314 
AMERICAN VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
greasy discharge. Examination showed throughout its whole ex¬ 
tent an infiltration of pus in the form of numberless small pus¬ 
tules or abscesses, many of which had opened and were dis¬ 
charging. 
Symptoms of approaching gangrene seemed plainly visible: 
six inches of the end of the stump was congested, of a dark-red¬ 
ish coloration ; cold to the touch; sensibility not entirely dimin¬ 
ished, and with an apparently irregular line of demarcation of 
healthy and diseased tissue. 
At the end of the stump, the black, necrosing portion of a 
coccygeal vertebra protruded one and a-half inches. 
The disease seemed also to be making rapid strides anteriorly 
to other parts. The perineal region was swollen and softish to 
the feel, and lancing discovered a large pelvic abscess, opening 
above and to the left of the anus, the track being found with 
the probe to extend ten inches inwards and upwards into the 
pelvic cavity. 
In fact, the general appearance of the parts was such as to 
preclude almost all possibility of successfully coping with the 
disease. 
Treatment was undertaken, however, more as a matter of ex¬ 
periment and at the owner’s urgent request, than with any great 
hopes of recovery. 
The chief danger now to be apprehended was septicaemia. 
Temperature, 104°; pulse somewhat weak, but normal in number 
of beats, and respiration normal. Appetite good, and the dis- 
charge from the wound had so far been healthy. 
Two small abscesses near the base of the tail were also lanced 
with the bistoury, with a discharge of about two ounces of healthy 
pus, and injection of carbolic solution into the cavities. The 
parts were then thoroughly cleansed with the solution, and a pad 
of oakum and bandage applied. 
June 28.—Temp., 102°; resp., 20; pulse normal, full and 
strong. 
Appetite still good. There is quite an abundant discharge 
found on removing the dressing. The hair is commencing to 
loosen and fall out, and to facilitate dressing it was at once 
