INTESTINAL CALCULI AND RUPTURED INTESTINE. 325 
far as it could, a peritoneal sac, by splitting up into 
somato-pleure and splanchno-pleure. The muscles developed 
fairly so long as they were independent of the central nervous 
system, but, failing the latter source of stimulation, de¬ 
generated. The nerves still earlier disappeared, for want of 
central connection. The blood-vessels, after the manner of 
these useful nourishment-carriers, adapted themselves to 
circumstances. A special part of the arteries (perhaps) 
developed red muscular fibres, and took upon itself the duties 
of the heart; but it seems that capillary influences in the 
tissues of the foetus and the foetal membranes sufficed to 
bring about the slight circulation necessary to the existence of 
the monstrosity. Thus, it seems, we can trace this perversion 
of development back to the early changes of the blastoderm 
before the production of the mesoblast. At that time some 
influence apparently led to the removal of much of the 
hypoblast, and of the anterior part of the epiblast, with 
obliteration of the primitive groove. This influence may 
have been pressure obliquely backwards and outwards on the 
area germinativa, perhaps as a result of development simul¬ 
taneously of another ovum, or from the twin foetus and the 
monster being produced from a double egg, the monstrosity 
being worsted in the struggle for existence. 
Respiration can only have been performed by the foetal 
membranes. Birth, therefore, meant termination of its ex¬ 
istence; of course, the monster could not breathe. Cutaneous 
excretion must have purified the small amount of blood 
present in its body. 
INTESTINAL CALCULI AND RUPTURED IN¬ 
TESTINE. 
By Samuel Gill, M.R.C.Y.S., Hastings. 
Having attended professionally from time to time a bay mare 
for the last three years for what appeared to be attacks of or¬ 
dinary colic, generally administering antispasmodic draughts 
during the repeated attacks, I have had the satisfaction 
again and again of affording her relief, and sending her to 
work for a few months. The last attack, in 1879, was ex¬ 
ceptionally severe; but after her recovery she again fed well 
and was put to her usual hard work. My last visit a few days 
ago was, however, the climax. I found the poor animal in a 
profuse perspiration, with a running down of the pulse, and 
in such violent pain that it was most difficult to get near 
her. Applications of mustard to the body, in addition to the 
Liu, 23 
