288 
THE SEQUELAE OF CASTRATION. 
Sometimes the swelling was not so extensive; but then the 
symptoms of peritonitis were more evident; and the majority of 
these horses were likewise attacked by pleurisy and pleuro¬ 
pneumonia. 
On examination after death, when the swelling was very great, 
we found, as might have been expected, a great quantity of 
serous fluid, which gave a yellow tinge to the cellular membrane, 
which was otherwise pale and livid. In some parts there was 
infiltration of the inter-muscular cellular tissue, of the colour of 
currant jelly, or of blood which had stood in a vessel during 
some days. The inferior part of the cords was dry, easily torn, 
and of a grey colour ; a little higher, the tinge was lighter ; to¬ 
wards the lumbar region they were infiltrated with a yellow se- 
rosity, in the midst of which were seen patches of a brown hue. 
In the abdominal cavity there was always found a great quan¬ 
tity of fluid, especially when the engorgement had not been 
considerable. This fluid was turbid, bloody, or dark-coloured, 
and contained generally numerous little masses of yellow fatty 
matter, and which gave it the appearance of a mixture of wine 
and oil. Many parts of the peritoneum, or rather of the sub- 
peritoneal tissue, were red, both on the abdominal and pelvic 
parietes, and on the intestines themselves, and especially towards 
the posterior and inferior parts of them. There were no false 
membranes, and the intestines were generally empty. 
The pleural and pericardic cavities generally contained a se¬ 
rous fluid, analogous to that which w ; as found in the abdominal 
cavity, but less coloured, and that colour had relation to the 
state of the sub-serous tissue by which it was secreted : this 
tissue was more or less injected. There were no false membranes 
on the surface either of the pleurse or the pericardium. 
In general the muscles were discoloured and flabby, and the 
blood w as fluid, and of a very deep colour. 
All the symptoms which I have described did not arrive at 
their height without being combatted. The means which I 
employed were various. I adopted the antiphlogistic plan, w T ith 
scarifications, on the first twentv horses that were ill. The diet 
was restricted. Three or four bleedings of three pounds each were 
resorted to on the first day. The populeum ointment (of an 
anodyne nature) and emollient lotions were applied to the tumours; 
vapour baths were used ; warm and mucilaginous drinks were 
given, and emollient injections ; deep scarifications were made, 
and these numerous, and along the whole extent of the tumour. 
On the second day the treatment was continued. 
On the third day I bled twice only, but still, as before, taking 
three pounds at each time; otherwise the treatment continued 
the same. 
