132 
A CASE OF BLACK-WxVTER. 
the disease in the course of the day. From the purging that existed 
during the first two or three days, and the intense colouring matter 
in the faeces, one would be led to believe it Avas a bilious attack. 
It would appear that the secretion of bile soon ceased, or else 
was not conveyed into the intestines, as the foeces were only 
slightly tinged, and there Avas scarcely any bile to be seen in the 
intestines after death. There were not any symptoms of disease in 
the heart, and the owner said she Avould never fight Avith any cow, 
but ahvays got away as soon as she could. 
Whatever may be the cause of the black-Avater, it is very evident 
that after it has existed a short time it produces a most debilitating 
effect upon the system, and that most probably from the absorption of 
bile, but Avhether from the intestines or from the liAmr is uncertain. 
It may at times be either from the one or the other, or perhaps from 
both during the progress of the disease. In this case, from the 
great quantity of bile evidently in the intestines during the first 
day or tAVO, absorption may have taken place from the former, and 
perhaps from the latter afterwards. 
In this case, as in several others that I haAm seen, hoAV are Ave 
to account for the urine becoming clear, and yet the disease going 
on and producing death ? Is it from the superabundant quantity 
of bile being into of the system, and during that time irritation, 
disorganization, exhaustion, and death, are produced by the impure 
circulating fluid ] 
It is thought that, if the Avater is “ turned” all is right, and so it 
is generally, but not ahvays. So it is thought that, if the bowels 
can be Avell opened, Ave are certain of a cure; but even this is not 
always to be relied upon, as I have seen in many instances Avhere 
1 have found the contents of the third stomach perfectly soft and 
healthy. 
There is one very important point that is far from being decided, 
and that is. Is it an inflammatory complaint, and ought venesec¬ 
tion to be had recourse to] Mr. Simonds, of Twickenham, during 
a debate on the subject at the Association, offered some valuable 
observations, and Avas strongly in favour of bleeding; but I think 
the majority did not seem inclined to adopt it. 1 am sure in this 
neighbourhood people completely set their faces against it, and one 
hardly dares even try to it; but this is no proof that it ought not 
to be tried. The point is, as I said before. Does inflammation 
exist ] If so, we ought to bleed. 
Noav, in reference to the present case, ought I to have bled] I 
answer that, taking every thing into consideration, I believe I ought 
to have done so. There Avas great disorganization, of the liver 
especially, and disease in the fourth stomach, bowels, and kidneys, 
and all, most probably, produced by inflammation. In addition to 
this, I had a good constitution to work upon : but still I ought to be 
