EFFECTS OF THE PURGING FLAX ON HORSES. 
585 
Ectopia cordis may be internal as well as external, and the 
simplest variety of the former is where a displacement of the 
heart exists without any other deformity. 
“ Cases have been described by Haller, Sandifort, Mor- 
gagni, Otto, Breschet, Mollenbrock, Mohrenheim, Elvert, 
and others. 
“ A second variety of internal ectopia is, where an imper- 
fect diaphragm allows the heart to enter the abdominal cavity. 
“Deschamps ( Journal Gen. de Medecine, t. xxvi) mentions 
the case of a soldier where the heart was formed on the left 
lumbar region, an opening in the diaphragm allowing the 
vessels to enter the thorax to be distributed to the lungs. 
“ In the Philosophical Transactions 5 for the year 1789* 
Dr. Wilson describes a case that occurred to a child, full- 
grown at birth, which lived only seven days. The heart was 
found, after death, in the epigastric region, in relation with 
the liver.” 
(To be continued .) 
Facts and Observations. 
EFFECTS OF THE PURGING FLAX (LINUM CATHARTICUM) 
ON HORSES. 
A gentleman writing to us in consultation, and forward- 
ing a specimen of the above plant, informs us that a fine 
young cart-horse died after eating a quantity of it, the next 
morning ; and a pony belonging to himself in like manner 
had been poisoned by it, dying five days afterwards. Also, that 
another horse which had partaken of it, with difficulty re- 
covered from its effects. He found the stomach of his pony 
highly inflamed ; and prior to death taking place, the heart 
palpitated violently, and purging came on. The herb had 
been mown with the grass off a cricket-ground, and being 
allowed to lie and become partially dry, was in a withered 
state. It was also going to seed. Horses evince almost an 
avidity for it; but sheep refuse it, its bitterness being offen- 
sive to them. 
Similar instances to these have been communicated to us ; 
but it is somewhat singular, that botanical works and 
writers on Materia Medica simply describe it as a safe and 
effective purgative, and many regret its exclusion from the 
xxix. 75 
