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later on how fully my investigations substantiate the importance of my work. Time will, therefore, not allow me to take up the different forms of Lung lesions. The most remarkable of all the wonders in my investigations is the durability of this animal in harboring disease of this kind, as I have observed quite a number of lungs as badly affected as Fig. 1 and 2 when the rat was apparently not sick. I believe this animal can bear more disease than any other animal I know of.

I have (among other diseases) found Pleurisy (with adhesions) and Pneumonia. Diseases of the eye, such as Opthalmia, Cataract, Fungus Hæmatodes, and so forth. Various forms of skin diseases, the most important of which is Favus or Tinea favosa, a parasitic

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FIG. 5. (a) Annular Constriction of Cacum. (b) Tubercular Nodule on the Colon. (cc) Tubercular Enlargement of the Mesenteric Glands between Colon and Cæcum. (d) Ileum cut off.

cutaneous disease, the existence of which is known in the domestic animals, and man, which may be directly transmitted by the rat, giving it to the cat, and the cat in return to the fondling child, and others.

Diseases of the large joints, probably of Tubercular origin, are found. They are generally swollen to a great degree and very hard, and when cut into, will be found to contain small cavities surrounded by a fibrous wall, and containing yellow matter. Sometimes the joint is found open, and when pressed upon, a large quantity of pus will escape. In the latter stages the bones will be found affected. Calcareous deposits in the liver are of very common occurence, and

sometimes of enormous extent, some forms of Tumors have been observed of which I will mention Epithelioma. Several cases presented a formidable looking aspect, as the whole side of the face, taking in the eye, part of the nose, and part of the ear, were found eaten away, exposing the whole side of the jaw. The same has been found on other parts of the body.

Parasites found Ectozoa.

Entozoa.

Hæmatozoa.

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NOTE. This individual had three groups of Tubercles in the small bowels besides having a portion of the left Lung affected.

FIG. 6. (a a) Tubercular Nodules. (bb) Fibrous wall cut open to show cavity. (cc) Fibrous Wall. (d) Vascular mesh surrounding nodule. (e) Two enlarged Mesenteric Glands. (f) Lymphatic Chain somewhat enlarged.

I have (among other parasites) found Tania armata of the liver, which is the Cysticercus fasciolaris Rud; this and Pentastomata to my present knowledge are the only parasites described in the rat. I have found the former parasite to be very common. They appear in numbers from one, two, three, to one hundred or more individual Hydatids. Sometimes one cyst will contain more than one worm.

Occasionally they are found loose in the abdominal cavity, and more rarely in the Pleural cavity.

Among the tænia of the bowels I have found apparently three species, one of which is a very nice specimen of from twenty to thirty-five inches long in its adult form. Its mature segment contains a very nice six-hooked embryo, which at once sets forth the most beautiful example of embryonic life by its rythmical movements and other phenomena. It has been observed for hours at a

a time, and every point of the microscopical field speaks volumes of that wonderful, stupendous, and almost inconceivable immensity of the great handiwork of nature's living or protoplasmic world. The frequency of movement has been observed ordinarily to be that of about eight to twelve times per minute, but if irritated by heat its action will be increased to three times that number.

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FIG. 7.

Left Lobe of Liver

showing two tubercles of uniform size. (a) Opening of Vena Porta.

Nematodes. Of this class there have been found one species in the bowels. Filaria, and several species of Hæmatozoa, all of which parasites will be described as time affords.

I cannot at present go into the other diseases under consideration, but shall in the future, as time permits, publish a series of articles in THE JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE AND VETERINARY ARCHIVES, taking up first the anatomy of the rat, and further on its zoology and pathology.

It was not my intention to make public my researches and discoveries until I could publish the anatomy and carefully rearrange and compile the necessary manuscript and cuts to scientifically discuss such an important. subject, but owing to a newspaper reporter (in the early part of last March) accidentally surprising me and publishing a report of my premature work, starting other investigators in the same field, thereby forcing me to make the above hurried and incomplete statement, although reluctantly.

NOTE. On page 376, last clause of 2d paragraph, in place of the words "a description," the word it should appear, which will convey the meaning intended.

EDITORIAL.

VETERINARY INSPECTION AT HORSE SHOWS.

It is the custom at horse shows to have a board of veterinarians in attendance. The object of such a board is not only for the care of the animals, but more especially to pass upon the soundness or unsoundness of the animals exhibited. That such a board should be composed of members in good standing in their profession goes without saying, for upon their opinion is often based the decision of the judges after the competition has been narrowed down to a few animals.

That method in these show-ring examinations is as necessary as the opportunities for examination are lacking, is evident. How to arrange a method is the question.

Just how far should the duties of veterinarian extend? Should he simply pass upon the actual soundness or unsoundness of an animal at the time, or should he call the attention of the judges to defects in conformation? Should an animal be accompanied by the certificate of the attending veterinarian as to soundness or unsoundness, when he comes to the show, as an aid to the Veterinary Ir.spector, or should such certificates be ignored? Should utility animals and breeding animals stand upon the same footing and be submitted to the same examination, or should the examination for breeding animals be much more rigid? Should all classes of animals be examined in a paddock, especially arranged for the purpose, before allowing them to go into the ring, or should this apply only to breeding classes? Such were the questions which arose in the minds of the veterinarians, judges and executive committee at the show just finished in New York, and in answer to them the writer offers the following as his opinion:

1. It would be well if a veterinary certificate as to soundness or unsoundness were to accompany each animal.

2. All animals should be examined by the veterinarians at the show, whether accompanied by veterinary certificate or not.

3. All animals intended for prize competition should be on the ground and at rest for at least three hours previous to examination for soundness, so that no advantage may be gained by submitting animals for examination while warm.

4. All animals should be examined in a paddock, built for the purpose, before entering the ring.

5. The paddock should be closed in and should have two runs, one of stone and the other of dirt.

6. The horses should be attended while in the paddock by grooms in the employ of the association, and the record should be endorsed with the number of the horse, by the clerk, when the examination is finished.

7. The veterinarian should make note not only of the unsoundness, but should call attention to any defects of conformation which, in his opinion, would make the animal susceptible to any especial disease.

8. The veterinarians should be ex-officio, members of each board of judges, and should be in the ring to detect lameness or any defect in breathing, which it may not have been possible to detect in the paddock, and to advise the judges as to how much importance should be attached to any lameness which developed in the ring.

9. Three sets of rules shold govern the veterinarian in his examinations.

(a.) Breeding animals should be absolutely free from hereditary unsoundness or from such defective conformation as would, from slight exciting causes, develop an unsoundness.

(b.) Saddle and harness horses should be practically sound to be eligible for a prize, and only when the competition is narrowed down to a few animals should the question of absolute soundness be considered

(c.) Hunters intended only as such should go sound.

To the honesty and ability of the veterinarian is due, in a great measure, the success of a show. His opinion should, therefore, carry weight with the judges, and he should be given every possible facility for conducting his examinations.

A. W. C.

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