THE CONTRIBUTORS. 
603 
fessor Coleman embibed of the uncertain or injurious effect of 
mercury on the horse. The late experiments of Mr. Percivall 
prove that the system of this animal can be mercurialized in a 
much shorter time than is commonly believed, and that, to insure 
the good effects and beneficial operation of the mineral, it is by 
no means necessary that any considerable or dangerous salivation 
should be produced. 
The case of rupture of the diaphragm, by Mr. Osborne, is valu- 
able on account of the short period which intervened between the 
accidental rupture of the diaphragm and the death of the animal. 
In every case a cure of these lesions is out of the question. 
The observations of V. S. on “ Stable Treatment” are worthy 
of notice by the agriculturist. The food of the farmer’s horse 
might be considerably improved. Much danger might be avoid- 
ed, and yet little additional expense incurred. The abandonment 
of cattle to the dangerous management of the cowleech or the 
farrier is a circumstance that cannot be too forcibly exposed. 
Sufficient cattle are now destroyed by the different epidemics 
that are rapidly succeeding each other, without exposing them 
to the shameful ignorance and murderous practices of the igno- 
rant pretender. Much reformation, we trust, will now be effected 
in this respect. 
The paper of Mr. Page was accidentally mislaid. There is too 
much tendency to epidemic disease among horses pervading se- 
veral districts to permit us willingly to lose any assistance in 
conquering it. There are some valuable remarks in this short 
paper, and we should be truly obliged to any of our friends who 
will grapple with this important and fearful subject. 
Every improvement in the surgical treatment of the horse will 
be duly estimated. The division of the flexor tendon is an im- 
portant operation, and there are little differences of opinion with 
regard to the manner in which it should be performed. Mr. 
Charles Wills has our thanks 'for favouring us with an account 
of his method of proceeding. 
Next follows a case of tumour on the mesentery, by Mr. Mather, 
of Edinburgh, and a more important one of polypus on the heart, 
adhering to the tricuspid valve, and almost closing the right au- 
riculo-ventricular opening. Mr. Mather guessed at the existence 
