280 
Pathological Contributions. 
EXTRACTION OF A NEEDLE AND THREAD 
FROM THE (ESOPHAGUS OF A DOG. 
Mr. T. W. Beach, M.R.C.Y.S., Leatherhead, has sent ns 
an account of a case in which a needle armed with a short 
piece of thread had become fixed in the lower part of the 
msophagiis of a dog. Four days previously to Mr. Beach 
being called to the case the animal had swallowed a piece of 
cheese wdiich had attached to it a needle and thread. He 
was presently seized with vomiting, which was associated 
with a copious flow of saliva and much restlessness. An 
examination of the fauces showed that the needle had passed 
much lower down, as nothing could be seen either of it or 
of the thread. Mr. Beach immediately constructed a probang 
of a piece of whalebone tipped with sponge and passed it 
down the oesophagus. The needle was caught by the sponge 
by gently twisting the probang within the oesophagus, and 
easily drawn up. The dog was instantly relieved, and has 
since done well. He was the property of Mr. T. Grissell of 
Norbury Park. 
IMPERFORATE ANUS IN A PIG. 
Mr. D. B. Howell, M.R.C.V.S., Reading, writes us as 
follows: 
On Sunday evening, March 7th, a person named Baker 
residing in this town requested me to look at a pig on the 
following day which was unable to void its fseces ; but, I am 
sorry to say, the animal died before I saw it. It was a young 
male pig, five weeks old, without any anal opening; not¬ 
withstanding which it had done well for about four weeks, 
when it had gradually weakened, and died after considerable 
suffering.” 
“The owner, on finding an imperforate anus, made an in¬ 
cision in the part a few days after the birth of the animal, 
but not sufficiently deep to reach the bowel. At the time of 
death the wound had completely healed and cicatrized.” 
Mr. Howell adds that he considers the case a very unusual 
