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A CASE OF INDURATION OF THE THYROID GLAND 
IN A COW, AND OF DROPPING AFTER CALVING. 
By Mr. J. Maclean, F.S., Jedburgh. 
An essay on tumours about the head and throat of cattle, by 
Mr. Relph, V.S., of Sebergham, in your number for this month, 
recalls to my mind the history of a case that may not prove un- 
interesting to your practical readers. 
The animal was a two-year-old short-horned bullock that had 
been purchased at a roup of farm stock for half its value, on 
account of an enormous swelling, with considerable discharge, 
that existed at the throat. His new owner was an extensive 
employer of mine, and called me in to explain the nature of 
the disease to him, and to determine whether it could be re- 
moved. 
I examined the parts, and informed him that there was indura- 
tion of the thyroid gland — that the enlargement could not be 
diminished, but must be removed by an operation. 
“ But,” says he, “ is there no danger attending it V I replied 
that there was, from its being in the neighbourhood of some 
large bloodvessels or nerves. “ Well,” he says, “ you must do 
as you think proper with it.” 
f obtained the assistance of some of the men, and had the ox 
fastened to the stake, and proceeded to operate by making an 
incision lengthwise, and avoiding the jugular vein. The owner 
stood anxiously watching our proceedings until the animal heaved 
some violent throes, when he left us to ourselves. I introduced 
my two fore-fingers and removed every obstruction between them 
and the gland, which was far too large to be taken out whole. 
I broke it down, and got it away piecemeal. I then inserted a 
large seton, which I brought out at the lower part of the throat, 
so as to make a dependent orifice for the matter. 
The seton was kept in for three weeks ; it was then taken out, 
and the parts healed up in four months. The animal was after- 
wards sold for twice the sum at which he was bought, being fully 
as valuable as any other beast of the same age. 
There has been much dispute as to the propriety of giving 
stimulants to cows affected with dropping after calving. I must 
say, for my part, that I have found the administration of them 
attended by a most beneficial effect. I have attended a great 
many cases in and around this district, and I think that I have 
not lost more than five. Most of these were complicated with 
