364 
CYNANCHE MALIGNA. 
the law, and whether the action has been brought within the 
time allowed. 
Objections have been made against the powers vested in 
the experts as they seem to be the real judges of the case, 
it being generally decided according to their report. 
In Belgium, Holland, and Rhenish Prussia, the law on 
redhibition is also the Code Civil of the Code Napoleon. In 
Germany there is a distinct law on the subject, the great 
advantage of which is, that it also specifies the defects and 
maladies which render the animal sold liable to redhibition, 
and fixes the period of return or the time within which the 
action must be entered upon. 
ON CYNANCHE MALIGNA* 
By W. A. Cox, Jun., M.R.C.Y.S., Ashbourne, Derby. 
Although pathologists may have questioned whether 
the disease designated diphtherite be more nearly allied to 
malignant sore throat than to croup, I consider the cases I 
forwarded to you an account of, for a previous number, 
belonged to the former rather than the latter — - -firstly , be- 
cause of the existence of ulcerated spots ; and secondly , be- 
cause of the fzcw-existence of a false membrane. 
By the term diphtheritis, or diphtherite, I understand a 
disease of the larynx and adjoining parts somewhat resem- 
bling croup, ending in the formation of false membranes ; the 
difference between it and cynanche maligna being the non- 
formation of ulcers. I have had a conversation with an 
uncle of mine, a surgeon, on this disease, and he is inclined 
to think it is complicated probably with croup in most cases. 
My father says he noticed a disease resembling croup a 
few years ago in the neighbourhood of Leek, principally 
among young stock, in which the formation of a false mem- 
brane took place, but there was no ulceration. A consider- 
able amount of external swelling existed. Many of the 
animals died. 
I inclose a letter from a medical man, Mr. Cooper, of Leek, 
an old friend of my father’s, on the subject. 
Dear Sir, — I presume the object of the veterinary pro- 
fessors in their desire to know something of the epidemic 
which has prevailed here, has some bearing on the lower 
animals. I will endeavour, briefly, to answer the queries. 
