24 
PARTURITION IN A VALUABLE BROOD MARE. 
compared with those of an abscess; for instance, the latter, 
which may have formed in the liver or mesenteric glands, 
or some other organ, may, when fully developed, like the 
former, become attached to some part of the intestinal tube. 
Here, when absorption takes place, the abscess \Aill discharge 
itself into the bowel instead of into the peritoneal cavity, 
which would most likely be fatal. This process must be 
considered as conservative of life, and it is one that is usually 
alluded to when speaking of one of nature^s modes of pre¬ 
venting serious results from the formation and bursting of 
internal abscesses. But with regard to the tumour con¬ 
taining blood, supplied from a large vessel, and its adhering 
to some part of the intestine (the same in that respect as the 
outer wall of an abscess), and finally opening into it, the 
effect on the animal economy would be just the opposite to a 
conservative process, for almost sudden death must inevitably 
ensue. 
This tumour was laid before the members of the Veterinary 
Medical Association, and the spirited discussion it brought 
forth indicated a strong desire to investigate morbid parts, 
with a view to obtain a correct knowledge of the pathology 
of the affection under which the animals whence they may 
have been taken was labouring. To carry out this object 
more fully much may be done by the members of the pro¬ 
fession in different parts of England, by their forwarding the 
morbid parts of such cases of interest as may either die, or 
be slaughtered, with the history of the most prominent fea¬ 
tures of each case. 
CASE OF PARTURITION IN A VALUABLE BROOD 
MARE. 
By P. G. Verney, M.R.C.V.S., Stow-on-the Wold. 
On Saturday last my attention was called to a valuable 
thoroughbred brood mare (Lady Bastard) the property of Sir 
Charles Rushout, Bart., of Sergoricote House. Upon mak¬ 
ing inquiries from the groom 1 ascertained that it was a case 
of premature labour, or what is commonly called slipping her 
foaly being two months before its time. Upon my arrival 
I found the water-bladder presented, and the mare was 
very much exhausted, having tried her utmost to get rid of 
the contents of her uterus. I examined her, and found an 
