189 
CASE OF ENORMOUS TUMOUR. 
lar sensation to that of the impregnated womb. When the points 
of the fingers were steadily pressed upon the parietes of this sup- 
posed gravid uterus, there was an evident though weak pulsation 
to be felt, and synchronous with the sound heard through aus- 
cultation. 
Examination per vaginam proved that there was no disease of 
the vagina or uterus, or cervix uteri : both these latter were indeed 
small, evincing no symptoms of relaxation. 
The body of the uterus could not be felt ; it appealed as though 
it merged in the tumour immediately in front of it. There was, 
and had been from the first, an extraordinary degree of flatulence, 
which kept the intestines in constant motion, accompanied by a 
loud rumbling noise ; both of which circumstances added very 
considerable difficulties to the examination. 
After a long and careful examination, Mr. Arthur Cherry came 
to the conclusion that he had every reason to believe the uterus 
was impregnated, had even passed the full period of utero gesta- 
tion, but that the foal was either possessed of exceedingly feeble 
powers of life, or was actually dead; that it was evident little or 
nothing could be done to benefit the general health ; the case must 
be left to its natural development. 
August Qth. — Mr. Cherry and myself made another examina- 
tion. The external appearance seemed to us strikingly like a 
mare in foal with twins. The general health had now become re- 
established ; the appetite was good, the pulse normal ; the eye 
and skin looking bright and lively. The labia were relaxed and 
tumid ; there was also a falling in over the sacro-ischiatic liga- 
ments : the mammae remained unaltered. The examination per 
rectum gave similar results to those before described, but that per 
vaginam shewed a marked difference. The os uteri was now re- 
laxed so that the fingers could be readily passed within it, and the 
tumour had become elevated towards the brim of the pelvis. 
General health and appearance continuing good, — to be kept quiet 
in a loose box, having a yard attached to it, and carefully to be at- 
tended to and watched. 
The mare was frequently seen after this. No great change 
however occurred, unless that the abdomen became rather increased 
in size. 
September 5th . — I was sent for in great haste, the mare having 
fallen down, and not being able to raise herself again, manifesting 
great uneasiness. All, hopes, indeed, of a successful issue being 
evidently at an end, it was thought she had better be destroyed, 
which on the 6th was done, and soon after a post-mortem exami- 
nation was instituted. 
VOL. XX. D d 
