392 
A SINGULAR CASK OF FISTULA IN ANO. 
Remarks . — This animal was very high couraged, and, prior to 
her last owner, had been in the hands of a butcher, who, when 
he sold her (to use his own words), said “he had used her abomi- 
nably,” no doubt by urging her far and fast, and beyond her na- 
tural powers, and, possibly, giving her many a violent kick in the 
belly. Might not the increased peristaltic action of the intestines 
from the purge be the exciting cause of the disease that followed, 
and the diminished capability of supporting that action from the 
attachment of the caecum ] Did this produce chronic inflamma- 
tion, and, therefore, increase the adhesion] The purge acted 
well, and without any symptoms of pain ; but the quantity of food 
given after the physic was too much, and the animal taking no 
exercise, may not this, probably, be the cause of the unusual ter- 
mination of the case ? 
A SINGULAR CASE OF FISTULA IN ANO. 
By Mr. R. Rawlings, Bristol. 
Months, nay even years, have elapsed since I promised my- 
self the pleasure of addressing you, and adding my mite of prac- 
tical experience to the scrap which I sent to you on a former oc- 
casion. The result of close application and minute observation 
of the facts attendant on various cases of glanders, and others, it 
is my intention to send you, as my professional engagements will 
allow me. 
I commence with a very rare case of fistula in ano. I have 
never seen but one other case in thirty years’ practice, and that 
was cured by a solution of the lunar caustic and the chloride 
of lime. The following is a short account of it. 
About the middle of October, 1841, l was requested to visit a 
bay carriage-horse, belonging to a dealer in Thomas Street, in this 
city. It was said that he had a profuse offensive discharge issu- 
ing from a wound near the termination of the rectum. I saw him 
late in the evening, and pronounced it to be a fistulous ulcer, and 
directed that the horse should be brought to ray yard in the 
morning. 
On probing the wound, I found a sinus at least fourteen inches 
in length, running in the direction of the rectum. 
I decided on filling it with a solution of lunar caustic, with a 
pledget of tow at the orifice to prevent its escape, directing 
that the horse should be brought again on the third day. I then 
repeated the injection, which seemed so produce less pain than 
