188 CASE OF DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN IN A MARE. 
practical skill, discrimination, and persevering industry of our 
continental brethren in the pursuit of veterinary science. But 
the direct object of my present address is, to give vent to the 
feelings of admiration with which I was inspired upon reading 
the details of a case of Aneurism of the Heart in the Horse (in 
your periodical for February last), by M. Vezelisse, V. S. of the 
5th squadron of French Artillery; remarkable for the able, 
quiet, terse manner in which the case was described. In my 
humble judgment, I consider it as the model of an investigation 
or inquiry into the cause or causes of the sudden and unexpected 
death of a horse. 
I write thus, not only on account of the rareness of the disease 
in question, and not from the slightest acquaintance with the 
author, either directly or indirectly, but simply to offer my mite 
of commendation for his scientific, concise, and at the same time 
elaborate description—as including not only the abstract facts of 
the case, and previous history of the mare, but as having con¬ 
ducted the post-mortem examination like a man bent on deep 
research. Beginning well by inspecting the sensorium, he from 
thence proceeds to the thorax, and finds the cause of death suf¬ 
ficiently manifest in that cavity; but instead of terminating his 
labours here, affords us also a satisfactory description of the state 
of the abdominal and other viscera, thereby enabling the most 
sceptical inquirers of other countries, as well as his own, duly to 
appreciate the merits of his well told case. 
311, Regent Street, March 9th, 1832. 
CASE OF DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN IN A MARE. 
By Mr. W. A. Cartwright, V. S. 
On Friday, the 2d of December 1831, Mr. Powell, of Al- 
kington, brought his hack mare (two years and a half old) to me, 
she being unwell. She had had farcy in her hind legs for six 
weeks, but not badly ; and only shewed greater illness by refusing 
her food, &c. for the last day or two. She had been doing duty 
in the cavalry last October, for eight days; hard ridden, and fed 
very freely with new oats; and was supposed to be five years old. 
Symptoms .—Seems rather sore about the throat; but there is 
no swelling, nor has she any cough or discharge from the nostril. 
Hind legs swelled a little with farcy humours: will eat but very 
little; seems very weak, especially in her hind quarters; pulse 
quick, but very weak ; respiration slow. 
Treatment .—Powdered cantharides a scruple, yellow resin 
