was not so much affected, but coated with the same inspissated

mucus.

May 3d. The cat and dog are apparently quite well.

Two rabbits were setoned in a similar manner to those above described, in order to see how far such an operation might be connected with their disease and death. The setons were removed after being in the same length of time as the others.

8th. No symptoms of illness arising from the above experiments have yet been observed in either rabbit.

Before this day two other rabbits were inoculated by the same means, using the saliva of a healthy sheep; but not one unfavourable symptom followed, and they are now in a state of apparent health.

We leave those experiments to speak for themselves.

We have not been so successful in ascertaining the nature of the powder Mr. Mannington has sent us as he was with the liquid, respecting which little doubt can rest on the mind of its being what he states. This will not appear so surprising when we state that the weight of the powder is only two grains and a half. It has no odour, a sweet taste, leaves no impression on the palate, and has the appearance of dirty pulverized white sugar, of which it is principally constituted; for heat causes it to swell up and blacken, when it gives off the characteristic smell of burning sugar. Dissolved in distilled water, neither the hydrosulphate of ammonia, nor the iodide of potassium, nor the nitrate of silver, gave indication of any mineral substance being present. The galvanic circle was also equally ineffectual. It may be one of the vegetable alkaloids; as strychnia, atropia, veratria, &c.; but since homoopathists deal in the decillionth of a grain as their dose of a therapeutic agent, which they obtain by division and subdivision with sugar until they have this portion remaining in a given quantity of the powder, by chemical re-agents we can hardly hope to prove its existence, even were we in possession of certain tests by which these very active substances may at all times be demonstrated.]

CASE OF OPEN PAROTID DUCT IN A Cow.

By Mr. J. M. LEECH, M.R.C.V.S.

Dear Sirs,-If you think the following case worthy of a place in THE VETERINARY RECORD, you will oblige by its insertion Ashbourne. Your old pupil, &c.

On the 23d April last, I was requested by one of our employers to see a short-horned cow that had received an injury from the horn of another cow. The messenger who came stated that there

was a small hole on the side of the face, from which water issued. Upon my arrival I found, as the person had described, a small wound upon the side of the face, situated about four inches superiorly and anteriorly to the angle of the posterior maxillary bone, causing a division of the parotid duct, from which was issuing a large quantity of saliva. The whole of the fluid did not escape by the external orifice, but a large quantity had infiltrated itself into the cellular structure of the cheek, causing considerable and frightful swelling of the parts. The cow in every other respect seemed in perfect health. I at first thought it advisable to have the animal destroyed; for when we take into consideration the size of the duct and the function over which it presides, it appeared almost a hopeless task to attempt a cure, since the quantity of saliva secreted in this class of animals is very great, so as to enable them to perform the process of rumination healthfully. But my employer wished me to do something for the animal; and I at first thought of cutting down upon the duct and injecting some caustic agent, so as to destroy the secreting power of the gland, similar to what has been tried upon the horse. Yet this, in my mind, did not seem a plan at all feasible, or calculated to restore the cow to her pristine condition, which I inferred would become impaired by the want of action in this gland. The next question which arose in my mind was, Can we by any means give a certain amount of pressure to the side of the duct, which would cause inflammation to be set up, and, as a consequence of this, we may expect that the process of granu

lation will take place, whereby the opening might possibly become closed? This plan we determined to adopt, as being likely to effect our desired object. It was performed in the following manner :-A circular piece of leather was obtained, about the size of a crown piece, and the external wound was slightly enlarged, so as to allow of its introduction. This was then placed over the divided duct, and upon the outer surface a large quantity of tow was laid; the edges of the wound were then brought together by means of sutures passed through the skin, which was the whole of the surgical treatment adopted that day. A dose of aperient medicine was given, the animal ordered slop diet, and to be kept in a state of perfect quietude.

On the next day the external swelling was considerably increased, so much so, that a portion of the animal's horn had to be removed to prevent pressure. Rumination and the secretion of milk were not at all interfered with. During the three following days the swelling gradually became less, and at the end of the seventh day we deemed it advisable to open the wound and remove the piece of leather. Pressing against that side of the leather which was in contact with the duct was a cluster of beautiful granulations: thus were our expectations more than realized, and assurance given of the successful issue of this singular case. The external wound was then dressed in the ordinary way, from which there issued a small quantity of laudable pus; and in a few days afterwards the animal was discharged cured.

I saw the owner last week, and he tells me that the cow is now as well as ever she was in her life, and performs all her functions regularly, as if nothing had ever happened.

This case will, I believe, be the first published in THE VETERINARY RECORD. It is not only remarkable for its pathological character, but also in a physiological point of view; for I was enabled to measure the amount of saliva which was secreted per minute by collecting it from the ends of the divided duct during the act of mastication, and I found it to amount to no less than a pint; an immense quantity during this small period of time. I should say that a loss of one duct to the class ruminantia must be of more consequence than it is to other animals, they having to perform the process of rumination. I will not occupy your valuable space

by any more remarks upon this case, leaving you to fill up where it is wanting, knowing as I do the interest you feel and the zeal manifested by you towards the onward progress of veterinary science.

I remain, truly your's, &c.

LARVA OF THE HELOPHILUS PENDULUS FOUND ON THE SPINAL MARROW OF A HORSE.

By Mr. E. STANLEY, M.R.C.V.S., Banbury.

Dear Sirs,-IT is now some years since that the following strange case came under my notice; but, it being so unusual, I have thought you might deem it worthy of a place in your valuable Journal.

The subject was a cart horse, belonging to a Mr. Dodd, miller, Warwick. I am writing solely from memory; but the facts made such an impression on my mind at the time, that I am sure I was not mistaken either in the symptoms that shewed themselves or the cause of the disease. The horse at the onset of the attack appeared to have injured his spine; there was partial paralysis present, attended occasionally with acute pain. Being walked out one day, when about half a mile from home, he was suddenly seized with violent trembling of the limbs, profuse perspiration, and other acute symptoms, altogether very uncommon. With some difficulty he was walked home. I cannot now say positively whether he was destroyed, or that he died from the attack, but he did not continue in this state of intense suffering longer than from twenty to twenty-four hours. Upon examination of the spinal sheath, there were observed most decided marks of inflammation, with extravasation of blood about the lumbar and posterior portion of the dorsal region from fourteen to eighteen inches in length; and upon a careful investigation I found a grub of a dark brown colour lying on the spinal sheath its body was the thickness of a common slate pencil, and about half an inch long; it had a very thin tail, as long as its body, on which were apparently many very short legs. Instituting some inquiries, I found it to be a larva of the helophilus pendulus, which is frequently met with in

privies and drains. I have not the least doubt in my mind but that the grub was developed in that locality. While in the state of embryo it did not interfere with function, but, the moment the ectozoon became alive and active, it then gave rise to the symptoms I have already detailed.

I am, your's, &c.

STRONGYLES FOUND IN THE CELLULAR MEMBRANE SURROUNDING THE KIDNEY OF A FILLY.

By Mr. J. HARVEY, M.R.C.V.S., Bath.

My dear Sirs,-HAVING recently met with a case which I consider of unfrequent occurrence, I beg through you to communicate it to the profession. The subject was an eleven-months' old filly which had during the winter received every attention, as far as food and being kept in a loose place were concerned, and never shewed symptoms of the least disease up to the time of her being turned out to grass, which was on the 21st of May last. The field was very hilly and much exposed, and the weather, for the time of the year, exceedingly cold. The day she was turned out, on the coachman leaving the field, she ran after him, and leaped over a gate about four feet in height, but did not at the time shew any irregularity in her action from doing so. She was seen every day by some of the servants up to the 27th of the same month, when I was sent for; the groom having been informed that she staggered as she walked, and on his arrival he found, on attempting to move her, that she fell down and could not rise. I ordered her to be removed on a dray to my infirmary, which was easily accomplished. After time had been allowed her so as to recover from the excitement, I found the pulse 50, and full, the breathing, however, tranquil: great pain was evinced on pressure being applied along the lumbar region, and more particularly over the right kidney. The extremities were warm, the visible mucous membranes healthy; fæces and urine of the usual character; but she had lost all power of supporting herself on the hind legs.