SmiNG-ITALT-ITS DOUBTFUL PATHOLOGY. 
589 
disease. The nerves of the nigh leg were next exposed in 
similar manner to tliat of the off, with more care_, if that 
were possible. The scalpel, however, revealed no disease of 
the nerves or the muscles. For the sake of convenience, I 
divided the body at the last dorsal vertebrae, and then com¬ 
menced to lay bare the spinal marrow, which I did from the 
sacrum to the dorsal vertebrae. There was considerable adi¬ 
pose tissue in the bony canal, the theca vertebralis was healthy; 
a transverse section of the medulla did not reveal the puncta. 
I now removed the nervous mass from its bed, Avith all its 
branches, for future investigation. Our attention was now 
turned to the nigh hock, which shoAved no external indication 
of disease. On opening the capsular membrane it was found 
to contain a large amount of synovia. All the ligaments, 
including the capsular, Avere health}^ The tibia Avas placed 
in the position it would occupy if the horse Avas standing; 
on vicAving it in front, a ragged ulcer, Avith granular edges, 
could be seen on the astragalus, it extended a little beloAV 
Avhere the inferior point of tlie medium eminence of the 
tibia dips into the groove; the synovial tissue Avas deep, 
and but lightly covered Avith cartilage. I separated the 
astragalus from the tibia, and found that the ulcer had ex¬ 
tended the whole length of the groove, upAvards and back- 
Avards. It Avas granular and ragged; the other bones of the 
joint were perfectly healthy. None of the vertebrae were 
anchylosed. 
[On commenting on the above, it is necessary to observe, 
firstly, that the original communication was made to the 
New York Spirit.'] 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ABOVE. 
By Professor VAiinell, Hoyal Veterinary College, London. 
It requires but little reflection to perceive the advantages 
likely to accrue to veterinary science from members of the 
medical profession interesting themselves about the diseases 
incident to tlie loAver animals. That the veterinary surgeon 
should feel it a great privilege to be able to obtain their 
valuable assistance in elucidating phenomena AAdiich often 
occur in his practice, I think Ave must all admit; but at the 
same time I feel persuaded that the practitioner of human 
medicine may derive much that is valuable from investiga- 
