DEATH OF A HORSE FROM FEAR. 
263 
Brightii; for if oxidation be arrested at this stage, it is 
evident that nature will expel the obnoxious matter by the 
excretory ducts, and most likely by the kidneys, causing 
thereby the tubuli uriniferi to be plugged up, or cased over, 
with the same albuminous matter, as is found to be the case 
by microscopic investigation in this disease. I think this 
apparent cause is more in accordance with physiology than 
the one quoted by Mr. Percivall in his article on albuminous 
urine, in his work, viz., “ The non-assimilation of the chyle 
into blood, and so becoming obnoxious to the system, is 
excreted by the kidneys.” For seeing that the cause which 
mostly produces this disease is want of oxygen, from (in the 
human subject) sedentary habits and the too free use, or 
rather abuse, of alcohol; and (in the horse) want of exercise 
and ill-ventilated stables, which I consider tend rather to 
promote than retard assimilation; it appears to me that the 
albuminous effusion is much more likely to be caused by the 
stoppage of further oxidation of effete matter than by the 
want of deoxidation of sanguineous matter, as I believe all 
assimilation to be purely a deoxidizing process. 
This sta°e of disintegration shows also how serous effusions, 
as serous abscess, &c., should be treated ; for as albumen 
cannot be absorbed as albumen, should we not endeavour to 
reduce it to the state of albuminose, which is readily taken 
up by the lymphatics or capillaries ? And this desired 
change, I think, may be wrought by electro-negative chemi¬ 
cals, either those which give up their oxygen readily, or 
others whose affinity for hydrogen is so great as to cause 
them to be oxidizers indirectly, of which class I consider 
iodine and chlorine to be the chief and most efficacious. 
DEATH OE A HORSE FROM EEAR. 
The Lille journals state that a horse died a few days back, 
near that place, from a sudden attack of fear. It was 
harnessed to a cart, and was waiting at a level crossing for a 
train to pass, when, on hearing the noise of the locomotive, 
it was seized with a violent trembling in all its limbs, and at 
last fell dead. It had previously had other attacks of the 
same kind, although to a less degree. 
