TUMORS ENCOUNTERED IN VETERINARY PRACTICE.* 
By H. E. Bemis, Ames, Iowa. 
It is the intent of this paper to deal chiefly with the clinical 
aspect of the true tumors occurring in larger animals. This ex¬ 
cludes tumor-like growths of inflammatory origin, such as granu- 
lomata, exostoses, etc. Tumors are of frequent occurrence in 
animals in this section of the country. Out of a clinic of twenty- 
seven hundred and fifty-nine surgical diseases, some form of true 
tumor constituted 27 per cent, of the cases. About one-fifth of 
tins number were of the malignant variety. 
Clinically we must distinguish between malignant and benign 
tumors. Malignancy is worked by rapidity of growth, the in¬ 
volvement of surrounding tissues, the tendency towards destruc¬ 
tive degenerations, and the formation of metastases in distant 
parts of the body. Epitheliomas, sarcomas, and carcinomas con¬ 
stitute the malignant tumors. 
Benign tumors are slower in growth, more regular in outline, 
remain more or less isolated from surrounding tissue, and are 
not apt to recur after removal. 
Tumors as a class must be differentiated from other condi¬ 
tions causing enlargements in various parts of the body, notably 
hematomata, abscesses and hernias. Hematomata are recognized 
by their rapid development, smooth outline and freedom of over- 
lying parts. Abscesses are marked by the presence of heat and 
pain, the characteristic heavy abscess wall around the periphery 
which may show fluctuation at various points. Hernias are 
usually reducible, in which case the diagnosis is easy. If strangu¬ 
lated so as to simulate a tumor in hardness, there will be general 
disturbance noticed. 
Since we have several varieties of malignant tumors and still 
* Presented to the Iowa Veterinary Association, Cedar Rapids, November, 1911. 
588 
