273 
CASE OF A COW DESTROYED BY THREE PINTS 
OF VINEGAR. 
By Mr. Proctor, of Solihull. 
The subject of this misfortune was a cow, seven years old, 
and in excellent condition. She belonged to a gentleman near 
this place, who, in the hearing of Colonel S/s groom, signified 
his intention of drying her for feeding, when he very knowingly 
recommended the outrageous dose of two quarts of vinegar as a 
sure drying drink ; “ for (said he) it will dry all her milk up in 
a few hours.” However, when the two quarts were prescribed, 
the owner of the cow said he thought three pints of his vinegar*, 
which was very strong, would be quite enough ; and event- 
ually it proved sufficient for the object intended, and the de- 
struction of life too. 
The vinegar was warmed, and given to the cow at nine o’clock 
on the 12th inst., and she was then left. At ten o’clock the ser- 
vant saw her again, and found her very ill : he communicated 
this to his master, who thought that she might be affected from 
the vinegar, but that it would be of no consequence : however, 
the cow grew rapidly worse, and I was sent for, but was from 
home. 
I saw her at 5 p. m., being eight hours after the acid was 
given. On entering her shed, I found my patient breathing 
most laboriously : in this she much resembled a broken- winded 
horse. In fact, I for once could have fancied I saw a broken- 
winded cow. The respirations were not much augmented ; the 
inspirations were sudden and short ; expirations laborious, bro- 
ken, spasmodic ; her breathing loud, sonorous, groaning, and it 
could be heard at a considerable distance. She stood with her 
head elevated in the natural way : there was a peculiar alertness 
and anxiety of countenance ; nostrils distended ; she hoosed a 
great deal, and the cough was remarkably hoarse, sore, and in- 
ward, but much stronger than that of consumption. At times the 
tongue was protruded, and the mouth, which was often opened as 
wide as it could be, and with expanded nostrils, seemed not to 
afford a sufficient aperture for respiration. The pulse when I first 
saw her was quick, small, and irregular ; afterwards the quality 
* The proprietor of the cow told me that he purchased the vinegar six 
years ago, and that the person of whom it was bought promised to supply 
him with some vinegar as strong as it could be made. I saw a sample of it : 
it was of the colour and clearness of brandy, and excessively strong on the 
palate. 
