356 ON CASTOR OIL AS A PURGATIVE. 
In separating the colon from its attachments in the epigastric 
and hypochondriac regions, I experienced some difficulty, in con¬ 
sequence of large depositions of coagulated lymph. At that part 
of the colon where it is returning from the left hypochondriac 
region to that of the epigastric, where the gut abruptly enlarges, 
I found a knuckle of omentum about the size of an orange, film 
to the touch, and covered with lymph, adhering to it. On gently 
removing the tumour, I perceived an opening into the intestine 
into which I could pass three fingers. The omentum was ad¬ 
hering to about two thirds of the. edges of the wound, and I 
presume would have attached itself to the whole, had not the 
escape of fecal matter prevented it. , The edges of the wound 
were irregular, and the coats of the bowel much thickened and of 
a deep crimson colour. In the lungs, liver, and pancreas, there 
was some congestion, and the kidneys were paler than usual. 
After having ascertained the cause of death, I examined the 
parietes of the -abdomen over the seat of injury, but could not 
detect any marks of external violence. 
Now, Mr. Editor, whether the above disease was produced by 
an external agent, or by ulceration caused by the presence of 
hardened fecal matter fifteen days before death, I do not pretend 
to say, and will leave the mystery for the better judgment of 
some of your correspondents to unravel. 
ON CASTOR OIL, AS A PURGATIVE. 
To the Editor of The Veterinarian, 
Sir, 
ACCORDING to my view of medical practice, a case which fore- 
w^arns us of danger, and more particularly in any frequented course 
of action, is hardly less worthy of record than one which leads us 
to an improved and successful treatment: in this light appears to 
me the one I now send you. 
In April 1822, being at the time engaged in experimenting on 
the efficacy of various medicines reputed to be purgative, I ad¬ 
ministered to a horse (having a farcical affection of the near hind 
lee:) who had been prepared for the operation of a purge by 
mashing and the deprivation of hay, a pint of castor oil. He 
took his medicine about 10 o’clock in the morning, and at 3 in 
the afternoon shewed signs of depression, languor, and nausea, 
although the pulse had become somewhat augmented. Towards 
