674 
HYSTERITIS AFTER ABORTION. 
proper feelings ; and I assure you that I have long hoped to see 
the subject taken up by some one more competent, and of greater 
influence, than myself. Need I say, that there appears to have 
been a want of unanimity from the first, and that teachers, 
authors, and practitioners, in general, have been too much 
swayed by self interest. The appearance of your work, and that 
of your late contemporary, have been the means of bringing out 
many exceptions, and to them and you I take this opportunity 
of acknowledging myself indebted for much information. 
I begin by laying down a maxim which I have had by rote so 
long that I do not exactly know if it is my own, or where I had it 
from ; but whoever framed it, no one will attempt its contradic¬ 
tion, namely, that the respectability of the profession will depend 
not only upon the conduct of its members towards the public, 
but also towards each other; and that its advancement on the 
score of science, on a friendly intercourse and communication of 
knowledge, derived from experience, and which cannot become 
general unless our conduct is strictly honourable, or until we can 
state a difference of opinion without acrimonious language. 
My paper being filled, I must pull up; but you shall hear 
from me again shortly. 
HYSTERITIS AFTER ABORTION. 
By Mr. W. C. Dickins, F.S., Kimbolton. 
Feb. 12 thy 1831.—I was called to attend an aged mare that had 
received a violent blow on the face, in consequence of running 
against a post, the excessive irritation attending which had caused 
abortion. She appeared greatly exhausted, and constantly strain¬ 
ing behind; her pulse high, but very weak. The bowels being 
already relaxed, from living on tares, I administered powdered 
myrrh J oz. tinct. opii jj, treacle giv, boiling water a pint. 
I saw her again on the morning of the 13th, when she seemed 
much relieved, and ate a bran mash with a few scalded oats in it 
with avidity. At seven o’clock in the evening I was sent again for, 
the owner considering the mare as dying. On my arrival, I found 
the ears and legs quite cold, with^a quick fluttering pulse; the ani¬ 
mal throwing herself down, and rolling in the greatest agony, strain¬ 
ing behind much as last night. On inquiry, I could not learn that 
she had been seen to stale. I immediately removed the hardened 
faeces from the rectum, and found the bladder but little distended ; 
but thinking the neck of the bladder might be affected by conti¬ 
guity, I introduced the catheter, and drew off about three pints, 
which seemed to afford great relief. I repeated the drink, and ordered 
