OBLITERATION OF THE ARTERIES. 
565 
and their branches. The vessels of the external iliacs, as sent, 
would reach as low down as the animal’s hocks. We are 
to understand that Mr. King, in using the expression 
“ the arteries supplying the anterior parts of the extremities,” 
means that the anterior tibial arteries and their branches were 
plugged up, and that those posteriorly situated, namely, 
the posterior tibials and the popliteals, were free from such 
obliteration. 
The coats of the affected vessels were slightly attenuated, 
and in consequence of this condition, the outer concentric 
layers of the fibrinous plug within was visible through 
them. The plug itself, at its superior part, was of a whitish 
yellow colour, but lower down the vessels, a considerable 
number of red particles were entangled in the clot, thereby 
giving to the arteries themselves a purplish aspect. On 
examining the inner surface of the vessels, their serous or 
lining membrane was found to be quite free from any direct 
adherence to the fibrinous plug, and which could conse- 
quently be easily removed, leaving the membrane in a normal 
state. 
In the Veterinarian for 1852, p. 270, et seq., a very interest- 
ing description is given of a similar case to this. The animal was 
brought under the care of M. Bouley, professor of pathology 
at Alfort, who was enabled from the peculiarity of the symp- 
toms to correctly diagnose the case. The horse was affected 
with lameness in the near fore leg, and nearly all the prin- 
cipal arteries of the upper portion of the limb were found to 
be obliterated, from fibrinous depositions. 
I am enabled also to add the following brief description of 
a case which occurred in the practice of Mr. George Austin, 
of London, to whom I am indebted for the particulars. The 
horse was about nine years old, and in very good working 
condition. For twelve months previous to his death he had 
on several occasions shown symptoms of disease resembling 
spasmodic colic, and had also been observed to be lame of 
his off hind limb. In August 1852 he was attacked more 
severely than usual while in harness, and so intense was the 
pain and lameness that the groom had very great difficulty in 
getting him home : in fact, the man thought the horse’s leg 
was broken, so little could he use the limb. Mr. Austin was 
sent for immediately, and on his arrival found that no 
abatement in the severity of symptoms had taken place. The 
breathing was very much disturbed : he was sweating pro- 
fusely ; his pulse was much accelerated, and marked indica- 
tions of acute abdominal pain were likewise present. Although 
the horse was in a profuse perspiration, the hind limb alluded 
xxviit. 73 
