696 SYNOPSIS OF CONTINENTAL VETERINARY JOURNALS. 
the blood of horses affected with typhoid, in order to solve, 
by observation, experiments and analysis, questions which 
would enable veterinarians dealing with the subject of the 
alterations of the blood in typhoid to determine their probable 
causes, and the hygienic and therapeutic means which ought 
to be opposed to them. He submitted the results of this in¬ 
vestigation to the Academy of Sciences, and it was there 
honoured by a public acknowledgment ( citation ) at the 
sitting of June 25th, 1875. Among other alterations 
which occur in the blood during life, is especially diminution 
of fibrin, and after death acidity of the blood, which, how¬ 
ever, sometimes is neutral and sometimes alkaline. 
Microscopical Examination. —Different crystals have been 
observed in the blood of animals affected with true typhoid 
affections. M.Signol first pointed out this, but when the matter 
came before the Societe Centrale in 1873, a strong party, 
headed by M. Megnin , opposed this. “ These remarkable 
crystals are absolutely of no importance ; they are only a 
post-mortem effect. No crystals occur if the blood is kept 
below zero, for that, according to M. Pasteur, would ensure 
absence of putrefactive influence ; these crystals are not con¬ 
stantly present, but quite exceptional,” &c. In 1873 and 
1874 I found by experiment (1) that, whatever the time of 
year, whether the temperature was above or below zero, the 
presence of crystals is constant; (2) whatever interval has 
elapsed between death and the autopsy the blood contains 
crystals (even one hour only) ; (3) the method followed in 
collecting specimens of the blood showed that the crystals 
occupy different veins in different cases—most frequently the 
portal and subhepatic veins. In each case blood from 
twelve different veins was examined. From January to 
December observations of typhoid blood from horses were 
paralleled by similar researches with blood of dogs and horses, 
dead by other means; but the blood of the latter animals, 
“ whatever the temperature, contains crystals if the autopsy 
be made from ten to twelve hours after death, but none are 
apparent if it be made before ten hours.” In typhoid blood, 
on the contrary, almost invariably crystals may be observed, 
whatever time has elapsed since death. This proof indicates 
that the alteration which normal blood undergoes, in being 
converted into typhoid, is similar to that which it undergoes 
from the dissolving action of cadaveric fermentation during 
at least twelve hours. Experiments seemed to show that 
cold rather 'retards than hastens formation of blood 
crystals. 
Chemical analysis shows diminution of blood globules, 
