192 
PERFORATION OF THE SCULL. 
The flaps were replaced and secured with a plaster, and it lay 
exhausted some minutes. 
A dose of spts. setheri nit. was given, after which it arose and 
walked to its stall. A few fever doses were administered, followed 
by iodine and iron, and the patient went on satisfactorily during 
the first week. 
On the 4th of March I found the heifer very much worse : the 
appetite and vision had failed; it stood hanging its head and 
pushing it against the wall ; and the pulse, which exceeded the 
standard in number a few days after the operation, was now con- 
siderably under it. 
Seeing the case altogether hopeless, the animal was killed. 
The head was cut up before my arrival ; but 1 found the wound 
was in a healthy state, neither were there any marks of recent in- 
flammation. The dura mater over that hemisphere displayed in 
various places ossific patches, and the interior of the lateral ventri- 
cle was lined, perhaps two lines deep, with a pale yellow coat, 
that gave out serum when cut. The interstices of the theca 
vertebralis were filled with fluid, and it was said that a quantity 
escaped when the scull was opened. 
The owner Vith great plausibility attributed the affection to a 
blow on the head, received at the pail when a few weeks old. 
Inflammation of the dura mater had been excited, followed by 
ossific deposition, and, ultimately, by local debility and effusion, 
that had gone on for many months. 
In December last I examined a yearling heifer, belonging to 
Mr. Ireland, of Hill-Top, that was found to present nearly the same 
symptoms as the last subject. It was noticed to hold up its head, 
and apparently feel particularly uncomfortable when exposed to 
the wind, and to move to the right side. No doubt existed as to 
the identity of the disease ; moreover, it appeared to be a favour- 
able case for treatment : and, having stated to the owner that the 
result of my practice was not very flattering, yet tended to shew 
that in many cases relief might be obtained, I suggested that a 
neighbouring farmer, said to be expert at this operation, should 
be called in to treat the case. Mr. Anthony Smith, from near 
Cross Fell — famous for its helm winds — an elderly Cumberland 
grey coat, that is, a class of men reared to agricultural industry 
and political independence on paternal estates, kindly met me on 
the 24th December. Accoutred with a hammer, a pocket knife, 
a leather-cutter’s knife having a square point and the cutting edge 
blunted near the angle, a quill to use as a probe, and another with 
the point sloped off, and the edges indented to use 'as a trochar, he 
proceeded with the operation in the following manner : — 
He dissected up a flap of skin, holding it near to the bone to 
