WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 675 
Chemically considered tubercle, according to some authorities, 
is composed of nearly the same elements as protein, viz., carbon, 
oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen; and by Garrod it is said to be 
made up (I presume he speaks of the calcareous stage) of animal 
matter, chloride of sodium,' phosphate and carbonate of lime, and 
oxide of iron. 
Of the fluids of the body the blood is the only one shown to 
undergo particular change in this disease: its red cells are 
diminished, its fibrin and albumen altered in character, and either 
increased or lessened in quantity. 
Animals subject to Tubercle. —I will first premise that no 
domestic animal is free from this disease in some form or other, 
either idiopathically, hereditarily, or acquired—though perhaps in 
some instances the fact may have escaped the notice of observers. 
Horses, cattle, pigs, dogs, cats, fowls, the rodent tribe—all are 
subject to it. 
In an article in the Edinburgh Medical Journal for February, 
1867, M. Yillemin states his belief that dogs are not the subjects 
of tubercle unless as the result of inoculation. Birds he considers 
free from it. Both these are mistakes, and result from the want 
of opportunities of observation. I have seen it frequently in the 
dog; also a case in a young rook this last summer, and in a 
Cochin-china cock, the property of Professor Williams, which 
died at the college in J une last, and whose liver was more than 
half replaced by tubercles of various sizes, independent of several 
large masses between the muscular and mucous coat of the 
intestines. And Professor Williams has related numerous cases to 
me amongst canaries, &c.: to this I shall refer hereafter. A 
large tumour was forwarded to me taken from the pelvic region 
of a pig by Mr. Wheatley, Y.S., in May last, weighing five 
pounds, composed almost entirely of gray and yellow tubercle, 
with a few fibres interwoven, although at first sight it appeared to 
be a simple schirrous tumour. In this animal the mesenteric 
glands were considerably affected also. In rabbits it occurs to a 
frightful extent in some parts of the country, and I know from 
my own experience that in them it is capable of being propagated 
by inoculation. 
Amongst cattle, though of no breed or class can it be truly 
said that it is exempt from tubercle, the highly cultivated and 
distinct breeds are most liable, especially when exposed to causes 
favorable to its production. 
Development or formation. —How is it formed ? whence comes 
it P what is it ? are questions that have been often asked. One 
man will tell you, that it is altogether a miserable and pitiful pro¬ 
duction, another that it is a contemptible abortion, another that 
it is the lowest form of morbid production with which we aie 
