RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 299 
signs of amendment succeeded the loss of cough, &c. The 
pulse increased, the weakness came on more rapidty, and she 
died on the 18th. 
On the next day a post-mortem examination was made, and 
the following were the appearances :— 
A man had already skinned the animal, and proceeded 
with care to detach the fore limbs, especially that on the near 
side; but nothing abnormal could be detected. The abdomen 
was next opened, all the viscera of which, excepting the liver , 
were perfectly healthy. The lungs were congested, especially 
on that side upon which the body had lain throughout the 
night previous. 
The investing membrane of the liver was opaque and 
thickened, and the substance of the gland greatly affected, 
about one half being congested and easily torn, large clots of 
blood falling from it. The other half was condensed, and 
its structure entirely destroyed. In size, the whole organ 
was about natural. The portal vein, about two inches below 
the bifurcation, contained something hard, which extended 
through the branches to the liver, and on being opened was 
found to be a closely fitting plug of lymph, some inches in 
length, and arborescent in its appearance. The coats of the 
vessel were thickened, and whiter than natural. Upon closer 
examination, the plug was observed to be furrowed by 
numerous small channels upon its circumference, and in no 
way adherent to the walls of the vessel. By this means I 
apprehend a small portion of blood only was admitted to the 
organ, not sufficient probably for its nourishment, thus 
accounting for its diseased condition; but it is strange that, 
on the other hand, no diminution of size was the result. 
In cattle, under such disease of liver, dropsy of the abdomen 
generally follows. No signs of it were manifest here. 
{To he continued .) 
