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Notes of a Case of Cerebral Tumour
THE
VETERINARY
JOURNAL
AND
DECEMBER, 1885. NOTES OF A CASE OF CEREBRAL TUMOUR. p,y J. :\IATTIIEWS, F. R.C.Y.S., ROYAL nORSE GUARDS. A BLACK lIfARE, No. II, H. Troop, IS years old, I I years' service, was reported at morning stables on the 19th inst. for extreme drowsiness, except when roused at the hours of feeding, but quickly relapsing into a lethargic condition. Admitted into infirmary. P nviolts history of the mare showed she was of a quiet temperament and occasionally stupid, walking over stable utensils and against the pillar-posts as if unconscious of their existence; this was not rep orted, as it was attributed to the carelessness of the attendant. L eadillg symptoms were those of exalted functionary activity, evinced by partial and general convulsions, followed by diminution of sensation. D etailed symptoms (Sept. I9).-Pulse z5, vessel large and soft. Pupillary openings widely dilated, with paralysis of both optic nerves, indicated by inability to see wall or rack, against which it walked; also complete indifference to light. Soon after admission, the patient was seized with convulsions, striking the right side of the head violently against the wall, if standing, or against the ground if prostrate, permanently closing the eye on that side; the pulse rapidly rose, falling after the struggles ceased. As the disease ad\'anced the convulsions took the form of slow galloping action. The breathing was slightly stertorous vgL. XXI.
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394
The Veterinary Journal.
throughout; during the quiescent intervals, the animal stood with its nose protruded and firmly pressed against the wall. The box was carefully padded with trusses of straw, abundant cold douches to the head were had recourse to, and a purgative drench administered. Diag71osz"s.- Tumour in the brain. 20th.-Little change in symptoms, except an increase in the severity and frequency of the convulsions. Pulse variable, at one time as low as 18. Respiration a little quieter, except when struggling. Bowels acting freely, though no actual purgation has resulted from medicine. The greatest relief, though of a temporary nature, followed the use of the cold douche; it invariably lessened tbe violence. From the persistence with which the patient strikes the right side of her head, I think the seat of tumour is on the left. 2Ist.-Convulsions continue. Pulse 34. Repeat douche. 22nd.-Pulse 18, rising rapidly to 58 or 60 beats a minute during the exacerbation. Refusing food for the first time since admission. 23rd. Died.-Post-mortem examt"llatt'on showed a small pediculated and lobulated tumour on choroid plexus of right lateral ventricle, and a smaller one of a similar nature on choroid plexus of left lateral ventricle; whilst, growing from the velum interpositum, was a tumour about the size of a hen's egg, which had caused absorption to a corresponding extent of the posterior portion of left hemisphere of cerebrum. Both lateral ventricles were engorged with straw-coloured serous fluid, probably from three to four ounces in quantity. A section of the large tumour showed it to be solid, and closely resembling the structure of liver in colour and density. Microscopical examination showed the tumours to be sarcomatous, containing spindle-shaped and round cells.
VETERINARY
JOURNAL
AND
DECEMBER, 1885. NOTES OF A CASE OF CEREBRAL TUMOUR. p,y J. :\IATTIIEWS, F. R.C.Y.S., ROYAL nORSE GUARDS. A BLACK lIfARE, No. II, H. Troop, IS years old, I I years' service, was reported at morning stables on the 19th inst. for extreme drowsiness, except when roused at the hours of feeding, but quickly relapsing into a lethargic condition. Admitted into infirmary. P nviolts history of the mare showed she was of a quiet temperament and occasionally stupid, walking over stable utensils and against the pillar-posts as if unconscious of their existence; this was not rep orted, as it was attributed to the carelessness of the attendant. L eadillg symptoms were those of exalted functionary activity, evinced by partial and general convulsions, followed by diminution of sensation. D etailed symptoms (Sept. I9).-Pulse z5, vessel large and soft. Pupillary openings widely dilated, with paralysis of both optic nerves, indicated by inability to see wall or rack, against which it walked; also complete indifference to light. Soon after admission, the patient was seized with convulsions, striking the right side of the head violently against the wall, if standing, or against the ground if prostrate, permanently closing the eye on that side; the pulse rapidly rose, falling after the struggles ceased. As the disease ad\'anced the convulsions took the form of slow galloping action. The breathing was slightly stertorous vgL. XXI.
2 D
394
The Veterinary Journal.
throughout; during the quiescent intervals, the animal stood with its nose protruded and firmly pressed against the wall. The box was carefully padded with trusses of straw, abundant cold douches to the head were had recourse to, and a purgative drench administered. Diag71osz"s.- Tumour in the brain. 20th.-Little change in symptoms, except an increase in the severity and frequency of the convulsions. Pulse variable, at one time as low as 18. Respiration a little quieter, except when struggling. Bowels acting freely, though no actual purgation has resulted from medicine. The greatest relief, though of a temporary nature, followed the use of the cold douche; it invariably lessened tbe violence. From the persistence with which the patient strikes the right side of her head, I think the seat of tumour is on the left. 2Ist.-Convulsions continue. Pulse 34. Repeat douche. 22nd.-Pulse 18, rising rapidly to 58 or 60 beats a minute during the exacerbation. Refusing food for the first time since admission. 23rd. Died.-Post-mortem examt"llatt'on showed a small pediculated and lobulated tumour on choroid plexus of right lateral ventricle, and a smaller one of a similar nature on choroid plexus of left lateral ventricle; whilst, growing from the velum interpositum, was a tumour about the size of a hen's egg, which had caused absorption to a corresponding extent of the posterior portion of left hemisphere of cerebrum. Both lateral ventricles were engorged with straw-coloured serous fluid, probably from three to four ounces in quantity. A section of the large tumour showed it to be solid, and closely resembling the structure of liver in colour and density. Microscopical examination showed the tumours to be sarcomatous, containing spindle-shaped and round cells.