from the 
rupture of some vessel ; but upon trying to scrape the spots off, 
I found they were covered with a thin membrane, and con- 
sisted of extravasated blood. The intestines otherwise w ere 
healthy, except in one place, which I shall notice hereafter. 
The lungs were gorged with blood. The cavities of the heart 
contained no coagulum, and but a very small quantity of 
blood in a semifluid state. The auricles on their superior 
surface showed some patches of black extravasated blood. 
