254 MEMOIRS OF A veterinary surgeon. 
cerebellum, encroaching also on the central portion. That 
on the left side, the smaller of the two, contained nearly an 
ounce of thick pus. The walls of the guttural pouches were 
thickened, and each pouch contained a small quantity of 
purulent matter. On the right side, the parotid gland and 
the adjacent parts were much swollen and thickened by in¬ 
terstitial deposits of lymph, but presented no other lesions. 
MEMOIRS OF A VETERINARY SURGEON. 
THOUGHTS IN THE SICK BOX. 
By Thos. Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester. 
(Continued from p. 202.) 
Counter-Irritation. 
The conviction forced upon my mind by observation is 
not in favour of severe counter-irritation in these cases. I have 
never been clearly convinced of the correctness of the theory, 
“ that no two great inflammations can exist in the system at 
one and the same time; 55 but have constantly witnessed 
severe counter-irritation effected without the progress of 
death being checked in the slightest degree; nay, I have in 
several instances felt fully convinced that severe counter¬ 
irritation has in no small degree contributed to the loss of 
my patient. It has appeared directly to arouse the vascular 
and nervous systems, and, indirectly, by absorption to irri¬ 
tate the kidneys, bladder, and heart, causing confusion worse 
confounded, putting the whole system into a state of hos¬ 
tility that could very seldom be again tranquillized; but on 
several occasions, from the moment of the removal of the 
setons, rowels, and blistering agent, a perceptible relief has 
ensued, and ultimate recovery resulted. How often do we 
find that setons and rowels will not act at the time they are 
most wanted, viz., in the acute stage, and only begin to pro¬ 
duce the effect required after the danger is over, and when we 
could do very well without them ? 
I have endeavoured to clear this point up by putting to 
the test a strong cart-horse, aged, but in good health. He 
had no cough or disease, but was condemned in consequence 
of an incurable lameness in his foot, which had existed for 
several months. I put a rowel in his chest, two long setons 
in each side, and also blistered his sides extensively and 
