TUMOUR ON THE OS HYOIDES. 
75 
The history of the case is briefly this : About two months 
since, I was called to see a gray mare, used for posting pur¬ 
poses, suffering from rather a distressing cough, which was 
purely laryngeal, and accompanied with sonorous breathing. I 
at first thought it a case of common sore-throat, but was 
soon convinced it was of a chronic nature. I gave a little 
laxative medicine, and ordered her to have rest and a mash 
diet; when, after a few days, her cough was less frequent, 
and she went to work again in about a week, but still the 
sonorous breathing remained. I diagnosed the case as one 
having some morbid growth in the vicinity of the larynx, 
which was probably a tumour, and that the chances were she 
would become useless. I also thought that possibly she 
might be the subject of melanosis. Eventually, I severely 
blistered the throat, but the animal continued to get worse, 
and was yesterday destroyed. She was about twelve years 
old. 
I need say no more, as you will see the parts. I send 
them more from the peculiar position of the tumour than 
anything else. Every other organ was perfectly healthy. 
Trusting it will not be altogether devoid of interest to 
you, 
I remain, 
Yours respectfully. 
To Assistant-Professor Yarn ell. 
OBSERVATIONS BY MR. YARNELL. 
The case referred to in the above letter is one of con¬ 
siderable interest, inasmuch as the symptoms during the life 
of the animal were ambiguous. And, although Mr. Shipley 
sufficiently diagnosed the case so as to justify him in having 
the mare destroyed, yet, its true pathology, or the cause 
which gave rise to the disease, was not known. I, there¬ 
fore, think, as the causes which impede free respiration ought 
to be as fully understood as possible, that this case is one of 
sufficient importance to merit a place in the pages of the 
FHerinarian. 
The parts forwarded for my inspection, consisted of the 
tongue, larynx, and os hyoides ; and it will be regretted, 
when the description of the disease with which these parts 
were affected, is read, that Mr. Shipley was not able to 
furnish us with an account of the symptoms which existed 
previous to his first seeing the mare. I dare say, however, 
that he had never before been called upon to attend the 
animal for this affection, or he would have mentioned it. 
