462 A CASE OF INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS. 
the mucous membrane is imperfectly defended from the contact 
of the alimentary matters, whether fibrous, or, more or less 
irritating, or remaining a considerable time on that part : is it, 
then, irrational to suppose that these hairs were intended to 
defend the subjacent membrane from irritation and injury? 
We do not find them where there is either epidermis or tena- 
cious mucus. Perhaps also these hairs prevent the mucus from 
being rubbed off, and the parts beneath left denuded and sub- 
ject to injury by the passage of the alimentary matter — possibly 
also by the interposition of the hairs, the mucous coat is some- 
what protected from the chemical action of some of the sub- 
stances that are passing over it. 
We have no means of ascertaining whether the hairs of the in- 
testine are caduceous, like those of the skin, and whether there 
is a periodical moulting process. Reasoning from analogy, we 
should be inclined to think that this would be the case, and 
there are some pathological facts that render it probable. In 
many cysts, deep among the muscles, and at a considerable dis- 
tance from the skin, we find hairs that have been detached from 
their internal surface, swimming in the sebaceous humour which 
these cysts contain, and which have been evidently replaced by 
shorter ones implanted in the walls of the cyst. Professor De- 
lafond has told me that he has found in these cysts hairs which 
appeared to him to be the produce of several successive moult- 
ings. I have not, however, any facts to warrant me in giving 
a decided opinion with regard to this intestinal moulting. If 
the hairs are periodically detached, they w'ould be carried away 
and expelled with the fecal matter; and I could not, in my ex- 
amination of that matter, separate the true intestinal hair from 
that which had been obtained by the animal licking himself or 
his companions. 
Recueil de Med, Vet, Juin 1837. 
Although not perfectly agreeing with all the opinions of M. 
Maillet, we consider this a very interesting and important paper, 
and recommend it to the attention of the veterinary and com- 
parative anatomist. — Y. 
A CASE OF INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS. 
By Mr, W. Staveley, Roi/al Veterinary College, 
I lately was present at a debate on Puerperal Fever in 
Cattle in the Veterinary Medical Association, of which I have 
the honour of being a member. It was considered by the 
