190 A CASE OF :\rETASTASIS OF INFI.AMMATION. 
3ij, nitrat. potass. Jj, ant. tart. 3ij, pulv. digitalis 3j, pulv. giyc. §j, 
divided into two powders, one to be given immediately, and the 
other in the morning, in a little warm water. The clysters and 
poultices to be continued, with plenty of warm water to drink, and 
mashes to eat. 
9tA.—10 A.M. Better. The bowels a little open ; but the pulse 
still about 60. The pulsation at the plantar arteries not so strong, 
and breathing not so quick. Continue the powders, but omit the 
aloes. 
3 P.M. —I visited my patient with the hope of finding him still 
better ; but to my surprise I found him rolling in his stall, looking 
at his sides; the breathing quickened; the pulse 80; the pulsa¬ 
tion not throbbing; the feet cool; cold sweats on every part of 
him. On inquiring of the groom what he had given him since I 
last saw him, he informed me he had drunk a pailful of warm 
water, and eaten a handful of vetches. He (the groom) main¬ 
tained that the horse was a great deal better; but unfortunately it 
proved the reverse, for he became worse every hour: in fact, it was 
a clear case of metastasis of inflammation from the feet to the 
bowels. 
I immediately ordered some well-boiled gruel, and bled him to 
the amount of four pounds. I dared not to take more, for the 
pulse faltered. I ordered opiate medicine, with plenty of emollient 
clysters; fomentations and stimulants were applied to the abdo¬ 
men, but all to no purpose, for he died between five and six o’clock 
the next morning. 
Post-mortem examination .—The intestines were inflamed. The 
peritoneum, particularly, was in a high state of inflammation, and 
easily torn. The thoracic viscera were healthy : the feet were as 
free from disease as if nothing had been the matter with them. 
Query, Were the vetches the cause of the metastasis 1 It was con¬ 
trary to my orders that they were given, but grooms, as we well 
know, will have too much their own way. Could the cold lotion 
have any thing to do with it ? 
[To the first query we answer unhesitatingly. No; and to the 
latter. Yes. The horse had five drachms of aloes in him; and 
a handful—and probably he got a double handful—of the tares 
would be sure to produce colic, and probably excite dangerous 
inflammation. There is reason to hope that, with the improve¬ 
ment of our art which is now rapidly proceeding, the empire of 
the groom in the stables of the gentleman will cease to be so 
powerful and so mischievous. 
We have had this letter by us several months, but the enve¬ 
lope which contained the name of the writer has been mislaid. 
