37 2 ABSTRACTS AND REPORTS.

completely infiltrated with mononuclear leucocytes. Numerous giant cells and bacilli were present, and the central parts of the older lesions were caseous. There was evidence of inflammation in the muscular tissue composing the central portion of the leaves, there bei'1g a cellular infiltration and destruction of some of the fibres. Save at the points where there was perforation the epitheliulll persisted, there being no ulceration. The papilla! disappeared either completely or in part owing to the cellular infiltration. At places where the youngest lesions were found there was a cellular infiltration along the course of the vessels and also between the muscular fibres. In a section parallel to the surface the muscular fibres were found to be pushed apart, apparently marking the limits of the tubercles. With the extension of the disease the fibres degenerated and disappeared. The perforations were partly ulcerated and partly covered with a cornified epithelium in a state of desquamation. (Chausse, Rec. de MM. V!:t., Vol. LXXXVII!., No. 16, 30th August I9II, pp. 352-361.)

TUBERCULOSIS OF THE PANCREAS IN AN OX.

THE subject of this note was a five-years-old beast, in moderate condition, affected with generalised tuberculosis. The following lesions were present in the pancreas.

The gland, which was proVIded with a white fibrous capsule, was packed throughout with caseating tubercles measuring up to 15 mm. in diameter. The number of lesions present was between 200 and 300, and the substance of the pancreas between them was of a normal pinkish-yellow colour.

Histologically the lesions had no special characters. The lesions appeared to be composed of masses of mononuclear leucocytes and connective-tissue cells. There was early degeneration of the epithelial tissue enclosed in the lesions. Giant cells were present. The centres of the lesions were caseous and there was a fibrous capsule surrounding them. The youngest of the tubercles were too far advanced to enable one to decide whether they were caused by bacilli carried by the blood or by the lymph streams. In this case, as in the majority of tuberculous processes, the propagation appeared to have been via the lymphatics, for the following reasons. There was extensive tuberculosis of the liver, the portal glands being also completely caseous. The majority of the mesenteric glands were in the same condition, and there would thus certainly be severe disturbances in the local lymphatic circulation. There was extensive adhesion between the liver and the pancreas, and lesions in the former were continued into the latter. The best reason for thinking that the lesions in the pancreas were due to extension from the liver is that, although generalised, the disease was not so extensive as would have been the case if the disease of the pancreas had been caused by bacilli carried by the blood, the spleen and kidneys being free from lesions.

The lesions present in this case indicate that the pancreatic tissue is not in any way resistant to the multiplication of the bacilli, although infection of the pancreas very rarely occurs by way of the blood-stream.

The author does not know of any other recorded case of tuberculosis of the pancreas. (Chausse, Rec. de MM. Vet., Vol. LXXXVIII, No. IS, 30th September I9II, pp. 411-413.)