8 
PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE. 
volved the peritoneum, giving rise to the exudation of some bloody fluid 
into the abdomen. The internal organs were healthy, except the liver, 
which was engorged with blood, and its tissue disintegrated. The liga- 
mentum teres on the right, side was partially lacerated, and gave evi¬ 
dence of inflammatory action, as also did the crural nerve for some 
distance along its course on the same side. I did not find anything else 
to account for the symptoms until I had removed the kidneys, &e., and ex¬ 
posed the psoa muscles, which I found altered in texture, and of a pale, clay 
colour. It was this which led me to remove them, when 1 found the lesion 
as shown in the morbid specimen I have sent you. As you will observe, 
the medulla spinalis, as seen at the end of each of the bones, is normal, 
but I doubt not, in separating them, it will be found to be injured. As I 
said at the commencement, I am inclined to think that these lesions were 
the result of some sudden slip or strain, more especially as the fans of the 
cavalry saddle, which he had been used with the day the lameness 
occurred, projecting backwards, came just over the part injured, and the 
rider was somewhatheavy, and the horse weak. 1 should esteem it a 
great favour if you would kindly give me your opinion of the matter. It 
you think the specimen and history of the case worth laying before 
the members of the Veterinary Medical Association I shall be pleased. 
For publication it has scarcely sufficient interest, I fear. 
I remain, 
To Professor Vaunell. Yours, very sincerely, &c. 
At the time Mr. Walley was called upon to see the horse, 
which appears to have been on the second day after the affec¬ 
tion was observed, he informed the owner that, as the animal 
was young, he thought there was a possibility of his recovering; 
still, however, he was not at all sanguine as to the result. 
Such treatment as he deemed proper was resorted to, but it 
proved to be of no avail, for in a very short time so little hope 
was entertained of the animaPs recovery, that Mr. Walley 
advised the owner to have the horse destroyed. This advice, 
however, was not complied with, and the poor animal was 
allowed to wear out a miserable existence. 
It is a great pity that when the owners of horses or other 
animals are assured by those who are qualified to give an 
opinion, to the effect that there is no chance of a recovery 
from the malady they are labouring under, that they do not 
at once sanction their being destroyed. Such a pro¬ 
cedure would save some expense, and a great deal of animal 
suffering. 
The symptoms in this case were certainly diagnostic of 
pressure upon the spinal cord, or some similar lesion; and 
when such is the case, and two or three days have super- 
vened without any change for the better taking place, the 
sooner such horses are destroyed the better. 1 consider that 
Mr. Walley might safely have advised this course to have 
been taken when he first saw the horse; nevertheless, he 
