196 
CASE OF AMPUTATION OF THE LEG OF A COW 
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF iETHER. 
By Robert Dobson, V.S., Tranent, Haddingtonshire. 
On the 3d of February, 1847, being requested by the inspector 
of the Farmers’ and Graziers’ Cattle Mutual Insurance Association 
to examine a cow belonging to a farmer in this village, I accordingly 
went, and found the animal labouring under a high degree of 
symptomatic fever from disease of the hock joint, and much ema- 
ciated in body. 
Previous History of the Case. — Three weeks before I was 
called in, the cow was in good condition. On her turning lame, 
there was an empiric requested to attend, who blistered the lame 
part, and the cow got rapidly worse; when I was consulted. I 
ordered cold water to be applied to the same part every two hours, 
and fever medicine to be given. This treatment was continued for 
eight days, with no beneficial result. Finding the cow fast sinking, 
I pronounced to Mr. Girdwood, the agent and inspector of the afore- 
said Company, the incurable nature of the disease. 
Inhaling Apparatus.— I called on Mr. Kemp, philosophical 
instrument maker, Edinburgh, and ordered an aether inhaling 
apparatus upon the same principle as is used by surgeons, only a 
tube leading from the main tube with a branch to each nostril. 
Operation. — On the 15th February, 1847, in presence of 
several medical gentlemen and Mr. Girdwood, I proceeded to ad- 
minister the rnther to the animal. It was seventeen minutes before 
the patient was fully under its influence. The operation was then 
performed, with the assistance of Mr. Elam, V.S., from Edinburgh. 
No symptom of pain was evinced by the animal during the opera- 
tion until we were drawing the integuments together, which was 
caused by not having a proper supply of sether (the quantity used 
was only four ounces), and consequently by its influence being lost 
before the operation was completed. Little more than an ounce of 
blood was lost during the operation. 
After Treatment. — The cow was put into slings, and kept 
there for ten days. Cold water was applied to the part every hour 
for the first two days, and fever medicine was given. She is getting 
into good condition ; rising and lying down without assistance. 
Pathological Appearance.— There was coagulated pus 
within the capsular ligament of the hock joint, caries of the bones, 
ulceration of the cartilages, &c. 
*** Will Mr. Dobson kindly send us a description more in detail of the 
apparatus he appears to have used with such decided success? — Ed. Vet 
