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Case of Monstrosity in a Calf
6
The Veterz'nary Journal.
2. That no one of the animals slaughtered which failed to give such a reaction was tuberculous. 3· That all the non-tuberculous animals slaughtered had some lung lesion which deceived an experienced and skilful veterinarian into the belief that they were tuberculous. The results of the test are strongly confirmatory of the value of the Koch test as a means of diagnosis. CASE OF MONSTROSITY IN A CALF. BY E. WALLIS HOARE, F.R.C.V.S., CORK.
ON the 25th of November I was called to attend a small Kerry cow, said to have been in labour since the night b efore. I found the animal showing hardly any signs of labour pains; the "waterbag" had not yet ruptured. On examination I found two fore legs and a head in the vagina, the head turned a little to one side. The passage \\-as extremely narrow, and I was informed that this was her first calf. On applying traction I found that it was impossible to move the fretus in any direction, and in further examination I discovered another leg, also a fore one, and another head pressing firmly on the pubic bone. Thinking the case to be one of twins, various means were adopted, but without avail; the passage was so narrow that it was with difficulty any of the parts could be handled, and I could not see my way to perform embryotomy. After two hours and a-half had been spent in fruitless endeavours, and the cow having been placed in various positions, I concluded that as the animal was becoming weak the most humane course would be to have her destroyed. This was accordingly done. As the case occurred in a town stable, I had not an opportunity of making a post-mortem znspectz'on, but asked the butcher to send me the calf, which he did. The case proved to be a remarkable monstrosity. On a superficial examination, there appeared to be two distinct bodies, each with its own head, and both fore and hind legs, and two tails. The bodies were united both in thorax and abdomen, and placed as if embracing each other. One was much larger than the other, but the heads, limbs, etc., were fully developed. There were two sternums, where the ribs of one body joined those of the other. On an examination of the internal organs, each body was found to have a separate and distinct
Cataract from Opadty of the Hyaloid JWembrane. 7 digestive system. There was one diaphragm, and a single heart of large size placed on the sternum, in the median line between the two bodies. The liver was also single and of large size ; it was placed likewise in the median line. There were two spleens, and two umbilical cords. The genitourinary system was also perfect and distinct in both bodies, as was the nervous system. The respiratory system consisted of two lungs-one very large, the other small-each with its own bronchi and trachea. Each body had its own generative apparatus, which was perfectly developed, and of the male sex. The monstrosity was of enormous size, especially so when compared with the size of the mother. I think this case is rather remarkable when we come to consider that some of the vital systems were separate and distinct, while others were single. I regret to say that the carcase was not sent to me in time to make a careful examination of the circulation, as ' it was in the commencement of decomposition. CATARACT FROM OPACITY OF THE HYALOID MEMBRANE OF THE VITREOUS HUMOUR. BY VETERINARY-cAPTAIN J. A. NUNN, D.S.O., F.R.C.V.S., PROFESSOR AT THE LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE, I NDIA.
THE specimen of this condition I am about to describe was obtained from an aged American mule that di ed in the Commissariat yard at Maritzburg, South Africa, while I was there. This animal was known to have had a cataract for some years; and on dissection of the affected eye I found the lens and its capsule to be in a normal condition, but the hyaloid membrane behind them was thickened and opaque, so that it must have entirely obstructed vision in that eye. I could obtain no history of the case, but was informed that during life the change in the eye was to all appearance due to ordinary diffused lenticular cataract. The annexed sketch, taken from a section through the anterior portion of the eye, after hardening in alcohol, will perhaps explain the lesion. The thickened hyaloid membrane is shown at A. The cornea has been removed, its cut border showing at B and C, and a portion of the sclerotica at D.
The Veterz'nary Journal.
2. That no one of the animals slaughtered which failed to give such a reaction was tuberculous. 3· That all the non-tuberculous animals slaughtered had some lung lesion which deceived an experienced and skilful veterinarian into the belief that they were tuberculous. The results of the test are strongly confirmatory of the value of the Koch test as a means of diagnosis. CASE OF MONSTROSITY IN A CALF. BY E. WALLIS HOARE, F.R.C.V.S., CORK.
ON the 25th of November I was called to attend a small Kerry cow, said to have been in labour since the night b efore. I found the animal showing hardly any signs of labour pains; the "waterbag" had not yet ruptured. On examination I found two fore legs and a head in the vagina, the head turned a little to one side. The passage \\-as extremely narrow, and I was informed that this was her first calf. On applying traction I found that it was impossible to move the fretus in any direction, and in further examination I discovered another leg, also a fore one, and another head pressing firmly on the pubic bone. Thinking the case to be one of twins, various means were adopted, but without avail; the passage was so narrow that it was with difficulty any of the parts could be handled, and I could not see my way to perform embryotomy. After two hours and a-half had been spent in fruitless endeavours, and the cow having been placed in various positions, I concluded that as the animal was becoming weak the most humane course would be to have her destroyed. This was accordingly done. As the case occurred in a town stable, I had not an opportunity of making a post-mortem znspectz'on, but asked the butcher to send me the calf, which he did. The case proved to be a remarkable monstrosity. On a superficial examination, there appeared to be two distinct bodies, each with its own head, and both fore and hind legs, and two tails. The bodies were united both in thorax and abdomen, and placed as if embracing each other. One was much larger than the other, but the heads, limbs, etc., were fully developed. There were two sternums, where the ribs of one body joined those of the other. On an examination of the internal organs, each body was found to have a separate and distinct
Cataract from Opadty of the Hyaloid JWembrane. 7 digestive system. There was one diaphragm, and a single heart of large size placed on the sternum, in the median line between the two bodies. The liver was also single and of large size ; it was placed likewise in the median line. There were two spleens, and two umbilical cords. The genitourinary system was also perfect and distinct in both bodies, as was the nervous system. The respiratory system consisted of two lungs-one very large, the other small-each with its own bronchi and trachea. Each body had its own generative apparatus, which was perfectly developed, and of the male sex. The monstrosity was of enormous size, especially so when compared with the size of the mother. I think this case is rather remarkable when we come to consider that some of the vital systems were separate and distinct, while others were single. I regret to say that the carcase was not sent to me in time to make a careful examination of the circulation, as ' it was in the commencement of decomposition. CATARACT FROM OPACITY OF THE HYALOID MEMBRANE OF THE VITREOUS HUMOUR. BY VETERINARY-cAPTAIN J. A. NUNN, D.S.O., F.R.C.V.S., PROFESSOR AT THE LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE, I NDIA.
THE specimen of this condition I am about to describe was obtained from an aged American mule that di ed in the Commissariat yard at Maritzburg, South Africa, while I was there. This animal was known to have had a cataract for some years; and on dissection of the affected eye I found the lens and its capsule to be in a normal condition, but the hyaloid membrane behind them was thickened and opaque, so that it must have entirely obstructed vision in that eye. I could obtain no history of the case, but was informed that during life the change in the eye was to all appearance due to ordinary diffused lenticular cataract. The annexed sketch, taken from a section through the anterior portion of the eye, after hardening in alcohol, will perhaps explain the lesion. The thickened hyaloid membrane is shown at A. The cornea has been removed, its cut border showing at B and C, and a portion of the sclerotica at D.