CPIRONTC DISE^iSE OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 153 
be numerous ulcers existing near to the anal termination of 
the tube, with some tumours, whicli I thought had mechani¬ 
cally interfered with defecation. 
The owner now informed me that he bought the pony on 
the 4th of October, and at that time, and for some weeks 
afterwards, it was very relaxed in his bowels, w'hich induced 
him to change the food from ground oats and bran to chopped 
hay and bean-meal, which he gave it in a dry state. This 
change had the effect of altering the condition of the bowels. 
The pony, however, did not look so lively, nor did it feed so 
well on this change of food as it had done before. 
The bowels being somewhat constipated, I was induced to 
give some laxative medicine, combined with a carminative, 
which had the desired effect, but the appetite remained 
fastidious, and pain was evinced by grinding of the teeth, and 
frequently pawing the floor. I thought it my duty at once 
to inform the owner that the case was a hopeless one, as I 
had reason to think that the digestive organs were extensively 
diseased. I, therefore, advised that the animal should be 
destroyed, as there w^as no hope of any real benefit being 
derived from medicines, or anything else that could be resorted 
to. The owner assented to this proposition, and after its 
being carried into effect, I availed myself of the opportunity 
of making a post-mortem examination. I shall not make 
any comments on the lesions 1 met with in tracing the course 
of the alimentary canal from the pharynx to the anus, but 
shall be pleased on receiving your opinion, after you have 
examined the parts I have sent you, as to the nature of the 
disease, the cause which gave rise to it, and how long it may 
have existed. 
I am, Sir, yours, &c. 
To Professor Varnell. 
REMARKS ON THE ABOVE CASE, BY PROFESSOR VARNELL. 
I considered the above case of sufficient interest to lay it 
before the members of the Veterinary Medical Association, 
to whom also the letter I received from Mr. Elam was read. 
During the discussion, many pertinent questions were 
asked respecting the nature of this unusual disease, all of 
which I was not able satisfactorily to myself, 1 confess, to 
answer. 
It must be admitted that we lack statistical information of 
diseases of the alimentary tract, so as to arrive at satisfactory 
conclusions; and I am also persuaded that to understand 
