The lower extremities frequently become oedematous during the last month or two of life, either from gradual failure of the circulation or from pressure of ascitic fluid or a growth upon the inferior vena cava. When only one limb is affected the cause is to be found in venous thrombosis. General anasarca usually indicates secondary inflammation of the kidney, but occasionally it exists without albuminuria or other signs of renal disease, and may be associated with ascites and hydrothorax. Chesnel has collected twelve instances of this interesting condition, and attributes it to an alteration in the.composition of the blood.