WITH AMPUTATION OF THAT ORGAN. 
(j 41 
ciently deeply into the vagina. I could not discover any tumour, 
nor any alteration whatever ; nor would this inspection have 
enabled me to recognize the amputation which had taken place. 
But when I examined the inside of her thighs, I observed a line 
three inches wide, from the vulva to the hocks, forming a kind 
of scar composed of urinary sediment, and the debris of hair and 
of skin, and which from time to time became detached, leaving 
an excoriated surface beneath. The urine ran almost con- 
tinually. 
The proprietor becoming annoyed and disgusted at her ap- 
pearance, sold her at a low price to a neighbour, which enabled 
M. Dufour to see her almost daily. The following was her state 
on the 1st of January, 1832 : — 
“ The thighs are a little excoriated — the vulva somewhat 
swelled — the urine runs only at intervals, but oftener than in a 
healthy state, and in a small quantity at a time. The mare as- 
sumes the natural attitude in order to urine, and discharges 
about half a pint at a time. The hair below the vulva is thin, 
and apt to come off, on account of the flow of urine over the 
part. The animal is very thin, but which is to be attributed to 
bad nourishment and excessive fatigue, rather than to her patho- 
logical state.” 
This case is rare, but not new, since, in the fifth vol. of the 
“ Recueil de Medecine Veterinaire,” a similar one is recorded. 
If a veterinary surgeon can be found at the moment of the ac- 
cident, or a little while afterwards, is it possible to reduce the 
bladder? Hurtrel D’Arboval says, “that the reduction is 
necessarily very difficult, perhaps scarcely possible, or, if it 
could be practised, yet highly dangerous on account of its pro- 
bable results.” Possibly the learned author of the Dictionary 
had not opportunity personally to examine any case of the kind. 
The case reported by M. Devaux, in this volume, shews that the 
reduction is possible. It must, however, be attempted before 
the swelling commences. It might, possibly, be effected on the 
following day, if rash and unskilful means had not been tried, 
and early and unnecessary thickening of the walls of the bladder 
or constriction of the sphincter produced. 
It follows, from these cases, that the bladder is not so sensible 
as some have thought, and that it is not necessary to life, since 
its amputation produces no other derangement in the functions 
of the animal but incontinence of urine. 
Mem. de la Societe Vet. du Calvados II, 219 & 252. 
