600 
p:xcision of the ribs. 
induration of the interlobular cellular tissue of the lung's. These 
alterations of the pleura and of the interlobular cellular tissue are 
co-existent; and if we recollect how great is the analogy between 
the serous membranes and the cellular tissue, we shall not, per¬ 
haps, hesitate to regard the pleurisy, which was the consequence 
of the injection, as the possible cause of the interlobular change. 
To these considerations we may add one more—the abundance 
of the interlobular tissue which exists in the luno’ of the ox, 
and also the extreme largeness of its meshes. Then, if the ana¬ 
logy between the cellular tissue is such, that we say of the latter, 
that they are nothing more than cellular tissue condensed—if the 
largeness of the meshes of that tissue still more increases this 
analogy in the ox—if, in this animal, the interlobular tissue and 
the pleura present similar lesions, under the influence of a cause 
which acts directly on the latter alone, may we not admit that all 
the causes which, in the ox, produce irritation of the pleura with 
effusion, may also be succeeded by infiltration of the serous in¬ 
terlobular substance, and thus unveil one cause, not yet suffi¬ 
ciently regarded, of the frequent serious character of pleurisy ? 
We are in possession of many facts which confirm this opinion. 
In conclusion, we request the attention of practitioners to this 
point, inasmuch as an alteration of the interlobular texture may 
produce phenomena which will mask those of pleurisy, and, per¬ 
haps, cause the real disease to be considerably misunderstood, 
and thus produce an erroneous diagnosis and an erroneous 
treatment.” 
[We have wandered thus far from our proper subject—the exci¬ 
sion of the ribs—and introduced these speculative opinions of 
MM. Dupuy and Prince because there is something very inge¬ 
nious in them, and the subject is not sufficiently understood : 
but our principal object in the insertion of this case is, to shew 
that a considerable portion of a rib may not only be removed 
with ease, but with safety, for a large opening into the pleural 
cavity was left unattended to for twenty-one days, and no 
serious inconvenience was experienced. The cow seemed to 
preserve her health and appetite to the last. 
The next case, recorded by M. Ollivier, was a successful 
one. Injustice to him we record it; but we confess that we 
do not like the use of the cautery at a white heat in order to re¬ 
move the diseased portion of bone. We shall by degrees limit, 
although we can never quite dispense with, the use of this rude 
and torturing instrument, the relic and the disgrace of former 
times.—Y.] 
