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EFFECT OF OPIUM IN VARIOUS DISEASES. 
to the back of the fetlock and over the neck, so as to bring the 
divided parts into apposition. 1 also put on a patten-shoe raised 
four inches, but we found he would not stand on it, but knuckled 
over, and most likely would have injured himself, so I took it 
off. After this he was merely kept quiet, and on the 20th Jan. 
1841, was ridden out, and little was found to be the matter with 
him. He is now as well as ever, has been hunted several times 
since, and is regularly ridden. 
There was a case exactly similar to this when I was at the Col- 
lege last year, but how it occurred I do not know : it was sent 
out, after being kept there about three weeks as incurable. 
What became of it I know not, but I should like to be informed 
whether it ever got well. About the same time there was in the 
College a case of rupture of the lateral ligaments, or side of the 
gastrocnemius internus tendon where it is attached to the side 
of the os calcis ; and the consequence was, that the tendon 
slipped into the hollow, on the outside, below the os calcis and 
tibia. 
THE EFFECT OF OPIUM IN VARIOUS DISEASES. 
By Mr. J. Horsburgh, F.S., Dalkeith. 
I send the following remarks, in order to attract the attention 
of others with better opportunities and more talent than myself to 
the question, whether opium can be properly and beneficially em- 
ployed in the inflammation of organs or surfaces essential to life. 
The disease to which I more particularly allude, and in which 
its use would at first sight appear to be peculiarly indicated, is in- 
flammation of the mucous membranes of the head, throat, and 
lungs. I am not aware of this inflammation, having, as yet, 
been combatted by the use of opium, although I frankly acknow- 
ledge my opinion that it is likely to be found of the greatest 
value. 
In the latter part of 1840, catarrhal fever was prevalent in and 
about Edinburgh, and, I understand, was fatal in very many 
cases, one farmer having lost no fewer than seven horses. 
In January it broke out in this neighbourhood, and several 
horses died under the ordinary treatment. I had recourse to the 
use of opium, four drachms of which were given in a ball after 
bleeding until the pulse was affected. The animals were clothed 
warmly, and left without any thing else being done, except that 
