A CASE OF PUERPERAL FEVER. 
285 
upon her abdomen, in order to prevent the functions of digestion 
being interfered with. A dose of the aromatic spirit of ammo- 
nia was directed to be given should any disengagement of gas 
take place from the contents of the rumen. 
On my second visit, three hours afterwards, I found the cow 
dead, the symptoms having gradually increased in severity. Pre- 
vious to death she had become completely comatose or insensible. 
The whole duration of the disease was but nine hours. Find- 
ing, therefore, that the case had terminated as most cases of the 
same description do that come under the notice of the vete- 
rinary surgeon, we commenced a post-mortem examination, and 
found not only sufficient cause for death, but enough to convince 
even the sceptical of the real seat of this disease. 
On laying open the abdomen, the peritoneal covering of the 
viscera was free from inflammation ; the internal tunic of the ute- 
rus was in the same condition as it is invariably found so shortly 
after parturition, being highly vascular, with a full development 
of the cotyledons ; the kidneys, bladder, liver, and spleen were 
healthy ; the stomachs perfectly normal in their structure, but the 
contents of the rumen were in a state of fermentation from func- 
tional derangement. On exposing the contents of the thorax, the 
lungs were found congested in a slight degree ; but the heart, & c. 
was healthy. In order to bring the spinal marrow fully into view, a 
section of the vertebrae was made. The cord, in its course through 
the lumbar vertebrae, was somewhat softer than natural, with injec- 
tion of the vessels. This considerably increased in the dorsal di- 
vision, and, at that part occupying the space from about the third 
to the seventh dorsal, the theca was completely filled with extra- 
vasated blood from a rupture of some of its vessels ; thus proving 
beyond disputation that those who consider this malady as one 
of the spinal marrow entertain a true view of its nature. 
THE VETERINARIAN, MAY 1, 1841. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — C icero. 
The Editor is requested to insert the following paragraph: — 
“ At a special general meeting of the Standing Committee of 
Veterinary Surgeons, held at the Imperial Hotel, Covent Garden, 
