ABDOMINAL TUMOUR, WITH ASCITES. 
653 
ray and with oil of the liver of the common cod. Neither does it 
distinguish good cod-liver oil from bad, for it produces its charac¬ 
teristic re-action both with common brown cod-oil, and with the 
finest and palest qualities. But it serves to distinguish oil pro¬ 
cured from the liver, from oil obtained from other parts of the 
animal. 
Abdominal Tumour, with Ascites. 
The following singular case of abdominal disease in a mare 
lately came under the observation of Messrs. Chalmers, Y.S., Tar- 
ves, and Cuming, Y.S., Ellon ; and from the rarity of such a case 
in the horse, is considered deserving of being recorded. 
A small black cart mare, aged ten, the property of, and bred by 
Mr. Skinner, Aquheedly, parish of Tarves, was observed, about the 
10th of November last, to be out of her usual way: considerable 
depression and loathing of food, with slight enlargement of the ab¬ 
domen, were the chief noticeable symptoms. She was ordered 
soft food and a dose of physic, with rest for a few days. No amend¬ 
ment following this, and the abdominal enlargement becoming 
greater, dropsy was suspected, and on the 20th she was carefu’ly 
examined for the symptoms of this disease. The mouth was 
slightly hot and clammy—general expression of countenance lan¬ 
guid—pulse 72, small and weak at the jaw, but the heart beating 
rather strongly and regular—ears and extremities cold—belly large, 
and fluctuation of liquid, by lateral pressure, perceptible—bowels 
confined — urine usual—appetite fastidious. Examination was 
made per rectum, and a large mass or tumour found adherent to 
the internal wall of the abdomen, in the left lumbar region, its 
upper border being about as high as the points of the transverse 
spines of the lumbar vertebra; while its lower border, which was 
irregular in outline, seemed to hang loose in the belly. The bulk of 
the tumour occupying the region of the side, its anterior edge could 
not be reached by the hand thus introduced, but the size was, appa¬ 
rently, about that of a human head, while its structure seemed dense 
and compact, with slight pulsation here and there on its surface. 
The presence of fluid in the abdomen was with certainty ascertained 
by its resistance to the hand, when introduced to the extent of the 
arm into the rectum. The diagnosis given was, that the dropsical 
effusion in the abdomen was in some way connected with peritoneal 
irritation, caused by the presence of the tumour, and the prognosis 
unfavourable. The only treatment attempted was a combination 
of tonic and diuretic medicine, with the intent of lessening the 
ascites and improving the general health. The animal, however, 
