277 
Translations and Reviews of Continental 
Veterinary Journals. 
By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
Journal des Yelerinaires du Midi. 
IDIOPATHIC EMPHYSEMA IN NEAT CATTLE. 
By M. Lafosse. 
According to the author, emphysema of the cellular 
tissue has not been neglected by veterinary writers. But it is 
easy to convince oneself,on reading what has been written, that 
they only treat of consecutive symptomatic and traumatic em¬ 
physema. If they admit the possibility of essential, primi¬ 
tive, or idiopathic emphysema, none, as far as it is known, 
have given proofs of its existence. M. Lafosse, having met 
with three cases of this singular affection in a total of 16,000 
heads of cattle, gives a succinct account of them, with remarks 
suggested by experience, and the therapeutical means adopted 
to combat it. 
Etiology .—It has been found impossible hitherto to trace 
the cause of this affection. Neither the seasons, nor the 
diet, nor the service to which the animals have been sub¬ 
jected, can be considered to account for it. It occurred, in 
one instance, in an ox fed on dry food and green maize, in 
the month of October; in another, in a milch cow fed on dry 
provender and grains, in the spring; and the third was a cow 
in calf, fed on dry food in the stable and a little grass from 
the meadow during the day, she being turned out for this 
purpose. This case, at the time of writing this account, is 
still in the infirmarv of the School of Toulouse. 
During the whole time of the attack the first cow pre¬ 
sented no other derangement. The ox, on the contrary, had 
a slight attack of enteritis, but this disappeared on the em¬ 
physema declaring itself. The last cow was in perfect health 
before the attack, and continued so for three weeks after, 
when her health became slightly deranged, which might be 
attributed to the treatment adopted for the emphysema. 
Symptoms .—In the three cases which we have observed, the 
swelling began on the left side of the lumbar region ; cir¬ 
cumscribed at first, and afterwards extending to the quarters, 
the back, and the flank. It next spread to the right side* 
