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NASAL POLYPUS. 
destroyed in 1845 for an incurable nasal gleet, there being 
some suspicion that he was glandered. On opening the nasal 
cavities, the polypus here delineated from the dried specimen 
was found between the turbinated bones, and closing the 
nasal area. (See fig. 1, a.) 
Although the tumour had attained a considerable size and 
firmness, there were no external signs of its existence, and it 
eluded the most scrutinising examination. The discharge 
from the nose was always great, and the impediment to the 
breathing considerable. 
The facts afforded by the history which I have mentioned 
in the foregoing pages, are all I have as yet had an opportunity 
to bring together, and I venture to think that the collection 
is not useless. It will now be my endeavour to glean from 
them, and from other sources, that instruction which is 
necessary to be possessed on such an important topic. 
Of the sixteen cases here recorded, none are devoid of 
interest. Thus brought together, they clearly prove that 
nasal polypus, though not a frequent affection, is by no means 
unlikely to happen, and perhaps several times in the course 
of a man’s practice, and unless he be master of the subject, 
they may cause him to commit serious errors. They most 
undeniably demonstrate that there are difficulties in the way 
of a correct diagnosis, and obstacles in the treatment, which 
need more than ordinary skill and tact to overcome. Thirteen 
instances have been witnessed in the horse, one in the cow, 
and two in the dog. It must not, however, be concluded 
from this that the horse is most liable to such growths, or 
that other animals are not as often the subjects of them. 
I shall now proceed to systematize our acquired know- 
ledge on the subject, and to this end these sixteen cases will 
largely contribute, if not form the basis of the following — 
General Remarks. — First, as to the word “Polypus.” 
It is a striking example of how happy the ancients often 
were in their comparisons. What could the nasal tumours 
be said more to resemble than those fleshy animals that have 
the power to fix themselves by their bases. There is, however, 
one self apparent difference, namely, that the former cannot 
detach themselves from their situation, but both can produce a 
watery current around them, the “ Sea Anemones” with their 
retractile tentacula, and the nasal polypi by ciliated epi- 
thelium, which is sometimes arranged on their surface in the 
most interesting manner. 
The intricate structure of the polypus in animals has 
never been studied ; but mucous membrane in man, and 
mucous membrane in the horse, is one and the same thing. 
