TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 183 
normal, the pulsations synchronous with the beating of the 
heart; finally, that the jerking movements of the flank are 
intermediate of two pulsations, but equal in number. These 
cases were the first of the kind that had come under the 
notice of the author; they somewhat puzzled him, and fixed 
his whole attention. At first he did not know whether it 
was some grave malady or only a slight affection; but 
ultimately he came to the conclusion that it was possibly a 
nervous affection of the diaphragm, caused no doubt by the 
musty hay they had eaten the day before. How otherwise 
could it be explained that these two horses should have been 
attacked by this strange affection both at the same time and 
in the same stable ? 
Hypothesis .—If the heart is the cause, if it be palpitation of 
this organ, how is it produced ? It is certainly not during 
the systole of the ventricle, for the shock is heterochronous 
with the pulsations of the arteries and the bruit of the heart. 
Could it be produced by the auricular systole ? In that case 
we must suppose an obstruction to exist which prevents the 
ingress of the blood into the ventricles, either by the con¬ 
traction of the auriculo-ventricular openings, or some other 
mechanical obstruction, which would cause a reflux of the 
blood into the vena cava; but there would be venous pul¬ 
sations. Might it not be during the diastole ? This is not 
possible, as the whole cardial mass is then in a state of perfect 
quietude; moreover the imperceptibility of the pulse, the feeble 
beatings of the heart, the heavings of the flanks, the forcible 
expiration, do not indicate that the cause of this affection is 
in the heart. It is therefore reasonable to believe that it is 
a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, unless it can be 
proved to the contrary. 
Treatment .—An anodyne was prescribed, with low diet and 
rest, which soon restored the patients to perfect health. 
DROPSY OP THE AMNION IN A COW. 
By M. Gilis, Veterinary Surgeon. 
The subject of this case had been treated for indigestion 
from the 29th of October to the 5tli of November, when she 
was condemned as incurable. But before destroying the 
animal, the proprietor sought the advice of M. Gilis, who at¬ 
tended on the 6th, when he learnt that the cow was seven 
months gone in calf, and that a double gestation was suspected, 
on account of the extraordinary size of the abdomen; that on 
