ON THE DISEASES OF CATS. 
677 
by some of the muscles. I removed it, but I do not think that 
the optic nerve had been torn through. The cat for a little time 
afterwards appeared to be going on well ; but in the course of a 
month after I ascertained that she had pined away and died. 
A cat was brought to me a few years ago with a large fungus 
growing from the whole surface of the cornea, and which I was 
desired to remove. I accordingly had his legs and body wrap- 
ped up in a thick cloth, so as to prevent him from scratching 
(it is a good practice to secure them in a boot) and a surgeon’s 
assistant held him down on the table while I removed the eye- 
ball, which I shortly did : but “ lo and behold,” when we came 
to liberate him, “ the spirit of the beast that goeth downward” 
had fled. The cause, I believe, was from the person having 
pressed too heavily on him, for the eye was easily extracted, and 
the brain not at all injured by me, and the disease was but a 
mere fungous growth on the cornea. This case brought me under 
sad disgrace for a time with a very humane, well-intentioned lady 
of this town, who is a great cat doctor and fancier, and who had 
brought the cat to rue to have the eye removed. 
Soon after this the same lady took another cat, with a tumour 
on its side, to a surgeon in this town, for the purpose of being 
removed ; but ill-luck attended this operation also, and the cut 
died, and the consequence w 7 as the following letter to the ope- 
rator, from which you can imagine how he stood with her. How 
is it that the warmest and most kindly feelings and these fits of 
ungovernable and disgraceful rage can alternate in the same 
bosom ? 
To , Surgeon, Whitchurch . 
Sir, — You told a person a few days ago that what you did to 
my poor animal was necessary. You may well blush, and dis- 
own a deed that is unparalleled, that is not to be found upon 
record, or in the annals of history. Could you find no other 
victim to sport your wanton tricks upon but my gentle and beau- 
tiful animal, who had lain by my side and upon my pillow for 
eight long years ? What have I done and encountered with for 
you ? I have suffered, upon various occasions, the most painful 
anxiety for your credit. I have covered and concealed your 
errors, and rejoiced, yea, even triumphed, in your success. And 
is it thus that you reward my fidelity? You have violated the 
laws of humanity ! you have disturbed the domestic tranquillity 
of an upright family, who were your truest and faithfullest de- 
voted friends. You have rushed forwards, and with a rude hand 
burst asunder the sacred ties of friendship, and made a breach 
that can never be healed. You have unmanned yourself, and filled 
4 u 
VOL. XIV. 
