154 CHRONIC disea.se of the stomach and intestines. 
the pathology of the diseases affecting its various parts, more 
research and minuter investigations are called for, based upon 
a complete knowledge of structural anatomy and physiology, 
than, as far as I am aware, has as yet been bestowed upon 
them by the veterinary pathologists of this country. Much 
may be obtained by cultivating this comparatively barren field, 
and if we would do anything in our owm day we must put 
our shoulders to the w'heel in earnest, and faithfully record 
such cases as may from time to time come under our notice. 
While ^^e are recording them, it may be that many may 
appear not worth the trouble taken in writing them out. 
But this is a mistake. The day may come when some earnest 
worker in the field of scientific research will be ransacking 
the records of the past for materials to confirm, or otherwise, 
that which may take place in his day. Now, although we 
have as yet no record to refer to that can be relied on, cer¬ 
tainly no systematically arranged one, nevertheless, let it not 
be said that we of the present generation are altogether 
neglecting the opportunities that present themselves in doing 
something for the benefit of those who may follow us. I 
find, however, that I am digressing from the subject I set 
out with ; for which I must apologise. The observations I 
have made are intended as incentives to the junior members 
of our profession. 
Mr. Elam asks, first, w'hat is the nature of the disease; 
secondly, the cause that gave rise to it; and, thirdly, how long 
it may have existed? With reference to its nature, I shall 
merely describe the character of the lesions which present 
themselves, and not attempt to designate the disease by any 
particular term; and from this description an inference may 
be drawn as to the condition of those parts of the alimentary 
tract which I have had no opportunity of examining. 
Only a few inches of the oesophagus were left attached to 
the stomach. I have no doubt, however, but the wdiole length 
of this tube was more or less affected. Its lining membrane 
was very much thickened, and to a certain extent it was 
hard and stiffened, somewhat like a piece of old parchment. 
Its epithelial surface was rough, particularly in places, and 
partially covered with horn-like excrescences. Following 
the course of this tunic into the stomach, to the extent which 
it covers that organ, I found it presented the same abnormal 
peculiarities. In some places this hypertrophied condition 
w^as such as to give to it the appearance of being covered 
with warts. At other parts, this portion of the stomach had 
the appearance of simple abrasions, which had become healed. 
The posterior half of the stomach presented but few abnor- 
