254 GENERAL ARTICLES.

BURSITfS OF THE SUBTENDINOUS BURSAl: IN CON­NECTION WITH THE GRACILIS, SARTORIUS, AND SEMITENDINOSUS.

By A. M. TROTTEI{, M.R.C.V.S., Glasgow.

The subject of this note was a well nourished, aged, cross-bred cow. On the inner surface of each thigh was a growth. The one on the left side was the smaller of the two. J t was situated over the inner surface of the tibia. It was heart-like in shape, but somewhat flattened through pressure against the bone. The superior margin, which corresponded to the base of the heart, was rounded, and was separated from the superior articular surface of the tibia by a distance of 4'5 cm. The growth measured 14'7 cm. in extreme length and IO cm. in extreme breadth. It was covered by the fascia of the thigh, through which its surface appeared opaque, interspersed with a few indefinite yellow areas. The surface was uneven, the inequalities varying in size, and in consistence from dough to caoutchouc. On removing the fascia the tendons of the gracilis and sartorius were seen to pass over the outer surface of the upper portion of the growth.

The growth, on dissection, was found to be composed of three lobes, which were intimately bound together by fibrous tissue. A few blood-vessels were present in the interlobular connective tissue. The largest lobe occupied the superior position. It was somewhat round in shape and measured 9 cm. by 6 cm. by 2 c.m. The medium­sized lobe formed the lower portion of the growth. It was triangular in shape, and measured 9 cm. by 7 cm. by 1"7 cm. The smallest lobe lay between the superior and inferior lobes at the anterior margin . It, in some degree, resembled in shape the navicular bone of the horse, and measured 5'3 cm. by 2'5 cm. by 1'6 cm.

The tendon of the semitendinosus, which passes forward to become inserted into the crest of the tibia, passed between the superior and inferior lobes and under the latter. Many strands of this tendon were inserted into the surface of the inferior lobe.

Each lobe was seen, on section, to have a cystic formation. Their walls were tough and leathery. The cut surface showed that each wall was divisible into two layers, but the line of separation was not well defined. The outer layer was grey, opaque, and somewhat laminated; the inner was amber-colour, transparent, and homogeneous. The wall varied in thickness from '2 cm. to '8 cm. The contents of these cavities were composed of a whitish-yellow granular material, similar in appearance to the overdone yolk of an egg, in which were embedded numerous hard, round, yellow bodies, varying in size, and which attained to the dimensions of a millet seed. On the addition of hydrochloric acid to these bodies an active ebullition of gas bubbles took place. These lobes were intimately attached by fibrous adhesions to the inner surface of the tibia, which was very much roughened by the formation in places of new osseous tissue.

The growth on the right thigh measured 17 cm. in extreme length and 14 cm. in extreme breadth. It occupied the same position over the inner surface of the tibia, and bore the same relationship to the adjacent structures as did that on the left. It was found on dissec­tion also to be composed of three lobes, and, while these attained

GENERAL ARTICLES. 255

larger. dimensions, they were somewhat similar in shape and in structure, with the exception of the largest.

This )obe was roundish in shape and soft in consistency. Its surface"was smooth. Its contents were yellowish in colour, cream-like in consistency, and h<\d the appearance of a solution of precipitated albumen. After standing for a short time this fluid separated into two layers. The upper, which was equal to a third of the whole, was of a yellowish colour, and murky in appearance, whilst the lower was creamy in colour and solid in appearance. Numerous delicate taper­ing processes were attached to the inner surface of the wall of this lobe. These rarely attained I cm. in length, and were evidently composed of the coagulable constituents of the fluid contents. They were of a yellow colour, and resembled sebaceous matter in consist­ency. The examination of several cover-glass pn1parations, stained with gentian-violet and methylene-blue, for organisms was negative.

The tissue composing the walls of the largest lobe of the growth situated on the inner surface of the right tibia was divisible on microscopical examination-as was also possible to the unaided eye -into two layers. The tissu.es of these were either distinct from or blended with each other. The outer was composed of fibrous tissue. This was densely laminated in the more superficially placed parts, but it gradually assumed a looser texture. Fibroblasts were present, and were especially numerous in the looser tissues. A few blood­vessels ramified through the outer peripheral or laminated zone. The tissues of the inner layer were also divisible into two strata, but they presented no line of separation. That adjacent to the outer layer was stained brown with hccmatoxyliR and eosin, and appeared granular and structureless. Throughout its substance were innumer­able spaces which varied in size and communicated with one another. Fibroblasts were present in great numbers. The inner layer formed the inner surface of the lobe. It was granular, and had the appear­ance of being composed of small particles of coagulated albumen closely packed and joined together by connecting bands of the same material. Fibroblasts were only present, and that sparsely, in the deeper parts of this stratum.

THE WEIGHT OF THE KIDNEYS IN THE HORSE.

By J. T. DUNCAN, M.D., V.S., Professor of Anatomy, Ontario Veterinary College.

THE records of the College in regard to the weight of the kidneys were published last year (see the Veterinarian, 1902, Vol. LXXV., p. 384), together with the method adopted in obtaining these records. Briefly, the method is this. Printed forms are supplied to those students assigned to a subject to be dissected. The secretary of the class, as dissection proceeds, 'sees that the various organs are weighed, and enters the weights on the printed form. These weights are verified by the Demonstrator of Anatomy, and the completed forms are re­turned to the College. These are then analysed after the close of the session, and any interesting points noted.