ATROPHY OF THE LUNGS. 
251 
ward toward each ear, which the animals were prompted to allay 
by violently rubbing their throats along the top rail of the crib, 
from one side to the other, as far as the ties would allow of the 
movement, in manner somewhat like a weaving horse. When 
roused, they desisted for a short space. I now began to examine 
them more particularly, but could not make out any indication of 
constitutional disorder. From the repeated rubbing, the hair began 
to fall off, the skin looking very red, and almost covered with 
a yellow serous exudation. 
Mr. Sibley and I then had some conversation as to the nature of 
the malady. His opinion was, that they had been bitten by some 
venemous reptile, as the foddering-yard had very lately had a 
quantity of stubble brought into it. I did not fall in with his 
opinion, but thought it depended on some intense local irritation, 
which I admitted I could not readily account for. We, however, 
determined on giving cathartics, scarifying the throat and sur¬ 
rounding parts, and frequently washing the surfaces with vinegar 
and water. Two hours had now elapsed : the integuments were 
evidently more tumid, the detrition of the hair and cuticle much 
extended, and the skin exhibiting a deeper colour, approaching to 
a purple hue. There was no difficulty or noise attending the 
breathing while I was present. I left them, saying I would see 
them again the next morning. I did not get there till noon, and 
to my surprise they had all three died before morning; and such 
was the dread of infection, that they were all disposed of immedi¬ 
ately, so that I had no opportunity of ascertaining whether suffo¬ 
cation or gangrene had any thing to do with the cause of death: 
I could only learn that, after I left, the desire to rub became more 
urgent, and that the infiltration into the surrounding parts kept in¬ 
creasing. I was asked to assign a cause; and I at once said it 
was erysipelas, terminating in gangrene. Could I have given, 
under the circumstances, a more satisfactory explanation 1 
ATROPHY OF THE LUNGS. 
By Mr. S. Wheatley, V.B., Staindrop. 
The following is a case of complete destruction of the lungs in 
a mare, similar to one described in The VETERINARIAN of No¬ 
vember last, by Mr. T. Darby, Louth. 
This mare was purchased from a neighbouring farmer in February 
1839, and, never having been known to be previously unwell, was 
warranted sound. She was now used by a carrier in this place, 
to travel about eighty miles per week with a waggon. She was 
