ENLARGED SPLEEN OF A HORSE. 
217 
The horse from which the spleen was taken we are told 
\vas very old_, and the largest organs of this kind that I have 
previously heard of were also taken from old animals. Never¬ 
theless this is not always the case; for, in many instances, I 
have found the spleen to be very small in old horses, not more 
than half its natural size, and its structure very firm. Mr.Perrins 
further informs us that for some time before this horse was de¬ 
stroyed the left flank became much enlarged, the two left legs 
oedematous, and the appetite much impaired; and further that 
loss of flesh had taken place to a considerable extent; also that 
haemorrhage came on from the nostrils, which, after a time, 
increased in quantity. I cannot say that I have seen this 
phenomenon myself, nor have I ever before heard it alluded 
to by veterinary practitioners. But judging from analogy, 1 
should think that it may occasionally be the case. I believe 
it is often found to be associated with chronic disease of the 
spleen in the human subject, as is also ulceration of the 
legs. Now, had the horse in question, been allowed to live 
and the swelling of the legs continued to any extent, I 
think it very probable indeed that ulceration would have 
taken place in this instance. These symptoms are dia¬ 
gnostic of disease of the spleen, and doubtlessly were so 
considered. I will now very briefly explain some of the 
most prominent abnormal peculiarities in this specimen. 
I have already alluded to its weight; its bulk can 
almost be imagined. It must, when in the abdomen, 
have extended as far back as the pelvic cavity and to the 
right side of the linea alba, thus, of necessity, displacing the 
abdominal viscera. It was of a uniform dark-purple colour, 
and its surface was quite smooth and even. Most of the 
enlarged spleens which I have seen have been more or less 
nodulated. Its consistence was peculiarly pulpy, and on 
making a section through any part of its substance the cut 
surfaces presented a mass of pulp of a reddish-brown colour 
only, which was very soft. No white lines, or spots indicating 
the existence of trabeculae, or Malpighian corpuscles, could be 
detected. A short time after a gash was made through its 
substance the space became partially filled with a reddish- 
brown, albuminous fluid, which had oozed out of its structure. 
I removed a slice from the organ about one inch thick and 
about four inches wide; this I had carefully washed until the 
whole of the spleen-pulp was removed from it, leaving a 
whitened network, formed by the trabeculae and areolar 
tissue. I was now enabled to form an idea of the size of the 
inter-trabecular and areolar spaces, and I have no hesita¬ 
tion in stating that, as compared with those of a healthy 
