POISONING BY SAVIN. 
135 
is quite consistent, in my opinion, to suppose that, in cases of 
sore throat, when the mucous membrane, as well as the other 
structures of the trachea, are inflamed, effusion from the 
engorged vessels, which ramify in the areolar tissue existing 
between the transverse trachealis muscle and the inner sur¬ 
face of the cartilaginous rings, would take place, and that 
this might degenerate into pus, thereby forming the nucleus 
of a large abscess. Nor do I see why an abscess may not be 
formed in such a locality at the time the horse is affected 
with “strangles” We are well aware that accumulations of 
pus often take place in different parts of the body in this 
disease, although the usual site for an abscess is between the 
rami of the lower jaw. The great difficulty of breathing, 
which was present in the latter stages of Mr. Stephenson’s 
case, induced him, it appears, to perform tracheotomy; and 
although it afforded no relief, it was nevertheless the only 
thing which he could have resorted to under such circum¬ 
stances. Perhaps by carefully auscultating the trachea 
throughout its length, the seat of the impediment might have 
been discovered; and if so, the operation would doubtless 
have been abandoned. The situation of the abscess, as shown 
by the post-mortem examination, clearly proves that the case 
was a hopeless one from the first. 
POISONING BY SAVIN. 
By Alfred Fuller, M.B.C.V.S. 
In the evening of December 20th, 1859, my attendance 
was requested at the farm of Mr. M. Shepperson, in conse¬ 
quence of a four-year-old mare having died very suddenly, 
and another being very ill. 
Upon arrival I found my patient—another four-year-old 
mare—quite prostrate, and seemingly in articalo mortis. I 
therefore declined to adopt any treatment, but directed my 
attention to the other horses, which at present had not been 
observed to be ailing. These I found giving indications of 
disturbed health, and in the course of a short time the follow- 
ingsymptoms were present,to a greater or lessextent, inmostof 
them: A heavy, languid appearance ; tucked-up flank; appetite 
not much impaired, but an inability of gathering the food and 
swallowing it. An increased secretion of saliva existed, and 
