524 
HYDATIDS IN THE KIDNEY OF A LAMB. 
Communicated by IMr. Lepper, ^M.K.C.V.S., Aylesbury. 
The singular mass uhich I send, consisting chiefly of 
hydatids, ^vas forwarded to me by a farmer in this neighbour¬ 
hood, “ as a most extraordary kidney."’^ He stated that tlie 
other kidney was pretty much in the same condition, but in 
this perhaps he might be somewhat mistaken. The specimen 
was taken from a lamb about four months old, which was 
said to be in very good condition, in so far as flesh is con¬ 
cerned. At all events, the animal met its death by falling 
into a ditch, and not from the inroads of disease. I must 
ask you to excuse this short history, as my time will hardly 
permit me now entering into further particulars; never¬ 
theless, I could not resist the temptation of sending the 
specimen to you. 
KEMAEKS BY PROEESSOR VARNELL. 
It is by no means uncommon, as is well known, for 
sheep and lambs, as well as all other animals, to be 
affected with hijdatuU in different parts of their bodies; 
but I never remember to have seen any one of the organs 
of an animal, whatever its age, in which structure was 
so completely obliterated, as was the kidney of the lamb 
forwarded by Mr. Lepper. We And from the communica¬ 
tion that the other kidney is said to have been in a similar 
condition. The small portion of the organ which remained, 
together with the hydatids connected with it, formed a mass 
as large as a young child’s head. At the anterior part of 
this mass a small portion only of the cortical structure of the 
kidney remained ; but the arteries and veins belonging to the 
organ could be easily traced through the other parts of the 
specimen. The liydatul cysts varied in size, from that of a 
pea to a heiPs egg. Apparently they were all enclosed in a 
very fine thin membrane, and connected together by a 
delicate network of blood-vessels. I shall not attempt to 
give an explanation, either of their variety, the rapidity of 
their development, or their effects on the animal econom}^. 
but simply content myself by recording the case, believing 
that it may be of service, at some future time, to any one 
who is collecting facts connected with cntozoa. I cannot, 
however, close my remarks without thanking Mr. Lepper 
for his kindness in forwarding me so unusual a specimen. 
