VARICOSE POSTERIOR VENA CAVA. 
429 
would not be of any consequence, sent him to our infirmary 
to be examined. We found the appetite impaired, the 
animal looking dull, and the coat staring, but the pulse was 
very little increased in number, and normal in character. He, 
however, reeled as he walked. On the afternoon of the 
same day, we were requested to go over to see the animal 
as soon as possible, as he was scarcely able to stand, but stag- 
gering and falling about like a drunken man, and showing 
an inability to move his limbs — more especially the hind. 
The pulse was now a little increased in frequency and inter- 
mittent. As the bowels were constipated, a dose of aloes 
was given ; and he was warmly clothed, and well padded up 
with straw. 
As the horse was of but little value, the owner said he 
would not be at any further expense. We, however, visited 
the animal from time to time, until the third day, when 
he died. 
On the following morning, on making a post-mortem 
examination, we found the internal organs healthy, with the 
exception of the kidneys, which were slightly enlarged, and 
just anterior to the right kidney a tumour existed, three or 
four times as large as the testicle of a full grown horse. In 
fact it greatly resembled a testicle, except in its size ; but on 
cutting into it, it was plainly demonstrated to be melanotic, 
from the inky fluid it contained. Just at this part, too, was 
an immense sac, about two or three times the size of a child's 
head; which, on examination, we found to be the posterior 
vena cava, just after it is formed by the union of the iliacs. 
The coats of the vessel were seemingly very thick, but in 
reality they were very thin, there existing a deposit of fibrine 
in a semi-organized condition. 
The owner of the horse bought him about two years ago, 
and during the whole of the time previous to this occurrence 
he had been perfectly healthy.. 
Remarks . — I am inclined to think that the cause of the 
dilatation of the posterior vena cava was the pressure on, and 
partial prevention of the return of blood ; and that the 
paralysis was referable to the tumour entering the interstices 
of the vertebrae, and pressing on the structure of the spinal 
cord ; this acting as the predisposing cause. The exciting 
cause being work, or a sudden turn or injury to the loins. 
I understood from the attendant, that the horse had a 
peculiar manner of walking for some months previous ; 
ec seeming very weak in his loins," as he said. From this it 
would appear as if the tumour had pressed on the spinal cord 
some time before the final attack. It is probable that the 
xxxi. 57 
