ccxxxvi
AUTOPSY.—The thoracic and abdominal organs appear healthy, but there are several
cysts containing fluid, adherent to the great omentum, varying in size, one having attained the
proportions of a Tangerene orange.
Brain.—The cranial cavity was opened by making a vertical incision through the
median line of the skull so as to saw through the bony envelope with as little injury as
possible to the nervous structures beneath. On forcing the two halves of the skull apart, it
was found that the incision had been carried into the surface of the cerebrum ; consequently
the external surface of a large cyst, distended with fluid, came into view, which on its
removal was found to have occupied a cavity formed by the union of the lateral ventricles
into one. The lateral ventricles have been so distended and the substance of the hemispheres
so compressed and atrophied by this cystic tumor, that the superior and lateral covering of
brain-tissue only now averages from 1/5th to ¼th of an inch in thickness. The dura-mater is
firmly attached to the inner surface of the cranium, and the outer surface of this thin layer
of nervous tissue is firmly adherent to the inner surface of the dura-mater.
On section, the wall of this cyst is found to be a thin and translucent membrane, its
cavity being filled with colourless watery fluid. On the inner surface of this membrane
there are several groups of white spots, lying at some distance apart, projecting into the
interior of the cavity, the individual spots being very small in size.
On microscopical examination of one of these spots, it revealed a head armed with
32 hooks, a neck, and body, and was recognized as possessing all the characteristics of a
scolex of the Tænia cœnurus (Küch), and so the diagnosis of the disease became easy;
Hydatido-cephalus or "Gid," due to the presence of the "Cœnurus cerebralis."
The points of interest in this case are, that :—
(i). Although on two successive days, one cubic centimetre of blood, containing
numerous hæmatozoa, was given by the mouth, followed by a third dose of 1.3 c. c.
somewhat later, no symptoms ascribable to Surra presented themselves.
(ii). The cerebral symptoms observed five months later which were thought to be
probably due to fluid in the lateral ventricles, the effect of the hæmatozoon, proved on
post-mortem examination to be caused by the presence of the "Cœnurus cerebralis."
GOAT No. III.
A strong and healthy animal, in good condition, two years of age.
15th May 1891.—Temp.
A.M.—
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
29th
30th
31st
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1st June.—
2nd
3rd
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40.°C.
40.1°C.
39.8°C.
39.6°C.
39.3°C.
39.2°C.
40°C.
39.8°C.
39.2°C.
39.5°C.
39.2°C.
39.3°C.
39.5°C.
39.4°C.
39.3°C.
39.2°C.
39.2°C.
39.2°C.
39.4°C.
P.M. 40.3°C.
P.M. 40.4°C.
P.M. 40°C.
P.M. 39.9°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.9°C.
P.M. 40.1°C.
P.M. 39.6°C.
P.M. 39.8°C.
P.M. 39.6°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.8°C.
P.M. 39.8°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.6°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.5°C.
P.M. 39.6°C.
P.M. 39.7°C.
Blood healthy.
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4th.—11 A.M. Inoculated subcutaneously in the Right Inguinal Region, with 1 c. c. of
blood taken from the heart of Horse No. XXI, 5¼ hours after death. Hæmatozoa swarming
previous to death.
Temp
5th
6th
7th
8th
A.M. 39.4°C
—Temp.
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A.M.
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P.M. 39.1°C. Blood healthy.
37.8°C.
39.9°C.
38.8°C.
39.°C.
P.M. 39.2°C. Hæmatozoa absent from the blood.
„ 39.2°C.
„ 39.3°C.
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39.5°C.
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