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VETERINARY MEftOMt
LIBRARY

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THE

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MONTHLY JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

FOR 1864.

VOL. XXXVII — VOL. X, fourth series.

EDITED BY

*

PROFESSORS MORTON AND SIMONDS.

Ars Veteriri«ria post medicinam second a est. — Vegetius.

LONDON :

PRINTED BY J. E. ADLA.RD, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.

PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, AND GREEN,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

•»

BRIKTK1) B?

J. E. ADLARD, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, E.C.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 433.

JANUARY, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 109.

Communications and Cases.

TWO CASES OF PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE,
ARISING FROM SPINAL APOPLEXY, AND
ONE RESULTING FROM AN INJURY TO THE
SPINE.

By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College, London,

I have thought that a brief account of the following cases
may not be uninteresting to the readers of the Veterinarian ,
more especially to the younger members of our profession,
as it will be seen that they are not of a common character,
nor of frequent occurrence. The difference in the length
of time, in the first case, as compared with that of the
second, before the like result was produced, adds considerably,
in a pathological point of view, to their value.

To obtain as much of the history of the first case as I pos¬
sibly could, I wrote to Mr. H. Withers, the owner of the
horse, who kindly forwarded me the following letter : —

242, Oxford Street, Nov. 9, 1863.

My dear Sir, — In compliance with your wish, I send you the
history of the bay horse you were kind enough to examine before he was
destroyed, and subsequently to make a post-mortem examination of his
carcass. I bought him, seven years ago, to work in a carriage ; he was
then five years old, but was found afterwards to be of such an irritable
and restless disposition, as not to be sufficiently quiet for the purpose.
In consequence of this I put him to work in the ‘ forage van,’ at which
he continued up to the 8th of September of the present year, when he
was found to be lame. The lameness was but slight at first,; nevertheless,
I sent him to the farm for rest. I should have observed, that about the
12th or 13th of August last he was noticed to go slightly lame of the
off hind leg. When he was sent to the farm lie was at once put into a

XXXVII. 1

2

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE.

loose box, and although lie did no work, lie nevertheless lost his spirits,
and the lameness became gradually worse, assuming a different character.
At first it was not marked by any peculiarity, but afterwards the animal
seemed to lose the power of advancing the limb, and dragged it after him,
with the foot turned outwards, thus indicating that the whole of the
muscles of the hind quarter and leg were paralysed. When lie moved, it
was in a sidelong direction. On the 29th of September I sent the horse
to the College, thinking the case might be of some interest to the pro¬
fession. I have never been able to ascertain that he had had a fall, nor
that he had ever been thrown out of work, excepting for a few days only,
and then on account of a sore throat.

I am, my dear Sir,

Yours truly, &c.

In commenting on this affection I would observe that I
am not about to write an elaborate paper on paralysis
clue to spinal apoplexy, although the subject is a very
inviting one, but simply to record a few facts relative to
the history, symptoms, and post-mortem appearances of the
two following cases. The first I shall describe will be
that of the horse referred to in the foregoing letter. I
first saw him as he was being led into the College yard, and
was at once struck with the idea that his lameness was not
of an ordinary character. The symptoms, although unusual,
nevertheless carried the mind at once to the seat of the disease.
There could be no doubt of its being an affection of the pos¬
terior half of the spinal cord; but to what extent or of
what nature it might be, I could form no definite con¬
ception. The muscles of the lumbar region of the side im¬
plicated, as well as those of the hind extremity, were appa¬
rently paralysed; so that when the horse was made to
progress, the affected limb was drawn after him in a way clearly
indicating a total loss of muscular power. The muscles of
the same region of the opposite side of the bod}7, from not
being affected, or at least not to the same extent, produced a
peculiar curve of the spine which gave the horse a strange,
grotesque appearance. The animal was placed in a large
loose box, not with a view, however, of putting him under
treatment, for I considered the case hopeless, but for the
purpose of watching the progress of the disease. On the
second day after his admittance he either lay or fell down in
the box, and was evidently unable to rise again of himself. He
was therefore assisted, hut when placed upon his legs he could
not maintain a standing position. Both hind extremities had
now become similarly affected, so far as loss of muscular power
was concerned ; hut the side first paralysed presented a
condition quite different to the other. From the fifteenth
rib quite down to the hock the integumental covering of the

PARALYSIS IN TIIE HORSE.

3

whole <c quarter ” was wet with cold perspiration, and thus it
continued to be as long as the animal was allowed to live,
which was until the fourth day after his admittance. The
constant struggling, and the contusions caused thereby, toge¬
ther with his throwing his head violently on the floor, induced
us to have him destroyed.

We found, on making the post-viortem examination, that
the thoracic and abdominal viscera were healthy, but that
the muscles of the loins and leg of the side first affected were
much paler and softer than natural. We could not, however,
detect any other lesion of these organs, nor did we find any
either of the bones, ligaments, or blood-vessels in this stage
of our investigation. The spinal canal was next laid open,
in doing which all the vertebrae w:ere carefully examined, but
neither fracture, anchylosis, nor exostosis existed in any of
them, nor could we detect anything abnormal in their struc¬
ture. In the interior of the canal, however, sufficient disease
was discovered to account for the phenomena above named.
From about the ninth dorsal vertebra to the middle of the
sacrum the theca vertebralis was very much distended with a
dark-coloured fluid, and on slitting it open, it proved to be
of a sero-sanguineous nature, mixed with some partially
broken-up clots of blood. From about the sixth dorsal ver¬
tebra to its termination, the spinal cord, with its dura-matral
covering, presented a very singular appearance. Its surface
was not only uneven, but it also varied in colour. In some
places the dura mater apparently formed a tight ligature
around the cord, while in other parts it seemed to have
yielded to the enlarged contents, causing a bulging, and
giving a nodulated character to the cord as a whole. In
some places the dura mater had actually given way, allow¬
ing the diseased and broken-up nervous tissue and effused
blood to escape beneath the arachnoid membrane. The
cord itself, from the anterior part of the dorsal region to the
end of the sacrum, was of a dirty-gray colour, and studded
here and there with a number of eechymosed spots and
streaks of effused blood. For a short distance it presented a
yellowish-gray or greenish tint, denoting the presence of
pus, which was found to exist in tolerably large quanti¬
ties. On examining the cord more particularly I was sur¬
prised to witness the completely broken-up state of its struc¬
ture. From about the eighth to the fifteenth dorsal vertebra
it was so completely disorganized that scarcely a trace of its
normal tissue could be detected. Many of the nodular
enlargements before alluded to were, when cut into, found to
consist of disorganized nerve-matter, mixed with effused and

4

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE,

partially broken-up blood, thus forming a dirty-brown,
muddy-looking mass. That part of the cord which occupied
the lumbar and sacral regions presented a somewhat different
aspect, but, nevertheless, showed many of the same patholo¬
gical changes, although in a less advanced stage. The
surface of this part of the cord was not enlarged like that
before described, nor had the dura mater given way at any
point ; neither did I detect any indication of pus, but the
cord was evidently swollen, its vessels being engorged with
black blood, and there were a fewT ecchymosed spots, giving
to its surface, as before stated, a speckled appearance. A
transverse section of this part of the cord explained, to a
certain extent, the cause of its being larger than natural. In
the centre there existed a clot of black blood as large as the
holder of a pen, and the vessels of its interior were likewise
much engorged. The superior and inferior longitudinal
fissures, and the nervous tracks of which each half of the cord
is composed, were more or less separated from each other
by effused serum. It was also found that the black coaguluni
observed in a transverse section extended nearly to the ter¬
mination of the cord, thereby materially increasing its
circumference : the connecting commissures had likewise, no
doubt, become ruptured. Such is a brief, but, I believe,
tolerable correct description of this to me remarkable and
interesting morbid specimen.

Any views I may offer in attempting to explain the cause
of this disease must be regarded as hypothetical, as I have no
direct data to guide me. It is not known that anything
particular occurred to the horse at the time he was first taken
lame which would satisfactorily account for the disease. If it
had been known that the horse had at any time cast himself in
the stable, or that he had fallen while drawing a heavy load,
or that he had had any illness likely to give rise to effusion
into the structure of the spinal cord, or into its theca, a clue
would have been obtained, and the difficulty in account¬
ing for the lesions w’ould have been much lessened. As the
case now stands, I can only conjecture that the controlling
power of the blood-vessels was either W7holly or partially
w ithdrawn, and that in consequence they became congested,
which congestion wTas followed by effusion into the structure
of the cord, and also into its sheath. These changes I can
conceive to have been only slight at first, but afterwards they
became more extensive, until at last the engorged vessels
gave way, allowing the blood to escape, w7hen, as we can
easily imagine, the results which would follow would
be similar to those I have described. I will not specu-

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE.

5

late upon the most probable causes that primarily were
in operation, any further than to suggest that a spontaneous
softening of the cord might have been going on for some
time before anything was observed to be the matter with
the horse ; or it may have been that the horse, natu¬
rally a very irritable animal, had unduly exerted himself
when at work, and, when in a heated state, that he had been
exposed to a current of cold air, thereby producing conges¬
tion of the vessels of the spinal cord and its meninges, which
was followed by rupture of their coats and an escape of their
contents, thus establishing a true case of spinal apoplexy.

Case 2. — A case somewhat analogous, but not quite iden¬
tical to the above, has since come under my notice, which I
will briefly describe. A hard-working cart-horse, the pro¬
perty of a corn dealer, w as taken from his stable in the
morning apparently quite well. He was used for the purpose
of delivering corn, and performed his work satisfactorily,
but on his returning home, wffien within a fewT yards of his
stable, he evinced great difficulty in steadying his hind extre¬
mities, and before he could be removed from the shafts of
the cart he fell, and was unable to rise. The owner requested
me to see him, but being particularly engaged at the time,
Mr. Pritchard, our demonstrator of anatomy, kindly offered to
go and examine the animal. On his return he informed me
that he considered the case to be one of complete paraplegia ;
and although he could not state precisely its cause, he never¬
theless believed it to be a hopeless case, and consequently
he had advised the owmer to have the horse destroyed, which
suggestion was acted upon. The post-mortem examination,
which was made soon aftenvards, fully justified such advice.
The whole of the spine was brought to the College, and I
carefully examined it. The bones wrere first examined, espe¬
cially on their external surfaces, and aftenvards the spinal
canal was laid open from one end to the other; but no
injury, either to the bones or their connecting ligaments,
could be detected. The theca vertebralis, however, wTas
much distended, and dark in colour, which was found
to depend on a large quantity of bloody fluid that had
issued from its interior. The vessels of the pia mater were
much engorged, and some of them had given way, thus
allowing the escape of the blood, which, being mixed with
effused serum, formed the serous fluid that distended the
spinal sheath. The part of the cord from which most of the
blood had escaped, and which had caused the largest amount
of pressure upon the spinal cord, was located in the pos-

6

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE.

terior part of the dorsal region. From this point to a consi¬
derable distance, both in a forward and backward direction,
the pia mater was of a deep scarlet colour, here and there
approaching to a black hue.

In comparing* these cases one with the other, I have
only to remark that, in the latter, the cause which gave rise
to the loss of function seems to have been acute, and its
effects upon the muscles of the hind extremities consequently
very sudden ; while in the former, although the primary
cause ma}7 have been the same in character, still its effects
were comparatively slow, and a much longer period
necessarily elapsed before the muscles were completely pa¬
ralysed.

Case 3. — Cases of paralysis in the horse arising from
traumatic causes, like those of idiopathic origin, are not very
frequently met with in veterinary practice, still they cannot
be considered rare. I therefore think that the following
well-authenticated case of this affection, in addition to the
preceding ones, is worth recording. The history of it is
contained in the following communication, which I received
from Mr. Walley, M.R.C.V.S.

Welshpool, Nov. 2nd, 1863.

Dear Sir, — I have despatched to your address this day, per rail, a
portion of the spinal column of a horse, ■which, upon examination, you
will find to consist of the last dorsal and first lumbar vertebrae. The
inferior vertebral ligament, together with the uniting ligamentous tissue,
are torn asunder. I have forwarded the parts to you, not from the case
presenting any very unusual features, but from the exceeding simple
manner by which the lesions were caused, and to show what great effects
from small causes sometimes arise.

The history of the case is as follows : — A bay gelding, five years old,
fifteen hands high, the property of Mr. Bonner, of Marton, about seven
miles from here, was being ridden quietly home by the son of the owner,
in company with a neighbouring farmer, on the night of the 15th of last
month. Nothing unusual took place until they began to descend a hill
about five miles from here, when the animal was noticed to falter a little
in the off hind leg, and in a short time to become very much worse. The
rider dismounted, thinking that the horse had a stone in his foot, to
ascertain which he procured a light ; but no stone being found, and
nothing else particular noticed, he again proceeded on the journey. The
horse, however, became worse at every step, and with great difficulty he
succeeded in getting him to a farm house at the bottom of the hill, some
200 or 300 yards distant, and putting him into a loose box. The horse
immediately fell down, and made several ineffectual attempts to rise
again. I was requested to see him on the 17th. On my arrival I found
him incapable of rising, and lying tolerably quiet on the left side ; pulse
full and strong, but not much quickened ; mucous membranes injected;
appetite ravenous ; bowels costive. He struggled freely with the fore
legs, but was capable of moving the bind, legs only a little; there was,

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE.

7

however, sensation in both of them, on pricking him with a pin, &c.
I told the owner that it was probable the horse was suffering from
paralysis; but if so, it was only partial, and that there was a chance for
him. I took this view of the case from the manner in which it com¬
menced and the absence of any appearance of external injury, and I de¬
termined upon trying the effects of strychnine upon him. I therefore sent
two 3-grain doses of it, combined with some laxative and fever medicine,
one dose to be given at night, the other in the morning, and also a blister
for his back and loins, promising to see him the next day. Nov. 21st, I
found him much the same, with a little more power in the hind legs, and
upon examining his back, I found a large swelling on the right side of
the spine, about opposite the last lumbar vertebra, and I at once came
to the conclusion that the horse was not suffering from pure paralysis,
but that he had received an injury either from a sudden strain or inor¬
dinate muscular contraction, giving rise either to fracture of one of the
processes of the vertebra, or the superior posterior spinous process of
the ileum, which by pressing on the crural nerve had caused the partial
state of paralysis. I told the owner that, as the horse was young and his
appetite and spirits good, it would probably be only a question of time
for his recovery, but I expressed at the same time a doubt that the
wounds on the projecting portions of his body, from lying so long on one
side and struggling, would lead to something serious. I discontinued the
strychnine, and as the bowels were costive, I gave more laxative medi¬
cine, combined with febrifuges, and applied some liniment to the swelling
alluded to ; had him frequently turned, and his wounds dressed with arnica
lotion : his general comfort was attended to, and as he did not micturate
with facility, I withdrew the urine from time to time by means of the
catheter.

This treatment was carried out with little variation up to the 25th,
when, by my orders, they got him into slings, and he stood well on all
his legs except the off hind, on which, however, he bore a little weight
once. On the afternoon of the 26th I saw him again. The right side
being uppermost, the hip presented a fearful spectacle. There was a
wound as large as the crown of a hat; all the skin over the part was
dead, and ooxing from underneath the margin was a large quantity
of a sero-sanguineous fluid of a fetid odour, the healthy skin [being
separated for some distance all around, and the serum being infiltrated
underneath it to the other side of the spine. Yet his appetite re¬
mained good, and he was very cheerful, but with a peculiar expression
about the eyes and countenance. The pulse, however,' was quick and
wavering, and the mucous membranes much injected and tinged yellow;
he also evinced pain about the hip by throwing his head up and looking
at it. I may mention that they had again attempted to raise him in the
morning, but had failed ; and as there was no perceptible improvement,
I informed the owner that the case was hopeless, but as reluctance was
manifested to have him destroyed, I did all in my power to alleviate the
pain by applying hot fomentations and antiseptics externally, and ad¬
ministering sedatives and cordial medicines internally.

27th. I was astonished to find the horse still alive, but he was gradually
getting worse. The same measures, by way of treatment, were adopted
as yesterday.

28th. This morning, on visiting him, I found him dead, having died
about 6 a.in. I at once proceeded to make a post-mortem examination,
the following being the result : — All the muscles surrounding the hip
for some distance "were in a state of decomposition, and their tissue
easily broken up. This spliacelitic action had extended through and in^

8

PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE.

volved the peritoneum, giving rise to the exudation of some bloody fluid
into the abdomen. The internal organs were healthy, except the liver,
which was engorged with blood, and its tissue disintegrated. The liga-
mentum teres on the right, side was partially lacerated, and gave evi¬
dence of inflammatory action, as also did the crural nerve for some
distance along its course on the same side. I did not find anything else
to account for the symptoms until I had removed the kidneys, &e., and ex¬
posed the psoa muscles, which I found altered in texture, and of a pale, clay
colour. It was this which led me to remove them, when 1 found the lesion
as shown in the morbid specimen I have sent you. As you will observe,
the medulla spinalis, as seen at the end of each of the bones, is normal,
but I doubt not, in separating them, it will be found to be injured. As I
said at the commencement, I am inclined to think that these lesions were
the result of some sudden slip or strain, more especially as the fans of the
cavalry saddle, which he had been used with the day the lameness
occurred, projecting backwards, came just over the part injured, and the
rider was somewhatheavy, and the horse weak. 1 should esteem it a
great favour if you would kindly give me your opinion of the matter. It
you think the specimen and history of the case worth laying before
the members of the Veterinary Medical Association I shall be pleased.
For publication it has scarcely sufficient interest, I fear.

I remain,

To Professor Vaunell. Yours, very sincerely, &c.

At the time Mr. Walley was called upon to see the horse,
which appears to have been on the second day after the affec¬
tion was observed, he informed the owner that, as the animal
was young, he thought there was a possibility of his recovering;
still, however, he was not at all sanguine as to the result.
Such treatment as he deemed proper was resorted to, but it
proved to be of no avail, for in a very short time so little hope
was entertained of the animaPs recovery, that Mr. Walley
advised the owner to have the horse destroyed. This advice,
however, was not complied with, and the poor animal was
allowed to wear out a miserable existence.

It is a great pity that when the owners of horses or other
animals are assured by those who are qualified to give an
opinion, to the effect that there is no chance of a recovery
from the malady they are labouring under, that they do not
at once sanction their being destroyed. Such a pro¬
cedure would save some expense, and a great deal of animal
suffering.

The symptoms in this case were certainly diagnostic of
pressure upon the spinal cord, or some similar lesion ; and
when such is the case, and two or three days have super-
vened without any change for the better taking place, the
sooner such horses are destroyed the better. 1 consider that
Mr. Walley might safely have advised this course to have
been taken when he first saw the horse; nevertheless, he

9

STRUMOUS ENLARGEMENT OE THE GLANDS.

acted cautiously in becoming doubly sure that recovery was
impossible before he decided upon the advice he gave.

The specimen sent to me was, as stated by Mr. Walley in
his letter, a portion of the vertebral chain, consisting of the
last dorsal and the first lumbar vertebra. I found, as he
likewise stated, that the inferior vertebral ligament, and the
fibro-cartilaginous substance which connects the bodies of
the vertebrae together, were torn through, and so com¬
pletely was this effected that, had I not had the greatest
reliance on the veracity of my informant, I should have
almost fancied that the parts had been severed with a
knife.

The precise nature of the cause which gave rise to this
lesion remains, however, a mystery to me, for nothing special
has been mentioned in Mr. W alley’s letter to account for it.
I think it probable that the horse either slipped or fell down
in some way or other unknown very likely to the rider,
thereby partially lacerating the ligament and cartilago-
ligamentous tissue referred to, and which afterwards, from
the exhausted condition of the muscles of the back and the
weight of the rider, wholly gave way. The bond of union
between the bodies of the two vertebrae being severed,
nothing would prevent their twisting from their natural
position, and in doing so they would press upon the spinal
cord. Seeing, therefore, how this can be effected, we can
easily understand how paralysis would ensue; and we may
be also certain that in a very short time the pressure thus
imparted would so far destroy the integrity of the spinal cord
that a cure would be altogether impossible.

STRUMOUS ENLARGEMENT OF THE BRONCHIAL
LYMPHATIC GLANDS OF A HORSE.

By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College, London.

The following case was communicated to me by Mr.
Hogben, student at the Royal Veterinary College, who
likewise brought me a portion of the diseased organs taken
from the horse for my inspection. He informed me that the
case occurred in the practice of his brother, to whom he was
indebted for its history. Having examined the specimen, I
thought it possessed sufficient interest to the pathologist to
be worth recording; and for the same reason I was induced
to lay it before the members of the Veterinary Medical

10

STRUMOUS ENLARGEMENT OE THE GLANDS.

Association, to whom I described the morbid changes that
had taken place; and, as far as I was able, related its
history.

The discussion it elicited was brief, but nevertheless spi¬
rited, and the remarks that fell from some of the senior
members indicated considerable research and reflection.

The history of the case is as follows: — On the 24th of
April, 1863, Mr. Hogben states that he was called upon to
attend a horse, the property of Mr. Hopkins, which was said
to be off his feed, and that the glands of hi3 neck were
enlarged. The owner considered the animal’s not feeding
well depended upon an irregularity of his molar teeth, which
upon examination was found to exist, and accordingly they
were rasped level. The man in charge of the horse was
likewise ordered to feed him well. Mr. Hogben also
arranged to send some medicine, which was to be given
daily. Under this treatment the horse very much improved,
and Mr. Hogben was not called upon to attend him again
until the 18th of June, when he was told that the horse had
shown symptoms of abdominal pain ; but having carefully
examined him, he came to the conclusion that this was due
to some affection of the thorax, but of what nature he could
not precisely make out. On the 21st a dropsical swelling
was observed, extending from the angle of the lower jaw to
the sternum, to which he applied some stimulating embro¬
cation, and repeated the tonic medicine. In about a week
from this date, namely, on the 27th, the swelling had
extended from the sternum as far as the posterior part of the
abdomen* The same treatment was continued up to the
1st of July, from which date the horse’s appetite became
better, and the swelling gradually subsided. About the
middle of this month the owner considered the horse suffi¬
ciently recovered to do light work. It was not long, how¬
ever, before the old symptoms returned, and the owner was
advised to have the horse destroyed; but this advice Avas not
carried into effect until the first week in October.

'Mr. Hogben further states that on opening the thorax he
found a considerable quantity of water in the cavity, and
also the diseased organs which he brought for my inspection.
In the abdominal cavity he likewise noticed a largish tumour
in connection with the pyloric extremity of the stomach, but
he does not state whether its formation depended upon
disease of the stomach itself or some of the adjacent organs.

Such is the account given me by Mr. Hogben. I will now
briefly describe the nature of the diseased parts. They con¬
sisted of about eight inches of the trachea and its division

DISEASED BLADDER OF THE IIORSE.

11

into the bronchia, connected to which was a large mass of
diseased structure about the size of a child’s head, slightly
flattened, and having its surface very irregular, but firm.
The bulk of this mass was made up chiefly of enlarged lym¬
phatic glands, each of which, when cut into, presented, as
near as I can describe, the following appearance : — In some
parts they were of a light-grey colour, dotted over with dark-
red and lightish-yellow spots, giving to the whole a peculiar
mottled aspect. Although the outer surface was firm, yet
the inner was- somewhat soft. The yellow points, when
pressed between the finger and thumb, imparted the sensa¬
tion of earthy matter being present; which I think may be
considered as evidence of the disease being tuberculous, and
justifies the appellation I have given to the affection.

It is to be regretted that we have not a more definite
account of the condition of the glandular organs in this case.
I think it very probable that the tumour noticed at the pyloric
end of the stomach consisted of diseased mesenteric glands,
and that the symptoms of abdominal pain, above alluded to,
depended upon this enlargement mechanically interrupting
the passage of the ingesta in its course along the alimentary
canal. I further think that the effusion of serum into the
thorax was partly caused by the diseased mass pressing upon
the veins at the root of the lungs, thereby impeding the
return of their contents to the heart, and partly also from
the enlarged and congested veins of the tumour itself.

In conclusion I would remark, that I do not think that
scrofula is a very common affection in the horse ; nor that
this animal is so predisposed to it as many others. Never¬
theless, we meet occasionally with cases. Few., however,
are recorded, and very little is said about this disease in
veterinary literature.

DISEASED BLADDER OF THE IIORSE.

By Thomas Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester.

At page 113 of the Veterinarian for 1860 there is a case
of a collection of sabulous matter in the bladder of a
horse, recorded by Mr. J. Glover, of Lewes. The bladder
and its contents were sent to the Royal Veterinary College,
find the whole case is very ably commented upon by Pro,

12

DISEASED BLADDER OF THE HORSE.

fessor Varnell, whose remarks and deductions are exceedingly
interesting and practical.

A similar case occurring in my practice in August of
the following year, I brought to my aid the very valuable
suggestions of Professor Varnell, and employed all other
means that could be devised, but, as the result proved, all in
vain. Notwithstanding I did not succeed in saving the
animal's life, I think it a case that is deserving of being re¬
corded, as the practical facts connected with it, and the
experience derived from it, are useful and full of interest to
the veterinary practitioner.

Its history is as follows : — The patient was a very fine
young cart-horse, five years old, apparently in good health,
and also in good condition. He urinated naturally up to
the time of the attack. The first and only symptom observ¬
able was a frequent involuntary voiding of his urine, and
especially was this the case when he was down. There was
no straddling gait, nor had he exhibited any abdominal pains.
My attention was first called to him on August 4th, 1861.
This inability to retain, and entire loss of voluntary power to
void his urine, had only been observed one or two clays pre¬
vious. There was an absence of all inflammatory or feverish
symptoms, and upon examination per rectum, no calculus
could be felt ; and as the horse had been working very freely,
and backing heavy loads, it was concluded that he might
possibly have sprained some internal structure, or possibly an
over-distension of the bladder from too long retained urine
had caused a temporary loss of contractile power in that
organ. I bled him, and administered a mild cathartic, with
strict injunctions as to rest and being kept quiet. Occa¬
sional enemas were also thrown up, and hot rugs constantly
applied over his loins. The aloes having operated, the hot
rugs were continued for several days, but no perceptible im¬
provement took place. The animal did not even once make
the slightest attempt or in the faintest degree show a desire
voluntarily to void his urine. I administered various diuretic
and lithontriptic medicines ; also gave calomel, cantharides,
as well as hydrochloric acid in a draught. This treatment
went on for days and weeks, but I could not rouse the
bladder to contract upon its contents. The urine I removed
by means of the catheter two and sometimes three times
within the twenty-four hours ; then at times I left it for
several days, and allowed the bladder to become full, to
see if, when it became distended, the animal would make
an attempt to empty it; but all was of no avail. The
bladder seemed as if in a paralysed state, and its function of

DISEASED BLADDER OF THE HORSE.

13

contractility entirely lost. At this stage I called in my
friend Mr. Lawson to see the case. He carefully examined
it, but he could detect no calculus. There being perceptible
a slight thickening about the neck of the bladder, he recom¬
mended the application of iodine over the course of the
urethral canal, as near to the neck of the bladder as pos¬
sible. This was done for some time, but with no advantage.
During this time the horse’s appetite became precarious, and
his general health appeared to be suffering, the pulse being
above 60, and it became evident that something else must
be done, as under the present treatment he was only getting
worse. The urethra also was becoming tender and sore
from the frequent use of the catheter. From the first the
urine had a most disagreeable and strong acrimonious smell ;
occasionally it was turbid, always viscid, and when allowed
to stand in a glass a considerable sediment was deposited.

It was now the 24th of August, and it was quite evident the
disease was telling upon the constitution ; in fact, the animal
was sinking. I therefore seriously reflected upon the me¬
chanical resources hinted at by Professor Varnell; and whilst
the catheter was in the bladder, I connected to it the
stomach-pump, and injected a quantity of warm water into
the urinary cyst, then let it run back, again injected, and
again let it run back. But this did not answer the
purpose, for the water I injected only passed upon and
over the sediment in the bladder, and ran off again from
it without having been mixed with it. It then struck me
that if I had my patient on his back, and my hand up
the rectum, the sediment in the bladder would thus be
turned upside down, and I could then inject large quan¬
tities of water into the bladder, and by gentle agitation
with my hand, commix the sediment and the water,
and then let it pass out through the catheter. I, therefore,
had my patient at once placed upon his back. Mr. Lawson,
jun., who had taken great interest in the case, was present,
and kindly lent me his assistance. On introducing my hand,
I now for the first time (it having hung pendulous and out
of reach previously) felt a considerable quantity of soft sabu¬
lous matter, and judged it, whilst balancing it in my hand, at
arm’s length, to be several pounds’ weight. I now pumped a
good quantity of warm water into the bladder, and gently com¬
mixed it as indicated above ; but in attempting to get it to
run back again, two difficulties presented themselves, — the
first was, the fluid would have to run up hill through the
catheter and sheath, whilst the horse lay upon his back. I
overcame this difficulty by having him turned upon his side ;

14

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

but here the second difficulty presented itself, viz., the
mixture in the bladder was so thick that it could not
run through the small fine passage of the catheter. What
was to be done ? It appeared to me of vital importance that
the contents of the bladder should be evacuated, as this dead
weight was prostrating the energies of the organ. As a
dernier ressort , I therefore resolved to cut down through the
perinaeum upon the urethral canal, and introduce a gutta¬
percha tube of larger calibre. I did this, and out gushed,
in a continued stream, a thick muddy mixture for two or
three minutes. I again and again washed out the bladder,
and then let the patient get up. But even after this there was
no improvement whatever; he never once made the slightest
attempt voluntarily to void his urine, and it was removed
from him daily. Occasionally I injected diluted hydrochloric
acid into the bladder, also gave tonics, and did everything
that could be thought of ; but he continued gradually sinking
until September 30th, when I consented to have him de¬
stroyed. There had been a little sediment perceived once or
twice in his urine since the operation, but nothing to speak
of ; its smell, however, was extremely offensive.

Post-mortem Appearances. — The kidneys and ureters were
quite healthy, and not a particle of calcareous deposit existed
in the bladder, but the mucous membrane of that organ was of
a leaden hue ; it was likewise considerably thickened all
through its entire extent, and especially so about the neck of
the bladder, which was in a state of gangrene and emitted an
insufferably offensive odour.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

By R. II. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

( Continued from vol. xxxvi, p. 668.)

Splint, or splent as it is sometimes designated, is a dis¬
ease of the metacarpal bones, very frequently met with now-a-
days ; indeed, it is difficult to find an animal without a
deposit of bony matter somewhere near the carpal joint.
Every person having the least pretension to a knowledge of
horseflesh believes himself fully competent to give an opinion
as to the soundness of a horse with splint. There are many
views published with reference to this disease, and various

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

15

are the questions put to a veterinary surgeon when called
upon to report upon such cases. It is interesting to learn
what our forefathers said about this affection. “Mark¬
ham's Masterpiece" contains several articles upon it. For the
edification of your readers who have not this work in their
possession, I will make a few quotations by way of comparison.
“ A splent is to the outward feeling a very gristly or rather a
hard bone, sometimes as big as a hazel-nut, sometimes as big
as a walnut, according to the age thereof, growing upon the
inside of the fore leg, between the knee and the upper
pastern joint, and sometimes just [underneath and close
unto the knee, which is, of all others, the most dangerous
splent, and doth the soonest make a horse lame. It cometh
by travelling a horse too young, or by over pressing him
with heavy burthens, whereby the tender sinews of his legs are
offended. Now for the knowledge thereof it is easie, because it
is apparent unto the eye, and most palpable to be felt. The
cure according to the opinion of the ancient farriers is, to take
an onion, and picking out the core, put into it half a spoonful
of honey, and a quarter of a spoonful of unslacked lime,
and four pennyweights of verdigrease; then closing up the
onion, roast it in hot embers until, it be soft; then bruise it
in a mortar, and as hot as the horse can suffer it, lay it to
the splent, and it will take it away, but in any case cut no
skin." Many other formulae are given in this work. The
actual cautery is strongly recommended in some instances,
and so is the knife ; for example, u Others used to slit the
sorance with a knife the whole length of the splent, and
then with a cornet to open the slit, and lay the splent bare,
then to make about the wound a coffin of clay all open to
the top; then take boar’s grease made scalding hot, and pour
it into the wound until the clay coffin be full, then let it rest
until the grease be cold; after that let the horse rise, and
this with once dressing will take the splent clean away
without any blemish or eye-sore."

Again, after speaking of other remedies, such as a snail and
salt, &c., Markham writes thus: “Now, after all these former
practices, you shall understand that the cleanliest way to
take away a splent is, first, after you have cast your horse,
with a hazel stick of a pretty poise' and bigness, gently to
beat the splent at the first, then by degrees a little harder
and harder, till the splent grows soft in every part, then
with the point of your lancet let out all the blood and
water; then take a brickbat, and having laid it on the
fire, when it is exceeding hot fold it in a red cloth, and
therewith rub the splent and smooth it upon the top till

16

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

you have dried away the blood, and that no more moisture
cometh out ; then take of pitch, of rozin, and mas tick, of
each a like quantity, melt them well together, and being
hot lay it over and all about the splent ; then clap flock
of the colour of the horse’s leg upon it, and so let it rest
upon the splent until it fall away of itself; and, if when
it is fallen away, you perceive any part of the splent remain
behind, which hardly will be if it be orderly beaten ; then
you shall dress that remaining as you did the other before,
and the splent will be perfectly cured.” Then he goes on
to say, “The surest way is to use a sharp knife,” &c., &c.
After giving special directions as to the mode of laying
on bandages to stay the falling down of the humours, he
lays great stress upon the age of the moon : “ And also you
must know that all splents, spavins, or knobs, must either be
taken away at the beginning or after the full of the moon.” I
am afraid our present practice is so much at variance with that
pursued in times gone by, that many of our failures must be
attributed to a want of knowledge of the humours and the
influence of the moon : that is, if our forefathers were more
successful than ourselves. Bracken believed splint derived
its name from the fact of its serving to strengthen the
parts, as pieces of wood would strengthen a splice.

It appears to me that splint has been disposed of in a
manner somewhat too summarily by some of our English
authors. The more I see and learn of splint, the more I
am inclined to view it as a great evil, as it is to depositions
of bony matter in the fore limbs that we may attribute much
of the want of that elasticity and pleasant action we used to
have formerly in hacks and roadsters. For my own part I
seldom ride a pleasant-going horse, or one which can be said
to constitute a good hack. There is an absence of fine loose
free action, and in place of it is felt rigidity — a sort of stilty
movement of the front limbs. Whether this is referable to
a deterioration in the breed of horses, or the fact of their
being trained too early, it is not my province to notice at
present; suffice it to say what I have stated 1 believe to be a
fact.

Blaine says, " As the general nature of splint is that of a
conversion of what was before ligament into bone, so it is
evident, in this point of view, that a splint can seldom, if
ever, be wholly removed ; but from the process of absorption
in the machine in the latter periods of life being greater than
the deposit, so it happens that the eoctxa deposit beyond the
simple ossific deposit, and which extra deposit is that which
constitutes the bulk of the splint, is removed in old horses,

observations on soundness.

17

or, as grooms express it, they 6 wear away/ A splint placed
at the lower end of the cannon bone is still more prejudicial
than when situated higher up the leg.”

^ouatt in his work on the horse writes thus: “Splints,
then, do not necessarily cause unsoundness, and may not
lessen in the slightest degree the action or value of the horse.
All depends on their situation.” Coming down nearer to
our own time we find a more extensive view is taken of the
affection we are discussing. Percivall in his Hippopathology
has half a score of pages upon the subject. He says “The
name of splint or sp lent, derived from the Italian word spinella ,
a splint, would seem first to have been used to denote the
bone in or upon which the disease so called is seated, and
afterwards the disease itself. The eight small bones in our
modern nomenclature called metacarpal and metatarsal , in their
position along the sides of the cannon bones , or great meta¬
carpal and metatarsal bones, have so much the aspect of
splints (the old name for which is splents) or splinters off’ the
shaft of the large bones to which they cling, that we can
readily imagine how they came to be called splint or splent
bones, and as easily understand how the appellation of the
bone came to be transferred to the disease. The definition
of a splint is simply this, — that it is an exostosis, i. e., a
callous or osseous tumour, growing upon one, or contiguous
to one, of the splint bones. Were the tumour not of such a
nature, or being of such nature not so situated, we should
not call it a splint.” He has quoted from Solleysel, who gives
five kinds of splint; videlicet, “ simple, the pegged or double
splint, the third which ascendeth to the knee, the fourth
Fusee, the last osselet.” “The ordinary site of splint is
about the middle of the leg, rather nearer to the knee than
to the fetlock. A splint upon or immediately under the
knee-joint is an affair of complication and danger compared
to one in the ordinary situation, and so far we could and
ought to make distinctions between splints ; further than
this, however, all specification appears groundless and use¬
less.” Blaine is of opinion the lower the splint the more
serious it is to be considered. Here there is an evident
clashing of opinions.

The pathological history of splint* — “ How happens it that this
useful fibro- cartilage becomes transubstantiated into useless
bone? The immediate or proximate cause we believe to be
increased action, amounting in some instances to inflamma¬
tion, set up in the vessels of the fibro-cartilage, whereby
hypertrophy, or, in such an ossific diathesis as the horse
species is known to possess, exostosis is produced. Any

XXXV II. &

18

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

violence or injury to bone, it is notorious enough, is in
horses especially apt to be followed by exostosis ; and it the
hurt be to a joint, or in the vicinity of one, by anchylosis,
partial or complete, as well ; so prone is the economy ot the
horse to what medical men call ossific inflammation/’

“ The cause of splint, now that its nature has been ascer¬
tained, will on reflection strike U3 to consist in anything that
may occasion undue or sudden pressure upon the splint
bone, whereby the cartilaginous union between it and the
cannon bone is stretched or strained, and so has its capillary
circulation increased in such a manner or measure that con¬
version of it into bone is the result, followed or not by
exostosis as the case may be. Over action, or over weight
at a tender age is the ordinary cause of this. In the anxiety
there is to bring young horses into use, in the precocious
practice of breaking, and racing, and hunting that exists, we
cannot feel surprised at imperfected parts giving way, or being
reconstructed in a different manner from the original design.
Nature is forced beyond her powers, and, finding that the
soft and elastic material placed for a certain wflse purpose
between the splint and cannon bones, insufficient against
weight and force, osseous material is substituted for it.
Even before breaking or using the colt commences, however,
the mischief may be perpetrated. A gallop, a jump, a
gambol in the field or yard, may, even in the foal, occasion
the throwing out of a splint. Again, a blow or other external
injury may produce a splint, though this is comparatively a
rare case. To whatsoever cause, however, it be referable,
the fact is notorious enough, that hardly any horse com¬
pletes his fifth year without a splint, either latent or demon¬
strable ; for, as we have before remarked, exostosis or tumour
is not absolutely necessary to constitute splint/5 (( Splint
rarely produces lameness/5

I have quoted somewhat largely from Mr. PercivalFs
Hippopathology because that gentleman has so ably handled
this subject ; still I must be permitted to say I do not agree
with all he has written upon it. I do not think splint lias
up to the present time been properly and distinctly under¬
stood by horsemen generally. Mr. Percivall’s definition of
splint is this, (i that it is an exostosis,55 i. e.} a callous or
osseous tumour, growing upon one, or contiguous to one, of
the splint bones. Were the tumour not of such a nature, or
being of such nature not so situated, we should not call it a
splint.’5 We learn from this and other observations made by
him, as well as some other authors, that a splint must be

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

19

situated upon or contiguous to one of the small metacarpal
bones. It will be necessary that we look rather closely
into this subject, and endeavour to find out whether we
have or have not exhausted it. In the first place it will
be well to learn if an exostosis not known to be connected
with the small metacarpal bone should be designated a splint;
for without we settle this question it will be difficult to deal
with it. Reference has been made before to the absorp¬
tion of the fibro-cartilaginous matter, and deposition of bone
between the small and large metacarpi. Suppose the fibro-car¬
tilaginous matter be absorbed, and its own quantity of bone
substituted, and no more, I would ask if it is likely that many
persons will detect splint during the process of examination
as to soundness? I hold a specimen in my hand taken from
a pony twenty-three years of age, which consists of the
carpal joint of the near leg, i.e. the lower end of the radius;
all the bones of the carpus, with the three metacarpi; the
scaphoid has a deposit of bony matter the size of a hazel nut
anteriorly; the trapezoid and os magnum are cemented
the one to the other with bony matter; the small (inner) and
large metacarpal are so amalgamated that it would be impos¬
sible for any person to distinguish them, or to state where
the one commenced or the other terminated (during the life
of the animal, of course, I allude to). The pony was put under
treatment some years ago, and I believed I had cured the splint.
The kind of cure was apparent immediately after death.
II aving seen so much of this kind of thing, I may challenge
the most sensitive hand to discover such a case in the living
patient as that which now lies upon my desk.

I have been accustomed during my practice to term all
exostoses, splint, if found in the neighbourhood of the small
bones, whether on the inside or outside of the leg. Sometimes
I have (when they have been situated nearer to the anterior
part of the large bone than to the posterior) named them nodes;
which term I have believed applicable. Mr. Percivall, how¬
ever, was of opinion that the term node is ^-appropriate.
If the term splint be confined to the deposit (or substitution
of bony matter between the small and large metacarpal
bones) then it becomes absolutely necessary to give some
other name to those excrescences so frequently met with upon
the large bone. For my own part I see no objection to the
term splint bein^ employed in all cases which may be found to
exist in the immediate neighbourhood of the small metacarpal
bone. I do not see that we have need to manufacture difficul¬
ties about terms. That veterinary nomenclature is defective
no one can doubt, and it may be worth one’s while to set

20

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

about effecting some improvement in that branch of our lite¬
rature. With reference to the pathology of splint, I think
we have arrived at a satisfactory solution of the disease, so
far as this is concerned ; but with regard to the effects pro¬
duced by splint we are not so happy in our remarks. It has
been said that splint seldom produces either lameness or
defective action. To this observation I cannot subscribe ; as
in many cases I have found both splint and other bony growths
about the metacarpal bones produce lameness and defective
action likewise. If we take into consideration the anatomy
of the metacarpal bones, and then reflect upon the phy¬
siology of the same parts, we shall, I think, ascertain that
both lameness and irregular or defective action are often the
result of these deposits. I have several morbid specimens in
my possession which display unmistakable evidences of in¬
flammation having been centred in the bones themselves.
In all these, lameness was of course apparent, and so bad in
some of them, that I advised the animals should be destroyed.
I am of opinion a deposit of bony matter cannot exist be¬
tween the small and large metacarpi without interfering in
some degree with the action of the limb. Take, for example,
a splint situated midway down the small bone; all the regu¬
lar courses have passed away, and a portion of the fibro-car-
tilaginous matter has been substituted by osseous matter ren¬
dering it as firm as if a nail had been passed through it.
Now, if the action of the inner small metacarpal bone be
what a mechanic would be led to believe it is on examination,
namely, a downward movement, and perhaps a little out¬
wards also ; then a tie or bind midway must of necessity pro¬
duce some change in the action of the limb. If to a board
a small splinter of wood were fixed by means of a piece of
indja-rubber, and a weight placed upon the upper part of the
small splinter, in a precisely similar manner to what is per¬
formed upon the bones of the living horse, it will give a fair
idea how small a liberty may be taken in nailing the small
piece of wood to the larger, and what the result will be. I
have every reason to believe that, as the situation of the
ossific matter is changed, so will a change take place in the
action of that part of the fore leg of the horse. For many
years I have paid especial attention to the action of horses
having splints. As these deposits approach toward the
carpus, the more do they alter the action of the limb, and in
some cases they produce an irregular or stilty movement of
the whole leg. The shape of the ossific deposit will exercise
much influence in producing lameness. I have always
found that when these deposits are sjgiculatecl , they produce

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

21

much irritation of the periosteum, and will probably end in
lameness. To the question, Does splint constitute unsound¬
ness? I will append the decision of Lord Chief Justice Tindal.

Oliphant, at page 83, writes as follows : —

“ A splint, like a bone spavin, is an excresence or bony
deposit on the leg of a horse, and the danger in both cases is
the probability of their interfering with his action ; the bone
spavin, by preventing the proper flexion of the joint, and the
splint, by pressing on the sinews of the leg. Lameness is
thus produced by each; by bone spavin nearly always, by a
splint sometimes. It entirely depends on the situation of the
bony tumour on the inside of the shank-bone, whether a
splint is to be considered an unsoundness. If it is not in the
neighbourhood of any joint, so as to interfere with its action,
and if it does not press upon any ligament or tendon, it can
be no cause of unsoundness ; and although it is often very
unsightly, it does not lessen the capabilities and value of the
animal."

“In an action on the warranty of a horse fto be sound
wind and limb at this time the breach of which was lameness,
produced by a splint, it was given in evidence that a splint
might or might not be the efficient cause of lameness, accord¬
ing to its position, its size and extent; that the splint in this
instance was in a very bad situation, as it pressed upon one
of the sinews of the leg, and was calculated to produce, when
the horse was worked, inflammation of the sinew and conse¬
quent lameness. Lord Chief Justice Tindal said, 4 It now
appears that some splints cause lameness and others do not,
and that the consequences of a splint cannot be apparent at
the time, like those of the loss of an eye, or any other blemish
or defect visible to a common observer. We therefore think
that by the terms of this written warranty the parties meant
that this was not, at that time, a splint which would be the
cause of future lameness, and that the jury have found
that it was. We therefore think that the warranty was
broken? ”

I may with truth assert that ninety-nine horses out of
every hundred examined by me have something analogous to
splint situated in the vicinity of the small metacarpal bone, and
the question invariably put is the following: “ Do you think
that splint will come against him?" These are the words
generally made use of. Now, how are we to answer the
question ? By looking closely to the situation of the deposit
with a view to ascertain if it interferes with tendon or liga¬
ment, or if it is likely to do so at any future time. This is
the reply one would most likely receive : this reads very well

22

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

upon paper, but it does not turn out such an easy matter in
practice. Many horses are examined with large deposits of
bone adhering to the small bone and extending inside of it,
still they are not lame, although the ligament is continually
rubbing against it. This can only be accounted for from the
fact, that all inflammatory action has passed away, and the
parts have accommodated themselves to change of structure.
Two cases were brought to me this day ; one with a large
exostosis immediately under the knee of the right leg on the
outer side, which produced lameness for a considerable time.
That patient has been discharged cured of lameness, and is
to be sold. The other case is that of a gray mare having
small spiculi of bony matter both on the inner and outer
side of the right leg, about two’ inches below the knee ; she is
excessively lame, and has been so for some time. These cases,
as I have said before, are most troublesome.

Is a horse sound with splint? If we turn to the definition
of soundness as laid down by the first lawyers of Great
Britain, and which will be found in my first paper for
January, 1863, it will there be learned that sound means
perfect ; if, therefore, a leg to be sound must be perfect, I
think there will not be much difficulty in our way in ascer¬
taining the soundness or otherwise of an animal affected with
splint, more especially when we take into account the variety
of forms under which these defects present themselves.

If it were possible to state the precise situation and extent
of the ossific deposit, we could in that case give a clearer and
more definite answer to queries put to us in our examinations
of splints. Morbid anatomy enables me to state that it is
almost impossible during the lifetime of the animal to know
the precise situation and extent as well as course of manv
splints. In cases of examinations as to soundness prior to
purchase, these affairs are easily got rid of, should lameness
take place subsequently ; but if warranties are given in
similar cases , and the subjects of those warranted fail lame
within a reasonable time after being sold, I believe in nine
cases out of ten a jury would find for the plaintiff.

(To be continued .)

23

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.
By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

(Continued from vol. xxxvi, p. 671.)

In my last communication we finished the consideration of
those plants belonging to the natural order Solanaceae, which
are most likely to be brought under the notice of the vete¬
rinary surgeon ; and before entering upon another order of
plants, I would say a few words as to the importance of a
thorough knowledge of those recently commented on. It
must, I think, at the outset be admitted that plants pos¬
sessing such properties as the Atropa Belladonna , the Hyos -
cyamus niger} the Nicotiana Tabacum , and the Solanum Dulca¬
mara, whether administered as medicinal agents or received
into the system of animals in sufficient quantities to produce
poisonous effects, have more than ordinary claims upon our
attention. Found, as many of these plants are, growing in
considerable quantities in our own immediate neighbour¬
hoods, and sufficient in many instances to be available for the
manufacture of the different preparations which by concen¬
trating their active principles are more convenient for ad¬
ministration as medicinal agents, the opportunities thus
afforded should be made use of by us for obtaining the
different parts of the plants at those seasons when their
active principles are most developed, thus lessening in a
great degree the uncertainty of the action which is too apt
to result from the exhibition of those that we obtain from the
wholesale manufacturer. Nor is this all, for when, as not
unfrequently happens (although nature as a rule has im¬
planted a peculiar instinct by which animals avoid these
dangerous plants), an animal, from hunger, or a vitiated
appetite, has partaken of these plants in sufficient quanti¬
ties to cause poisonous action, some knowledge of the phy¬
sical characters by which these plants can be recognised will
be expected from those w’hose especial calling it is to point
out the causes while we endeavour to relieve the effects. I
allude to the qualified members of the veterinary profession.
Surely no one at the present day will be unreasonable
enough to assert that a science which teaches these things
has no claims upon our consideration as a profession. Neg¬
lected as the science of botany at present is as a branch of
our education, we may rest assured that its claims will con¬
tinue to force themselves more and nioreupon our attention $

2d BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

and let us hope that the day is not far distant when it shall
occupy its true position in connection with those other
branches of science which are already deemed essential to
the proper education of the members of our profession.

The next natural order of plants that will be brought
under notice is one which, like the preceding, contains many
plants of great interest, viz., the natural order Ranunculaceae,
or Crowfoots. Like the Solanaceous tribe, it belongs to the
class of Exogens, but, unlike it, to the sub-class Thalima-
florae (flowers furnished with both a calyx and corolla, the
latter consisting of distinct petals; stamens always hypo-
gynous, or united to the sides of the ovary). The following
will be found a brief description of the botanical characters
of the order : —

“ Ranunculacece, Croivfoots. — Sepals , 3 — 6, usually deciduous,
sometimes unequal. Petals, 3 — 15, in one or more rows
distinct, sometimes unequal, sometimes partly or wholly
missing. Stamens indefinite in number; hypogynous. Car¬
pels numerous, seated on a torus, one-celled or united into a
single man}^celled pistil. Fruit, either consisting of dry
achiemia, or bacchate with one or more seeds, or follicular
with one or two valves. Herbs, or very rarely shrubs. Leaves
alternate or opposite, generally much divided, with the
petiole dilated, and forming a sheath half clasping the stem.
Stipules occasionally present. Hairs , if any, simple. In¬
florescence variable.” (Lindley.)

This order comprises between six and seven hundred spe¬
cies, some of which are found growing in most parts of the
world, but more abundant in moist soils in the temperate
parts of Europe and Asia. A great variety of plants are
classed under this order, many being found growing wild in
our pastures and woods, such as the Crowfoots and Ane¬
mones. Others are cultivated on account of the floral beauty
they impart to our gardens, such as the Larkspur and
Peony ; while again others possess very powerful medicinal
and poisonous properties, such as the Aconite (Monkshood),
the Hellebore, &c. A powerful narcotic and acrid principle
is possessed in a greater or less degree by all the plants in
this order. Several -of them have features of peculiar in¬
terest to the veterinary surgeon, and I shall therefore devote
some considerable space to their notice, commencing with
the Aconitum napellus (Monkshood), which I shall proceed
with in my next communication.

[To be continued .)

25

CASES OF INDIGESTION, ACCOMPANIED WITH
COLIC, GASTRO-ENTERITIS, &c.

By “ Argus.”

An unusually large number of the horses of one of the
batteries of Artillery under my charge have suffered of late
from severe attacks of indigestion, colic, and gastro- enteritis,
complicated in some instances with hepatic disease. During
six weeks the number of cases admitted for treatment has
been from one to three daily ; while in the other battery
only about five horses have been attacked during that time,
and of these two were verv slight cases. The svstem of
stable management, feeding, & c., is the same as nearly as
possible in both batteries ; but the horses of the healthy
one are under cover in stables, while those of the sickly
battery are picketed out in the open air, without anything
to protect them from sun, rain, wind, or night dew. Nearly
all the cases admitted from the latter were of a severe type.
Six horses have died, and as the post-mortem appearances
were peculiar, I send you a brief description of the result of
my examination of the bodies.

In all six cases there was inflammation of the villous coat
of the stomach and the mucous membrane of the small
intestines; all six stomachs hajl several large irregular ulcers ,
or I should say, ulcers with irregular, jagged edges, along
the line of junction of the cuticular with the villous lining of
the stomach. In one stomach there were twTo or three small
ulcers upon the villous lining membrane about its centre.
Three of the stomachs were ruptured, and in each instance
the rupture had taken place along the line occupied by a
continuous chain of these ulcers. One such chain ran
almost from the cardiac to the pyloric orifice, and the
stomach had there given way. In these cases the contents
had escaped into the abdominal cavity and produced perito¬
nitis. The ulcers, though most conspicuous along the line
of demarcation, were not confined to it, but were to be seen
here and there on the cuticular membrane. In two of the
stomachs there were abscesses (one in each) close to the
ulcers, having very thick walls, and an exceedingly small
cavity containing a little pus mixed with black granular
matter. Each abscess had a small opening inwards into the
cavity of the stomach, and their situation in both cases was
on the cuticular membrane. To the edge of the open mouth

26

INDIGESTION.

of each of these abscesses a couple of bots were attached ;
and to the ragged edges of some (not all) of the ulcers, in
like manner, one, two, or three bots were found clinging.
Five of the six stomachs were immensely distended with
compact grass and grain — so much so that the medicine
administered by the mouth previous to death was found to
have been absorbed by the hard dry mass in immediate con¬
tact with the cardiac orifice, and not to have got beyond
about the first eighth of the contents of the stomach. Even
those stomachs which were ruptured were found in this dis¬
tended state, although some of their contents had escaped.
The sixth stomach was also of large size, but filled with
liquid containing undigested grain and grass. In four of the
six cases there was disease of the liver (chronic), that organ
being much diminished in size, of a light-clay colour, and
remarkably soft and easily broken down.

The symptoms in all these cases were almost exactly the
same. On first admission, dulness, the head hanging low,
staggering gait, small and almost imperceptible pulse, per¬
spiration generally over the whole body, the pupils of the eyes
distended, and the horse apparently unconscious of all
surrounding objects. When the head was raised to give a
draught the horse became giddy and staggered ; sometimes
he fell if the head were repeatedly raised, and if the attempts
to administer the medicine were persevered in the animal
became greatly distressed, his breathing alarmingly acce¬
lerated, and his movements involuntary and unsteady, even
to the extent of falling down head foremost and rolling over.
After a couple of hours the patients became covered with a
cold perspiration, the respiration quick and difficult, and the
countenance expressive of the most intense suffering. The
horse would walk round his box as if trying to escape from
himself, alternately running his nose or tail into one of the
corners ; then turn round, paw the ground, and throw him¬
self down with a groan. In three cases there was vomiting
through the nostrils, the smell arising from which compelled
those in the box to leave it for a minute or two. One horse
was so violent that it was impossible to go near him for
some time, until, in fact, he had become exhausted by the
paroxysm of pain. In all those cases that proved fatal the
brain became affected soon after admission. All treatment
failed to produce any change for the better at any period of
the disease, although everything was tried that under such
circumstances is generally found to afford relief. The horses
rapidly got worse, and died in from five to twenty-five hours
from their being first attacked.

INDIGESTION.

27

Have similar cases been seen in England — I mean with
reference to the post-mortem appearances ? Of course I know
that cases of gastritis occur with symptoms like those I have
described But are ulcers often found in the lining membrane of
the stomach ? These horses were in good condition, and
apparently good health, up to the time of the acute attack.
In the human subject, when ulceration of the stomach exists,
the patient at times suffers excruciating pain, and shows by
his appearance and state of health generally that there is
some serious internal organic disease. Nothing of this kind
was observable in any of these horses. I showed one of the
stomachs to our surgeon, and he agreed with me that the
ulceration must have been a work of time, that the state of
things we saw could not have been produced by the acute
attack, and within a period of twelve or fifteen hours.

There wTas no reason to suspect that the horses had been
poisoned, and indeed the symptoms were not those of
poisoning — certainly not of mineral poisoning : there was no
purging, no salivation, or discoloration of the mucous mem¬
brane of the mouth, fauces, oesophagus, &c.

Do bots produce ulceration of the stomach? I know that
in the majority of cases in which they are found they have
done no harm ; but may they not occasionally produce mis¬
chief? I am aware that professional men differ in opinion
upon this subject. It is, to say the least of it, a strange coin¬
cidence that bots were found clinging to the edges of some
of the ulcers, and to the mouths of both abscesses. There
were bots in all the stomachs, though in some they were not
near the ulcerated part. I ought to tell you that the horses
of this battery had recently come from another station, where
they were in stables. Here they stand in the open air,
exposed to the influence of the direct rays of an Indian sun
(in the month of July) one day, and to torrents of rain the
next, being alternately reeking wet or roasted by a burning sun.
I have seen them standing for two or three days continuously
without ever having a chance of becoming dry even for an
hour, and then perhaps the weather suddenly clears up and
out comes the sun more fiercely hot than at any time of the
year. For days the poor brutes have to stand up to their
pasterns or fetlocks in wet and mud. The natural effect of
this must be to render the horses more liable to be attacked
by disease, and less able to bear . up against it when
attacked; and yet Government will not sanction the erection
of any more stables !

The general food of horses on this side of India is grain,
vudely broken between two stones, and then steeped in

28

COMMUNICATION, ETC.

water for an hour. I think myself that this steeping of grain
ought to be stopped, for even if it be properly done, and
only for the time ordered, it is apt to produce colic, &c.
But I know that it is often left soaking for many hours instead
of the half hour or hour directed ; and on two occasions I
discovered that the grain for a whole regiment had been put
in water overnight for the morning’s feed. This accounts
for the numerous cases of colic, gastritis, enteritis, and
ruptured stomach, &e., which occur out here. Still I cannot
see how or why it should produce ulceration of the lining-
membrane of the stomach without bringing on an acute
attack of gastritis, or one of a sub-acute or chronic kind with
symptoms of an unmistakable character. I have heard it
stated that the use of steeped grain was the cause of this
gastric ulceration. If it be so, why do we not come across a
larger number of deaths in which the stomach is found in
the state of those I have described ? I have been many
years in India, and have never neglected to open every horse
that died under my care, but until now I have seen no
ulceration, and only two or three times abscess within the
stomach. We are now feeding upon parched grain and
barley, broken and mixed with bran ; and for some time
past we have had no cases admitted, not even slight ones.

If you or any of your professional readers have seen and
treated gastro-enteritic attacks of the peculiar kind alluded
to above, you may be able to throw some light upon the
cause. Please do it if you can.

In addition to the six troopers, an Arab belonging to one
of the officers of the same battery has died. The horse was
taken ill at half-past ten a.m., and died at three p.m. same
day — i.e. in four and a half hours! Post-mortem examina¬
tion showed ulceration of the cuticular and villous lining
membrane of stomach, with rupture of its coats to the extent
of about six or seven inches.

COMMUNICATION, &c., FROM THE GHOST OF AN

INDIAN YET.

India ; Oct. 21st, 1863.

Dear Sirs, — I inclose you an extract from an Indian
paper, whereby you will see the fix our Government is
getting into through its treatment of their veterinary sur-

HORSE WARRANTY.

TIIE RIG.

29

geons. Our warrant is still a dead letter, and we remain
on our old rate of pay. Promotion has been made in our
presidency, but there is no increase of pay with it ; truly an
empty honour — and one the individual would gladly be
without, as it increases his subscriptions to his fund, mess,
&c., &c.

Again, I warn aspiring vets to think well before they take
the false leap. Only fancy a great Government like ours
being obliged to hire a private veterinary surgeon to treat
their valuable horses.

The ‘Englishman’ writes: — “ The Government appears
to be as badly off for horse-doctors as for man-doctors ; and
is obliged to go into the market for ticea veterinary surgeons,
having none of its own available and at hand. There are
two batteries of artillery and the Lahore Light Horse at
Barrackpore with glanders and farcy in the stables, and
horses being shot in numbers, with no veterinary surgeon
to look after them ; consequently the Government has hired
a horse-doctor from one of the Calcutta livery stables at 300
rupees a month. Can it be the case that the ‘vets' in Eng¬
land are holding back as well as man-doctors, and want a
little amalgamating to induce them to come forward? It
would appear so."

HORSE WARRANTY.— THE RIG.

By J. Cooper, M.R.C.V.S., Market Weighton.

Mr. Dyer says: — “In racing language, and in hunting
phraseology, ahorse means an entire animal, therefore if a
horse is to be considered sound he should be entire. But it
has been the custom for centuries to emasculate animals, and
to consider an animal so operated on as a sound one, as
regards this part of his animal economy."

Two propositions are here laid down :

1. That a horse to be sound must be entire.

2. That, the custom being to emasculate, an animal emas¬
culated may also be considered sound.

Assuming Mr. Dyer to have here exhausted the category
of soundness, the logical deduction from these premises is,
that an animal neither entire nor yet completely emasculated
is not sound.

By rig is ordinarily meant an animal with one testicle
only taken away.

30

GLANDERS A RESULT OR IMPROPER REEDING.

"Mr. Dyer further says, “ The warranty should have stated
the animal was a gelding/’ in which case he appears to think
the purchaser would recover.

I happen to know that the purchaser told the seller that
he wanted a “ young sound carriage horse, to make fresh dur¬
ing the winter, and sell for London work in spring.”

A “gelding” may, therefore, be fairly taken to have been
in the minds of both at the time of sale. Why, therefore,
should not the word “gelding” be read for “horse” in the
warranty as representing the animal both parties were
dealing with at the time of sale?

But even then must not the purchaser show fraud in the
seller to recover?

GLANDEES, A EESULT OF IMPEOPEE FEEDING.
By T. Waller, M.E.C.V.S., Weshpool.

The perusal of the communication on glanders, in your
December number, by Mr. A. C. Shaw, brought to my
remembrance two cases which bear out in many particulars
the excellent remarks he there makes, viz., as to many of the
tubercular deposits and extensive exudations that the horse is
liable to, being in a great measure due to non-nutritious, or
an insufficient quantity of food, combined with an irregular
mode of feeding.

The animals whose cases I am about to relate had been fed
principally upon hay, Swedes, and French wheat, given at
irregular intervals and in improper quantities.

I have also under my care at the present moment a hack
and harness horse that had been fed largely on linseed
mashes, suffering from low fever, derangement of the liver,
and severe cough ; but under the influence of nitro-hydro-
chloric acid he is gradually regaining his "wonted strength.

Case 1. — A bay cart-horse, seven years old, had received
a kick from another horse on the point of the shoulder, two
years previous to my having seen her, which was on the 5th
of May of the present year. She had been blistered and
setoned by a farrier several times, but without any benefit.
The shoulder, as also the opposite one, was considerably
enlarged and hard, with much lameness present. The mare
had also an enlargement of a chronic nature on the poll.

GLANDERS A RESULT OE IMPROPER EEEDING.

31

Under the circumstances, I advised the owner to destroy
her, which was done, and the following were the post-mortem
appearances. Both flexor brachii were much enlarged, and
in their structure were several sacs, whose walls were hard
and fibrinous, containing a yellow tuberculous deposit, some¬
thing analogous to the deposits found in the lungs of cattle
in tubercular phthisis. The articulation of either humerus
with the flexor brachii were diseased ; the cartilage being
removed, in some places, from the left, by attrition consequent
upon the non- secretion of synovia. The cartilage of the
right was not removed, but there was ulceration of the bone
beneath, and a large quantity of ossific matter thrown out
around the head. There wTas also an encysted abscess on the

%r

poll, of the same nature as those described in the flexor
brachii, with ossific matter on the surface of the atlas. She
was likewise the subject of splents, and ossification of the
lateral cartilages. I may, moreover, mention that, on laying
open the double colon at its second turn, near to the attached
border, I discovered a cluster of ulcerated spots, radiating
from which the intestine was drawn up in puckers ; and
near to each spot, and adhering to it, were a large number
of strongyles. These may probably have given rise, in the
first place, to the ulceration. The animal, however, did not
evince any symptoms indicative of such a state of intestine
during life.

This case shows that not only must there have been here¬
ditary tendency to ossific deposit, but also to deposits of a
strumous nature, requiring only slight exciting causes to
favour their development.

Case 2. — A roan gelding, fourteen years old, the property
of the same farmer as the first case, a few days prior to the
8th of May, 1863, evinced the following symptoms: — Great
debility; pulse quick, and weak; a copious discharge of
fetid, watery pus, from both nostrils; appetite slightly im¬
paired; serous infiltration into the cellular tissue of the
upper lip, obstructing the passage of the air, and causing,
consequently, difficult and stertorous breathing. He had
been ailing for some time, and for some years had shown
an inability to void his urine at times. He had also been
the frequent subject of inflammatory oedema. On the morn¬
ing of the 8th he died in great agony ; great rigidity of the
muscles of the neck bein£ present for some little time pre¬
vious to dissolution.

Post-mortem appearances . — Chronic disease of the lungs,
there being numerous abscesses (varying in size from a large

PROGRESS OF THE MURRAIN.

32

orange to a nut) in their substance, one of which had burst
and penetrated a bronchial tube, and its contents passed up the
trachea, causing suffocation, the immediate cause of death.
The sinuses of the head were filled with thin pus of a fetid
character, and the mucous membranes had a dirty, unhealthy
appearance. On examining the urinary organs, the bladder
was found full of urine, which had a quantity of mucus floating
in it. On passing my hand along the urethral canal, I felt
a hard prominence near to its termination at the glans
penis. On removing the surrounding tissues, the obstruc¬
tion was found to consist of a hardened mass of the seba¬
ceous secretion from the inside of the sheath, moulded to
the exact form of the glans on one side, and the opening
of the urethral canal, the lip-like portion; and in that part
there was a large portion of calcareous matter deposited.
Both vesiculge seminales were greatly enlarged, and filled
with a thick, glutinous fluid, of a white colour, somewhat
resembling the white of an egg, and projecting into the
interior of one was an haemorrhagic tumour. These enlarge¬
ments produced pressifre on the neck of the bladder, giving
rise to paralysis of it ; hence (in conjunction with the mass
of sebaceous secretion in the glans) the retention of urine
at times.

The deposition of fibrine in the areolar tissue of the hind
extremities gave evident proofs of the frequent attacks of the
so-called inflammatory oedema. This goes to establish the
fact that local dropsy often coexists with, and is the result
of, chronic disease of the lungs.

This animal was also the subject of ossification of the
lateral cartilages.

PROGRESS OP THE MURRAIN.

The Homan Conner tells of the great spread of the cattle
disease throughout the Roman States. Mo less than 22,000
head of cattle have perished by this murrain, which has now
attacked also the horses. As most of the farmers of the
Campagna di Roma and the neighbourhood have their small
property in live stock, this disease has been a terrible scourge
to the province.

33

Facts and Observations,

Honours conferred on a Veterinary Surgeon.
— At the last general meeting of the Royal Geographical
Society, Sir Roderick Murchison, president, in the chair,
Mr. Fleming, V.S., Military Train, was proposed as a Fellow
by Sir Harry Parkes, C.B. ; the proposition was seconded by
Sir R. Murchison and W. Spottiswoode, Esq. The Council
also tendered him a unanimous vote of thanks for his exer¬
tions on behalf of geographical science.

In the Anthropological Society of London, in September
last, Mr. Fleming was elected a Fellow on the proposition
of Dr. Hunt, the president of that society, for researches in
Ethnology.

At the last meeting of the British Association at Newcastle-
on-Tyne Mr. Fleming likewise had the honour, at the request
of the Royal Geographical Society, of reading two papers
in the geographical and ethnological sections; one on the
‘ Geography of Eastern Mantchuria/ and the other on the
‘Ethnological distinctions between theNorthern and Southern
Chinese, and particularly of the people beyond the Great
Wall of China/

[As honours conferred on medical men are always noticed
in the columns of the Lancet , we have thought that those
distinctions, which must have been worked hard for by a
veterinary surgeon, might not be unacceptable when made
known to the readers of the Veterinarian , and especially to
those who wish to add to the reputation of our rising pro¬
fession; for if one member be honoured, all participate in it :
we therefore with pleasure record the above.]

Atmolysis. — In a previous volume ( Veterinarian, vol. xxxv,
p. 406) we gave an account of Mr. Graham’s mode of
analysis by liquid diffusion, called by him dialysis. Pro¬
secuting his scientific investigations, he has applied a similar
process to the gases to which he gives the above name
— atmolysis. He finds the molecules of different gases to
pass through tubes of unglazed earthenware, or plates of
graphite, with unequal velocities, so that a separation more
or less complete of mixed gases, can be effected by means
of an atmolyser , This is a narrow tube of unglazed
earthenware, such as a tobacco-pipe stem, two feet in length,

xxxvii. 3

34

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

which is placed within a shorter tube of glass, and secured
in its position by corks, so as to appear like a Liebig's con¬
denser. The glass tube is placed in communication with an
air-pump, and the annular space betwTeen the two tubes
maintained as nearly vacuous as possible. Air, or any other
mixed gas, is then allowed to flow in a stream along the clay
tube, and collected as it issues. In the gas collected, the
denser constituent is thus concentrated in an arithmetical
ratio, while the volume of the gas is reduced in a geome¬
trical scale.

Hippuric Acid in the Urine of Cattle. — Dr. Thu-
dichum observes, after referring to the observation that
whenever benzoic acid, or other compounds of the benzoyl
series was taken into the stomach, it always appeared as
hippuric acid in the urine ; that with regard to the food of
cattle, there is no reason to suspect the existence of benzoyl
compounds either in mangold-wurzel, grass, or hay, but
hippuric acid is, nevertheless, voided in the urine. There
are some curious anomalies in this respect already published ;
thus, Liebig has found hippuric acid in larger quantities in
the urine of stall-fed cattle and of horses kept for pleasure,
whilst in the urine of animals used for ploughing or other
hard work benzoic acid was found instead. Lemann also
found hippuric acid, but he remarked that by fermentation
the same sample of urine gave benzoic acid. There is a
difference induced by the kind of food consumed by cattle.
Thus, grass-fed oxen furnished hippuric acid in the urine,
but on the day their food was changed to clover, oats, or
brewer's grains, this ordinary product vanished. Riley has
likewise remarked that hippuric acid is more abundant in the
urine of grass -fed cattle.

Potash in the Perspiration of Sheep. — A patent has
been taken out in this country by MM. Maumene and Roge-
let, although never worked, for obtaining potash from snint,
the name given by them to a compound of potash and some
organic acids secreted in the sweat of sheep, and found on the
wool. It is easily soluble in water and separated from the wool
by merely washing it; the solution is then to be evaporated,
and the potash obtained by lixivation and calcination. Suint
constitutes about 15 per cent, of the weight of the raw fleece,
and yields 33 per cent, of potash, so that if all the scourings
of the wool produced were worked, the supply of this
alkali from this source would be considerable.

35

THE VETERINARIAN, JANUARY 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

ANNUAL ADDRESS OE THE EDITORS.

“We sleep and wake and sleep, but all things move;

The sun flies forward to his brother sun ;

The dark earth follows wheeled in her ellipse ;

And human things returning on themselves
Move onward, leading up the golden year.”

The rapid flight of time is a subject that has been
descanted on by the poet, the moralist; and the philosopher;
and that so frequently, and to such an extent, as to leave
scarcely a trope or figure unemployed to symbolise it. Yet
this does not lessen its importance. The following thoughts
on it by Foster, the Essayist, will he read with interest, and
it may he with profit.

“ A transient meteor/* he observes, 6i has often started sud¬
denly on our sight as if from nothing, and shot across a tract
of the sky, leaving a momentary trace of light, glancing past
star after star, expending its fleeting lustre, its first brilliancy
and its last, moving but to expire, and vanishing out of ex¬
istence, while the eye is eagerly pursuing its flight, and vainly
trying to seize the appearance at any fixed point. It might
occur to a thoughtful mind that such, in many respects, is
our time. It can never strike our attention but as in the act
of passing. It is incessantly darting into annihilation with a
haste more urgent than even the eagerest wishes of an atheist.
It elapses with such inexpressible celerity that no human,
and perhaps no angelic mind, has quickness of thought
enough to fix on a moment as present. Before the act of
thought is perfected the moment is fled, and a long train of
additional ones while the thought glances after it, and
thousands more while the mind is 'wondering at the speed,
and millions more while we are pensively considering that
not one of them can ever return. And thus considerable
periods soon vanish into the eternal night of the pastr”

36

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

The beginning of another year, both warrants and
disposes the editors to greet their readers with all cordial
and becoming wishes. These recurring periods enable us to
mark the passing away of time, of which the past, the
present, and the future, are integral parts. It is with the first
named of these that we have principally now to do, it having
been our wont to pass in review what has been done during
the antecedent year, while at the same time the prospect of
the future has not been unheeded by us.

It was very gratifying to be compelled to commence the
past year having matter “ on hand,” and this although we
had during it increased the size of our journal. It is now
equally as gratifying, on reviewing our progress, to be
able to say that throughout the year the same kind support
has been accorded us.

Firstly would we allude to those correspondents whose
contributions have been more or less continuous. Un¬
questionably their support lias materially lightened our
labours and enhanced the worth of our pages, although it
has not withdrawn the solicitude which is both natural
and right should be experienced by us, as this ensures the
careful performance of our duties, and is an incentive to
increased exertion.

To Professor Yarn ell we have been often indebted for
commentations on cases forwarded to him, and especially
for lucid descriptions of morbid parts sent to the Royal
Veterinary College, and by him laid before the members of
the Veterinary Medical Association : thus in more than a
twofold sense has he benefited the profession.

Professor Brown has continued his series of valuable
papers on subjects selected by him, taking the initiative in
this respect, and in which he has been followed by Mr.
Dyer, who has given us elaborate papers on the vexed
question of soundness in horses, coupling the same with the
mode to be adopted for examining the horse so as to ascertain
this, and elucidating the same by observations of practical
worth. The subject is far from exhausted by him, and we
hope it will result in the eliciting of remarks from others on
it, so that by the opinions of many members of the profes-

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 37

sion being thus obtained, that which has been so long a
desideratum may in the end be possessed bjr us.

Mr. Watson’s papers on the too long neglected science of
“ Botany as applied to Veterinary Medicine ” maintain
their interest, while he eagerly seizes every opportunity to
enhance their value by practical illustrations.

To Mr. Ernes we continue to be indebted for translations
from the continental veterinary journals, thus making us
acquainted with what is being done by our professional
brethren at a distance from us, yet all co-operating for the
advancement of our division of science.

It is very encouraging to see appended to each last of
these communications the words “ To he continued ” Our
response is, “Esto perpetua.” This free interchange of
information resembles the mighty ocean, which, although it
is constantly throwing off water in the state of vapour,
that gives beauty and fertility to the earth, yet diminishes
not, for the water having fulfilled its destined purposes is
returned in the form of rivers, and thus the sea is always
full ; constituting one of the great cycles in creation, and
indicating wisdom and design.

Heartilv do we concur with “Mentor” that to have

%/

secrets in the profession is at once a disgrace, and signifies
a plebeian character and a tendency to quackery ; while to
be ready to communicate to each other shows an elevation
of mind which is a symptom of a sound and healthy state
of the body corporate, and a proof of vrhat we have ever
been strenuous advocates for, namely, union. It will,
however, be borne in mind that while advocating union, we
have never for a moment entertained the utopian idea of
uniformity of opinion. Differences in this respect must and
ever will exist, and perhaps it is quite right they should.
Controversy, per se, may professionally be no evil ; it is
the manner in which it is conducted that conduces to this.
“ Proud oppressors, civil or ecclesiastical, might deprecate
all discussion, and wish to control all human intellect. They
might desire a quietude like the calm of the Dead Sea or
of the churchyard; but if silence reigned either in the
social, political, or religious world, it would only be because

38

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

men liad ceased to breathe the air of freedom, and were
entombed as in a charnel-house. By controversy error is often
eventually corrected, and truth elicited and established ;
nor is there any necessary connection between free discus¬
sion and personal animosity.”

There is no uniformity in Nature. She seems indeed to
luxuriate in variety, and in beauty of form and of colour,
adding to all these a love of alternation. “ It is the tower¬
ing sublimity of the cloud-capped mountain that makes the
sloping verdure of the valley so delicious to the eye. The
placid serenity of the summer sky is intensified in its
loveliness by the awful grandeur of the intervening thunder
storm ; and then when the clouds have rolled away, what
can be more beautiful than to watch the sun as he comes
gleaming out in all the joyousness of recovered strength ;
his beams kissing away the moisture from the bosom of the
tear-besprinkled earth, and making the leaves on the trees
sparkle as if covered with gems, while the feathered
choristers of the woods pipe out their delight in songs of
thankfulness and praise to the Great Author of light and life.”

Indifference, it has been observed,lias to be dreaded asmueh
as controversy ; since by it no professional progress can be
made. An apathetic mind may be compared to a dark and
stagnant morass, inhabited only by ungainly and noxious
animals and constantly giving off mephitic vapours all around,
in which only reeds and rushes will grow, while a thick green
slime covers its surface. An active, well-disciplined mind, on
the contrary, is like a flowing stream, that, while it irrigates
the soil, adds beauty to the landscape by its waters giving
life to plants that grow on its margins gemmed with ever
fragrant flowers.

We are both pleased and satisfied with a survey of the
past volume, believing that it contains matter of high
interest to the profession, and affords proof of onward
progress. It is quite possible that to some persons these
commendations will prove obnoxious to suspicion from our
being interested parties. They are welcome to entertain
their censorious opinions, but be it remembered that we
claim as editors very little of the honour connected with the

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

39

work. We have hardly done more than furnish a vehicle
for communication, and at most we have been but exponents
of the opinions of others — those who in common witli our¬
selves are desirous of aiding in the march of mind. Not that
we have either hesitated or feared to express our sentiments
when called upon to do so — and this we intend ever to do.
Still we have not always agreed with the statements advanced
by our correspondents, believing it was not for us to express
our dissent so much as for others to offer their objections
to them, as by this means the truth is either elicited, or that
which is false detected and exposed. Any laches we must
be content to bear the consequences of, these being ours ;
for we cannot hope to be exempted from the usual responsi¬
bilities of editors, nor have we any wish to be.

In turning over the pages of the last volume we are glad
to perceive the absence of communications abounding with
personal invective. .Believing that the members of the pro¬
fession have a right to state their grievances, we have ever
readily given insertion to their complaints, hoping it may
lead to the obtainment of redress. We ourselves may not
be unconscious of much that remains yet to be done and
more to be altered. In one instance we felt ourselves called
upon to write in self-defence; we have, nevertheless, cause
to thank those who called it forth, and their animadversions,
we hope, will do U3 good. However reluctant we may be
to acknowledge it, there is no doubt that to our enemies, or
those whom we so designate, we Often owe much. There is
great truth in the observation that “ friends are all very
well in their way, but foes bring out of men and nations
the best qualities which they ever exhibit. Human nature
in the individual or the community is, for the most part,
uncommonly satisfied with itself. If it be left alone, it
goes on in the old jog-trot way, without a suspicion that there
is anything to amend in its habits and manners. It is
vastly disgusted when somebody or something gives it to
understand that it is selfish, arrogant, or mean ; that it does
dirty things and calls them honest ; that it seeks its own
interest, and disregards other people’s. The author who
considers himself a genius is often shown to be a very

40

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

ordinary fellow, with a far greater capacity for the ledger
than the Muses, and, though he dubs his critic f an enemy/
he wisely comes down from Parnassus. The people who
think themselves e all creation * and deride the rights of
others find, sooner or later, c an enemy ; who takes the
nonsense out of them, and they gain modesty, self-know¬
ledge, and experience by the process. In fact, there is
hardly a wiser phrase than that pretty French one, f Notre
ami Vennemi / Our friend the enemy does all of us more or

V

less good in public, private, and international life.”

It has ever been our desire to keep from partisanship,
and to maintain an independent position for our journal.
At times we have had a somewhat difficult course to steer,
from the relative position in which we are placed ; but we
have never swerved from our principles, nor have our duties
always been light ; yet have they been cheerfully performed,
because we have met with the support we both anticipated
nd desired.

The carping critic might after this perhaps be disposed to
object and exclaim, “Mere egotism. Well has Aristotle
said, ‘ Every one loves his own work.’ f Better let another
man praise thee, and not thine own mouth ; a stranger, and
not thine own lips / as says the Wise man.” Now, we are
in no mood to hold a disputation, but this we hesitate not to
repeat, that we have never taken to ourselves the whole
of the merit of the labour performed, knowing how much
we owe to our contributors, without whose kind co-opera¬
tion we must have long ere this have failed in the satis¬
factory performance of our duty. “ Duty,” it was said by
Napoleon, “always marches between rocks.” And in a twofold
sense this may be accepted as true ; for although there may
be difficulties in its performance, these prove a defence when
assailed, and also a barrier to escape, whatever may be the
inclination. We are quite sensible that our endeavours
have not been faultless ; but we do hope that they have
been condoned, because venial and such as are common to

frail humanity.

«/

We fear that the prevalence of the sad fratricidal war
in America has withheld contributions from some of our

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

41

correspondents there. May peace be soon restored, and
with it freedom given to the slave. “War,” says Dr.
Brewster, “is the master crime of nations, and when in
the ascendant, all the springs of society are broken loose.
On the property of the nation, whether fixed or movable,
war makes its first inroad. The financial pulse beats in
feverish excitement. The plough ceases to travel over the
heath and the morass; and the rich cargoes floating on the
ocean become the prey of the pirates of civilisation. Art
and science are summoned from their peaceful labours to
fabricate new weapons of destruction. The institutions of
charity and philanthropy are paralysed in the labours of
love; and the missionary and the schoolmaster carry on
their work with more limited means and within a narrower
range. Thrice happy is the nation that has weathered the
storm of war without agrarian or political convulsions.”

We have already stated how much we approve of pro¬
vincial associations for the advancement of our common pro¬
fession. They were first suggested in the pages of this
journal, we believe, by Mr. W. Raddall ; and again and again
have we advocated their formation. It was with pleasure,
therefore, that we recorded the announcement of a meeting
of “ The Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Association.”

While writing this we have received reports of others being
instituted. Thus when once the initiative is taken in a good
cause many are always ready to follow. We augur great good
to the profession as a body from these societies. They are
steps taken in the right direction ; and although there is a very
useful association at Alma Mater for the students of vete¬
rinary medicine, we do sincerely hope that the practitioners
in the metropolis will not be slow in forming one among
themselves, as has been already proposed. “ A word to the
wise is always sufficient.” In this day of competitive
examinations, competitions of a higher and more useful
kind may be desiderated. Each will find an ample field
and scope enough, and the lesser or younger union will
prove admirably preparatory to the older, more experienced,
and, consequently, more practically useful association.

Such is the nature of some men, and such their inordi-

42

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

nate love of gain, that the flesh of diseased animals still
finds its may into the London markets, and. doubtless
into others, although it is often detected and destroyed,
and. the parties sending it justly exposed and punished.
As there are indications of diseased structure recognisable
only by the scientific and observant man, we have before
expressed our opinion that one so taught might be selected
from our own body by the authorities, and appointed to the
office of inspector. Correctly has the act been designated
as one nearly allied to an attempt to poison, and effectual
measures should be taken to suppress it. Something cer¬
tainly has been done towards this, but more remains to be
done. “ The snake has been scotched, not killed.” We
are therefore glad to see that this subject has been at
length taken up by the public press, which asserts that
“ skilled veterinary surgeons are the persons to whose
scrutiny the meat we are destined to consume should be sub¬
mitted. In some of the worst cases the symptoms of the
disease may be such as to escape the eyes of any but a man
of science, and a little expense is nothing compared with the
preservation of the national health, and the avoidance of
evils which are sickening to contemplate and grievous to
suffer.”

We have been called upon to record some strange
and unaccountable instances of cruelty to animals. The
miscreants guilty of these enormities degrade themselves
far, far below the noble brute on which they malignantly
satisfy their revenge. Such acts as these too plainly and
too sadly show the proclivity of a debased and brutish mind.
Nor have those in power been slow to express their con¬
demnation of these acts — the Metropolitan Market Com¬
mittee having co-operated with the officers of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with this view,
and employed two sergeants and twelve additional policemen
to attend on market days to carry out their regulations, and
to prevent, if it be possible, a recurrence of these enormi¬
ties. All this is right, and demands the co-operation of
those who can render any assistance.

We fear that too nearly allied to this is sometimes the
practice of vivisection, Not that it necessarily is so; and

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

43

there are certainly times and seasons when the educated
and scientific man is justified in the experimental use of
the lower animals. But what is to be condemned is, the
want of humanity in the performance of these experiments,
and their frequent and unnecessary repetition. We were
therefore gdad when the Emperor of the Erench had deter¬
mined that no longer should vivisections be carried on in
the schools and colleges of France. We are not ignorant
of the fact that many persons are strong advocates for
vivisection, although it may be that they are not altogether
opposed to our views.

We cannot but rejoice to perceive that the aid of the pro¬
fession is being more frequently called into requisition by the
public, and especially by the agricultural section thereof ; one
the most likely of all others to be benefited by the application
of the principles of veterinary science. Nevertheless, many
of its members have been hitherto strangely indifferent to
it, often preferring to seek assistance from the pretending
and uneducated charlatan rather than the scientific prac¬
titioner. And we fear that this will continue to take place
for yet some time to come, until the public mind becomes
thoroughly impressed with the conviction that by science
only can those means be acquired that will lead to both
the prevention and the cure of disease. The middle class
schools now being established will tend much to the pro¬
motion of this. On this account it is we have ever been
desirous of giving to the aspirant of veterinary medicine an
education of a high tone or character.

Reports of cases of veterinary jurisprudence have always
been welcome to our columns. For them we are principally
indebted to our friends, and we shall be pleased with their
continuance. Reference to them, and their collation, cannot
fail to instruct the profession in a very important section of
their duties. The subjoined observations, taken from an
address delivered by the Lord Chief Justice at a meeting of
the medical profession, may not be inapplicable to ours ;
whilst the truthfulness of the remarks, and the high source
from whence they emanate, will give them due weight and
enforce their 'worth. The difference between the two pro¬
fessions is one of degree rather than of principle.

44

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

His lordship stated —

ts That the profession to which he had himself the honour
to belong was frequently much mixed up with,, and indebted
for assistance, to the medical, and there was no profession
for which he felt greater esteem than the medical. Indeed,
there was no one who did not feel gratitude towards that
admirable profession whose task of love it was to assuage
the tortures of pain and to restore the afflicted to health.
The most important issues frequently turned upon medical
evidence. Questions of life and death ; questions of property
where everything rested upon the medical testimony to the
capacity or otherwise of testators to make wills. They
might rely upon it that it was of the greatest possible im¬
portance in the elucidation of the truth, that medical wit¬
nesses should understand the bearing of the evidence they
were giving. They had all heard at some time or other of the
remarks that were made as to the frequently contradictory
nature of scientific evidence. One set of scientific witnesses
were called to prove one side of a case, and another set of
equaliy scientific witnesses were then called to contradict
the first, and to give a completely different complexion to
the facts. He begged their attention to that well-known
state of things, and he assured them that it might be
obviated. It frequently arose from the fact that, although
not one gentleman could be found who would wilfully and
deliberately enter a witness box to pervert the truth, or to
state that which was not true, yet medical men were apt to
identify themselves with the cases on which they were con¬
sulted, somewhat as lawyers did with their clients; and
although the medical man gave his opinion according to the
best of his judgment to the person who first consulted him,
he could not help feeling a sort of desire to carry that person
through all subsequent proceedings. He thus, without
knowing it, became interested in maintaining a particular
view of the case. Now he earnestlv entreated his youno-
medical friends to endeavour to divest themselves of these
feelings of preference, and to remember that they were called
upon to aid courts of justice in arriving at sound, and true,
and just conclusions. The next point to which he begged
to call their attention was the necessity for using the plainest
possible language in giving evidence, carefully avoiding-
technical and scientific terms, and all such displays of
learning as might seem pedantic. Such displays laid wit¬
nesses open to the ridicule of the lawyers on the side opposed
to that which the pedantic evidence favoured. It was there-

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

45

fore for the sake of the jury, and for the sake of justice,
most important that medical witnesses should use the sim¬
plest, plainest possible language. He asked pardon for thus
giving advice, but there was not a man in England who held
the medical profession in higher esteem and respect than he

did.”

Thus have we noticed the salient portions of our last year's
proceedings, and assuredly there is in them manifest proofs
of onward progress, and much to encourage us to go for¬
ward. It is the nature of all science to advance. It cannot
remain stationary. ^\t the same time, the locus standi of
any society or community may be ascertained by the state of
its literature ; and we hope and believe that in this among us
there is at present no falling off. Nevertheless, as yet, only
the outskirts of the great field of usefulness have been examined
by us. We have yet to explore it and develop its riches.
But if aught of blame be attributable to the feebleness and
shortcomings of our labours, others, perchance, may be
equally culpable. Therefore we would say, in the lan¬
guage of Milton- —

Let us no more contend ; nor blame
Each other, blamed enough elsewhere ; but strive,

In offices of love, how we may lighten
Each other’s burdens in our share of woe.”

Still our work is not yet done, nor have we any wish to
become fossilized ; and while our friends continue to afford
to us the support they have hitherto done, we shall go on,
strengthened and encouraged, being convinced that the cause
is worthy of all the energy we can impart to it, and the full
employment of the few talents that we possess. We will not
say we are not emulous of fame, but wc also know the brittle-
ness of the slender thread on which popularity hangs ;
nevertheless, having a desire to be found useful in our day,
and among those with whom Providence has placed us, and
remembering that on others must soon — how soon we know
not — devolve the duties we are now endeavouring to per¬
form, we have placed before our mental vision, so as to actuate
us to continued earnestness, the expressive line of the
poet —

“ Not to be missed is infamy.”

46

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

Although our obituary is not so large as it has been in
some antecedent years, we see in it the names of several
friends with whom we were once associated, and of others
to whom we were privileged to render assistance in their
studies. Yet we are left : why. we ask not. Nature in-
stinetively shrinks back from death ; but were the subject
rightly viewed, this would not be the case. The real man
never dies. We do but “ shuffle off our mortal coil,” to let
our immortal part go free. It has been said —

“ Death is the only thing in death that dies.”

Death, in fact, is the first stepping forth into life.
Dying, we begin to live. “ It is as the Psyche bursting
her shell to float in the sunlight, to sip the dews and
inhale the fragrance of the flowers that bloom in the new
creation, and to revel in all the beauty and splendour of
the celestial world.”

t( Those pangs of birth,

Which men call death, unveil life’s mysteries.”

Some depart in the morning of life, others at high noon,
and only a few reach its evening, when the sun sets in
splendour, tinting the curtained clouds with roseate hues.
It has been said, “ Men for the most part die in the midst
of their labours : the farmer leaves his field half ploughed ;
the artist dies with unformed figures on his canvas ; the
tradesman is cut down in the midst of his merchandize, and
the statesman is arrested with great political measures in
his head.” But all this is more seeming than real, for the
work of each is done, or it is then too late to accomplish
it ; and thus we are taught that “ whatsoever the hand findeth
to do, to do it with all our might, for there is no work, nor
device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, whither we are all
going.”

We close our address with a quotation from the same
poet — Tennyson — with which we commenced it, it being
in accordance with our sentiments and feelings — •

“But we grow old. All ! when shall all men’s good
Be each man’s rule, and universal peace
Lie like a shaft of light across the land,

And like a lane of beams athwart the sea/

Through all the circle of the golden year ?”

47

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE IMPROVEMENT OE AGRICULTURAL HORSES SUITED

TO THE WEST OE ENGLAND.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S.

[Continued from vol. xxxvi, y?. 754.)

Having by proper selection of parents obtained the young
animals possessing the general qualities we seek, the next
step will be to place them under conditions favorable

TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

During the first year of the foaEs existence there is nothing
to suggest that would improve the system of management
already pursued in well-conducted establishments. VVe
assume that for some months the animal is mainly nourished
by its mother, and is housed in the same stable or shed.
When turned out to graze, a proper protection will be pro¬
vided against inclement weather.* Cold, damp, undrained
pastures, we take for granted, are sedulously avoided ; the
colt’s legs^ are kept dry ; as much time as can be con¬
veniently given is devoted to gentle handling ; and from time
to time the coarse hairs which appear on the legs are removed
in the way before explained.

At two years old the colt will probably be sold at one of
the fairs and taken into a grazing country; the same system
of treatment being continued until he is old enough to be
put to farm-work.

The change from the pasture or strawyard to the stable
may be looked upon as a very important one in the animal’s
existence. The exact period at which it may properly take
place will depend to some degree upon constitution ; but,
speaking generally, much mischief is occasioned by em¬
ploying the horse for active work at too early an age. Many
colts are put to some sort of duty at two years old, and,
whether in the shafts or in the middle or front of the team,
it is nearly impossible to limit the animal’s exertions. Weak
joints, bursal enlargements, curbs and other forms of sprains^

* If wintered out, a sheltered field will be selected, with a good shed.
Hay, either long or in the form of chaff, with bran and bruised oats or barley,
will be suitable food for the first year. When the straw-yard is preferred,
a fair quantity of pulped roots may be advantageously mixed with the
chaff.

48

IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

are the frequent consequences, and the animal's usefulness
in the future is seriously lessened.

No doubt can exist about the* propriety of keeping the
horse from work until his growth is perfected, and this will
not happen until nearly five years of age ;* but there is
much cogency in the objection to the expense attendant
upon keeping an animal idle and in every way unproductive
during this time. Between three and four years we may
allow that most well-grown colts may be brought gradually
into active use without much danger, if care be taken to
prevent any undue exertion at first ; although we are doing
some violence to correct principles in conceding so much.

The horse once taken upon the farm commences his
stable life in earnest, and upon the treatment he meets
with will depend the preservation and improvement of those
qualities we have endeavoured up to this time to cultivate.

It will not be necessary to attempt a dissertation upon
stable buildings and fittings, or upon the general manage¬
ment of the occupants. The sins committed in this way are
not those of ignorance. Every farmer is aware that his
horses should be housed in well-proportioned, commodious,
well-ventilated, properly lighted, and efficiently drained sta¬
bles ; he is also alive to the fact that good quality and
a proper quantity of food, medium temperature, scru¬
pulous cleanliness, and general attention to the animal’s
comforts are essential to his well-being; the difficulty is
that he does not realise the amount of injury resulting
from neglect of these conditions; he knows that the oppo¬
site system is injurious, but he has hardly an idea of the
extent to which the mischief reaches. It does not occur to
him probably that, if he persists in keeping his horses from
their youth in a cold, badly-constructed stable, a compensa¬
tion in the shape of a thick, rough coat will be a necessary
result ; that accumulation of dirt and moisture about the leg
will lead to hardness of integument and disturbance in the
circulatory and secretive functions, predisposing to cracked
heels and grease. He is possibly unmindful of the fact that
the want of good grooming leaves the skin with its numerous
pores obstructed by the accumulation of dirt, and disposes
to mange and surfeit; that irritating vapours from stagnant
manure disturb the eyes and nostrils ; that inferior provender
deranges the digestion ; and that disproportionate work
wears out the animal mechanism with wasteful rapidity.

* The roundness of back and defective quarters so frequent in the worst
specimens, are considered, and with reason, to be due in great part to the
effects of too early use.

IMPROVEMENT OP AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

49

Monstrous as it may sound, we have heard it seriously stated
that it answers better commercially to work the horses
aout’J than to take any extra trouble for their preservation.
The exact meaning to be attached to the expression te working
out” involves a serious reflection on humanity ; the practice,
we happen to know, is by no means uncommon, although
happily among agriculturists the spirit of competition and
speculation has not reached so far or descended so low. We
have to complain of a want of consideration very frequently,
but nothing worse.

The general routine of the stable will depend upon
a variety of circumstances; it would therefore be useless to
attempt to lay down a particular system relating to the time
of feeding, division of work, methods of ventilation, lighting,
and drainage; so that all these points receive due considera¬
tion, the details may be left to individual judgment. We
would stipulate that the horse should be well fed, fairly
worked, as frequently as convenient subjected to proper
grooming, his legs and feet receiving particular attention for
reasons already assigned.

Under an appropriate system of management we may
expect that the beneficial effects of breeding from well-
selected parents will be considerably extended,
and consequently our next selection of parents will be made
with still more scrupulous regard to the requisites before
insisted on; and thus, by successive combinations of two
systems, artificial selection and careful regulation of the
external conditions of existence, we may hope to reap all the
advantages which result from the application of scientific
principles to the practice of breeding.

Journeys of observation, with any special object in view,
generally result in discoveries; and certainly, since our
attention has been specially directed to the subject of draught
horses, we have obtained some curious evidence. What has
particularly struck us in reference to cart-horses in ordinary
is the singular absence of any definite character among them ;
doubtless, this is consequent upon indiscriminate crossing,
in which the English horse has had an uncommon share.
Now and then a decided trace of the Clydesdale is apparent
in the black colour and the somewhat hollow back contrasted
with the suddenly drooping Flemish hind quarters; but at
the same time we notice a large angular head and hairy legs,
indicating the English element. Again, we perceive the
contour of the Suffolk Punch is associated with the colour
and some of the distinctive traits of the English horse.
More often the animal we meet with is indescribable; appa-

nxxvii. 4

50

IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL HORSES.

reatly belonging to no country or breed, rough, ungainly,
sluggish; in fact, the original of Dr. Johnsords definition.

With so large a prevalence of the mixed breeds, it would
be almost a hopeless task to attempt the cultivation of any
pure race ; nor, in reference to draught horses, is it a matter
of much importance so long as intermixture is regulated by
jud gment. The system of indiscriminate crossing without
any reference to results is the one which we condemn, and
its abandonment is essential to a radical improvement in the
cart-horses of our country. Unfortunately the demand for
low-priced horses fosters this reckless system of breeding,
continued irrespective of the injurious results which are cer¬
tain to follow. It is much to be lamented that so short¬
sighted a policy should find defenders, as it secures no real
advantage even to those for whose especial benefit it is
adopted. Under the most careful management, there would
doubtless be a sufficient number of animals of moderate
value for all practical purposes. Indeed, it must be recol¬
lected that the price is regulated in a great measure by the
supply; and that, presuming the number of animals pro¬
duced under proper selections to be equal to the demand, as
would in all probability be the case, the prices would not be
materially augmented, taking the whole country through.
In fact, the only real difference would be, that we should in
time possess an abundance of good animals instead of an
excess of bad ones.

One great step towards permanent improvement has been
taken by our various Agricultural Societies in offering prizes
for agricultural horses, not only stallions, but also mares with
foals, and yearling colts. Candour, however, compels us to
add, that the good intentions of the donors are in a great
degree frustrated by the uniform mediocrity of exhibited
stock. Among hunters and hacks it has been our fortune
to notice animals, particularly two-year old colts, that gave
promise of strength, endurance, and speed combined, and
whose growth and conformation were all that could be
desired; but among agricultural horses we have generally
found much to complain of, and save in isolated cases little
to applaud.

Should breeders, in the future, think the recommendations
in this paper of sufficient importance to receive their con¬
siderate attention — should they, abandoning preconceived
views, discuss the subject upon a scientific basis — we should
soon have to record a manifest improvement in the breed of
draught horses.

o

If our reasonings upon the subject of breeding should

THALLIUM AND ITS POISONING PROPERTIES.

51

seem to some to be speculative, or our suggestions appear
unpractical, we would venture to observe that we are fully
aware of the difficulties that oppose themselves to the appli¬
cation of principles; but while we accord a profound respect
to practical experience, we feel we are not likely to meet
with unsympathising readers among the farmers of the pre¬
sent age, if we persist in forcibly urging the claims of
science.

7a, New Cavendish Street, Portland Place,

February 10, 1863.

THALLIUM AND ITS POISONING PROPERTIES.

Our readers are well acquainted with the history of this
new metal, which has been the subject of a dispute for
priority between Mr. Crookes and M. Lamy. The latter
gentleman, in a paper addressed to the Academy of Sciences,
now announces a property of that metal, the discovery of
w hich undoubtedly belongs to him, viz., its deleterious pow er.
Having experienced certain pains, especially in his lower
limbs, while pursuing his studies on thallium, he wras in¬
duced to attribute them to a noxious influence of the metal ;
and in order to ascertain whether such w7as the fact, he dis¬
solved five grammes of sulphate of thallium in milk and
offered it to tw7o puppies, each about twTo months old. But
after tasting the liquid they left it, and could not be induced
to take any more. On the following day the milk, w hich
had been left in the yard, had disappeared, and it soon turned
out that it had been partaken of by a dog, twro hens, and
six ducks. For a few hours after ingestion the dog became
sad and refused to eat. During the night it w7as seized with
violent gripes, which caused it to utter piercing cries. Its
features had undergone a change; its back was bent up
through the effect of pain, the seat of which was evidently in
the intestines. Its hind legs, after a continuance of con¬
vulsive motions, became paralysed, and it died sixty-four
hours after taking the poison. On the day before its death
a hen and six ducks died, and in those which wTere w’atched
in time the paralysis of the legs was remarked. The tw7o
puppies, which had scarcely touched the milk, had meanwhile
showrn symptoms of fatigue ; by degrees they w7ere seized
with convulsive trembling, and could hardly stand; then
came the acute pains which ended in death, although every

52

SMITHEIELD CATTLE SHOW.

precaution had been taken, apparently in good time, to save
their lives. All these animals being subjected to dissection,
there could not be found the slightest corrosion, or even
inflammation of any consequence ; only the gall-bladder of
the dog was found considerably distended, and in some of
the ducks various serous membranes, that of the liver espe¬
cially, had assumed a whitish and granulous appearance. As
to the nature of the poison, if there could have been any
doubt about it, it would have been at once dispelled by the
characteristic green band peculiar to thallium in the spectral
analysis of the organs of the dead animals. Eight days later
the other hen was taken ill. Its wings hung down, it could
hardly walk, and when it wanted to peck its food, its neck
seemed to have lost the power of bending down sufficiently,
so that its beak did not reach the food. The hen was killed,
and thallium found in the intestines, but in a very small dose
indeed, and the other organs did not contain any. M. Lamy
next administered a decigramme (a grain and a half) of the
sulphate to a dog two months old, and it died forty hours
after taking it. Hence M. Lamy justly infers that sulphate
of thallium is a powerful poison, producing pain in the intes¬
tines and paralysis of the lower members. This poison and
the nitrate have but little taste, and might therefore be used
for criminal purposes ; but fortunately there is not a poison
that can be traced with more certainty through spectral
analysis than this. The new method of analysis bids fair to
render excellent service in cases relating to forensic medi¬
cine.

SMITHFIELD CATTLE SHOW.

At the recent meeting of the Smith field Club, the fol¬
lowing awards of medals and cups were made, in addition to
the prizes awarded the several animals in their respective
classes.

m /

Cattle.

Silver cup, value £40, to the exhibitor of the best steer
or ox in any of the classes, to No. 43, Hereford ox, four
years old, belonging to Mr. William Heath, Ludham Hall,
Norwich.

Silver cup, value <£40, to the exhibitor of the best
heifer or cow, to No. 11.2, short-horn heifer three years and

SMITHFIELD CATTLE SHOW.

ten months old, belonging to Mr. Charles Swaisland, Cray-
ford, Kent.

Extra Stock Cattle.

Silver medal and £5 prize to the exhibitor of the best
steer or ox, to No. 21 6, Devon, belonging to Mr. It. Birkbeck,
Gatton, Surrey.

Silver medal and €5 prize to the exhibitor of the best
heifer or cow, to No. 233, short horn, belonging to C. W.
Paeke, M.P., Prestwood Hall, Leicestershire.

Sheep.

Silver cup, value €20, to the exhibitor of the best pen of
Leicesters, Cotswolds, Lincolns, Kentish, or other long-
woolled breed, to No. 249, Leicester sheep, twenty months*
old, belonging to Mr. G. S. Foljambe, Osberton Hall,
Worksop.

Silver cup, value .€20, to the exhibitor of the best pen
of one-year old Southdowns, Hampshire, or Wiltshire
Downs, to No. 294, Southdowns, twenty months and two
weeks old, belonging to Lord Walsingham, Merton Hall,
Norfolk.

Silver cup, value .€20, to the exhibitor of the best pen
of Shropshire, Oxfordshire, cross-bred, or any other breed of
sheep not specified in prize list, to No. 374, Leicester and
Southdown, twenty months old, belonging to Mr. John
Overman, Burnham Sutton, Norfolk.

Extra Stock Sheep, Long-wool.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best Leicester wether,
Hon. Colonel Lowther, Barley thorpe Hall, Rutland.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best Leicester ewe,
Mr. John Lynn, Straxton, Lincoln.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best long-woolled sheep
(not Leicester), to Mr. Thomas Porter, Baunton, Gloucester¬
shire.

Extra Stock Short Wool.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best Southdown wether,
to his Grace of Duke of Richmond.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best Southdown ewes, to
the Right Hon. Lord Walsingham.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best short-woolled sheep

54

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. PRITCHARD.

(not Southdown), to Mr. H. Smith, Sutton Aladdock,
Shropshire. Shropshire ewe.

Extra Stock Cross-bred Sheep.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best cross-bred sheep, to
Mr. John Overman, Burnham, Norfolk. Down and Leicester
wether.

Pigs.

Gold medal to the exhibitor of the best pen of pigs in any
of the classes, to No. 431, white pigs, seventeen months and
twenty-two days old, belonging to Major-General the Hon.
A. N. Hood, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor.

Extra Stock Pigs.

Silver medal to the exhibitor of the best pig. Small black
Suffolk, twenty-one months* old, belonging to Mr. S. G.
Stearn, Brandeston, Suffolk.

Silver medals were likewise awarded to the breeders of
all the first prize cattle, sheep and pigs.

PRESENTATION OE A TESTIMONIAL TO MR.
WM. PRITCHARD, DEMONSTRATOR, ROYAL
VETERINARY COLLEGE.

An interesting meeting of the students of the Royal
Veterinary College took place on Monday evening, December
14th, in the Theatre of the Institution, for the purpose of
presenting a testimonial to Air. William Pritchard. The
Professors were present by invitation. The testimonial,
which consisted of a superior microscope manufactured by
Messrs. Smith and Beck, bore the following inscription : — «•
“ Presented by the Students of the Royal Veterinary Col¬
lege to W. Pritchard, Esq., Anatomical Demonstrator in
that Institution. A tribute of esteem and gratitude, both in
acknowledgment of his assiduities as a teacher, and his
kindness as a friend, Session 1863-4.**

The proceedings were opened by the Chairman of the
Committee, Air. Richard Poyser, requesting the Hon.
Secretary, Air. J. Broad, to read the resolutions which had

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. PRITCHARD.

55

been come to by the committee at its several meetings.
On this being clone, the chairman rose and spoke as follows :

Gentlemen, — After the resolutions which you have heard
read by the Secretary, I need scarcely inform you of the
cause for which we are assembled here this evening ; in them
allusion has very properly been made to the nature of the
motives which have actuated us in our proceedings.

To perform the duty which your kindness has imposed
upon me is an honour which I fully appreciate ; at the same
time I must confess you might have elected some one more
competent to undertake such a position, yet I trust I shall
be favoured with your indulgence, should I fail in expressing
those feelings and sentiments which are now the chief occu¬
pants of your minds, and which, I am sure, you are anxious
to give vent to ; but, being prompted to duty by feelings of
gratitude, it becomes a matter of extreme pleasure to me.

Our minds were influenced by sentiments such as are
excited only by long-continued, unassuming kindness and
benevolence, and by the recollection of personal advantages,
such as are derived from the exertions of one for the benefit
of others.

The heart of that man must indeed be cold who does not
feel grateful for kindness, who does not endeavour to show,
by his actions as well as by his words, the gratitude inspired
by the sacrifices another has made for his sake.

Gratitude is the most pleasing exercise of the mind ; it is
an incentive of human actions, and a feeling not only pos¬
sessed by the mind of man, but even by that of the brute
creation.

Gratitude is the natural impulse of a generous mind — one
of the purest by which man is influenced ; he who is so
influenced, feels no greater pleasure than in acknowledging
his high appreciation of it by returning kindness with
esteem ; it is a virtue easily to be accomplished, and is
accompanied with much inward gratification and satisfaction.

I am sure, and this present which I consider to be your
acknowledgment serves to substantiate my remark; I say,
I am sure that Mr. Pritchard’s professional career, and his
kindness towards us personally, have been such as to wrorthily
merit the connection of such sentiments as these with his
name.

We are, as students, greatly indebted to him as our
teacher ; yet it cannot be supposed that we can justly ap¬
preciate his talents in that capacity, therefore it is that this
testimonial assumes the character of a mark of gratitude
rather than one in admiration of his professional abilities,

56

TESTIMONIAL TO ME. PRITCHARD.

It is a tangible expression of tlie deep sense we as a body of
students entertain of bis kindness towards us, and his earnest
labours in our behalf.

His method of instructing is such that it cannot fail
to impress firmly upon our minds those things which it is
his utmost endeavour to demonstrate. He does not take
into consideration the irksomeness attendant upon recapitu¬
lation. It is ever his wish to elucidate those apparent
mysteries which are connected with his noble department
of science. His exertions on our behalf are incessant, and
it appears to be his constant desire to get us to place con¬
fidence in him, not only by imparting knowledge to us, but
by acting as a friend and not as an inspector.

It will be needless for me to expatiate upon the many ad¬
vantages that must of necessity accrue from a possession of
a knowledge of that branch of science which is entrusted
to His care, viz., anatomy. A perfect knowledge of anatomy
is of the most essential value to him who wishes to become a
physiologist or pathologist. What would he be without
it? Upon it all grand principles are based, and upon it
our scientific acquirements will chiefly depend. No one can
deny its extreme utility in connection with our surgical
operations, its extreme usefulness as regards the application
of our medicinal agents, and in the diagnosis and prognosis
of disease ; and, lastly, it is a thorough knowledge of ana¬
tomy that will tend to elevate our position as veterinary
surgeons over that of the empiric or the quack. Mr.
Pritchard’s repeated anatomical demonstrations ; his manner
of conducting them ; his unwearied assiduity and earnestness
in wishing to make himself clearly understood, and his
personal kindness towards us, are all excellent qualities,
demanding our esteem and thankfulness ; and I need scarcely
remark that our honoured visitor more than deserves this gift.
Without making any further observations, I will at once
proceed to fulfil the duty your kindness has consigned to me.

The chairman then read the testimonial (and turning to
Mr. Pritchard, said):

“ To you, Sir, I have the distinguished honour of convey¬
ing with this gift the verbal expression of the grateful feelings
the students as a body entertain toward you, and permit
me to congratulate you in having gained for yourself such a
position in their estimation. In desiring your acceptance of
this tribute of our regard, allow me to express my sincere
wish — and in this I know I am joined by all present — that
although you are now the junior instructor in this institu¬
tion, I trust that, when the infirmities necessarily attendant

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. PRITCHARD.

upon advanced age disqualifies our worthy present principal
for the discharge of his honorable obligations, you may
creditably rise step by step, and at last reach that noble posi¬
tion which he now so ably occupies.”

The presentation being made, Mr. Pritchard in accepting it
spoke as follows : — . •

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, — I cannot but feel proud
of the very honorable position which you have placed me
in this evening ; but, at the same time, my inability to thank
you for that honour stands palpably before you. I have often
thought, if a person wffien about to make a speech labours
under any difficulty, that embarrassment must be owing to one
of two causes — he either must be in want of sentiments, or of
language to give expression to those sentiments. Now, it is the
latter of these two obstacles that I shall labour under this
evening; but I hope and trust, should I not succeed in as
fully giving vent to my thanks as I could wish, and you have
a right to expect, you will kindly excuse my failings — in a
word to accept the will for the deed. I was appointed
demonstrator to this institution in September, 1860, and
have held the office from that date to the present time.
During that period my efforts to perform its duties have
always been encouraged both by the kindness and assistance
of the professors, and by the support of the students gene¬
rally. I fully estimate this kindness and support, and wish
now to bear testimony of my complete appreciation of both.
But, gentlemen, it affords me a great amount of pleasure to
find that my efforts to do my duty have so far succeeded as
to stimulate the present class to make me the recipient of a
testimonial during this the fourth session of my office. In
carrying out the instructions of my employers, the governors
of the College, I have met with little or no difficulty on the part
of the pupils ; indeed, I am very glad to be able to say the
reverse has been the case. I doubt not a few have thought
me rather too particular — perhaps severe ; but I am inclined
to think such severity has not been had recourse to until
milder measures have been tried and have failed. Such
instances I know, and am proud to know, are few ; and
those who entertain such views should bear in mind that in
the performance of my duties I have no more right to
neglect the one of preserving orderly and gentlemanly con¬
duct in the dissecting-room, than I have to refuse to grant the
request of any one of you when desired to demonstrate any
portion of the animal you may wish. Not only is this so,
but the study of an intricate science like anatomy requires a
considerable amount of steady attention and perseverance;

58 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

ancl anything which would tend to divert such attention and
perseverance must necessarily be accompanied with a waste
of time and loss of useful information. And I assure you
all, nothing hut my desire for the welfare of the class
generally has given origin to such occasional reprimand.
Now, allow me to impress upon you the necessity of seizing
every opportunity to add to your stock of knowledge. Other
remarks I have made in connection with anatomy apply
with equal force to the study of the other branches of your
curriculum ; consequently, no time is to be lost or idly spent.
Pursue a steady, forward course, and leave no stone un¬
turned ; and then, when the time comes — and bear in mind
it will soon be here — when you will have to undergo the
ordeal of an examination as to your fitness to practise the
veterinary art, although you may feel anxious, alarm will
give place to an amount of confidence which nothing but
the inward feeling that you have done your duty can afford
you. Gentlemen, accept my warmest thanks for this your
very kind and acceptable present. I much admire the choice
made by you, for in the pursuance of a study like anatomy
an instrument like the microscope is almost invaluable. On
this account I consider your choice in itself bespeaks a good
amount of kind thought and consideration on your part.
Pest assured I shall ever cherish the possession of it, because
it not only brings to mind many pleasant circumstances in
connection with the present class, and the kind respect borne
me bv the different members of that class, but it will ever
stand as a proof that my endeavours to perform my duty
have not been wholly unsuccessful. Mr. Chairman, allow
me to thank you for the kind wishes that you have given
expression to, and to assure you that nothing shall be wanting
on my part to render myself worthy of the honour you have
thus conferred upon me.

The proceedings then terminated.

THE LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

The members of the above Association held their fifth
meeting at the Brunswick Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester, on
the 2nd of December, 1863. There were present the Pre¬
sident, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Peter Taylor, Mr. Thomas Greaves,
Mr. Roger Hampson, Mr. William Haycock, Mr. Thomas

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 59

Taylor, Mr. James Haslem, Mr. A. L. Gibson, Mr. George
Sermon, Mr. Malcolm, Mr. Dixon, and Mr. William
Challinor.

The following gentlemen were elected, viz., Mr. Brown,
of Oldham, Mr. Howell, of Rochdale, and Mr. Malcolm, of
Altrincham.

Thefollowing were also nominated for election : — Mr. Adam
Hampson, Bolton; Mr. Roger Bridge, Bury; Mr. James
Brookes, Pilkington ; and Mr. Nicholas Carney, Man¬
chester.

Mr. Peter Taylor read a very excellent paper, “ On the
Physiology and Pathology of Inflammation,” which elicited
a very interesting discussion.

On the election of officers for the ensuing year, Mr.
Thomas Greaves was elected President ; Mr. Roger Hampson,
Treasurer; Mr. Thomas Taylor, Secretary; and Messrs.
William Haycock, A. L. Gibson, and William Challinor,
were elected Vice-Presidents.

The next meeting will be held on the evening of the first
Wednesday in March, when the President will deliver an
inaugural address, and Mr. William Haycock will kindly
give a paper “ On Pleuro-pneumonia in Cattle.”

Thomas Taylor,

Honorary Secretary.

Manchester, Dec. 14 M, 1863.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

An influential meeting of Veterinary Surgeons residing
within the districts of Durham and Northumberland took
place at the Crown and Thistle Hotel, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, on Friday the lltli of December, which resulted in
the establishment of a Society under the above title, for the
advancement of veterinary science, Mr. Hunting, V.S.,
South Hetton, in the chair. A council and officers of
management were elected from their number, a code of
rules adopted, and Friday the 15th of January, 1864, was
fixed for the first meeting, when the President will deliver
his inaugural address.

60

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

SOUTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES.
nisi rmus court — Dec. 14.

Before Mr. Justice Williams.

CLAIM AGAINST A VETERINARY PRACTITIONER,

Armitage v. Ward.

The plaintiff in this case was Joshua Armitage, a yarn agent, residing
in Blackburn, and the defendant was William Ward, a veterinary practi¬
tioner, carrying on business in the same town. The action was brought
to recover the value of a valuable cart-horse belonging to the plaintiff,
which had died, owing, it was alleged, to the negligence of the de¬
fendant. Mr. Attorney- General James, Q.C., and Mr. Torr appeared
for the plaintiff, and Mr. Temple, Q.C., and Mr. Kaye appeared on be¬
half of the defendant.

The Attorney -General, in opening the case, said the action was brought
to recover the damages which had been sustained by reason of the de¬
fendant’s careless and improper treatment of a valuable cart-horse which
had been entrusted to his care by the plaintiff. In the month of Sep¬
tember last the horse had been some short time in the possession of the
plaintiff, who had given fifty guineas for it. The horse was at this time
taken ill, and it was sent on a Saturday to the defendant’s stable, where
it was put in a loose box, with the view to its treatment. From that
time down to five o’clock on the Sunday nothing whatever was done to
the horse. The result was, that the horse became much worse, and
other medical men had to be called in. The horse, however, had gone
quite beyond recovery, and it died of tetanus, or lock-jaw, on the follow¬
ing Friday at noon. The complaint against the defendant was, that
the horse had not been treated in sufficient time, and that it had been
allowed to have hay, corn, and bran — food which, it was said, was highly
improper for a horse suffering from tetanus. The defendant did attend
his place of business on the Saturday afternoon, but the Attorney-General
was afraid that he was not then in a condition in which a medical man,
whether for the human subject, or for the lower animals, ought to be.
He went into his own surgery, and attended to himself ; he was not, and
Could not be roused by his men. The horse was not attended to that
night. It seemed that the defendant, supposing the horse to be suffering
from sore throat, applied a blister.

Mr. Buckley , veterinary surgeon, carrying on business at Blackburn,
deposed that the horse died of tetanus, produced by a prick of the foot.
He was called in to see the horse on the Sunday afternoon, and seeing the
defendant, he asked him if he was going to continue his treatment of the
horse, when Ward said he had a relative’s funeral to attend on the
following day, and he could not attend to the horse. In cross-examina¬
tion the witness said he had examined the horse at Lytham fair before
the plaintiff purchased it. He examined it for some gentlemen, who
thought of purchasing it, but he advised them not to do so, because he
thought it might ultimately go lame. It was suffering from a slight

ARMY APPOINTMENTS. 61

string halt in one hind leg, and it had also a slight ossification of the
lateral cartilages. He was of opinion that tetanus was curable.

Mr. John Lawson , veterinary surgeon, of Manchester, and twenty-six
years in practice, deposed that of the last eight cases of tetanus which
had been brought under his care six of the animals had recovered.

Mr. Cuthbert Simpson, another veterinary surgeon of Manchester, de¬
posed that hay and corn was very improper food for a horse suffering
from tetanus ; it ought to have had “ soft, sloppy ” food such as bran
mashes.

Mr. William Sanies, wine merchant of Blackburn, deposed that he had
been asked to act as arbitrator between the parties, and on that occasion
the defendant alleged that the horse had never been given into his
charge for treatment ; it had simply been brought to his stables, and he
never treated horses brought to his place unless he received instructions
from the owners, to which witness replied that that was an absurd
statement.

For the defence, it was contended that the defendant was simply a
smith and farrier, and though when instructed to do so he did occa¬
sionally treat horses that were disordered, yet he never took such upon
himself, and, therefore, not having been specifically told to treat the
horse in question, he waited instructions from the plaintiff. It was
urged, too, that the tetanus was probably the result of the “side bones,”
or the string halt, from which the horse was admitted to have been
suffering.

The Defendant , on being called, denied that he was drunk on the
Saturday evening, as was alleged by Mr. Buckley.

Mr. Aked, a veterinary surgeon, who saw the horse before its death,
declared as his opinion that tetanus was incurable, though he admitted,
in cross-examination, he had read of cases of the successful treatment of
that disease.

Bis Lordship , in summing up the case for the jury, remarked that it
certainly appeared to him that the defendant acted like a man who had
the horse under his charge as the veterinary surgeon. — The jury
returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £20.

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

Wau Office, Fall Mall; Dec. 4, 1864.

Veterinary Surgeon of the first class, William Hacker,
from the 10th Hussars, to be Staff Veterinary Surgeon; vice
Matthew Poett, deceased ; Dec. 4.

2nd Regiment of Life Guards— Veterinary Surgeon
Thornton Hart, to be Veterinary Surgeon of the First Class;
Dec. 4.

4th Hussars — Veterinary Surgeon Herbert Sewell, to be
Veterinary Surgeon of the First Class; Dec. 4.

13th Hussars — Veterinary Surgeon William Varley, to be
Veterinary Surgeon of the First Class ; Dec. 4.

62

OBITUARY.

14th Hussars — Veterinary Surgeon Henry Dawson, to be
Veterinary Surgeon of the First Class; Dec. 4.

Dec. 18, 1863.

15th Hussars — Veterinary Surgeon Martin Mence, to be
Veterinary Surgeon of the First Class; Dec. 4.

Acting Veterinary Surgeon Thomas Cliannon has been
permitted to resign his appointment; Dec. 18th, 1863.

OBITUARY.

In the Monthly Military Obituary we see the name of Veterinary
Surgeon Mr. James Rainsford, half-pay, 4th Dragoon Guards. His
diploma bears date Feb. 24, 1828.

We have also to record the death, on Dec. 5th, 1863, of Mr. H. A.
Truman, M.R.C.V.S., Old Sleaford, Lincoln, at the early age of twenty-
eight years. His diploma bears date May 15, 1857.

Death of Joseph Henry Green, Esq., F.R.S. — The medical pro¬
fession and the public generally will regret to hear of the death of this
estimable and most learned member of that profession of which he has long
been so bright an ornament. He died at his residence, the Mount,
Hadley, near Barnet, on Sunday evening, the 13th inst. To the Council
of Medical Education and Registration, of which he was president, and
especially to that of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, of which
he had been twice president, as well as a most active member, the loss
will be irreparable. The deceased was an only child of wealthy parents,
from whom he received a first-class elementary education, and as a rare
instance of maternal solicitude it deserves to be mentioned that when
sufficiently advanced in his studies, his mother (the sister of the cele¬
brated Henry Cline, then the principal surgeon to St. Thomas’s Hospital)
accompanied her son to Berlin, where she remained during the whole
time he was perfecting those studies which laid the foundation of his
great fame. He acquired his professional knowledge at St. Thomas’s
Hospital, under the auspices of his uncle, Mr. Cline, and was admitted a
member of the Royal College of Surgeons on the 1st of December, 1815,
having for two years previously acted as demonstrator, a sure proof of
his proficiency as an anatomist ; and so creditably were the duties at¬
tached to this office performed by him, that in 1818 he joined Mr., afier-
wards Sir Astley Cooper, as joint lecturer on anatomy and physiology.
In 1820, he succeeded the younger Cline as surgeon ’to St. Thomas’s
Hospital, and with Sir Astley Cooper then delivered lectures on surgery
and pathology. As an operative surgeon, he was unequalled in the skill
with which he performed that for lithotomy, having in 1827 operated in
forty cases, and lost only one patient; this success created a great sensa¬
tion at the time, as it is unequalled in any country, and in any other
person’s hands. In 1830 he was appointed to the professorship of surgery
in King’s College, of which institution he was at the time of his death a
member of council. In 1831 he wrote a pamphlet called ‘Distinction

OBITUARY.

63

without. Separation,’ addressed to the president of the Royal College of
Surgeons, to prove that the distinction between physician and surgeon
did not really exist, and that such division was highly injurious where it
did. About this time he was unfortunate in entering into a wordy
warfare with the Lancet , about the publication of his lectures, and in
which he was severely handled and totally discomfited. Lecturers now
see the advantages of their lectures being correctly reported in the
medical papers, from which the public and themselves so largely profit.
In 1831 he wrote a memorable letter to the Times, suggesting a plan of
medical reform, to the effect that the medical student should have a
sound, classical, and mathematical education, and proposing a higher and
lower grade or distinction ; and as showing the wisdom of these sugges¬
tions it may be mentioned that the Council of the Royal College of
Surgeons has for some time past adopted the whole of them. In 1835,
on the death of Mr. Lynn, surgeon to the Westminster Hospital and a
member of the Council of the College, Mr. Green was unanimonsly
elected to the chair in the Council of that College of which he had
become such a distinguished member. In 1840 he was requested by his
colleagues to deliver the annual oration in memory of the immortal
Hunter; and so much satisfaction did this afford them that at their
earnest request he published it under the title of ‘Vital Dynamics and
again in 1847 he became Hunterian orator, and published the lectures
under the name of ‘ Mental Dynamics.’ Neither were considered popular
discourses ; they were perhaps in advance of the times, and moreover
were full of the metaphysical notions entertained by the celebrated
Coleridge, his intimate friend and congenial spirit. In 1846, on the
resignation of Sir Benjamin Brodie, he was elected a member of the
Court of Examiners, an appointment he held up to the time of his
lamented decease, and in 1849 obtained, at the hands of his colleagues,
the highest appointment they had it in their power to confer — viz., the
president’s gown — an honour again most worthily conferred on him in
1858. From Her Majesty’s Government he received the appointment of
President of the Council of Medical Education and Registration of the
United Kingdom.”

Mr. Green’s long connection also with the veterinary profession, and
the eminent services he rendered it from an early period down to its
becoming an incorporated body, call for especial notice in this obituary.

In May 1819 he was unanimously chosen a member of the Board of
Examiners of the Royal Veterinary College, to supply the vacancy oc¬
curred by the death of the younger Cline. A ssociating himself in the per¬
formance of these duties with the late Mr. Abernethy, Dr. Babington,
Dr. Bailie, Sir A. Cooper, Dr. Cooke, Henry Cline, Sir E. Hume, Dr.
Pearson, J. Wilson, and Professors Coleman and Sewell, he lived to
see all these carried to the tomb of their fathers, and to have for his
colleagues an entire new list of worthies.

On the attainment of the charter of incorporation in March 1844, Mr.
Green, in common with the other members of the College Board, sent in
their resignations, it being considered that their services were now no
longer required.

This step is thus .recorded in the College archives : —

“ Resolved. — That whereas it appears by the charter lately granted to
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the present Board of Exa¬
miners is virtually dissolved, we, the medical members of the said
Board, respectfully tender our resignations with every wish for the sue-

OBITUARY.

61

cess of the Veterinary College, an institution of such permanent benefit
to the interests of the public.

(Signed) “ Joseph Henry Green.

“ John Ayrton Paris.

“ Enw. Stanley.

“ Rob. Liston.

“Rich. Bright.

“Bransby B. Cooper.

“March 20th, 1844/’

At the first meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons in April, it was resolved “ that a mixed temporary board be
appointed to examine the pupils attending the Royal Veterinary .College
of London, and the Veterinary College of Edinburgh, who now are, or
who, between this and the first day of October next, may be ready for
examination.”

Mr. Green, in common with his late colleagues, was invited to take
part in the duties of this temporary court, a request to which lie and they,
with one exception, Dr. Paris, having been elected President of the Royal
College of Physicians, had determined to retire altogether as an examiner,
most readily assented. On the assembling of the Court, Mr. Green was
unanimously chosen its chairman, a post he continued to occupy till the
formation of a permanent board, when, having succeeded in assisting
the body corporate through a most critical period of its existence, he
tendered his resignation, receiving the thanks of the Council for his
distinguished and eminently useful services.

The death of Mr. Green, although at last sudden, was not altogether
unexpected ; for he had been labouring for some months under a
severe attack of gout, complicated with disease of the heart, from
which it was hoped, by the kind and skilful treatment of Dr. Brinton,
his attached friend and physician, he had recovered. This gentleman
had suggested the resignation of several offices held by the deceased,
in order that, by affording rest, so valuable a life might be prolonged
for some time, and he had so far recovered as to be able to visit
his sitting-room, when on Sunday last he was suddenly seized with his
fatal illness, which carried him off in his seventy-second year. He leaves
a widow and a large circle of friends to deplore one of the greatest
losses which the medical profession has sustained for many years.

Thus one after another goeth hence, obeying the irrevocable decree.
Death has been designated “Nature’s signal for retreat,” and ’twould
be well for us to remember the epitaph of the Roman captive, “ Non
omnis moriar,” for soon we too must shuffle off this mortal coil, and some
even now may feel their “ mud-wall cottage” shake. May it be ours when
the summons comes to be ready to enter the portals of the grave as
peacefully as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies
down to pleasant dreams.

To sleep ! perchance to dream ; — ay, there's the rub ;

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause.

[We are indebted to The Times for that portion of the Obituary of
the late Mr. Green which does not relate to his connection with the
Veterinary College.]

tiie

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.

No. 434.

FEBRUARY, 1864.

Fourth Scric?,
No. 110.

Communications and Cases,

OBSERVATIONS ON URINE AND URINARY
DEPOSITS IN RELATION TO DISEASE.

By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College, London.

Malassimiiation of the materials taken into the intestinal
canal is likely to occur in the horse as in other animals,
varying, however, both in its degree and nature. This being
the case, we may reasonably conclude that the products of
secretion, particularly those of the kidneys, would also var}^
both in relation to the proximate principles of which the
aliment consists as well as of those of which the animal body
is composed. These variations being determined, and com¬
pared with the healthy standard, ought to give us a clue to
the nature of the derangement in an animal's body, as also
of the organs principally involved. It need not surprise us
when we consider the probability, nay, the almost certainty,
of unnatural substances, in a fluid state, being absorbed from
the interior of the intestinal canal and conveyed into the
circulation, that they should cause a disordered state of the
whole system, but especially of those organs whose duty it is
to eliminate such materials from the blood. Bearing this in
view, the physical character of the secretions which we often
observe — the urine, in particular — ought to suggest to us the
advisability of determining the nature of the changes that have
taken place. Knowledge thus obtained, but which can onty be
arrived at by aid of the microscope and chemistry, would, no
doubt, materially assist us in forming a true diagnosis, and also
in suggesting suitable therapeutics for the expulsion of that

xxxvii. o

66 OBSERVATIONS ON URINE AND URINARY DEPOSITS.

which is injurious from the system, as well as the restoration of
deranged function. It would also point out the kind of food
best calculated to facilitate recovery and the preservation of
health. In human practice the examination of urine, as a help
to diagnosis, has long been made a study. Even before it was
scientifically investigated, the charlatan worked upon the cre¬
dulity of the public by pretending to know the nature of their
maladies simply by looking at a small quantity of their urine.
Eor many years the study of the urine, both in health and dis¬
ease, has been considered of the greatest importance by the
physician, and, no doubt, many valuable practical results are
the fruits of such investigation. Now, if uroscopia is important
in the practice of human medicine, surely it ought to be of
some value in comparative pathology ; yet how rarely do we
find that the veterinary surgeon takes any special notice of the
character of the urine of the horse when treating his diseases.
Whether the animal urinates or not may be asked, and per¬
haps the quantity voided, as also the frequency of the evacua¬
tion during the day or night, may be inquired into, but the
quality of the urine seldom, I am inclined to think, enters
the mind of the practitioner. Even the groom, coachman,
or the carter seems to attach more importance to the renal
secretion than the veterinary surgeon ; for whatever is wrong,
either real or imaginary, with the horse he has the care of, he
will tell you, “ his water is bad ; that his kidneys are wrong,
&c. ; and that he wants something to make him stale well.”
Of course such a one does not pretend to know the wrhy
and the wherefore, nevertheless there is often some truth
in his remarks, although they may seem to be more the
result of instinct than observation. These people often
raise an alarm about the horse’s urine when, in reality, no¬
thing whatever is the matter, and many a half dozen diuretic
balls have been supplied at their request to correct the sup¬
posed ailment. Nevertheless some heed should be paid to
their statements, for valuable deductions are often to be
drawn from remarks made by attendants on sick animals ; in
fact, as our patients cannot speak, we are obliged to depend
very much on the statements of those under whose care they
are placed, but then the veterinary surgeon must be on his
guard against deception.

Like many others of my professional brethren, I have been
only a superficial observer of the characters of the urine of
the horse when labouring under disease; and not having
studied the chemical character of this secretion under dif¬
ferent circumstances, so as to be enabled to turn such know¬
ledge to an account in forming either a diagnosis or prognosis.

OBSERVATIONS ON URINE AND URINARY DEPOSITS. 67

I have thought of giving more attention to the subject
than I have hitherto done. Should the conclusions at which
I arrive be thought to possess sufficient practical value,
I hope to be able to lay them before the profession, trusting
that they may not only be of some benefit, but also that they
may act as incentives to exertion in the same field of inquiry ;
one which we must all admit requires to be better cultivated.

This task I should not undertake did I not hope to enlist
the co-operation of Professor Tuson, who, I think, is inclined
to devote some of his valuable time to zoo-analyses, and
without whose aid my remarks would fall far short of what
the subject really demands. Members of the profession can
also render us much service by contributing such informa¬
tion bearing on this subject as may from time to time come
before them.

An interesting case of the kind alluded to has recently been
communicated to me by Mr. Catteral, M.R.C.Y.S., who also
furnished me with some urine taken on two different occa¬
sions from his patient. The first sample was obtained at the
time when the disease was at its height, and the second when
the mare was far advanced towards recovery. Mr. Catteral
wrote as follows :

Dear Sir, — Agreeable to your request, I send you a detail account of
the symptoms of the disease and the treatment I pursued with the mare I
consulted you about in December last. They are as follows :

On the 14th of December I was requested to see a brown mare, the
property of Messrs. Franconi, the proprietors of the equestrian troop.
On my arrival I found the mare to be labouring under the follow¬
ing symptoms : — Pulse from 80 to 90 per minute, and thready in
character ; no appetite ; visible mucous membranes much congested, and of
a yellow hue ; respiration disturbed ; tongue and buccal membrane dry
and hot ; breath offensive ; legs of a natural warmth. I was informed
that she had not taken either food or water since the day previous, and
that she had not voided either fasces or urine. I considered the case to be
somewhat complicated, but that the liver and kidneys were the organs
chiefly involved, more particularly the latter. Her work in the c< ring ”
consisted in carrying a man, weighing upwards of thirteen stone, who was
in the habit of throwing as many as ten somersaults each evening, and
alighting upon her back, over the region of the kidneys. I first explored
the rectum, which I found to be empty ; afterwards I passed the finger
into the opening leading to the bladder, when a convulsive effort was
made to urinate, and about three ounces of thick, ropy fluid were passed.
Upon further examination, I found that the bladder was nearly empty. I
gave a draught composed of —

Decoc. Aloes com., ^iij ;

Pot. Bicarb., 5y ;

Spit. 2Eth. Nit., *j ;

threw up a clyster, and had her placed in a loose box, and ordered that
she be kept as quiet as possible. In the evening she passed about three

68 OBSERVATIONS ON URINE AND URINARY DEPOSITS.

or four ounces of thick, ropy urine of a greenish colour. The draught was
repeated.

15th, a.m. — The mare is evidently worse; her coat looks more un¬
healthy ; the visible mucous membranes are of a deeper yellow colour ; the
breath is fetid, and the tongue much furred; she also coughs frequently,
and I was told that she had been pawing all night, principally with tbe right
fore foot. Repeated medicine as before, and passed the catheter and
drew off about eight ounces of thick, dark-coloured, ropy urine, which
was very offensive. She continued much the same throughout the day.

17th. — The symptoms have undergone but little change, with the excep¬
tion of the mare being evidently weaker. She had passed a small quantity
of hardened dung, which was covered with mucus. Repeated the medicine.

I now began to think that both liver and kidneys were structurally
diseased, the latter in particular, which induced me to collect some of the
urine for further inspection. P.M. — The mare was straining frequently,
as if endeavouring to void her faeces. Gave another clyster, and a
draught composed of 01. Ricini, 5V, and Tinct. Opii, 5j.

18th. — No better; bowels still constipated ; had not urinated; pulse
more frequent, and almost imperceptible. Knowing that I should do no
good until the bowels were relieved, and taking into consideration the
amount of purgative medicine she had already taken, I determined to try
the effects of the following agents :

CJ O

Acid. Muriat., ^iss ;
Ext. Tar ax., 3SS ;
Nit. Spt. iEth., $j.

This was ordered to be repeated twice within twelve hours. I11 the
evening she seemed much better, passed some dung, and also a small
quantity of urine.

19th. — She is much better. From this time I continued the use of
last-named medicine, under the action of which she improved very fast.

22nd. — She is so far recovered that I consider her out of danger.

Such is a brief account of the case, which is at your service to do as
you please with.

To Professor Varnell.

I am, &c.

I have thought it advisable to make use of nearly the
whole of this communication, as the symptoms and cause of
the disease therein described are so strongly characteristic of
functional derangement of the kidneys and liver, and also of
the blood having been, at one period at least, loaded with
effete matter. To have curtailed the communication in any
way would certainly have detracted from its value.

Roth samples of urine were analysed by Professor Tuson,
and the following is his report, which to my mind strongly
confirms the opinion respecting the organs which were chiefly
involved.

OBSERVATIONS ON URINE AND URINARY DEPOSITS.

69

REPORT ON THE EXAMINATION OF THE TWO QUANTITIES
OF URINE REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING CASE.

By Professor Tuson.

The quantity first received —

1. Was neutral to test-paper.

2. Was so viscid that the urinometer could not indicate
its specific gravity. From the glairy consistence of
the urine, and from the extreme slowness with which
it would mix with water, together with the fact that,
when magnified, the urine was observed to contain
aggregations of nucleated corpuscles agreeing in
appearance with those depicted in chemical and
microscopical works as mucous corpuscles, I consider
that the abnormal viscidity was occasioned by the
presence of mucus.

3. Was turbid, owing to mechanically suspended solid
particles. This solid matter was collected and spe¬
cially examined. Its leading characters are as fol¬
lows :

a . Under the microscope it was seen to consist of
collections of angular particles.

b. It readily dissolved in warm water. (If the
original urine be warmed, the turbidity disap¬
pears, and reappears slowly on cooling.)

c. Acted upon by nitric acid and ammonia, murexid
was formed.

d. Treated with hydrochloric acid, it was decom¬
posed, uric acid precipitated, and the soluble
portion contained chloride of sodium.

These four reactions (a} b , c , and d) are highly cha¬
racteristic of urate of soda.

4. Mixed with strong nitric acid, it darkened and be¬
came almost solid, from the deposition of crystals,
which were not those of nitrate of urea.

Hydrochloric acid did not produce the same reac¬
tion until after the urine had been concentrated by
evaporation, probably in consequence of its containing
more water than the strong nitric acid.

These crystals were proved to be hippuric acid,
by their being — -

a. Acicular in shape, and by the acicular crystals
arranging themselves in stellate and circular
groups.

70 OBSERVATIONS ON URTNE AND URINARY DEPOSITS.

b. Soluble in water and alcohol,, and by their
depositing again, with their original shape, from
these liquids, after evaporation, and by the
aqueous solution being acid to litmus.

c. Easily melted at a gentle heat, and solidifying
into a crystalline mass on cooling, and entirely
vaporized at a high temperature.

d. By their aqueous solution, after careful neu¬
tralization with ammonia, yielding —

a. A white precipitate with nitrate of silver,
readily soluble in nitric acid.

/3. A white precipitate with acetate of lead,
y. A reddish-brown precipitate with chloride
of iron.

5, The urine, in the state in which it was received, wTas
submitted to microscopic examination, when the un¬
dermentioned bodies were detected :

ct. Epithelial scales.

/3. Floating corpuscles (mucous corpuscles), already
referred to.

y. A few v7ell-defined octahedral crystals, which
were insoluble in acetic acid, but soluble in
hydrochloric acid ; thus indicating that they
were composed of oxalate of lime.

6. The amount of hippuric acid in 1000 parts of the
urine was determined.

The total amount of solid constituents was likewise
ascertained.

In the table below these amounts are given, as well as the
quantities of the same ingredients found in the urine of a
healthy horse, at two different periods, by Von Bibra.

Yon Bibra. Tuson.

\st Period. 2nd Period. [The viscid urine .)

Hippuric acid . . 12-60 1-23 2B00

; . Solid constituents . . 144-91 8746 169-57

The chief peculiarities of the viscid urine are —

1. That it contains an excessive amount of solid con¬
stituents.

2. lhat it contains an excessive amount of hippuric acid.

3. 1 hat it contains urate of soda, a substance generally
believed to be absent in the urine of the herbivora, although
Fownes has asserted that he detected a minute quantity^of
uric acid in the urine of a horse.

COTTON-CAKE.

71

The second quantity of urine received . —

This quantity of urine was submitted to the same system
of chemical and microscopical analysis as the first quantity,
but it yielded none of what may be termed the extraordinary
reactions already detailed, in reference to the presence of
urate of soda and excesses of mucous and hippuric acid.

Its specific gravity was easily determined, and found to
be 1050, which is about the average.

By the microscope, crystals of oxalate of lime were dis¬
covered ; but as this substance is said to be very frequently
found in the urine of the herbivora, its occurrence in the two
samples of urine examined does not, as far as I can judge,
call for any special remark.

In short, this second quantity of urine appears to be of
normal composition.

In the annexed figure, a represents the microscopic appear¬
ance of the crystals of hippuric acid when rapidly deposited
from solution ; b, the same substance slowly crystallized
from its solutions in water; and c, the microscopic cha¬
racters presented by the crystals of oxalate of lime, as they
floated about in both quantities of the urine examined.

ON COTTON-CAKE.

By Professor Tuson.

To produce the greatest weight of beef, mutton, and the
various other kinds of animal food used by man, of the best
quality, in the shortest time, and at the lowest cost, is a pro¬
blem which the farmer is continually endeavouring to solve.
At one time the solution of this problem was effected by the
agriculturist feeding his stock upon home-grown produce
only, but of late years the same objects have been, at all

72

COTTON-CAKE.

events partly, accomplished by the employment of a great
variety of vegetable materials imported into this country
from abroad. Now, it is to the physical peculiarities and
chemical composition of one of these foreign food-stuffs to
which I beg to be permitted to direct the attention of the
readers of the Veterinarian . The material to which I refer is
called cotton-calce, and is obtained chiefly from the southern
states of North America. It is prepared by submitting to
pressure the seeds of the cotton-plant {Gossypium Barbaclense) ,
by which means an oil is expressed that may be applied to
many of the purposes for which unctuous oils in general are
used, and there remains between the plates of the press the
remaining components of the cotton-seed ; these components
cohere and constitute the feeding-cake forming the subject
of this communication.

Dr. Voelcker, to whom, I believe, we are indebted for the
first published analyses of cotton-cake, states * that this
material is introduced into the market in four conditions or
forms, viz. —

1. Whole-seedcake.

2. Thick decorticated cake.

3. Thin decorticated cake.

4. Meal produced by grinding decorticated cake.

In addition to these four varieties I have had a fifth occa¬
sionally submitted to me for analysis, which was evidently a
meal prepared by crushing the whole-seed cake.

The peculiarities and differences of character enjoyed by
these five varieties will be best considered after attention has
been given to their chemical composition, a point to which I
will now refer. In the subjoined table will be found a state¬
ment of the results of the analyses of various samples of
cotton-cake, as determined in the laboratories of Dr. Voelcker
and myself ; and in order that the theoretical or scientific
value of cotton-cake may be compared with that of a feeding-
material of high repute, there is appended an analysis made
in my laboratory of a sample of pure linseed-cake, manufac¬
tured in the Exhibition of 1862.

* ‘Journal of the Koyal Agricultural Society,’ vol. xix, page 422.

Prepared from whole Seed. Prepared from Decorticated Seed.

COTTON-CAKE.

73

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74

COTTON-CAKE.

By inspecting the foregoing table, it will be seen that the
nature of the constituents forming cotton-cake in all its five
varieties is the same as those composing our standard of
comparison — linseed-cake; and as it is upon the peculiar
functions of these constituents in relation to digestion, assi¬
milation, &c., that the feeding values of the cakes depend,
I may be excused for briefly reminding my readers of their
leading characters and destination in the animal economy.

JFater.— Although, as a component of food, water is of
great value, physiologically considered, yet, looking at the
question commercially, it is difficult to assign any value to
it, so that one need only remark that, in purchasing feeding-
cakes, all other things being equal, the less water a cake
contains the higher will be its worth.

'Flesh-formers. — These components are similar in chemical
composition and properties to albumen, so that they have
been termed the albuminous constituents; and from their
containing the element nitrogen, they have likewise received
the appellation of nitrogenous constituents. These are the
materials of food which are chiefly concerned in contributing
to the formation of the muscle or flesh of an animal, and to
its other nitrogenized solids and fluids.

The respiratory constituents (heat-producers and fat-formers)
contain no nitrogen, and so are often called the non-nitro-
genized constituents of food. They include the oil, mucilage
or gum, digestible cellular tissue, and similar bodies. These
materials furnish the principal quantities of the hydro-
carbonous matter which, during respiration, undergoes oxida¬
tion, evolving that heat which is so essential to the perform¬
ance of the vital functions of an animal. If an animal undergo
but little exertion, or take but a small amount of exercise,
then a small proportion only of the respiratory ingredients
of its food suffers conversion into carbonic acid and water,
and the remainder is stored up by the animal as fat.

The indigestible fibre , although having the same chemical
composition as the respiratory constituents, is, as its name
implies, incapable of undergoing digestion, and cannot, there¬
fore, possess a direct value as an article or component of
food. However, indirectly it is said to do good service in
giving that bulk to the food which appears so desirable in
some animals, and of acting as a mechanical stimulant. In
some cases, as we shall presently see, the physical condition
of the indigestible fibre may be such as to warrant our look¬
ing upon it with suspicion, that is, as a material extremely
likely to cause injurious effects to follow its introduction
into the alimentary canal.

COTTON-CAKE.

75

The asli is that small portion of the cake which remains
after the other constituents have been dissipated by burning,
and consists of the mineral components. The ash of food is
the source of the mineral portion of the skeleton of an
animal, as well as of the other saline matter found in the
other parts of its body. It is, therefore, a highly essential
ingredient of all kinds of feeding materials. The chief pecu¬
liarities of the ash of cotton-cake, according to Dr. Y oelcker,
are, that it contains a considerable quantity of phosphate of
magnesia, and, in addition, the phosphates of potash and lime.

Having then very briefly glanced at the qualities of the
components of cotton-cake, and at the applications which
nature makes of these bodies in maintaining the health and
life of animals, we will now compare the quantities of theifi
found in the better descriptions of the various conditions of
cotton-cake with the quantities of the same food-components
found in the linseed-cake of good quality.

Products from whole seed. — These are two in number, viz.,
the cake obtained by crushing the entire seed, and the meal
produced by grinding the cake. By inspecting the table, we
find, as, indeed, we might expect, they both have a very
similar composition. On comparing the relative quantities
of each constituent contained in the whole-seed cake and
meal with those existing in the linseed-cake, wre perceive
that (omitting the water, as being of little importance) the
former contains between 8 and 9 per cent, less flesh-formers,
about 50 per cent, less oil, about 3 per cent, more mucilage
and similar respiratory matters, between two and three tunes
as much indigestible fibre, and about the same quantity of ash
as the latter. If we were to be guided by the results of
chemical analysis alone, we should conclude that whole-seed
cotton-cake and meal, although containing a large proportion
of indigestible fibre, and not equal in value to good linseed-
cake, are nevertheless valuable feeding-materials ; but if wTe
also examine the physical characters, especially of the cake,
we find that the large amount of indigestible matters which
it contains is so extremely hard, sharp, and angular, that its
consumption as food is likely to be attended with dangerous,
if not fatal, results to the animals partaking of it. The ex¬
perience of practical men corroborates these opinions, parti¬
cularly in the case of inferior cotton-cakes, some of which
contain as much or more than half their weight of husks ;
and there are cases on record wherein there is little doubt
but the death of stock has been occasioned by the use of
cottonTcake of this description.

Tor example, Dr. Voelcker, in the paper already referred

78

COTTON-CAKE.

to, says, “ After the foregoing pages were in type, I received
a note from Mr. John Fryer, Manor House, Chatteris, en¬
closing a sample of cotton-cake, and giving a short account
of the death of a bullock that had been fed upon the cake,
and upon mangolds, barley -meal, and clover-hay. Mr. Fryer
enclosed the following report of the veterinary surgeon :

“ Surgeon’ s post-mortem examination. — f Internal and external
appearance healthy, nothing inflammatory. Paunch enor¬
mously distended with food. The manifold (I speak as
butchers speak) crammed and jammed full of substance like
tough dough rolled hard, and adhering to the folds. Lower
stomach quite empty. The duodenum, for twenty-four
inches in length, entirely blocked up with two or more
pounds of the irregular-shaped concave and comminuted
husks. Upon comparing them microscopically with the
cake before eaten, they were found to be identical/

“This report leaves no doubt about the cause of death.
The distension of the first bowels was evidently caused by
cotton-husks, which, I am informed, were pressed so tightly
into the bowel as to give externally the appearance of
stones.”

Again, Mr. James Crowhurst, M.R.C.V.S., of Canter¬
bury, in the Veterinarian of November, 1863, has published a
case to which I beg to refer the reader, and in which it
appears that whole-seed cotton-cake was the cause of the
death of several animals.

In addition to these published accounts of the injurious
effects of the indigestible husks of cotton-seed, which appear
in some cases to act as a mechanical irritant, similar testi¬
mony has frequently been verbally communicated to me,
equally tending to prove that the undecorticated cake, if
used for feeding purposes at all, should be given sparingly
and cautiously, especially to young animals.

The products of decorticated seed, i. e. of the kernels only,
are of three kinds — thick and thin cake, and meal. Again
instituting comparisons as with the whole-seed products
(after dismissing the water from our consideration, as being,
unimportant), we notice that in the decorticated products the
amount of flesh-formers is 10 per cent., and the oil sometimes
as much as 6 or 7 per cent, higher; the mucilage, &c., 8 or 10
per cent., and the indigestible matter from 1 to 5 per cent, lower
than in the Exhibition linseed-cake. The proportion of ash is
about the same in all kinds of cotton-seed productions. The
circumstance, therefore, which most arrest our attention is
the comparative absence of indigestible material; and it
must be observed that that which does exist in the varieties

DISEASES OF TI1E RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

77

to which we are now alluding does not possess any of those
objectionable qualities already mentioned as belonging to
the husks of the whole-seed cake.

It is of great importance, also, to mention that even the
decorticated cake, existing as cake, is only broken into
small fragments with extreme difficulty, a circumstance
which evidently interferes with the facility of its practical
applications, and which constitutes one of the objections to
its use by the farmer. Some manufacturers crush and
grind the decorticated cake to powder, dry it, and send it
into the market under the name of “ Patent Kiln-dried Oil-
meal.” Now, here we have a material which theory and
practice alike declare possesses feeding-powers not merely
equal, but superior to those of good linseed-cake ; and it is
only recently that one of my pupils (Mr. Clarke) at the
Royal Veterinary College informed me that his father is,
and had been for some time, in the habit of feeding his
oxen on decorticated cotton-cake; and such was this gentle¬
man’s opinion of the latter material, that he considered
his stock thrived better on it than upon linseed-cake. I have
received similar reports from other sources. In conclusion,
I trust that the information set forth in this paper, although
not altogether novel, will be, nevertheless, of some slight
service to the veterinary surgeon, by directing his attention
to a feeding-material which is gradually gaining notoriety
amongst the agricultural community, and which, according
to its kind, may be employed with great advantage ; or may,
we have good reason for believing, be productive of injury
or even the death of animals to which it may have been
given.

ON SOME OE THE DISEASES OF THE RESPI¬
RATORY ORGANS OF THE HOUSE AND
OTHER ANIMALS.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., London.

[Continued from vol. xxxvi, p. 717.)

CATARRHAL AFFECTIONS.

During our observations upon catarrhal affections, we have
been compelled to disregard the usual systems of classifica¬
tion. Maladies have not arranged themselves according to

78

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS,

the conventional mode. We have not succeeded in assigning
precise limits to any one of the forms which the disease
assumes.

From the first appearance of “common cold” we have
traced the mucous irritation extending from the nasal mem¬
brane to the bronchial tubes, even to their minutest ramifica¬
tions. Associated with these conditions we have found
deposits in the lung tissue ; and further, extensive alterations
of the structure of the liver.

Diagnosis in such cases as those we have been considering
must inevitably be vague ; and hence the convenience of
such terms as “influenza/* “bronchitis/’ “low fever/’ and
“bilious fever/’ expressions which may be liberally inter¬
preted, and are yet sufficiently exact to satisfy the non-pro¬
fessional inquirer to whom an exposition of the complica¬
tions of disease would prove embarrassing, rather than in¬
structive, even supposing the whole of the elements were
familiar to the practitioner ; but instead of his being able to
see at one view the entire state of disease the symptoms often
only assist him to a suspicion, or still worse, mask the im¬
portant malady completely.

After a careful post-mortem examination has exposed ail the
morbid changes, it would still be very difficult to give a name
to the*disease expressing all its characters ; what term, for
example, would indicate irritation of the mucous membrane
of the respiratory tubes, the stomach and intestines with de¬
posits in the lung structure, effusion into the pleural sacs in
association with fatty degeneration of heart and liver? and
yet all these are frequently co-existent in animals that pre¬
sented no indications of disease previous to the catarrhal
attack ; if we except the fact of their being, as dealers’ horses
generally are, in a plethoric condition.

Allusion to diseases of heart and liver may possibly seem
out of place when discussing affections of the respiratory
system; the connexion between the two being by no means
obvious, and the two organs in question being of sufficient
importance to merit a separate notice. Our only defence is
found in the fact of the very common association of such
apparently distinct affections : fatty disease of nearly all the
organs in the body is not remarkable in overfed animals ; of
these organs the heart and liver would certainly exercise a
more important influence than either of the others likely to
be similarly affected ; but it seems that only when the system
is deranged by an attack of a febrile character that these
organic changes cause such disastrous consequences, inducing
an irregularity of the circulation on the one hand, and leading

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 79

to an accumulation of effete products in the blood on the
other.

An important question naturally arises in reference to
these diseases affecting such vital organs; it is asked, “how
is it possible for an animal, with his heart so changed in
structure, as to have lost the appearances which belong to its
healthy fibres, and with a liver enlarged to nearly double its
proper size, softened, pulpy, pallid and incapable of supporting
its own weight without breaking to pieces ; offering no resist¬
ance to the finger; its cells charged to bursting with fat-
globules; its capsule on the point of giving way to the pres¬
sure of its contents; its function perverted, to exist under
ordinary conditions of stable management, performing some
kind of work, subjected to the same supervision as other
animals in the same establishment, without showing some
signs of derangement ?”

The question is pertinent and cannot be evaded ; but as
scientific pathologists we are not concerned with the possi-
bilitv. We have to do with the facts as we observe them ;
and first let us clearly state a case that is not hypothetical,
nor exaggerated.

A horse, young, perfectly lively, with good appetite, and
in the common acceptation of the word, healthy, is sold by
the dealer, who had the animal from the country in a
plethoric condition, and has done his best to keep him so.
The horse has had daily exercise in harness or with the
saddle, and up to the moment of his removal is “fresh.”
Previous to his purchase he is ridden or driven, or both, and
evidences by his actions an exuberance of spirits, opposed to
the suspicion of serious constitutional derangement. He is
not, of course, severely tried ; a fat, " dealer’s horse,” is not
supposed to be in a condition to undertake a long journey,
or run with the hounds ; but short of this, there is nothing
which the dealer, the horseman, or even the veterinary sur¬
geon can discover, except what is apparent to everybody,
66 the horse is fat” his heart beats quickly after a little exer¬
tion, his respiration is similarly excited, nevertheless his eye
is clear and bright, his spirits are good, and his appetite
excellent. In this state he is taken to his new home; during
the journey or from change of stable he contracts a little cold,
which quickly takes on an unfavorable character, the disease
extending to the lungs, and in one week from the time of
sale he dies, and on examination is found to be affected as we
have described, with enlargement and softening of the liver,
and fatty degeneration of the heart, in addition to the pul¬
monary affection which has immediately destroyed his life.

80

DISEASES OE THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

In this case one of two things must be true.

Either the heart and liver were in a condition of fatty
disease previous to the catarrhal attack, or they became so
during the week of the illness preceding the animal’s death.
If we succeed in disproving the latter position, the former
becomes self-evident. The adoption of this method will be
most simple, concise, and satisfactory.

Absolute evidence upon the point under consideration
cannot be obtained, our conclusions therefore must be infe¬
rential; but by an inquiry into the conditions under which
fat is deposited we shall not find much difficulty in forming a
decided opinion.

First. The deposition of fat pre-supposes the consumption
by the animal of food containing a certain per centage of fat-
producing elements, for any excessive deposit of fat an excess
of such elements is required.

Secondly. The digestive powers must be sufficiently active
to appropriate these elements of food previous to their depo¬
sition.

Thirdly. The process of fatting” requires some consider¬
able time under the most favorable circumstances.

Fourthly. The artificial production of the disease occupies
some weeks when animals are purposely crammed with diet
rich in fat elements, and are altogether kept in a state most
favorable for the development of the condition.

In the case before us none of these circumstances are
present.

During his illness the horse’s appetite is certainly impaired,
probably lost, so that less food of any kind is consumed.
His digestive functions are less active. The time is not
sufficient to permit any large deposit of fat, even were its
elements consumed and digested. Taking into account the
period required for the production of the fatty disease when
all the circumstances are favorable, it will amount to a
reductio ad alsufdum , to assume its development in a shorter
period, all the circumstances being unfavorable.

It would not be difficult to strengthen this conclusion by
reference to the animal’s previous history, the evidence he
offers in his own condition of the consumption of food con¬
taining a large amount of fat-producing materials, coupled
with the fact that the object has all along been to induce
such a state of obesity as now amounts to actual disease.

So long as purchasers demand the smooth and rounded out¬
line will the same course be pursued ; and good, sound, (( sea¬
soned” horses continue in scarceness. Complications such
as we have been discussing do not of necessity lead to a fatal

OSSEOUS TUMOUR.

81

termination in every case of otherwise tractable disease ; but
in every instance they diminish the chances of successful
treatment, and necessitate greater watchfulness on the part
of the practitioner to guard against the prostration to which
there is so decided a tendency. All depletive treatment
must be rigidly excluded, anything likely to depress the
nervous action might cause the already faltering pulse to
cease at once.

"When much irritation is present, tincture of opium or
hyoscyamus are the only narcotics we venture to employ.
Our febrifuge medicines consist principally of nitrate of potass
or the carbonate; and tincture of gentian or bark usually
forms apart of every mixture, when not contra-indicated.

Fatty degeneration of the fibres of the heart of the horse
is, as far as we are concerned, a more recent discovery than
the same disease of liver, arising out of an examination of
parts sent by Mr. Gowing, whose attention was attracted by
some peculiar symptoms in a case he had been called to see,
when the animal’s state precluded any hope of recovery;
since then we have reason to conclude the malady is as
common among fat horses as is the “ fatty liver.”

It will not be necessary to insist further upon these points
at present, to the exclusion of the subject in hand, but in a
matter of such importance we may venture to offer some
remarks at a future time.

After this digression, which we could hardly avoid, it will
be desirable to return to the consideration of the diseases of
the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, devoting
our next paper to an examination of those affections which
may be properly termed inflammatory.

A COMPACT OSSEOUS TUMOUR CONNECTED
WITH THE SINUSES OF THE HEAD OF A
HORSE.

By B. Cartledge, M.R.C.V.S., Sheffield.

I send for your inspection an ivory tumour,” with part
of a horse’s head, to which you will see it was attached by a
very small pedicle. I have never met with anything of the
kind before, and, no doubt, such specimens are exceedingly
rare. I regret that I can give you no further account of it
than that it was brought to me as you see it by the knacker,
XXXVII. f)

82

OSSEOUS TUMOUR.

who got possession of the horse (an aged one) because it
was unable to work, and the owner had destroyed it in con¬
sequence.

Of these tumours I am not aware that any of our own
authors speak; but Paget, alluding to them, says —

“ These hard, osseous tumours are rarely found except in
connection with the bones of the skull — sometimes, however,
with the lower jaw — and are less rare amongst animals in this
situation than in man ; their texture is very like that of the
internal table of the skull, the petrous bone, or lower jaw.”

Another writer, Rokitansky, thus describes them :

“ Compact exostosis is the most frequent, and occurs on
compact bones and parts of bones, particularly on the outer
table of the cranial bones. It appears as if placed on the
surface of the bone from without, and often separated from
the bone by a furrow, which is generally narrow, and fre¬
quently deep, forming a fissure between the tumour and its
basement, making the exostosis appear as if glued on, like a
mushroom on a very short stalk. It often exceeds in
density the bone whence it springs, and is then known as
ivory exostosis. It is compact from the very first, and as
the layers are added to it they at once become as dense as
ivory. No spongy structure is found in them. The Haver¬
sian canals are small and far apart, and many of them sur¬
rounded by a distinct, well-defined, lamellar system. Some¬
times they are numerous in the same person.”

“In the College of Surgeons Museum there is a specimen
from the forehead of an ox. It is like a great spheroidal
mass of ivory, measuring eight and half inches in diameter,
and weighing upwards of sixteen pounds. Its outer surface,
though knotted and ridged, is yet compact, like an elephant's
tusk, and its section shows at one part a thin investing layer,
like the bone covering ivory. It is nearly all solid, hard,
close-textured, and heavy ; only a few irregular cavities, and
one with smooth walls, appear in its interior, and orifices of
many canals for blood-vessels may be traced. Quekett found
that it had a higher specific gravity than any bone, except
what is found in the porcelain deposits on the head of bones
affected with rheumatism. It has, howrever, in every part
the structure of true bone.”

[Among the specimens of osseous tumours contained in
the College Museum are three of the same description
referred to in Mr. Cartledge’s communication. No. 1, the
largest, weighs 8 lb. 7 oz., and measures in its long diameter
10^ in., and 5^ in. in its short diameter. It is of a square

OSSEOUS TUMOUR.

83

form, very solid, but somewhat convoluted on its surface.
No. 2 has a form and aspect not very unlike the brain. In
its long diameter it measures 6 in., and 5 in. in its short.
It also is solid throughout. It weighs 4 lb. 15 oz. No. 3
weighs 4 lb. 14 oz., and is ovoid in form, having a thin but
elongated point of attachment on its one side. Its long-
diameter measures 7 in., and its short 4 in. It was attached
to the inner side of the lower jaw of a horse, but no sufficient
history belongs to the other specimens, although tradition
assigns the larger one to having been growing from the skull
of a cow.

The specimen sent by Mr. Cartledge is spheroidal in form,
and of a size somewhat larger than a cricket-ball, its circum¬
ference being in one direction 114 in., and in the opposite
104 in. It is very compact and solid, and weighs 1 lb. 54 oz.
The surface, which is irregularly nodulated, is deeply marked
also in several places with furrows by the blood-vessels
which ramified upon it. At one spot it shows the remains
of a small pedicle by which it was attached. On section, the
tumour presented the ordinary appearance of these growths,
no dentine (ivory) or other tooth-structure being present.
The Haversian system was found to be very complete, both
in size and development, but wanting that uniformity of
arrangement met with in normal bone. The tumour had
originally been formed within the maxillary sinus on the
left side of the face, its base resting upon the upper
extremities of the alveoli of the fourth and fifth molars
in particular. In process of development it led to absorp¬
tion of the osseous walls of the alveolus of the fifth molar,
so as to slightly expose the fangs of the tooth, and lead
to its lying partially in contact therewith. Its growth in¬
wards effected the removal almost entirely of the bony par¬
tition between the maxillary sinus and the nasal cavity, thus
not only bringing its greatest portion within the ordinary
air-passage, but its surface in contact ultimately with the
septum nasi. The surrounding bones, however, do not pre¬
sent any evidence of disease, either of their tissue or their
coverings. The location of so much of the tumour within
the nasal cavity must have caused a considerable impediment
to respiration, which probably was one of the chief reasons
why the horse was destroyed.]

84

OSSEOUS TUMOUR REMOVED FROM THE STIFLE-
JOINT.— ITS TRUE NATURE?

By Mr. Lamb, First-Class Veterinary Surgeon, Kirkee,

Bombay Presidency.

In the Veterinarian for December, 1862 (p. 774), is an
account of an ossific tumour removed from the back of a
mare by Mr. Longman, V.S., 9th Lancers, upon which Pro¬
fessor Varnell remarks that the tumour must not be consi¬
dered as true bone, which, from its hardness and weight, it
might be taken for, because, unlike true bone, it is wholly
destitute of the Haversian system of canals for the passage
of blood-vessels.

I have the pleasure to enclose you herewith a thin section
of a similar though much larger tumour, upon the nature of
which I should be glad to have your opinion, for to me it
appears, under the microscope, to have the Haversian system
of canals, &c., remarkably well developed, at least in some
parts, if not in all.

The tumour was situated over the off stifle-joint of troop-
horse “ No. 33, B Battery, 4th Royal Horse Brigade.” I
believe it had been under observation for about two years, in
which time it had gradually increased from the size of a
hazel-nut to its present dimensions. I removed it on the
23rd of February last. It was intimately connected with the
skin, from which I dissected it carefully, dividing, however,
three tolerably large arteries, which had to be secured. It
was very loosely connected to the bones of the stifle-
joint by cellular tissue. Immediately after excision it
weighed 1 lb. 1 1 oz. avoirdupois. The surrounding cartila¬
ginous mass being removed, it presented an appearance very
like a petrified sponge, and measured ten and three quarter
inches in circumference lengthwise, and nine inches trans¬
versely. I cannot ascertain, nor can I suggest, any cause for
the formation of this tumour.

[We felt satisfied, by an ordinary inspection only of the
section sent by Mr. Lamb, that the tumour from which it
had been taken was essentially of a bony nature, but still it
became necessary to prepare a portion of it for microscopical
examination. On this being done, all the well-known cha¬
racters of bone were distinctly observable, the Haversian
canals, lacunae, canaliculi, & c., being as perfectly arranged
as is usually the case in all adventitious bony tumours.]

85

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

Bv R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

( Continued from p. 22.)

“ Break-down” as it is commonly called, is a very signifi¬
cant term, inasmuch as it invariably puts a stop to the career
of an animal for some time, and often for ever interferes with
his racing qualifications, depending upon the seat and nature
of the injury — which injury, en passant, is generally produced
by violence. There are several kinds of (S break-down,” one
of which is met with in young, leggy, well-bred horses, which
is nothing more than a rupture of the fibres of the cellular
tissue connected with the flexor tendons ; a second is when the
sheath of the tendon has given way ; a third, when the ten¬
don itself has been injured; and a fourth, wdien the lesion is
situated in the suspensory ligament. There are other kinds
of “ break-down” known to horsemen, such as a giving way
of the lateral ligaments of the pastern joint, a strain of the
ligaments of the sesamoids, and also of a similar injury to the
tendons, &c., below the pastern joint.

The appearances met with in <( break-down,” are familiar
to most persons, and consequently very few can be found to
invest money in an animal possessing this defect. There are,
however, horses purchased by a certain class who find them
extremely useful, as posters for light work, car- drawing,
and other labour where happily they do not draft more
than from ten to twelve stone. Horses which have been
properly treated are found to do their work in a way
satisfactory to their riders and drivers; but it must be confessed
that a very long time is occasionally required to bring about
such a result, especially when the lesion has been a serious
one. The principal thing veterinary surgeons have to con¬
sider in examining such a horse is to thoroughly understand
the parts which have been injured, to reflect upon the structure
and function of those parts, and what the nature of the repairs
to be effected is, and what work the animal will be called
upon to perform. These are the main questions with which
we have to do when we find a case of break-down presented
for examination. If merely cellular tissue has given way, it
becomes a simple affair ; if sheath of tendon, our interest
increases; should it be tendon itself, more serious still; and
if the suspensory ligament be the seat of injury, then it be¬
hoves us to look not merely closely into the matter, but we

86

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

must give a few moments to thought , and endeavour if possible
to ascertain with certainty whether the injury has left behind
any impairment of action ; for very much of our reputation
depends upon the kind of opinions we advance when an un¬
sound animal is recommended by us to be purchased. In these
days, we shall be frequently called upon to scrutinise an
unsound horse, and very often, no doubt, advise our clients
to take the animal, although pronounced unsound. But we
must exercise much discretion in making public our views,
or we shall in a short space of time have war waged against us.

The most serious of all the “break-downs” I have met
with is when the lateral ligaments of the fetlock-joint partici¬
pate with that of the suspensory, being as it were “ off¬
shoots ” of this, as some term it, “ tendon,” and we may
naturally seek for a participation of any great violence sus¬
tained by that ligament in the small appendages which are
thrown off for the support of the sessamoids as well as of the
extensor pedis, from the carpus to the joint below, made up
as it is of the lower end of the metacarpal bone, the suf-
fraginis and the two sessamoids. So much diversity of struc¬
ture is here met with, that we need never feel, as some do,
astonished to find our hands and eyes at fault when lameness
exists in the front leg, if we can neither see nor feel anything
wrong upon a slight examination. If we will but take into
consideration the fact of the suspensory ligament being
unlike any other ligament or tendon, and that bursae are
situated immediately underneath it, we can, I think, account
in some measure for the difficulties we occasionally meet with
in diagnosing lameness. I fear we do not sufficiently bear in
mind the many peculiarities which exist in the various struc¬
tures present within a given space.

I have before hinted that the fetlock-joint is not only an
important one, but exceedingly complicated as a piece of
mechanism ; for example, let us look for a moment into its
component parts, or in other language, the anatomy of the
joint, taking into account the different textures which go to
make up the whole ; then the situation of those parts as they
are related one to another in a passive state, comparing them
with each other during locomotion, and consider their uses,
and, lastly, dwell a short time upon the pathology of the
whole joint, which will, I have no doubt, give us some idea
of the many difficulties met with, and account for some of the
failures which are occasionally witnessed by those who are
more sanguine than others are in their practice. There are
several methods adopted for ascertaining the probable extent
of injury in a break-down. The usual one I employ is that

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

87

which I have no doubt is employed by most others, which is
simply flexion and extension, and displacing the common
integument both upwards and downwards, as well as in a
lateral direction. By these means it will soon be learned
whether any change has taken place in any of the structures.
In one instance an enlargement of the parts will be seen;
secondly, the integument will be closely allied to the sheath
of the tendon, the tendon and its sheath cemented together,
the tendons and suspensory ligament become as one. In
another it will be found that the ligament is fixed to the
metacarpal bone, and lastly, it becomes apparent to the close
observer that the suspensory ligament is so changed that it
has lost its peculiar character, a hard cartilaginous substance
being produced in its place. In each and every case im¬
pairment of action is the result; the extent of which will
depend upon the nature of the parts affected (and it may be
added, the derangement of function will be visible in the
same ratio as the alterations of structure which have been
attempted to be described). A short time ago I met with a
case in which integument, cellular tissue, sheath of tendon,
tendon, ligament, and metacarpal bone were all amalgamated.
This animal was destroyed by my wish, and afforded much
information of an interesting kind afterwards. On looking
at a dried specimen — a dissection for ligaments and tendons
of a fore-leg, we shall be forcibly struck with its beauty and
admirable arrangement for all the purposes of locomotion.
At the same time we cannot help thinking how much sim¬
plicity is manifested in some portions of the limb, and it will
be conceived without much reflection, that the simpler the
arrangement the less liability there is for impairment of func¬
tion ; if we take for example the shoulder-joint, made up as it
is of soft parts chiefly, we can soon understand how it is
those parts are so seldom found to suffer injury. We all know
that the farriers of old and some of the modern practitioners
of veterinary surgery, who do not possess a knowledge of
anatomy, still look to the shoulder for most cases of lameness
in the front limbs. Those, however, who have received a
liberal education are fully aware of the many blunderers who
have preceded us. Take another example — the structure
of the parts connected with the large metacarpal and the
smaller bones — we find the anatomy between the lower carpal
joint and the fetlock particularly simple, which will account
for the immensity of wear and tear these several parts will
bear; nothing short of a shock will disturb these struc¬
tures, if we except that of splint and wind-gall. If they
were not so constructed disease wrould oftener manifest

88

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

itself. I believe it is a law in mechanics that a simple
spring is not so liable to err as one of a complex
character, and so it is in the animal machine. We must
not lose sight of other arrangements in this particular
part of the animal mechanism ; for instance, we must well
consider that the metacarpal bone, the suffraginis, and the
coronal bone, are standing one upon another perpendicularly ;
there is, indeed, not much obliquity at any part. We may,
therefore, take it for granted that there must be considerable
concussion, especially if the parts below are upright also.
These reflections will guide us in some measure as to any
opinions we may form when spoken to in reference to upright
joints. On looking at the close connection existing between
the metacarpal bones and the suspensory ligament, we can
readily understand how an abnormal growth of bone must in¬
terfere with the even working of those parts (if carried to any
extent), and more particularly at the setting up of inflamma¬
tion. We sometimes hear of the tendon being rubbed against
by a splint and causing lameness, I am inclined, however, to
believe that the parties who hold such opinions know but little
of the subject upon which they are dilating. If we look closely
at the suspensory ligament at its bifurcation, we shall remark
that it is making its way towards the lateral portions of the
sesamoid bones; that these offshoots become intimately
connected with those little bodies, an arrangement which
tends to hold them in position. Still, it can be seen they
have play enough to go out of position, if forced. If any
portion of the suspensory ligament, either above the bifur¬
cation or below, becomes materially injured, it must of
necessity include some portion of this joint. It is the pe¬
culiar arrangement of the ligament, running, as it does, from
behind the limb to the front, to form its attachment to the
extensor tendon, which accounts for the fact that serious
lameness is the result of a break-down of these particular
structures ; and it must be observed that when a limb is very
upright, and the fetlock goes wrong, in many cases it will
be found that inflammation will set in, and include all the
structures found at this place. I have two specimens, which
have been in my possession but a few months, taken from
two young horses, both hunters, which are remarkable for
what I have stated, viz., that all the parts connected with
the fetlock -joints are diseased, more especially the bones;
I will describe one case, which will suffice for both. A
bay gelding, with upright pasterns, was ridden by a gentle¬
man (who was much too heavy and too hard a rider for so
young and unseasoned an animal) for some months, when

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

89

the horse gave way, or, in other words, broke down in one
fetlock-joint (the other was also slightly affected). The owner
of this horse treated him at his own house for some weeks in
the usual manner, by employing water-dressings to the parts
affected. Not feeling satisfied with the progress the case
was making, he sent for me to go and fire both front legs,
provided they were in a proper state. I examined both legs,
and could not detect any abnormal heat in them, and I gave
an opinion to the effect that firing was the best remedy to
employ ; and that, if all went on well , the horse would be fit
to put to work in about three months. He was cast and
carefully fired. In a few weeks the servant called to say the
horse was going on well, that a good job had been made of
the case, and that no blemish would take place, which I was
pleased to hear. In about three months, or more, I learned
that the horse was more lame than he had ever been, and
that the opinion of a veterinary surgeon had been sought,
which was to the effect " that the horse had been fired too
severely ” (this was a gratuitous piece of insolence). The
owner took advantage of the opinion he had received from
a “ horse-dealing vet.,” and held the operator responsible
for the state of the parts at that time. An explanatory note
was written, which led to some angry remarks from the owner,
who, however, afforded me an opportunity of examining the
state of the limbs of his horse. I found that the joint had
been injured in three places by the heel of the shoe of the
opposite foot, and it was plain that the horse had been in the
habit of rubbing the skin upwards and downwards for several
inches, so as to produce blemishes at each part, leaving the
intermediate parts unlouched . The ^injured parts bore
marks of the iron, and the hair had grown in such a man¬
ner that they were scarcely discernible without looking
closely at the leg. The joint was double its natural size, and
externally inflamed — indeed, red — and remained so for six
months. I kept the animal at my own expense, in order to see
the termination of the case and to secure the limb after death.
Finding no chance of relieving the horse, I advised he should
be destroyed, unless kept for farm work, to which the owner
would not consent. He was destroyed, and the bones from
the knee to the foot are in my possession, a brief description
of which may not be unacceptable. I found the large meta¬
carpal, the sesamoids, the os suffraginis, the os coronee, the
navicular and the pedal bones discoloured ; their hue is purple.
The lower half of the large metacarpal bone is covered with
spiculi. both anteriorly and laterally ; the suffraginis is like-

90

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

wise covered by these osseous deposits. The result of the case
gave ample proof of what amount of injury had been inflicted
by the animal himself, if the story of the servant can be
believed, which may be received as truth, or the owner would
have spoken out before. This was a break-down of a peculiar
character, which would, I have no hesitation in asserting,
have terminated in a satisfactory manner if the horse had
received proper attention at home ; unfortunately, however, for
the horse and also for the veterinary surgeon, both the owner
of the animal and his servant knew too much in one sense and
not enough in another. (I would warn all young men to
beware of these very clever horse amateurs ; if all goes on
well and safely, they are very friendly indeed, but if cases
turn out adversely, they are the most dangerous people we
have to deal with.) The front leg, when found in a passive
state, is, I have said, standing almost perpendicularly, so
that a plumb-line placed at the point of the shoulder should
touch the point of the toe on the ground ; this is allowed by
all judges of horses to be the acme of perfection as regards
position. These several parts outside the hoof have never
been known to become diseased or to sustain injury by long
standing, except in mountainous districts or in ill-paved
stables; in either case there is liability to injury of the flexor
tendons. It will be inferred from these remarks, together
with some at the commencement of this paper, that most,
indeed all the injuries to which I have given the name of
break-down result from violence, and that, as a general
rule, when in motion. I chose the term break-down for all
these lesions in preference to a strain of back tendon,”
“ sprain of the sinews,” and many others which I need not
mention, as I consider the term sufficiently plain to be
understood. If we will just take a glance at the limb of
the horse during the various movements he is capable of
producing, we shall, doubtless, commence with the walk or
first movement. In this pace there is not much to bring
about break-down ; nor in the trot, it being so regularly
and evenly performed, are we likely to find it, unless
there be a hole into which a horse places his leg; nor
does the canter afford many cases of injury of sheath
of tendon, or anything bordering on break-down. When
we increase the pace, and by it increase weight — for by
increasing pace weight is increased at the same time,
although no more weight is carried — we shall find cases of
break-down frequently occur, and at the time the distance
(if on a race-course) has been nearly run. I have known but

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 91

few breaks-down at the commencement of a race, except
under extraordinary circumstances. When all the muscles
are in full play, as they are found to be in a strong gallop,
and an animal excited, amongst others, it is when these
lesions take place, and especially so when the horse is almost
used up at nearing the goal, and his jockey has left go Ms
head and sat down to flog. This is the time the mischief is
done, for it is at this juncture the horse is all abroad. I
believe there are more races lost and more horses injured by
this sitting-down system than by any other. If the horse,
instead of having his head to himself, were to be held to¬
gether, and a stimulus applied with the heel or even a shout, in
many instances success instead of failure would be the
result. I have witnessed many races where these reflections
have been forced upon me ; besides, the animal being held
together, the jockey, watching the movements of his horse,
would be less likely to take him upon uneven ground or
give the chance of a break-down, as is too often done. It
is when the limb is extended too far beyond its powers of
recovery, that break-down takes place, and, as a general rule,
under no other circumstances. To be plainer, I would state
that the extensor muscles have been exerted beyond the
power of the flexors, so that the latter have not sufficient
strength left to overcome the former; a dwelling upon the
soft parts below the knee is effected, and a giving way of
those soft parts the consequence.

(To be continued .)

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

By Mentor.”

To me it is always an incalculable source of delight to turn
over the pages of the Veterinarian contemporaneously with
those of my note-book, or otherwise to settle quietly down
by the stillness of my own fireside, bent upon an extended
overhaul of past volumes. It is thus that I have been im¬
pressed with the rapid strides the profession is making in its
mode of viewing and dealing with disease. It is thus, also,
we are taught to “ go forward,” under a deep sense of “ self¬
insufficiency ” and dependence upon the efforts of our
brethren for their records, which, if we are candid to confess
it, occasionally point out a little want here or there on our
part. The feeling of healthy dissatisfaction with one’s self

92

RET llOSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

arises, ancl we are tempted to press on with renewed
vigour.

He who feels otherwise than this — viz., satisfied with his
stock of knowledge, having no need to cause himself trouble —
should divest himself of all appertaining to a man of science.
His is a hopeless case ; to him I apply no further remarks.

Whilst recently engaged as above described, my attention
was arrested by communications of various kinds ; all of
which are highly instructive and suggestive in their cha¬
racter. For some of these I would briefly refer in the suc¬
ceeding papers, not, however, with the motives of cynicism,
but with the view of mutual good.

The growing improvement, under your able direction, of
the Veterinarian — a multum in joarvo of the profession — thanks
to each contributor, warns me against inattentiveness, and
prompts me to give a push, however feeble, to the wheel
whi cli so faithfully represents the motions of the collective
machine.

I am w ell convinced of the great talent and erudite attain¬
ments of many of your contributors, amongst whom I feel
my own insignificance ; but, nevertheless, I fearlessly throw
myself upon their impartial judgment, under the full assur¬
ance that they value opinion, although it may differ with
theirs. By it many have been assisted over stupendous diffi¬
culties, whilst it has afforded them the gratification of being
able to perceive and rectify error. With these preliminary
remarks I proceed to narrate some cases of —

POISONING BY YEW.

Several communications of this kind have appeared in the
columns of the Veterinarian from various quarters. The fol¬
lowing occurred under my immediate observation.

Near sixty black, Irish, cattle were purchased during
November by a noble lord, now no more, and for a short time
were turned into the park to graze. In consequence of the
season having been unusually severe, the grass was exceedingly
bare, and therefore all portions of rank grass, weeds, &c.,
■which could be obtained, were eagerly devoured by the
animals, and, in addition, the cuttings likewise of some yew
trees, which had been thrown by the gardener into the
ha-ha, in ignorance of their poisonous effects.

The land-steward, suspecting the cause of the sudden and
serious indisposition among so many cattle to be due to
the yew branches, at once despatched a note to me expressive
of his forebodings. I attended, and found three of the
number dead, and immensely swollen. Two others -were

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

93

beyond hope; and they also shortly succumbed. The rest
were more or less affected. Symptoms of great urgency
presented themselves, such as haggard countenance ; accele¬
rated respiration ; small, feeble, and wiry pulse, having a
sensation of clickiug under the finger. The beats were
upwards of 90, but from the extreme uneasiness of the
animals worst affected, I was unable to reduce them to any
specific number. Horns, ears, and legs, cold. Eyeballs
protruding; pupils dilated, with complete blindness in those
cases which proved incurable. Abdomen tympanitic; severe
tenesmus, with discharge of blood and slime; true alvine
evacuations being either suppressed or very scanty. The
animals kicked at the belly; twisted about; lashed the tail
furiously, and threw the head violently from side to side ;
lay down, groaned, and rose to renew the actions as before.

The whole of them were at once driven into a spacious
straw-yard, well littered down ; and each had a drench
administered as soon as possible, composed of —

Chloride of Sodium, ^xvj ;

Hydrarg. Clilor., 5’j ;

01. Crotonis, gutt. xv ;

with large doses of aromatic powulers.

My prognosis was unfavorable in many instances, and I fully
anticipated an extensive addition to the number of casualties.

It was with fearful forebodings that I shortly paid a
second visit, feeling greatly what a desideratum there was for
an antidote of direct qualities against the active principle of
the yew. My patients were, however, all alive, and certainly
appeared easier, but the dejected look, languor, and feeble
circulation, with a driveling of saliva from the mouth, be¬
tokened but little improvement, if any, upon previous affairs.

Eight or ten hours having elapsed, I at once administered
to each, in some cold water, Ammon. Sesquicarb. 5vj, with
Zinjib. Had. Pulv. I allowed them tepid water to drink, and
left orders to administer the ammonia every four hours.

Whether or not we should look upon the chloride of
sodium as possessing any power of neutralizing the poison¬
ous principles of the plant, I leave to more experienced
minds for decision. Probably, I should infer, the purgative
medicine onty acted in the usual manner. However, be that
as it may, by the use of the stimulants, enemas, &e., and the
employment of a staff of excellent working and anxious at¬
tendants, our labours were rewarded by a recovery en
masse. The fseces of each animal were, subsequently to con¬
valescence, greatly impregnated with the undigested plant.

94

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

In the spring following, two valuable colts, under the same
ownership, of the Suffolk breed, had strayed through a broken
fence into a plantation of yew trees of not very aged growth,
and, as gathered subsequently from uninterested persons,
they were proved to have been there for several hours, the
state of the trees being such as to show that a good meal had
been obtained by the animals.

The terrors attending the previous case of wholesale poison¬
ing were again aroused, and I was speedily summoned ; but
instead of finding the same symptoms, or thereabouts, as
noticed in the black cattle, I was rather amused at the total
absence of all such as would indicate the least sign of disturb¬
ance of health. A dose of purgative medicine was adminis¬
tered, and no ill effects whatever were noticed.

Whether the shoots of the young yew trees are irritant, I
am not aware, but we might infer not from the above fact,
and coupled with it that many times afterwards, when driving
through the beautiful avenues of yew trees in the district,
cattle were seen by me cropping them with an apparent
relish. Besides, in no instance of poisoning that has occurred
in my practice has death originated otherwise than from
eating the dried cuttings at the close of the year.

With Mr. Dickens ( vide Veterinarian, December, 1859, page
686) , I am of the opinion that f f very much of the dele¬
terious action depends upon the quality or quantity of the
ingesta contained in the stomach at the time the yew is
taken, the season of the year, &c. The cases I have recorded
are in favour of this. The black cattle, coming from a long
journey only a few days prior to the occurrence, were low in
condition, and the state of the grounds affording but scanty
morsels ; the digestive organs were, in consequence, the more
exposed to the action of the plant.

The reverse, however, was the case with the cart-colts.
They had been turned from the stable after the six o’ clock
feed, in the morning, which had consisted of oats and wheat,
with chaff, pea-straw, &c. It was intended to fetch them up
again when the ploughman returned at three o’clock p.m.,
but the steward, finding them in the interim as described, had
them removed.

Owing to some misunderstanding having taken place be¬
tween the men who carted away the dead animals and the
steward, no post-mortem examinations were made. I was
greatly disappointed at this, for I had promised myself a
treat, and hoped to gather much from the appearances of the
viscera, by which I might deduce reasonable inferences as to
the origin of certain of the symptoms in the living animals,

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 95

and the probable quantity partaken of by them, from which,
probably, also we might account for the recovery.

I have read with interest your remarks upon the subject at
page 423, for July, 1859, which tend greatly to favour the
view already taken of the above cases ; but I hope to have an
opportunity of practically testing the effects of the plant
under different or modified circumstances, the result of which
I shall forward for publication.

If any of my brethren should be able to institute any
experiments of the above kind, I trust they will record them
also.

COLIC.

During the past year various opinions have been expressed
on the treatment of this complaint, subject, no doubt, to the
views of the practitioner as to its real pathology. Each
article will amply remunerate the reader for a reperusal.

“Argus,” at page 13, in the January number for 1863,
reasons well and plausibly in reference to the treatment of colic
by aloes, as advocated by Mr. G-amgee. He does not object
to their use when symptoms of constipation indicate the ne¬
cessity of purgatives, but questions, and wisely I think, the pro¬
priety of relying solely upon this drug in every case of colic.
He sums up his remarks by the powerful observation — “ That
cases [pure colic, I argue) often present themselves in which it
would he injudicious to use this drug, if not absolutely danger¬
ous .” And further — “ In very simple cases a hall of camphor
and ginger is all that is required to set the animat right .
Why, then, should we give from five to eight drachms of aloes ?f
I have italicised the extracted sentences, because I think
particular attention should be directed to them.

With regard to the employment of aloes as an internal
remedy for colic, I should infer that Mr. Gamgee, as stated
by Mr. Greaves [vide Veterinarian, p. 132, March, 1863)
relies upon their effects as much, if not principally, as an anti-
spasmodic. Mr. Gamgee, like a true champion of liberty,
warmly admires an opinion in which he feels he is not bound
to coincide. Now, had I not, in the spirit of search, care¬
fully contrasted the specific virtues of both lines of practice,
I should not, perhaps, have felt so disposed to say a word
about colic ; but after some years of trial, I have come to a
decision as to its treatment, which not only is highly suc¬
cessful, but also very effective, speedy, and satisfactory, at
least in my hands. I have no faith in “ Parr's Life-pills,” or
any such medicament, which are set forth as a “ Cure-all ”

96 RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

in every form and variety of disease. “ Argus ” complains,
and not without reason, that it would be absolutely dangerous
in some stages of this disease to administer aloes ; and, ergo,
turpentine and other stimulants, opium, &c., must, under
certain modified influences, be equally prejudicial.

Colic, we know, will attack an animal when the digestive
organs are not distended with food, but, as is well known, for
the want of it, more properly. Under these circumstances
a stimulant, almost of any kind, will answer, whether it bo
camphor and ginger, gin, warm ale, aqua ammonise, ether, or
any allied medicament.

In other cases a certain quantity (not nearly the usual
meal) of food may be taken, and upon quick exercise colic
supervene ; or the food may be slightly altered in quality,
the system, probably, also wanting tone at the time,
and spasm of the bowels follow. Such cases as these have
frequently come under my notice ; and I have invariably
found that a stimulant, particularly the aromatic spirits of
ammonia, has effected most marvellous results.

I recollect being summoned early one morning to go a
journey of ten miles. The animal I drove was regularly fed
upon chaff (i. e. cut food), bruised oats and beans, mixed ;
but she had been taken out when onlv half the meal was
eaten. Symptoms of pain were evident before I completed
the distance ; and fearful of not meeting with accommoda¬
tion in such a wild district as I then was in, I hurried on for
the last two miles. The animal became very restless before
being loosed from the gig; but I quickly had her removed
to the stable, the harness taken off, and the stall wrell littered
down.

The medicine chest in the vehicle supplied me with the
Spts. Ammon. Aromat., one ounce of which I gave in cold
water. Mr. Greaves’s words best describe the action of
ammonia : — “ It is electrical, and the finest antispasmodic
we possess.”

Some time before the occurrence just related, now several
years ago, my confidence in aloes in all cases of colic had
been shaken. Whether my dissatisfaction was inevitable
from using the best Barbadoes instead of Cape or Socotrine,
I do not know ; but certainly I had cogent reasons for look¬
ing upon colic as possessed of various modifications dependent
upon different causes. In the first place, I found that in
ordinary cases of spasm (aloes, in small doses, say five or six
drachms, given to moderate-sized animals) produced nausea
and subsequent purgation, owing, no doubt, to constitutional
peculiarities, by which some could not withstand the effects

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

97

of purgative medicines so well. This, among my class of
patients, was highly inconvenient, as their work was often
interfered with. On the other hand, I found the same cases
after the exhibition of a stimulant progressed more favorably,
the bowels resuming their action after the spasm subsided.

Aloes, although successful, were not so speedy with me
in giving relief; therefore I abandoned them in these ordi¬
nary cases for ammonia, in which I find an agent of the
greatest possible use.

Mr. Greaves’s case of the five-year-old* cart-horse is an
example of such as now and then occur, in which medicine
may be administered wholesale without producing the desired
effect.

With regard to linseed oil, I certainly do not possess any
predilection for it. If purgatives are indicated from the
evident constipation or impaction of the bowels — the animal
having either had access to a wheat or barley heap, or his
voracious propensities not having allowed of perfect mastica¬
tion or insalivation of the food — then I would give aloes,
accompanied with enemas, with a view of guarding, if pos¬
sible, against that sad event — rupture.

I have noticed, in animals dying from rupture of the
stomach, that the small intestines, generally empty, exhibit
signs of inflammation. Now, for my part, I should consider
this to be due to the excited action of the muscular fibres
consequent upon the over-distended stomach— a sympathetic
action to assist, as it were, in disgorgement from that organ.
Previous to death in such cases wre have frequently urgent
symptoms, the stomach giving way from internal pressure,
but presenting no signs of inflammation, fermentation being
always to be dreaded. It is here I give purgatives, such as
aloes, mostly in solution, with croton, and in large doses ;
for if the first few hours are lost to the practitioner, either
from rupture of the organ or by participation of the brain,
death steps between him and his patient. It is reasonable
to suppose that an overloaded organ will be impeded in its
action ; muscular fibre is weakened, and pressure from the
organ itself limits the transmission of nervous stimulus. In
all such cases, seen early, before the physical signs of inflam¬
mation are apparent, I have found the benefit of exhibiting
the ammonia in combination with aloes.

Overloading the stomach with chaff, wheat, &c., is common
amongst farm-liorses. Here my success has been well re¬
paid by the above treatment. Similar effects are also pro¬
duced by the beans, &c., and hay or straw-chaff used for
heavy dray-horses, all of which I treat as above.

xxxvii. 7

98

INDIAN ARMY VETERINARY SURGEON.

There are cases also where the signs of inflammation are
apparent. In these I have bled, blistered, and administered
enemas, given opium, calomel, &c., and probably thought it
a hard case when my patient has died, notwithstanding so
much had been done for him. Where such evidences exist,
I resort to aconite, the effects of which are not only
“ electrical,” but “ marvellous.”

I believe Mr. Bond, of Buckingham, is able to furnish
some valuable information as to the use of this agent in
combination with Spts. Ammon. Aromat. I should feel glad
if he would give, through your columns, an account of his
mode of exhibiting it.

The conclusion I have arrived at in the treatment of colic
is somewhat in accordance with the old adage, consisting —
not so much in what to give, but when to give it.” I
verily believe that slight cases are often protracted by the
use of aloes, their exhibition not being necessary.

THE PAY AND POSITION OF THE INDIAN ABMY

VETERINARY SURGEON.

Bv “ Argus,”

India ; December 1, 1863.

I have just read a letter in your pages from “ An Indian
Army Veterinary Surgeon,” and agree with him completely
in thinking that the profession at home should be made fully
aware of the mistake it makes in supposing that we out here
are well paid, and that India is a country for veterinary sur¬
geons to make fortunes in. Your correspondent evidently
belongs to one of the other presidencies, for his rates of pay
and expenses are different from ours here; but we are nearly
as badly off as he appears to be. I can give you the items of
my expenditure for the last two years — no approximation,
but the actual average per mensem — by which this statement
■would be made most clear. If I insert the particulars of one
month it may prove useful in preventing young fellows from
coming out here with high hopes, only to be disappointed.

I am a bachelor, and live a very quiet life ; drink nothing
except at dinner, and then only one bottle of beer, or a pint
or pint and a half of daught beer — hence I cannot be called
extravagant.

My expenses have been —

INDIAN ARMY VETERINARY SURGEON.

99

£

s.

d.

Mess bill

13

6

0

Breakfast

1

14

0

House rent

3

10

0

Servants

5

8

0

Keep of two horses

1

4

0

Subscription to funds (compulsory)

1

4

0

Total

26

6

0

My pay, &c., has been —

Pay and allowances

15

9

4

Horse allowance

. 6

0

0

House ,,

5

0

0

Palkee „

3

0

0

Extra batta

4 11

4

Total

34

0

8

Deduct expenses

26

6

0

Balance . . 7 14 8

Thus there remains a little over £7 a month to purchase
clothes, uniform, horses, &c., &c., and to make a purse to
pay one’s passage home to England, and out again (£300 at
least), when the time comes round to take leave for a year or
two. India is a vile hole to live in — a most trying climate
for seven months of the year — no English places of amuse¬
ment at any time — everything dull, dreary, and monotonous.
There ought to be some inducement to make men spend
twenty or thirty of the best years of their lives in it. At
present there is none for veterinary surgeons .

Taking all things into consideration, the pay at home is
literally better than out here ; the position is unquestionably
so, and an Englishman enjoys life there, instead of moping,
vegetating, and cursing his fate, as in India. i( Punch’s”
advice — I don’t agree with him, though — to people about to
marry, is about the best which can be given to any one think¬
ing of coming to this country — (t Don’t.” Stay at home on
£200 a year, rather than come out here on £500.

The “ Warrant” is a dead letter in India. For three and
a half years we have been waiting, waiting patiently for some
improvement in our pay and position. We have been under
the impression that " something was being done for us ” —
that “ our case was under consideration.” Now, however,
we are told by a very high authority out here that nothing
has been done, nothing is being done, and nothing will be
done, unless we make some stir ourselves. This suspense
and disappointment is sickening.

Yours faithfully.

To the Editors of * The Veterinarian

100

Facts and Observations.

New Motor System of the Heart. — Professor Yon
Bezold, of Jena, states that he has, in the course of some
researches on the motions of the heart, discovered a new
source of motor nerves of this organ, which connect it much
more intimately and importantly than the cervical sympa¬
thetic, or even the par vagum, with the cerebro-spinal sys¬
tem. The experiment of poisoning various animals with
woorara led him to the belief that the new central organ
has its seat neither in the medulla oblongata nor in the
brain. Further experiments, however, are necessary to
develop the discovery.

Oxygen Gas. — At a recent sitting of the Academy of
Sciences of Munich, Baron Liebig made a very interesting
communication relative to some experiments with a new
apparatus — manufactured chiefly at the expense of the
King of Bavaria — for detecting the existence and measuring
the quantity of oxygen in various bodies. The experiments,
Baron Liebig stated, had proved clearly that oxygen is not
only evolved from the atmosphere by plants, but also in
tolerably large quantities by decomposition of water in the
bodies of flesh-eating animals. Baron Liebig thinks that the
knowledge of this fact will throw quite a new light on the
hitherto but imperfectly understood processes of nutrition
and digestion.

Pure Pepsine. — Pepsine may be precipitated from its
solutions by agitation with cholesterine, with phosphate of
lime, or even with animal charcoal. Dissolved in water con¬
taining phosphoric acid, it may be precipitated when we
neutralize by lime-water ; it is then contained in the preci¬
pitate of phosphate of lime without always being found in a
state of combination. On these facts M. Brucke has founded
a new process of procuring this important substance in a
state of purity hitherto unknown, which has enabled him to
correct a number of assertions respecting it to be found in
treatises. The details of his process for obtaining it from
the mucous membrane of the stomach of a pig will be found
in a late number of the Journal de Pharmacie^ where it is
said that our notions respecting pepsine ought to be changed,
and that its analysis is yet to be made.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

101

Rabies in Berlin. — The Berlin police have published
a statement in order to show the great efficacy which the
plan of muzzling dogs exerts in the prevention of the spread
of rabies. This plan was commenced being carried out at
the end of 1853, since when the number of cases coming
under the cognizance of the police has vastly diminished.
Thus, in 1852, the number of cases of rabies reached 107,
and in 1853, 94; while, since this latter year, they have
occurred in the following numbers: — 1854, 1 ; 1855, 3;

1856, none; 1857, 2; 1858-60, none; 1861, 5; 1862, 2;
and 1863, 10. It is, however, to be feared that epidemic
influences have been here, in some part, overlooked ; for in
the years 1846-51 there were nearly as few cases observed,
although police interference did not then exist. — Preuss. Med.
Zeit No. 48.

Hydrophobia. — Mr. John Goggin, a confectioner, of
Limerick, was, a few days ago, bitten by a pet monkey.
The skin of his little finger only was slightly torn, and the
wound seemed a mere scratch, and at first gave him no pain.
He soon felt, however, a sort of irritation in his wrist. It
gradually extended to the parts above the elbow, and they
became swollen. Medical men were then called in, when it
was discovered that the patient exhibited symptoms resem¬
bling those of hydrophobia. He died on Sunday, after
suffering great pain. The monkey some time before had
killed a cat and a dog.

Cavalry Horses of the Federal Army. — General
Halleck, in his report to the President on the military opera¬
tions of 1863, calls attention to the waste and destruction of
cavalry horses in the service. In the Army of the Potomac,
he says, the cavalry men present for duty in the six months
May to October, 1863, have averaged from 10,000 to 14,000 ;
the issues of cavalry horses for the same period have amounted
to no less than 35,078. Adding horses captured from the
enemy and taken from the citizens, there has been an average
remount every two months. There are, he says, now some
223 regiments of Federal cavalry, and at the same rate as
the Army of the Potomac they will require the issue in the
present year of 435,000 cavalry horses. General Halleck
observes that some immediate and efficient remedy is re¬
quired. He adds, “ Probably the principal fault is in the
treatment of their horses by the cavalry soldiers. Authority
should therefore be given to dismount and transfer to the
infantry service every man whose horse is, through his own

102

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

neglect or fault, rendered unfit for service. The same rule
might be applied to cavalfy officers who fail to maintain the
efficiency of their regiments and companies. The vacancies
thus created could be filled by corresponding transfers from
the regular and volunteer infantry P — Times .

Age of Pigs. What constitutes a Hog. — The
American Congress has decided that a pig becomes a hog at
six months old, and slaughtered hogs are taxed, while pigs
are not. In one of the districts of New York city 160,000
hogs were recently slaughtered in the space of two months.
The assessors have no criterion by which to determine their
ages, either by examining their teeth or measuring their tails,
yet, in the performance of their duties, they are required to
ascertain this fact. Congress will have to determine the
criterion. — American Paper. [Congress will only have to
adopt the principle of ascertaining the age of the pig as
expounded in Professor Simonds5 work, to arrive at a correct
decision on this matter.]

Effects of Eating Measly Pork and Sausages
in Prussia. — If all the accounts which reach us be correct,
there is an alarming prevalence of trichina disease in Prussia,
in consequence of eating raw or badly cooked bacon and
sausages. The last account we have seen is from Hettstiidt,
in the Government of Marseburg, which states that after a
feast, at which fresh sausages formed a prominent dish, ninety
persons became affected with trichina, of whom twenty soon
died. The local governments of Cologne and Erfurt have
issued proclamations on the subject, calling attention to the
danger of eating this description of food.

Singular Accumulation of Fat in the Omen¬
tum of a Sheep. — We were very recently afforded an
opportunity of examining the carcass of a sheep, which had
been fed with others for the butcher, in which all the fatty
matter had been deposited in the omentum. The mass of
adipose material here met with weighed no less than forty
pounds avoirdupois , being nearly equal in weight to the
entire carcass of the animal, which was thin and attenuated.

103

THE VETERINARIAN, FEBRUARY 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat.— Cicero.

ELECTION OE EXAMINERS.

If there be one privilege or right of more value than
another to the profession, it is that of choosing its exa¬
miners. Take this from the body corporate, and the
Charter of Incorporation becomes of little or no worth. It
is true that the veterinary surgeon would still be entitled
to the distinction of being a member of a legally recognised
profession ; this, however, could avail but little when, for
all practical purposes, he is left without any means of sup¬
porting his claim to the title.

These things being so, how careful ought our repre¬
sentative Council to be in exercising the privilege aright.
A false step may not merely lead to the loss of the only
thing worth having, but bring public censure also to bear
upon their indiscretion. Men are not to be selected as
examiners simply because they are long-tried friends, or
occupants of respectable or even elevated positions; but
rather because they are appreciated for their scientific attain¬
ments, as well as for the efforts they have made to elevate
the profession, and for the knowledge the public have of
their names and their labours. It is for these reasons that
we congratulate the profession on the result of the election
at the last meeting of the Council. Vacancies had to be
filled up, both in the medical and veterinary section of the
Court, caused by the retirement of Mr. It. Quain and
Mr. William Field ; and it was not expecting too much
that the Council should take especial care that the Court
should not be weakened by the retirement of two such effi¬
cient members. As will be seen by the report of the
proceedings of the meeting, Professor Ellis, of University
College, takes the place of Mr. Quain, and Professor Morton

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

101

tliat of Mr. Field. Thus our readers will see that, as
Editors of this Journal, we have a direct personal interest in
the decision, and therefore it may be thought we are scarcely
in the right position to criticise it. But we would ask, must
our comments as Editors be necessarily partial and unjust
because the act affects one of us in his official relationship
to the other ? Cannot one speak independently of the
other? Or must it be always inferred that what is written
is by the mutual consent and approval of the “ Editorial
we ?” Journalism, as conducted in this country, would
give a negative reply to the first and last of these queries,
and an equally emphatic affirmative to the second. Were
it otherwise, freedom of thought and independency of action
would be stifled, and our Journal, like others so cramped,
soon cease to be. Throughout our career as Editors we
have been zealous for this independency, and it is this
which has contributed to make our Journal what it is,
and given it a vital strength of which we may be justly
proud.

Much has been said against teachers being examiners ;
but we hesitate not to affirm that of all men they are the
most efficient. In what did the strength of the Board of
Examiners attached to the Boyal Veterinary College prior
to the obtainment of the Charter consist ? Why, in the
fact that it was composed of teachers ; and be it remem¬
bered, its decisions will bear the closest comparison with

those arrived at bv the Board which succeeded it under the

*

provisions of the Charter. Let us not, however, be misun¬
derstood ; we are not advocating the system of a teacher de¬
ciding upon the merits of his own pupil by his vote. No ;
but rather contending that his being a teacher eminently fits
him for being an examiner. Unless men can examine on
the intricate details of any given subject, they are not quali¬
fied to sit in judgment on the knowledge of another. Inqui¬
ries into scientific acquirements do not consist of a fitful and
capricious jumping from subject to subject, merely because
the inquirer does not get from the inquired the exact reply
he had expected. Wc have seen these things, and deeply
regretted them. It is a system which has often led to the

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND INOCULATION. 105

rejection of a good pupil ; nay, even worse than that, it lias
more often admitted a bad one.

A retired teacher of our science, the first of his line, and
the author of one of the best works we possess on Veteri¬
nary Materia Medica and Pharmacy, now takes his placeas
an examiner. Strength is thus given to the Board, and a
further guarantee afforded to the profession and the public
that justice will be done. . We will venture to say that
had our colleague devoted his talents to the practice merely
of the profession, he would never have taken office as an
examiner ; but having been a teacher, he has not hesitated
to accept the honour conferred upon him.

And now one word for the other newly elected member
of the Court. He also is a teacher, but in a higher division
of medical science, being Professor of Anatomy to University
College. Mr. Ellis is too well known to need any culo-
gisms from our pen ; his name will give weight to the
diploma, while it will tend also to strengthen the union
existing between medical and veterinary science. Heartily,
then, do we congratulate the profession on these results of
the deliberations of its representative Council.

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND INOCULATION.

The prevalence of pleuro-pneumonia in the Australian
colonies having induced the respective governments to adopt
means for the prevention and eradication of the disease, it is
instructive to know what has been the results of the means
adopted. The slaughtering of cattle affected, and the
placing of all animals in those districts where the disease
was known to exist under the operation of quaran¬
tine regulations, were the first measures adopted. It was
generally believed that such stringent means would speedily
overcome the disease. It appears, how'ever, that the failure
was not only signal, but complete. In the colony of Vic¬
toria the sum voted by the Legislative Assembly for carry¬
ing out the provisions of the Act w7as speedily exhausted ;
and apparently nothing further resulted from these
operations under the Act than to furnish evidence that the
area of the disease spread rapidly, notwithstanding the

106

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND INOCULATION.

repressive measures adopted; and the Commissioners, as
they acquired further means of observing the disease, were
not agreed as to the contagious or non-contagious character
of the malady.

In the adjoining colonies stringent measures were also
adopted, but these failed to combat the malady. In August,
1862, the alarm caused in the colony of New South Wales
by the sudden appearance of the disease in various districts
induced the Legislative Assembly to appoint a Commission
to consider and report upon the circumstances connected with
the slaughter of cattle by the authority of the Government,
under the Cattle Disease Prevention Act. The Commission
not only considered the subject in relation to the compen¬
sation to be paid for cattle slaughtered, but extended the in¬
quiry so as to embrace the operations of remedial measures
which had been adopted by several owners of stock, espe¬
cially as to the effects of inoculation. We gave in a previous
article on this subject a digest of a portion of the evidence
taken by the Commissioners in relation to the effects of
inoculation, as it had appeared in the Victorian Farmers’
Journal , and we continue to glean from the same source the
principal points brought out in the report. The report con¬
cludes with the following most contradictory statements :

“ Your Committee cannot conclude their report without
some reference to inoculation ; and from the evidence which
has been given by Messrs. Pottie and Bruce, and several
other parties who have tried it, apparently with great success
in both diseased and sound cattle, it appears to your Com¬
mittee that if it is judiciously performed at an early stage of
the disease, there will be no necessity in future to resort to
the destruction of infected cattle, unless they are attacked
very severely ; and they strongly recommend, as a preventive,
that the increase should be inoculated while young. But
sufficient time has not elapsed since the operations were
performed to test their efficiency, so as to warrant your Com¬
mittee in giving a decided expression of opinion whether
inoculation can be considered as a cure or preventive, or both.”

The concluding paragraph of this report is most significant,
and may be taken as conclusive evidence that the Commis¬
sioners did not attach much importance to inoculation, either
as a cure or a preventive ; for although it is strongly recom¬
mended “ as a preventive ” by the Commissioners, yet in
the next sentence it is stated that " sufficient time has not
elapsed since the operations were performed to test their
efficacy F

In connection with the conclusion of the report, it is

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND INOCULATION. 10 7

necessary to inquire into the trustworthiness of the evidence
given by Messrs. Pottie and Bruce. Mr. Pottie, it is stated,
is a veterinary surgeon who, being appointed by the Govern¬
ment to accompany the Commissioners in their tour of
inspection through the infected districts, and to report upon
the disease, has good opportunities for gathering the opinions
of the owners of animals affected regarding the disease. He
states that in all cases he had advised owners to kill those
cattle which were affected, and to inoculate all those that by
any chance came in contact with cattle which were diseased.
He states that where he had opportunities of close observation,
the results of inoculation were most satisfactory. Only a
few cattle had died from the effect of what he terms the
natural disease — pleuro-pneumonia — since they wrere inocu¬
lated, but some had died from inoculation, which he terms
the artificial disease. The antecedents of this veterinary
surgeon were thus brought out by the Committee during his
examination. His experience of the disease in Scotland from
the years 1855 to 1859 was very extensive, owing, he stated,
to the disease being very virulent in Scotland during that
period. In referring to the register of the members of the
veterinary profession graduates of the Edinburgh Veterinary
College, the name of John Pottie, Australia, appears as having
graduated in the year 1858. It is therefore to be inferred
that the knowledge acquired in Scotland was the result rather
of observing the practice of Professor Dick than putting into
practical use the knowledge acquired in the lecture and dis¬
secting halls and the visiting peregrinations of students with
the principal of the college or with his highly esteemed
assistant, the late John Barlow.

He states that the disease w7as much more virulent in the
Scotch dairies cattle than in the colony among bush cattle.
The external symptoms were very much alike, but in the
Scotch dairy stock the digestive organs were deranged, 'while
from post-mortem examination of bush cattle it did not appear
that such derangement existed. This statement may be
taken as confirmatory of two deductions — either the exami¬
nations were not carefully made, or that the bush cattle
examined had not died of pleuro-pneumonia.

Mr. Pottie considers the disease to be infectious and con¬
tagious, it being capable of propagation through the air, and
he states—

“ I believe it is contagious, and this, I think, is proved by
the fact, that by inoculation we can produce an artificial
disease by means of the virus taken from a diseased animal.
We cannot, so far as our experiments have been made, pro-

108 PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND INOCULATION.

duce lung disease by inoculating another part of the animal,
but we can produce a disease similar in its character, in
another part of the animal, to that which we find produced
naturally in the lungs/5

It is curious to read the reasons adduced as proof that the
disease is contagious. If inoculation of a herd of cattle had
been attempted with the parts of the lungs obtained from
animals in a very healthy state, would the same inflammatory
condition of the parts not have been induced, with the other
collateral symptoms which follow inoculation, with the
matter from the lungs of an animal affected with pleuro¬
pneumonia ? If so, what becomes of the inference that pleuro¬
pneumonia can be propagated by inoculation? Mr. Pottie
considers it both a preventive and curative ; but to be effective
when the animal is in a bad state, inoculation must be per¬
formed severely and in vital parts. He had operated upon
seventy-seven cattle, which he had seen several times and
could speak positively of. The following extract gives the
details of his method of executing the operation of inocu¬
lation :

“ We inoculated the greater number in the tail; we made
a slit in the tail, put in a small piece of diseased lung, and
rolled a worsted thread about it. In the course of five days
the majority of these showed febrile symptoms — saliva flowing
from the mouth, dull, hanging head, and so on. In the
course of four days the tail was perceptibly swollen ; this
swelling would sometimes continue in the majority of cases
till the seventeenth day, and in those that went on favorably
after that time the swelling would begin to abate. Those that
did not get on favorably would be longer; some would be six
weeks or two months before they got better. In the latter
cases the tail was more swrollen, and the swelling extended up
the tail. Others we inoculated in the forearm; we took a
piece of tow and saturated it in the matter obtained from the
diseased lung/5 In reply to the question, CfIn what part did
you insert it ? 55 this witness stated, 6C In the muscle of the
forearm, in the anterior part; I inserted the tow deep in the
muscle. I had a conversation with Mr. M‘Laurin about
this mode of inoculation, and he told me the result in the
case of some cattle he had experimented upon ; and I reasoned
in my own mind that the tail was not the most suitable place,
for there was no muscle to form a suppurating cyst, so as to
throw off any excess of virus, or any quantity of deleterious
matter that might collect there — that part of the tail near the
point being composed principally of skin, blood-vessels,
nerves, and bones. The lung was put into a dish and squeezed

CARBOLIC ACID AND DISINFECTANT PREPARATIONS. 109

from above until the fluid was obtained from it; into this
the tow was dipped, and the tow was then inserted deep into
the muscle. All those cases where inoculation was performed
in the forearm went on favorably, the wound suppurated,
and cast off the tow and the excess of virus, and ended favor¬
ably. Those that were inoculated in the tail were weak in
the lumbar region, and had to be assisted to rise; none that
were inoculated in the forearm suffered in that way. In
three of those cases that were inoculated in the tail the tail
swelled, and the swelling extended up the tail to the buttock,
and as far forward as the hip-joint; and the tail became stiff,
and stood up horizontally. In two instances the rectum was
closed up and the urethra stopped, and no urine or faeces
passed. One of these I killed, and I have a piece of the
lung here with me. I attribute the rising of the inoculation
up the tail to the want of a healthy suppurating cyst, because
inoculation proves this to be a disease of the aureolar tissue
of the body ; and it is a law with respect to this tissue, that
suppuration never takes place in it unless there is great
exposure to the air. Unless the air gets into the part, indu¬
ration follows ; and the cells being stored with lymph and
cellular fluid, these become indurated as hard as this table,
and very thick T

This method of inoculating cattle appears to be an awkward
mode of inserting a rowel, which is often practised in this
country on calves, from a belief that a rowel tends to prevent
the disease sometimes termed quarter-ill. It is certainly
surprising that it had not occurred to the operator, Mr.
Pottie, that the insertion of a rowel in the dewlap would
most probably prove equally effective, both as a preventive
and a curative of pleuro-pneumonia, as the use of any matter
obtained from the lungs of diseased animals. — North British
Agriculturist,

CARBOLIC ACID AND M‘DOUGALL’S DISINFECTANT

PREPARATIONS.

Carbolic or phenic acid is one of the most recent and
useful additions to veterinary medicine; it closely resembles
creasote in its properties and uses, and is one of the many
interesting products of late years obtained from coal-tar. In
an impure state, it is a black, oily, treacle-like liquid, with a
disagreeable smoky taste and smell. When purified, it is an
oily and nearly colourless fluid, neutral to test-paper, and of
the specific gravity 1062. When deprived of its water, care-

110 CARBOLIC ACID AND DISINFECTANT PREPARATIONS.

fully distilled, and exposed to a gradually lowered tempera¬
ture, it occurs in colourless needle-like crystals. In its
several forms it exhibits a smoky, creasote flavour and a
warm, burning taste, is sparingly soluble in water, but
readily dissolves in alcohol, ether, and strong acetic acid.
It consists of C12HsO + HO. It is the principal consti¬
tuent of M'DougalPs disinfecting powder, which conjoins
the antiseptic and deodorizing virtues of carbolic and sul¬
phurous acids; and of Mr. IVLDougalPs disinfecting fluid,
which is made with carbolic acid and lime water. In medi¬
cinal and surgical, as well as for sanitary purposes, these and
several others of Mr. M'DougalPs preparations are often
conveniently substituted for the pure carbolic acid.

Carbolic acid is a sedative, anodyne, and astringent, and an
antiseptic, deodorizer, and disinfectant.

Like creasote, it acts irr large doses as a narcotico-irritant
poison, and appears to destroy life by interfering with the
actions of the heart. In the human subject, in doses of three
minims, it has proved very serviceable in checking obstinate
vomiting, indigestion with flatulence, and diarrhoea, especially
when depending upon bad drainage or noxious effluvia. It
is found very serviceable in protracted cases of diarrhoea
amongst cattle and sheep; and it will doubtless soon be more
generally used for allaying stomachic irritation and vomiting
in dogs. It is an admirable dressing for unhealthy wounds and
indolent ulcers, for foul in the feet of cattle and foot-rot in
sheep, promptly lessening irritability, improving the tone
and condition of the adjoining healthy textures, and at once
destroying all smell. A diluted solution, containing half a
drachm of acid to a pint of water, forms a good wash for the
mouth, feet, and udder of animals affected with aphthous
epizootic. It speedily removes the itching of skin diseases,
and is especially adapted for the treatment of eczema, grease,
mange, and scab. In the form of M'Dougall’s sheep-dipping
composition, it has been favorably reported on by the Aus¬
tralian Government Commissioners appointed to investigate
the spread and cure of scab in that colony. The Commis¬
sioners state that it has proved very successful, perfectly
restoring the diseased skin to a healthy state, and causing
the growth of w7ool on the parts previously scabbed. Carbo¬
lic acid is likewise the principal active constituent of M‘Dou-
gall’s “ dipping composition 33 for sheep and lambs, possessing
the several advantages of freedom from poisonous properties,
readily destroying ticks, and preventing for a considerable
period the attack of flies. Similar solutions prove serviceable
in all animals for the destruction of lice and fleas.

CARBOLIC ACID AND DISINFECTANT PREPARATIONS. Ill

Carbolic acid prevents oxidation, and coagulates albumi¬
nous matters, and is hence a most valuable antiseptic. A
few drops mixed with fresh urine prevents its undergoing
any change for several months ; meat washed with a weak
solution keeps unchanged for weeks ; whilst skins, solutions
of gelatine, starch, size, and other such substances prone to
decay, are readily preserved when moistened with it. A
minute quantity mixed with recent manure prevents or
arrests putrefaction, obviates all smell, and, by retaining and
permanently fixing the ammonia and other volatile matters,
it greatly enhances the value of the manure so treated. For
most of these purposes M‘Dougairs disinfecting powder and
fluid are now largely used, and especially for the healthful
purification of stables, cow-houses, piggeries, and poultry-
pens. In some of the extensive omnibus and carrying estab¬
lishments of London, Manchester, and other large towns, it
is employed daily at an annual cost of 5s. for each horse. It
is also employed for the cleaning and purifying of railway
horse-boxes and cattle-trucks; and for these and similar
uses its cheapness and efficacy recommend its more general
adoption.

As an internal remedy, pure carbolic acid, in the form
either of the clear fluid or the crystallized solid, is preferable.
For horses and cattle the dose varies from ii\xv to njxl,
for sheep from B|v to rrpviij, and for dogs npj to utij .
Where the crystallized form is used, grains instead of minims
will be given. It is conveniently administered either in a
bolus with linseed meal or dissolved in a little diluted spirit.
Where there is extreme irritability of the bowels, carbolic
acid may be conjoined with half a dose of laudanum, or a
little chalk, carbonate of soda, or other antacid. As a dress¬
ing for wounds, a solution may be made with one part of the
acid and from fifty to eighty parts of water ; a few drops may
be added to the sugar of lead or other healing lotion, or
mixed with oxide of zinc or such other astringent ointment.
Mr. MtfDougairs fluid, foot-rot ointment, aud other prepara¬
tions, are well adapted for the purposes for which they are
intended. — North British Agriculturist.

112

CATTLE DISEASE IN INDIA.

Sir, — In the impression of the Madras Daily News, of 7th
November, under the heading of “The Week,” I observed a
long paragraph wherein is mentioned that Mr. Minchin, the
Collector of Kurnool, had brought to the notice of Government
the ravages among the cattle in his district from an enzootic
disease, where the symptoms were violent purging, body
covered with pustules, desquamation of hair, cuticle, &c.

This gentleman, like all others who are ignorant of the
nature of the malady, fancies it to be “ the same disease to
cattle that smallpox is to man,” forgetting to start with the
fact that smallpox, when passed through the bovine animal,
is a harmless disease — so much so, that it frequently passes
off without affecting rumination, one of the first symptoms
of derangement in cattle; and next (I quote from the paper)
he says, “among cattle it is highly infectious and conta¬
gious,” but he has not heard of its being either the one or
the other between cattle and human beings. Now, cow-pox,
as the illustrious Jenner first observed it on the hands of
dairy maids, is communicatible to the human species : ergo ,
Where is the resemblance ?

I find the collector encloses a letter from Captain Nelson,
“in which that officer observes that, in this country, how¬
ever seriously a murrain may show itself, nothing is done —
the people do nothing, the Government does nothing.” He
goes on to show how the Home Government, two years ago,
when the flocks of Wilts and Berkshire were attacked with
smallpox, appointed a commission to inquire into and pre¬
vent the extension of the disease. True, but did the Home
Government form their commission from medical, revenue,
and commissariat officers, as the Revenue Board wisely
recommends, or did they seek assistance from a proper
source, viz., from the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng¬
land, who furnished their Professor of Cattle Pathology from
the Royal Veterinary College ?

I do not wish to throw cold water on the exertions of Mr.
Minchin; but how, I ask, can a true diagnosis be arrived at
by persons who have not been specially educated for the
treatment of cattle, much more to treat the disease, supposing
their diagnosis to be right? One might as well hand one’s
watch over to a blacksmith to repair, or call in a “cow
leech” to treat his wife or child. The board, in acknow¬
ledging these letters from Mr. Minchin (wherein he shows a
reduction of half the cattle in the herds in the districts

CATTLE DISEASES.

113

affected with the disease), seem to be fully alive to the
importance of doing something, but they “ do not feel that
the matter is yet ripe for action.” I am not a little surprised
to find Government have taken a similar view of the matter,
by handing it over to the Princpal Inspector General of the
Medical Department. This is quite as farcical as a letter I
read a few months back in the Veterinarian, where an unfor¬
tunate gives an account of an examination he had to undergo,
shortly after his arrival in the country, to test his professional
attainments, before he was given an independent charge. The
examining board consisted of a superintending surgeon, a
garrison surgeon, a surgeon from a regiment in canton¬
ment, and one veterinary surgeon. Some absurd questions
were asked by one member of the faculty, while the others
remonstrated among themselves on the absurdity of the
thing.

I am pretty confident the Principal Inspector General
would rather be left alone to his own legitimate work than to
be troubled with what he knows nothing about, unless he is
like a certain little minister at home, who, Punch says, has
brass enough to take charge of the Channel fleet. Now, if
we are to improve the agricultural status of the natives, as I
see, by a late impression of your paper, His Excellency the
Governor, in his published minute, is anxious to bring about,
pray let us begin, if we wish to secure good faith and confi¬
dence among them. There are, I think, ten veterinary sur¬
geons in this presidency, all of whom must have served an
apprenticeship to a practitioner at home, where he must, in
a great agricultural country like England, have seen some
cattle practice, besides, at least, two or three sessions of
lectures and practice at College under the ablest cattle patho¬
logist in Europe, whose services the Continental Govern¬
ments have more than once engaged to co-operate in scientific
inquiries, when murrain, rhinderpest, and other epizootics,
were devastating Europe. Trusting you will pardon the
length of this letter, and support me in urging the necessity
of a head to the veterinary medical profession, as is the case
in Bombay and Calcutta, to whom those Governments, I
think, would have applied if similarly situated ; also please
remind Mr. Minchin if he wants assistance and advice, he
had better apply to Government for. the temporary services
of a

Veterinary Surgeon.

To the Editor of the Madras Times.

XXXVII.

8

114

Translations and Ee views of Continental
Veterinary Journals.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Journal des Veterinaires du Midi , Oct., 1863.

DISCUSSION ON VIVISECTION IN THE ACADEMY OE

MEDICINE.

The question of vivisection has during the last month
been the subject of discussion at the Imperial Academy of
Medicine, which has had considerable publicity ( retentisse -
merit), and the conclusion of which might be considered as
a new victory obtained by common sense and science.

The origin of this discussion was the steps taken by the
London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a
committee of which had an interview with the Emperor of
the French about two and a half years ago. But the form
in which the complaint was made compromised the cause it
was intended to serve. The Government, however, before
answering the grievance expressed by the committee to the
Emperor, officially enjoined the Academy to answer the
following questions: — 1st. Are there any foundations for
the complaints made by the Preventive Society concerning
the practice of vivisection in France ? 2nd. Is there any
occasion to take them into consideration ? 3rd. Is any¬
thing to be done ; and if so, by what measures ?

The committee counted amongst its members MM.
Claquet, Cruveilhier, Robin, Claude Bernard, Renault, Le¬
blanc, &c., five members out of the nine belonging to the
Societe 'protective des Animaux of Paris.

They undertook to show that the vivisections, as practised
in our schools, are not inhuman and abominable ; nor are
they those monstrous cruelties, the shame of civilization and
an outrage to nature and God, they had been stated to be.
The assertion that in France these vivisections are prolonged
to satisfy a vitiated pleasure has been strongly repudiated,
as, far from purposely prolonging the sufferings of the
animals, it is customary to render these sufferings as short as
possible, or to mitigate them by the use of chloroform, ether,
narcotics, cold, &c.

M. Moquin-Tandon, the reporter of the commission, having
died suddenly, M. Robin was charged with the reading of
this report, of which the conclusions are as follows: —

Vivisections are indispensable to the progress of physi¬
ology, and the operations on living animals are necessary for
the study of veterinary operative surgery.

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 115

They ought, however, to be practised with greater reserva¬
tion, and, above all, care should be taken so as to avoid giving
to them the appearance of cruelty.

Real progress should always be the object of the experi-
mentor.

Students should not be allowed to make experiments,
except in the schools and under the direction of the pro¬
fessors.

The experimentors should use all the means at their
disposal indicated by science to lessen the sufferings of the
animals submitted to the experiments.

M. Dubois, the perpetual secretary, objected that the con¬
clusions were not direct answers to the categorical questions
of the authorities ; and having combated them in the com¬
mittee, he now opposed them in the Academy, and proposed
to substitute for them the following :

1st. That the Academy, without considering the injurious
form of the documents which have been submitted to it, re¬
cognises that abuses have crept into the practice of vivisec¬
tion.

2nd. That to prevent these abuses, the Academy should
express its wish that in future vivisections should be reserved
exclusively for the discovery of new facts or the verification
of doubtful ones ; and that consequently they should be no
longer practised, either in public or private courses of in¬
struction to demonstrate facts already definitely acquired by
science.

3rd. That the Academy likewise expresses its wish that the
students of veterinary medicine do in future practise their
operations on dead bodies, and shall be no longer obliged to
learn the operations on the living horse.

After M. Dubois, the tribune was occupied by M.
Parchappe, who, in a speech which was often interrupted
by applause, repelled the charges that had been made
against the faculty of French medicine, to which no one
had acquired a right to teach humanity, since this had been
advocated by it on more than one occasion. The speaker
afterwards showed that since the introduction of vivisections
science had advanced with rapid strides, and he was
astonished that the attacks against that mode of investigation
came actually from the country of Harvey and Charles Bell,
who were indebted to experiments on animals for the
greatest modern discoveries. Concerning the abuses of
vivisections, M. Parchappe said, in conclusion, that no one
could approve of them, but he had not the slightest doubt
that, in order to lessen, repress, or even suppress them, it was
by no means necessary to resort to public authority.

110 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

Against abuses, which are of a nature to offend public
order and morals, the intervention of authority armed with
the law which is an honour to the name of Gravimant,
in every instance amply suffices. As to the abuses of the
laboratories and amphitheatres devoted to science, public
opinion, controlled by the judgment of the authorities of the
Academy, the professors, the Nestors of the faculty of
medicine, and, the directors of the schools, would in all
cases ensure a prompt and easy repression.

At the next sitting the subject of vivisection was suc¬
cessfully defended by M. J. Beclard, who showed how illu¬
sory it was to propose to restrict the experiments insti¬
tuted for the discovery of new facts exclusively, as many
discoveries have been the result of simple verifications of
known facts; by M. Piorry, who had no trouble in de¬
monstrating the necessity of experimentation in medicine;
and finally by M. Bouley, who specially undertook the de¬
fence of the operative surgical instructions at the veterinary
schools, these having been more particularly attacked by the
adversaries of vivisection. He insisted on the necessity of
the practice of these operations, in order to familiarise the
veterinary pupils with the dangers of the resistance of the
horse. M. Jules Beclard had in his speech made a reserve
at this part, and condemned the operations being made on
living animals, as practiced in our schools, by drawing atten¬
tion to an abuse which had been reported of allowing the
animals subjected to them to starve, from motives of economy.

It was not difficult for M. Reynal, who took the parole at
the next sitting, to answer this gratuitous assertion, which,
indeed, refutes itself by the impossibility of the administration of
the schools preserving the animals if they were not properly
fed. But in this sitting the vivisections were ably advocated
by M. Bouvier, who, far from condemning the practice of
operating on live animals, as practised in the veterinary
schools, showed the advantage surgeons would derive from
familiarising themselves with the performance of these opera¬
tions. Mi\J. Yernois and Gosselin, taking the parole in
their turn, showed the necessity of the Academy formally re¬
pelling, by a decided motion, the accusations made by mis¬
taken philanthropy. The Academy, adopting that opinion,
decided unanimously on the following answer to the Govern¬
ment: — The Academy declares that the complaints made by
the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
have no just grounds, and that they ought not to be taken
into account. Further, that it is expedient to leave as here¬
tofore the vivisections and the surgical operations, as practised
at the veterinary schools, to the wisdom of men of science.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 117

It is to be hoped that this answer, the only one that could
be dictated by reason, will not in the least lessen those senti¬
ments of humanity which never ought to be departed from
by those who, for a superior object, are under the painful
necessity of inflicting sufferings on beings who are, like our¬
selves, endowed with sensations ; and that humanity will
lose nothing by being left to the safeguard of the consciences
of men, whose only object is the acquirement of knowledge,
in preference to legal enactments, of which no one could
guarantee the complete execution.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

[official report.]

Tiie first meeting of the above society was held on Friday,
the 15th of January, 1864, at the “ Crown and Thistle5'
Hotel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and was well attended. In
addition to the previous list of members, Mr. John Fairbairn,
Alnwick ; Mr. W. S. M oore, Gateshead ; and Mr. Thomas
Coates, Brampton, Cumberland, were admitted.

The manner in which the proposal to form such a desirable
society in the north of England has been received is very
gratifying to the promoters, particularly in this instance, as
it is evident that elements not only exist, but are available,
for the establishment of an extensive and influential asso¬
ciation, the tendency of which must be that of mutual good.

The usual business preliminaries having been arranged,
the President, Mr. C. Hunting, proceeded to deliver the
following address :

Gentlemen , — In taking a retrospective glance at our pro¬
fession, there are many things upon which we are justly
entitled to congratulate ourselves, but there are still some
which we must regard as blots and stains upon our escutcheon.
Our object, therefore, as professional men, should be to mul¬
tiply as much as possible the former, and radically root up
the latter.

I am not one of those who take a desponding view of the
veterinary profession. That we do not stand so high in the
estimation of the public as we have a right to expect, I am
quite willing to acknowledge; but the fault is principally
owing to us as individuals , and not as members of the
profession ; for although the profession does not prevent a
gentleman from being received as one, yet, unlike either the
clerical, legal, and medical, it does not give him a status in
society, unless he individually, by his private and pro-

118 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

fessional conduct, deserves it. It is therefore the bounden
duty of all members of the profession, who have the well¬
being of veterinary science at heart, to do all in their power
as individuals to raise the profession to the position she has
a right to occupy. This can only be done by showing to the
public that we are really what we claim to be — thoroughly
scientific men, willing and able to keep pace with all col¬
lateral branches of science with which our profession is so
intimately connected. This alone will enable us to prove
the worth of an educated veterinary surgeon over the
farrier or the charlatan, who only excels him by the larger
number of animals he kills.

It is the idle drones in the profession who flatter
themselves that, because they have managed to obtain
the diploma of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
its possession alone will induce the public to entrust the
treatment of valuable horses and cattle to their keeping, in
preference to a non-graduated man. Woefully do they find
out their error in practice, and cry aloud “ empiricism ! em¬
piricism is our ruin !” Yes, empiricism is their ruin, and
will always be so unless they prove their superiority by
practical results. This is only to be done by those who love
their profession and possess great energy of mind, coupled
with constant perseverance and an invincible determination
to succeed. With these essential requisites to success, in
every profession — in none more than our own — the empiric
cannot continue to compete in the race with the well-trained
understanding of the educated veterinarian, any more than
the unlettered serf of Russia can do with the free and well-
trained mind of the English mechanic, in producing those
wonderful pieces of mechanism which we see daily brought
into operation in commercial and agricultural pursuits.

There are three important matters connected with our
profession which I shall briefly bring before your notice.
The first is the great need of a higher standard of education
in the majority of its members.

No one knows so well the immense disadvantage — I had
almost said the irreparable disadvantage — which the unedu¬
cated or indifferently educated veterinarian labours under
in almost every step he takes, as the man who unfortunately
experiences the want of education himself. However labo¬
rious, however energetic, however persevering he may be, he
thoroughly understands how impossible it is for him to bring
before his view all the bearings of a case, so as to reason
accurately and logically upon it, and at once deduce
sound data upon which to act, either in the same Avay or to
the same advantage, as the well-educated man. If this be so,

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 119

why do we not have an educational test before entering our
veterinary schools ? It is not only necessary if we wish to raise
the status of the profession, but absolutely essential for the
protection and requirements of the public. I know it has been
said by some, that such a proceeding would close the door of
the profession to many valuable men. I do not, however, believe
that it would have such an effect. The sons of the members
of the profession ; the young but thinking farmer ; or even
the intelligent groom, who might be anxious to enter our
ranks, instead of being daunted by such an examination,
would apply themselves in good earnest to obtain the required
information, and thus be enabled to pass the ordeal which
would conduct them into a noble and rising profession.
Doubtless, a few who are now members of the profession
would not have been so had such a test been imposed — a
circumstance which would have added greatly to the respect¬
ability of the corporate body as a whole, and as well as to
their own ease and comfort, and much also to the advantage
of a confiding public.

Secondly , a much longer and more extensive curriculum
of college tuition — not less than three full sessions — with
the addition of botany to the other classes, is required.

Thirdly , the necessity of a greater unanimity among the
corporate body is needed, by which we should, acting in
earnest and in concert, be enabled to induce the professors at
our several veterinary schools to acquiesce in such measures
as are here suggested. I know of no step which is so likely
to bring about this desirable consummation as the inaugura¬
tion of veterinary medical associations in all our large pro¬
vincial towns, as we have this day done in Newcastle-upon-
Tyne, as will be done next week in Leeds, and has long since
been in Glasgow.

Amongst the foremost objects of provincial veterinary
medical associations is unquestionably the investigation of
epizootic and enzootic diseases, not only with a view to the
adoption of the best modes of treatment to combat their
effects, but more particularly to the employment of the
necessary means for the prevention of their spreading and
reappearance ; or, when this is impossible, the adoption of
such measures as shall reduce their fatality or deteriorating
consequences to the minimum point. Surely the most efficient
way of obtaining such desirable results is to be found in
freely discussing the general as well as the particular charac¬
ters of the maladies themselves by a number of professional
men engaged in the study of such diseases, and who possess
the opportunity of doing this in many and widely separated
districts, where each of these affections may assume a modi-

120

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

‘ ou* A p V A T r r. V

Ilk 1 iVJ i\ j

fled form or character. No true and earnest worker, he
his field of labour ever so limited, can fail in making a
certain amount of progress ; but if lie has not the power, or
the opportunity of comparing the results with those obtained
by others, and of thus extending, as it were, the scope of his
observations, he must labour at a great disadvantage, and
incur the risk of constantly being in error, or at best, he is
only compensated for loss in general range by what he gains
in some special department.

Again, another important, I had almost said an unlimited,
subject for our investigation and discussion is the hygiene
of domesticated animals. It is one which will well repay all
who have the opportunity, and are willing to labour for the
benefit of others and for the advancement of our knowledge
of so important a branch of science, inseparably connected,
as it is, with veterinary practice. For my own part, I must
confess that I consider the study of hygiene to be of far
more importance to the veterinary surgeon than the study
of therapeutics, for surely there is much more true philo¬
sophy and more noble scientific research in the prevention
of disease than in the cure of it. I do not hesitate to assert
that three-fourths of the diseases of the lower animals arise
from an insufficient attention to the laws of hygiene. Surely
at the present day, when agriculture is making such mighty
strides — when the largest portion of our farmers are begin¬
ning to read and think and reason for themselves upon the
everyday facts brought before their notice — when shrewd
and clever business men, bent on money-making, are con¬
cocting “ concentrated aliments/* tc condimental foods,” and
“ nutritious cakes,” made with one half bran — bought at £5
and sold at J01O — and when the Hassels, Normandys, War-
ringtons, and Thompsons, are detecting the adulterations and
exposing the impositions of the vendors of the food of man,
it is not for us to allow men out of our profession to detect the
adulterations and impositions of the vendors of the food of
quadrupeds. No; this should be the province of the veteri¬
nary profession. If she delegate the most important scientific
part of her duty to men out of her pale, what right have we —
her votaries — to complain if the public judge us according
to our fruits? Again, when the professional veterinarian
meets with the well-educated farmer or proprietor of large
numbers of animals, who has studied Comb, Carpenter,
Liebig, Johnstone, and Yoelcker, and filled his well-trained
mind with useful information, what opinion would he, nay,
must he form, when he found that many among us scarcely
took sufficient interest in reading even to read our own monthly

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 121

periodicals, much less to study the subjects upon which the
authors mentioned had written ? I apprehend that such a man
as I have just sketched — and there is many a one to be found
amongst the veterinary surgeon’s best customers — would not
be long in forming his opinion as to how far such persons were
entitled to rank with the educated and scientific of other
professions.

There is nothing more obnoxious to a well-educated, com¬
mon-sensed Englishman than a counterfeit, and there is no
greater counterfeit than the veterinarian who imagines that,
because he has spent two sessions at one of our colleges and
taken his diploma, he needs no more study — that lie has
learned all that is necessary. Be it remembered that when

V

we leave our alma mater , even the best amongst us have
only laid a solid foundation upon which to raise a useful
superstructure, whose adornments should be microscopical
investigations, agricultural chemistry, chemical analysis,
botany, geology, meteorology, &c. &c., for without a general-
knowledge of such things we must be content to be placed
out of the pale of scientific men.

Another important subject for associations such as we
have this day commenced should be to investigate the laws
of breeding in all our domesticated animals, especially the
horse and ox. No one has the ear of the breeder of animals
so much as the veterinary surgeon, and, as a rule, his advice
is asked and acted upon where he holds the position he ought
amongst his employers, for no one has the same opportunity
of observation as the veterinarian. On such a subject as this
he ought ever to be noting down useful facts, reasoning upon
them, and deducing therefrom lessons of importance to the
agriculturist, and through him to the whole nation.

I know that in the south-east. part of Durham, a few years
ago, nineteen -twentieths of the breeders of horses wrere
carrying out the most absurd system imaginable. The fol¬
lowing question has been frequently put to me — “ Do you
know any one who has an old mare done work, that I could
buy cheap to breed a foal from ? ” Or another inquirer, who
has a wretchedly ill-shapen, worn out mare, eighteen to twenty
years of age, affected with spavins, side-bones, thin walls,
and fiat feet, besides being long-coupled and narrow- chested,
will ask, what horse he had better put the old mare to,
for she is worth nothing more than to breed a foal from ? ”
If you tell such a man that the most economical plan is to
shoot the old mare, and if he wish to breed, to do so from
his prime, strong, well-made young mare, he will at first
shrug his shoulders and say he cannot afford it — <e the young

122 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

mare must work, and the old one cannot.” But when you
reason with him and show him that the old mare will cost
as much or more to keep than the young one ; that the foal
of the latter will in all probability be worth treble that of
the former ; that while the defects of the old mare will cer¬
tainly descend to her foal, causing great difficulty of sale,
even at *a low price; and that the offspring of the young
mare, being free from such defects, will not only sell at a
good price, but that dealers and others will soon find out
where the breeders of such horses are, and will be always
ready to take them for sale, even above the ordinary market
value, he will thank you for your advice and adopt it.

I shall not occupy your time further on the subject of
breeding, but I feel certain that the members of the veteri¬
nary profession would do well if they took a greater interest
in the breeding and rearing of agricultural live stock than
they do. It is by giving our customers, even gratui¬
tously, good, sound advice, arrived at only by years of obser¬
vation and research, which will make them appreciate the edu¬
cated and scientific man more than the man of mere routine.

Having now touched upon a few of the subjects which, in
my humble opinion, should occupy part of the time at our
quarterly meetings, I shall, in conclusion, briefly notice a
few of the rocks and quicksands which our professional bark
must be exceedingly careful to steer clear of, or she will
inevitably go to pieces, and the compound body will rapidly
assume its elementary forms.

The first in importance is, that no personal matter
whatever should ever be allowed to enter into our dis¬
cussions. There is, as we all know, a certain amount of
clashing of interests between professional men of the same
calling everywhere, and the veterinary profession is no ex¬
ception to this rule ; hence it should be thoroughly understood
that the least allusion to anything of a personal nature would
be considered as an insult to all the members of this asso¬
ciation. If the Association is to go on and become of any
use to us as professional men, we must firmly maintain this
position, or, so to speak, rally round this point as one of
honour, with all the tenacity which brave soldiers do to the
standard of their regiment. I press this advice the more
earnestly because I know this has been the rock upon which
similar societies in the medical profession have foundered —
societies with which I have been connected as an honorary
member.

Another shoal which we should steer clear of is the rate of
remuneration we receive for our services, This, in my

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 123

opinion, should be left an open question, for every man has a
perfect right to put his value on his services. If one
man thinks his services are not worth more than half
that of his neighbour, by all means let him take the half, for
the probability is, if he did not, he would think he was doing
an act of dishonesty to his employer. Low-priced pro¬
fessional services are, as a rule, like nearly all other low-
priced articles, thrown aside by all sensible men, as being
by far the most expensive when tested and brought into use.

I will not, however, occupy any more of your time by
further remarks of my own, more especially as I know there
are some very interesting cases for discussion, and also
morbid specimens for examination, which will doubtless
interest you far more than anything which I may be able to
bring before you in this address.

I must, however, before I conclude, award “ honour to
whom honour is due.” It may not be known to all the
members of this association that the sole merit of bringing
together so many of us to-day, and the establishing of “ The
North of England Veterinary Medical Association,” is
entirely due to our worthy secretary. I confess that when
the matter was first mentioned to me I did not hesitate to
pronounce its failure, not because I could not see its value
if properly carried out ; but because I feared that the want of
unanimity amongst the members of the profession in this
district was not sufficiently felt. However, Mr. Armitage
was nothing daunted by my faithlessness in his undertaking,
and now I can say that no one is more delighted than my¬
self to see his most sanguine expectations so fully realised.

The address was warmly received by the members. A
vote of thanks to the President followed, which was cor¬
dially agreed to, and in reply further valuable remarks were
elicited from him.

Mr. H. E. Wilkinson afterwards introduced to the notice
of the meeting a very interesting specimen of a rare form of
tuberculosis in the lungs and liver of a cow.

The first-named organs, when taken from the animal, were
found to be of the enormous weight of seventy pounds. The
structure was compact, the interlobular spaces being replaced
by condensed tissue, finely studded with calcareous gra¬
nules. A few collections of pus-like fluid also existed here
and there.

What gave the case greater singularity was the fact that
half only of the right lung was pervious , yet no symptoms of
dyspnoea nor accelerated breathing were observed during life.

12-1 WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL AOSOCIATION.

The prevailing indications of disease were those of a rheu¬
matic affection terminating in paralysis.

The next meeting was fixed for the 15th of April, when
Mr. Thompson promised to introduce a paper on tetanus.

(Signed) George Armitage.

WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

[official report.]

The Quarterly Meeting and Annual Dinner of the West
of Scotland Veterinary Medical Association was held at the
“ Crow ” Hotel, Glasgow, on the 30tli December, 1863. Mr.
Robinson, of Greenock, occupied the chair.

After some preliminary business, the election of office¬
bearers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, when the
following gentlemen were elected : — Mr. Alexander Robinson,
Greenock, President ; Messrs. Dobie, Rrye, and Sharp, Vice-
Presidents ; Mr. Alexander Pottie, Secretary; Mr. Andrew
Robb, Treasurer ; and Messrs. Mitchell, Anderson, Wilson,
Blackie, Cockburn, and Bryde, Directors.

The treasurer submitted the financial account, which
showed the society's funds to be in a good state, no less than
£28 being in the hands of the bankers. As there was not
any immediate prospect of such a sum being required for
ordinary disbursements, the annual subscriptions being more
than sufficient to meet all claims, the secretary proposed that
a portion of it should occasionally be applied for testing the
value of certain medicines, or proving the truth or error of
cures said to be effected, either surgically or otherwise. In the
course of his remarks the secretary observed that agents
which are not possessed by many as single individuals of the
profession, but which might be procured at the society's
expense, ought to be given trial to ; more especially as we
read at times, in our monthly publications, of new methods
of treatment — methods which often are, without doubt, of
much practical utility. Because, however, we do not see
them used ; or too often it may be, because we doubt their
success, knowing that what is written and spoken often suit
not for practice but theory; or, perhaps, because we are
prejudiced in favour of old notions and methods, these, and it

WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 125

may he., other valuable appliances are entirely lost to us, and
thus much monthly information passes into oblivion. Would
it not then, he would ask, be right and judicious to expend a
few pounds for this important purpose? We might thus
arrive at a number of facts, and be able to make public
results, which would be valuable to the profession, they know¬
ing that the investigations had not been adopted for the
purpose of condemning but for proving statements, and had
not been executed in a corner, but before twenty or more of
their members, which would be an adequate guarantee of
fidelity to the profession.

After much discussion, the proposition was unanimously
agreed to ; the arrangements of all matters connected with it
to be under the superintendence of the directors.

Mr. Anderson called attention to the death of a much
esteemed member, Mr. Dunlop, late of Glasgow, who had left
some time ago for New Zealand, and when within sight of
his desired haven was called to his last home, not being per¬
mitted to land. After paying a high tribute to his memory,
Mr. Anderson concluded by calling on all present to imitate
his life.

It was agreed to enter Mr. Anderson? s suitable remarks in
the minutes.

Mr. Wilson, of Donne, gave a lengthened description of
the method adopted by him for “ horning cattle ” or “polling ”
them, by extracting the horns when young. This practice
had been carried on, he said, for a considerable time, and to
a much greater extent than formerly, in various parts of the
country. Some, no doubt, would condemn it, but in many
respects the operation was beneficial, as it often happened that
when a number of horned cattle were housed and fed together
injuries occurred, and so frequently was this the case, that the
breeder was compelled to resort to a system to prevent such
results. When the horns are extracted it is seldom that
serious injuries take place, neither are the animals so
desirous of pouncing one another, so that they feed quieter
and grow more rapidly, and therefore become more remune¬
rative to the stock-owner.

Several members spoke against the practice, especially
the chairman, who considered it came almost under the
designation of cruelty to animals. The subject was dropped
on it being announced that dinner was on the table. The
members then partook of an excellent dinner,- served to their
entire satisfaction.

The . cloth being removed the following toasts were pro¬
posed : — The royal and patriotic, by the Chairman.

126 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

“ Our Association/* by Mr. Pottie, Croupeu. “ Veterinary
Professors/* by Mr. Dobie. “ Veterinary Institutions/* by
Mr. Anderson. Replied to by Mr. McBryde. “ Royal Col¬
lege of Veterinary Surgeons/* by Mr. Wilson. “ Highland
and Agricultural Society/* by Mr. Robb. “ Veterinary
Students/* by Mr. Anderson. Replied to by Mr. Lawson,
jun., Manchester.

Several songs were likewise sung during the evening,
which added much to the pleasure of the meeting. After
singing “ Auld Langsyne/* all parted at a seasonable hour.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

QUARTERLY MEETING OE COUNCIL, held Jan. 13, 1864.

Present : — Professors Spooner and Simonds, Messrs.
Braby, Broad, Dickens, Ellis, Field, Gardiner, Harpley,
Hunt, Jex, Lawson, Mavor, Moon, Pritchard, Wilkinson,
Withers, and the Secretary.

The President being absent on account of indisposition:

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson , and seconded by Mr.

Pritchard —

“ That Mr. Harpley, Vice President , take the Chair.**

The minutes of the preceding meeting were then read and
confirmed.

A letter received from Mr. Jex was read, in which he
begged to present to the Museum some models of the legs
of the horse. The models being laid upon the table :

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson , and seconded by Mr.

Ellis —

“That a vote of thanks be given to Mr. Jex for this
acceptable present.** — Carried.

The Finance Committee reported that they had examined
the vouchers and receipts of payment during the preceding
Quarter, which wrere found to be correct. The Quarterly
Balance Sheet of the Treasurer’s 'Account showed that the
present liabilities amounted to £71 1$. Id., which they — the
Finance Committee — recommended should be discharged.
The Balance left in hand after payment of the liabilities
would be £479 14$.

It wras moved by Professor Simonds , and seconded by Mr.
Jex —

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 127

“ That the Report be received and adopted.”

The election of two Members of the Court of Examiners
in the place of Messrs. Quain and Field resigned, was next
proceeded with.

It was moved by Mr. Pritchard, and seconded by Professor
Sjjooner —

" That Mr. Ellis, of University College Hospital, be elected
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr.
Quain.”

On the ballot being taken, Mr. Ellis was found to be duly
elected.

It was next moved by Professor Simonds, and seconded by
Mr. Wilkinson —

“ That Professor Morton be elected one of the Board of
Examiners, to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of
Mr. Field.”

It was also moved by Mr. Hartley, and seconded by Mr.

Braby—

“That Mr. Jex, of the 1st Life Guards, be elected to the
vacant seat.”

On the Ballot being taken, there were found to be for
Professor Morton, 10; for Mr. Jex, 5. Professor Morton
was thereupon declared to be duly elected.

Cheques were ordered to be drawn for the current
expenses.

The business of the Quarterly Meeting having terminated,
a Special Meeting was held to consider Mr. Wilkinson's
motion for the alteration of Bye-law 21.

SPECIAL MEETING OE COUNCIL.

After a lengthy discussion on the proposed alteration of
the Bye-law as not being sufficiently comprehensive to meet
the requirements of the case, Mr. Wilkinson withdrew his
motion.

It was then moved by Professor Simonds , and seconded by
Mr. Wilkinson —

“That a Committee be appointed to consider the altera¬
tion of Bye-lawr 21, in connection with other laws relating to
the Secretary of the Court of Examiners acting for Scotland ;
and the arrangements which the Council had entered into on
the appointment of its present Secretary.” — Carried.

The following gentlemen were nominated on the Com¬
mittee, the President, Professors Spooner and Simonds,
and Messrs, Mavor, Wilkinson, and Withers.

By order of the Council,

William Henry Coates,

Secretary ,

128

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

London Gazette; Jan. 19, 1S6L

James Darling, gent., to be Acting Veterinary Surgeon,
vice Stanley, promoted.

Hugh Anderson, gent., to be acting Veterinary Surgeon,
vice Channon, resigned.

MISCELLANEA.

THE USE OE “ CASTOR” OIL.

An amusing anecdote is related of Sir R. Jebb. One day

o t/

a bottle of castor oil had been given to him, very pure ; it
had but lately been brought into use. Eefore he left home
he gave it in charge to his man, telling him to be careful of
it, as it was castor oil. After the lapse of some considerable
time Sir Richard asked his servant for the oil. “ Oh, it’s
all used,” replied he. “ Used ! ” said Sir Richard, “ how and
when, sir ? ” “I put it in the castor when wanted, and
gave it to the company.”

OBITUARY.

We have within the last few days only been informed of the
death of Mr. James Brennan, M.R.C.V.S., Curragh, Ireland,
which took place a few months since. Mr. Brennan was
related to the late Air. George Watts, M.R.C.V.S., Dublin,
whom he succeeded in practice. His diploma is dated
May 22nd, 1850.

We have also to record the death of Air. A. Dunlop,
M.R.C.V.S., late of Glasgow, who died on his passage out to
New Zealand, almost within sight of the island. His loss is
deeply regretted by Scottish friends.

ERRATUM IN NO. 433.

Page Gl, tenth line from bottom, for William Hacker, read William
Thacker.

THE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 435.

MARCH, 1864.

Fourth Series,
No. til.

Communications and Cases,

SCROFULOUS ABSCESSES IN THE KIDNEYS

OF A COW.

By Professor Yarn ell, Royal Veterinary College, London.

In the early part of January, 1864, I received from Mr.
E. G. Crowhurst, M.R.C.Y.S., Amersham, Bucks, the kid¬
neys of a short-horned cow, which proved to be very in¬
teresting specimens of disease. They were enclosed in a large
amount of fat, which indicated that the animal from which
they had been taken was by no means emaciated. On removing
them from this adipose tissue, I was particularly struck
with their enormous size and pallid appearance ; but I pur¬
posely abstained from making any further examination of
them until the following weekly meeting of the Veterinary
Association, when, agreeably to Mr. Crowhurst’ s wish, I laid
them before the members, and explained, as far as I was then
able, the morbid changes that had taken place in those organs.
I also read, at the same time, the following letter, which had
been received from Mr. Crowhurst :

Amersham.

Mr dear Sir, — I forwarded to you yesterday a hamper containing
two diseased kidneys which were taken from a cow, a valuable short¬
horn, the property of T. T. Drake, Esq., of Shordelors. The history of
the case, as far as I can inform you, is as follows : — In the spring of last
year, previous to my coming to this county, the cow was the subject of
difficult labour, and my present partner, who was called to the case, being
xxxvii. 9

130

SCROFULOUS ABSCESSES IN THE KIDNEYS.

unable to attend, several men attempted, under the instruction of a
farrier, to effect delivery. At last, after pulling her — as the steward, in¬
formed me — nearly to pieces, the calf was taken away, but the cow
was afterwards found to be unable to retain her urine, or even to void
her fasces in the natural way. Soon after I came here I was consulted
as to again breeding from her, which I advised should not be done, but
that she should be fatted. This advice was acted upon, and I heard no
more about her until last Wednesday, when I was again consulted, the
steward stating that, although she had always fed well up to then, she
had suddenly lost her appetite. Not seeing anything to satisfactorily
account for this, and she being in good condition, I advised the steward
to have her killed. On going to the butcher’s I found the kidneys in a
very diseased condition. You will see that I have not made any
particular examination of them, being busy, and, besides, being desirous
that you should receive them in the state they were removed from the
carcass.

A.re you of opinion that at the time of parturition the kidneys were in¬
jured, and that suppurative action followed ? Is it not rather an uncommon
case to find both glands so much diseased, and the animal still apparently
enjoying good health ? I have been further induced to send you these
specimens, as I was very thankful to see anything of the kind on the
table of the Association on a Tuesday evening while at College, and to
hear any remarks which might be made thereon. Any further informa¬
tion which I can obtain respecting this case, should you wish it, I shall
only be too pleased to communicate.

I am, dear sir,

Yours, &c.,

E. G. Crowhurst.

To Professor Varnell.

Very little discussion took place with reference to the
case, which was no more than I had anticipated, as the patho¬
logical changes which had taken place in the organs were not
sufficiently apparent to the unaided eye to enable one to speak
definitively of their nature. Being desirous of obtaining
more information with reference to the history of tha case,
I wrote to Mr. Crowhurst, requesting him to make further
inquiries, and to inform me of any additional facts relative to
the symptoms evinced by the animal between the period of
her difficult parturition and that of her being slaughtered.
Unfortunately, Mr. Crowhurst was unable to gain but little
information in addition to that which he had already fur¬
nished me with, and which, considering the importance of
the case, must be considered as being too imperfect and un¬
satisfactory. This, however, Mr. Crowhurst could not help,
as he had seen the cow only once, and did not make a post¬
mortem examination. It is also to be regretted that the
ureters and bladder were not sent with the kidneys, as an
investigation of their condition would have added to the in¬
terest of the case.

SCROFULOUS ABSCESSES IN TI1E KIDNEYS.

131

To my communication Mr. Crowhurst wrote as follows :

Amersham; February 3rd, 1864.

My dear Sir, — I am pleased to have the opportunity at last of re¬
plying to your request. The delay has been occasioned by the person
■who attended the cow being away ; but as he was daily expected back,

I thought it best to wait. Immediately on his return I made every in¬
quiry respecting the case, and I am informed that soon after parturition
they were very anxious respecting the well-doing of the cow, as it was
noticed that she was unable to pass any water. Shortly after this, a
quantity of matter, so called, was seen to come away from the vagina,
when it was found that, although she passed more water, it was only in a
dribbling way. The same thing occurred two or three times in succes¬
sion ; and since then her water has run from her in small" quantities,
and been rather thicker than natural. I am also informed that she was
pulled round and round the cow-house in taking the calf away, which
probably laid the foundation for the disease. The matter said to have
come away, I should suppose, depended upon the bursting of an. abscess
in one or other of the kidneys, but I wait your opinion on this point, and
also on others connected with the nature of the disease.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours obediently,

E. G. Crowhurst.

To Professor Yarn ell.

Before making any comments on the nature and probable
cause of this disease, I will briefly state the appearances which
the organs presented to the unassisted vision, and then, as
briefly, allude to the morbid changes that had taken place in
their structure. I have before stated that both the kidneys
were of an enormous size. One of them measured as much
as seventeen inches in length, and about ten in width. The
other was about fifteen inches long and nine inches wide.
The lobules of each, as might be supposed, were very large,
and the sulci between them comparatively shallow. The
surface of the lobules presented different characters ; in some
it appeared to be smooth, but when examined with a
common pocket lens only, it was found to be very uneven.
Other of the lobules were uneven in a marked degree, having
somewhat the appearance of a very rough-skinned orange.
At the extremity of each kidney a few of these lobules had lost
a portion of their cortical and tubular structures, while in
three or four of them these parts had disappeared altogether,
leaving simply the outer thin capsule, with the much thick¬
ened inner lining membrane.

A very small portion of the ureter was attached to each
kidney, the lining membrane of which I first traced into
the pelvis of each organ and throughout their several calices,
in all of which I found it to be much thickened. Both

13.2 SCROFULOUS ABSCESSES IN THE KIDNEYS.

organs contained in these cavities a large amount of a
liglitisli-gray coloured and curdy matter, which in some of
the calices was in a more fluid condition than in others, hut
in none of them had it any urinous smell.

I next made a section through each kidney, which deve¬
loped a very unusual appearance of their structure. The
cortical part was moderately firm, and of a pale-straw colour,
but the tubular portion — which in the healthy organ is light
in colour, excepting at the base of the cones — was of a dark-
pink hue. No striae, taking a course in the long axis of the
cones, as is faintly seen in the healthy organ, indicating the
presence of tubes, could be detected in this instance.

On examining the structure of the organs with the micro¬
scope, I failed to detect in the cortical portion either blood¬
vessels or even the convoluted commencements of the tubuli
uriniferi. In the tubular portion, which, as before stated, was
of a dark-pink colour, only a few tubes could be detected, and
these were very much enlarged, and so fully crammed with
epithelial cells as to be rendered impervious. The curdy matter
in their interior, as far as I could make out, was chiefly com¬
posed of pus-cells, some large and irregularly shaped nu¬
cleated cells, and a quantity of granular matter. I also
noticed a few fat-vesicles, and some free oil-particles ; and at
the inner edge of the tubular portion I detected a few octo-
hedral crystals, which I considered to be oxalate of lime.

Not being quite satisfied with my own examination, and
with a view of being the better enabled to speak of the true
character of the disease, I sent a portion of one of the kid¬
neys to Dr. Gr. Harley, Professor at University College, who
wrote me in reply.

After the receipt of Dr. Harley's note, a mutual friend,
who was with him at the time he examined the specimen,
called on me, and more fully informed me of the views the
doctor had taken in reference to the nature of the disease.
He also brought me some sections of both the cortical and
tubular portions of the kidney, which he had himself pre¬
pared for Dr. Harley's examination. They were better spe¬
cimens than I had been able to prepare ; and although I
did not detect in them anything which I had not previously
seen, yet the abnormal products and the changes in the
structure of the organ were much clearer and better
defined.

In the last number of the Veterinarian I suggested the
advisability of paying more attention to the character of the
urine of our patients than has hitherto been done. In the
case in question, had the urine been examined, I have no

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

133

doubt but pus would have been found, and perhaps also some
cells characteristic of the disease under which the cow was
labouring.

I cannot think that difficult parturition was the sole cause
of this disease, although it might have had much to do in
increasing its activity and hastening its linal results. I have
long thought there was a great tendency in cattle to scrofula,
particularly in some of our improved breeds. The members
of our profession should be on the alert in looking out for
indications of this affection, as it is only by numbers and
comparisons that a right conclusion can be arrived at on a
point like this.

The kidneys of this cow could not have performed their
function, or at any rate only very imperfectly, for a long¬
time ; and it is therefore the more remarkable that she should
have been apparently in good health, and have laid on flesh
nearly up to the time she was slaughtered. The case is a
valuable one, and it is much to be desired that if any similar
one should come under the notice of the veterinary surgeon,
he will not fail to record it.

I feel that, in making comments on this case, I am some¬
what trespassing on the domain of Professor Simonds ; but I
am assured he will agree with me, that in my so doing I am
but working with him for one common end.

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

Letter from Dr. John Busteed, New York,

Gentlemen, — In the October number of your Journal you
were pleased to copy a letter of mine, addressed to Wilks 3
Spirit of the Times , on the subject of (( Stringhalt.” It will
also be in your remembrance that the cases referred to in
that communication received from the pen of Professor
Yarnell a scientific, liberal, and lengthened criticism. Con¬
curring with the professor in all that he has said in reference
to an interchange of opinions between medical men and
veterinarians, I would go further, and advocate their union.
No medical man, in my opinion, can become thoroughly
proficient in his profession without some knowledge of com¬
parative anatomy, and certainly the veterinary surgeon will
be none the worse off if he avail himself of the text, Know

134

PATHOLOGY OP STRINGHALT.

thyself.” I regret that my remarks were written in such a
careless way as to give rise to doubts as to their true mean¬
ing. When I stated that my observations did not agree
with Professor Spooner, or with Messrs. Goodwin, Percivall, or
Youatt, I had reference only to the abnormal appearance that
the scalpel presented to my view. I did not find the same
lesions of structure seen and described by those gentlemen,
but I did not for one moment doubt the fidelity of their
dissections. They found disease of the spinal column, the
spinal marrow, and sciatic nerve, and also of their coverings,
and attributed to this condition of the parts the irritation
which caused stringhalt. I detected none of the lesions
above named, but found in an ulcerated condition the astra¬
galus and tibia.

Plaving the Veterinarian in my possession from its first
publication, and also the Veterinary Record and Review, and
having likewise the works of Percivall, Goodwin, Blaine,
Youatt, B. Clark, Coleman, Gamgee, and some two hundred
and fifty other works on veterinary science, in the English
language, and nearly as many more in the French, German,
Italian, and Spanish languages, I could not be ignorant that
ulceration of the astragalus was known to the profession. It
was not to the existence of the ulceration that I desired to
direct attention, but to the nature of the ulcer. The French,
for many years before Messrs. Percivall, Spooner, and Good¬
win, made known the result of their observations, and attri¬
buted stringhalt to a diseased condition of the hock. They
describe it as eparvin sec, and call the spasmodic action
harper. Bigot says it is caused by friction between the
astragalus and tibia, and I have good reason to believe this
opinion is still held by some of the best veterinary surgeons
in France. From the opinions entertained by the French,
from the fact also that ulceration sometimes exists without
producing stringhalt, and from the further fact that man, in
certain diseases of the articulations, is subject to spasm of the
limb, the idea — whether worthy of anything or not — suggested
itself to my mind that stringhalt might have its origin in an
irritable condition of the ulcer: and I do not know any
good reason why diseased bone and cartilage should not have
their benign and their irritable form of ulcer, as well as other
tissues of the body. If any of your readers should call upon
me to point out the difference between the two forms of
ulcer, permit me to refer them to structural anatomists, as
the practical surgeon has not as yet been enlightened by
them on this point.

I agree with Professor Yarnell in all that he says in

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

135

reference to the experimental physiologist, and as to the
results which would be produced by the experiments he sug¬
gests on the nerves. There can be no doubt that the
irritated nerves excite the muscles. That, however, is not
the point between us, but whether the cause of irritation has
its origin in the hock or the spine, or anywhere between
those two points.

In reference to the two cases of spavin, followed by string-
halt, referred to by the professor, I would ask if ulceration
of the astragalus may not have existed at the same time ?
The professor says, “ I have dissected many ulcerated hocks,
but I am not aware that stringhalt could be traced, in any
one instance, to disease of this nature.” Has Professor
Varnell made post-mortems on horses known to have had
stringhalt without finding ulceration of the astragalus ?

Again, he says, “let us see whether that which Dr.
Busteed describes as an ulcer is in reality one.” “ If
such ulcers as the doctor describes had really existed,
would not the synovia he so frequently alludes to have
been discoloured ? ” That would depend on the extent
to which the bone was diseased ; if but slightly affected, I
think there would be no discoloration ; I did not, however,
submit it to microscopic test.

Professor Yarnell further asks, “If the depressions the
doctor met with on the articular surface of the astragalus,
and occasionally on the tibia also, are not true ulcers, what
are they?” He answers this question himself by observing,
“ Why, simply those parts of the articulations upon which car¬
tilage was never developed. They were, I have no doubt, con¬
genital.” I must confess I am at a loss to understand the
professor. Does he mean that bone is to be found in the
articulations of the colt at birth ? or does he mean that foals
are liable at birth to a particular form of ulceration ? If so,
I think, in all fairness, he ought to have described the appear¬
ance between congenital ulceration or defect, and ulceration
arising from injury or disease, so as to enable me to judge of
the difference between ulceration in man (with which I am
familiar) and that of animals, as they appear to me to be alike.
Again, he remarks, “ I believe this form of disease sometimes
suddenly assumes a different character, when the undermined
articular parts of the bone and its much-thinned cartilage
caves in. But this is not the so-called ulcer of Dr. Busteed.”
In Case No. 3 I say, “ the astragalus had in it a deep ulcer,
which had penetrated the substance of the bone ;” this is the
ulcer of Dr. Busteed, but not in such an exaggerated form as
described by Professor Yarnell,

136

PATHOLOGY OF ST11INGH ALT.

(C One word more respecting articular cartilage, for it is
tliis variety which the doctor refers to when alluding to its
extreme sensibility when inflamed.” I alluded to cartilage
only in a general way ; I certainly did not wish to be under¬
stood as stating that the cartilage w as primarily ulcerated, or
that it is sensitive, or that vessels can be traced into it when
in a healthy condition ; it is, nevertheless, subject to disease —
call that disease inflammation, ulceration, degeneration, dis¬
integration, liquefaction, or any other name you please.

While fully appreciating the investigations of histologists,
I must confess I am not yet willing to drop the substance for
the shadow. Cooper, Liston, Brodie, Guthrie, and others,
hesitate not to state that cartilage plays a conspicuous part
in diseases of the joints, increasing pain as it is more or less
involved in disease. Kolliker, a sound histologist, states that
blood-vessels have been observed in it up to the eighteenth
year; Brodie and Liston have likewise traced vessels into it.
I cannot divest my mind of the existence of vessels in car¬
tilage ; to do so, I should have to consider it inorganic, which
I do not. I believe it must be supplied with vessels of some
kind for its nourishment, and for its repair wdien diseased ;
and I also believe that wherever blood-vessels go, nerves will
be found to accompany them.

Of all the tissues in the body, cartilage possesses the lowest
possible degree of vitality, and herein lies its great value. It
is owing to this fact that it is able to resist violent con¬
cussion and injuries, to which it is at all times liable; and
for the same reason, wdien ulcerated or diseased, its destruc¬
tion or decay is very slow. But admitting, for the sake of
argument, its non-vascularity, this would not alter the fact
that it is subject to inflammation.

Since my letter was written to the Spirit of the Times I
have obtained a work on diseases of the joints, published in
1861, by Barwell, a good histologist and an excellent sur¬
geon. He says, “ It can now be certainly affirmed that any
part which is capable of nutrition is also capable of inflam¬
mation ; it can, I submit, be no longer denied that cartilage
is liable to be inflamed, and consequently ulcerated.” Again,
“ Cartilaginous inflammation is accompanied by a liypenemia
of the vessels ; it is certain that what is called vascularity of
tissue is not necessary to confer on it a powrer of becoming
inflamed ; it is equally certain that wffien a tissue makes in¬
creased nutritic demands, increased supply will be brought to
it.” Again, “ One of the circumstances in this disease which
is most remarkable, and which has the greatest effect upon its
subsequent course^ is its constant accompaniment — the spas -

PATHOLOGY OF STR1NGHALT.

137

modic contraction of muscles. It must be also remembered
that innervation of large joints is derived from sensory fila¬
ments of muscular branches, and that a close connection
exists in health between muscular action and articular pressure.
The anatomist's knife can, with the greatest ease, discover
which nervous branch sends a twig to the articulation ; but
when the twig has passed into the joint, it is hardly possible
to trace the actual spot of its distribution. Such contraction
is produced by a morbid form of reflex action, carried from
the nerves supplying the joint to those of the muscles."
“ It is generally considered that the spasms, both momentary
and constant, are produced by a semi -voluntary flinching
from the pain.” “ The inflammation may be, as we have
already said, acute or chronic ; when acute an ulcer with
clean-cut edges is produced ; when the action is chronic, the
hyaline structure is converted into fibres, which render the
edges and bottom of the ulcer rough and uneven."

I believe I have now noticed all the points referred to by
Professor Varnell, to whom I feel indebted for the con¬
siderate and friendly way in which he has handled my
theory; and permit me further to say that I have no am¬
bition to be considered a discoverer. My object wras to
court inquiry, and to invite investigation upon a point of
“ doubtful pathology."

Since I commenced writing this letter I have received the
November number of your Journal, and in it are some
remarks from Mr. Fleming on the subject of stringhalt.
There are, however, but two points in his communication
requiring a notice from me, as Professor Varnell has already
gone over the same ground, much more ably, and in a style
and manner more agreeable, I have no doubt, to your
readers, and from which Mr. Fleming might, with advantage
to himself, take a lesson. Mr. Fleming charges me with
ignorance of comparative anatomy and physiology, because I
was not aware — if such is the fact — that the sulci in the
lower part of the groove of the astragalus are devoid of car¬
tilage. Now, as I obtained what little knowledge of com¬
parative anatomy I possess from veterinary works, that
gentleman wfill please inform your readers the name of the
English veterinary physiologist or anatomist who makes
mention of these sulci being covered with cartilage, or who
(with the exception of Mr. Gamgee, whose work on osteology
I have just received) even mentions their existence; if he
cannot do so, Mr. Fleming may have perchance, unwittingly
on his part, made himself a “ discoverer."

Your compositor makes me say, f<r the synovial tissue was

138

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

deep;” it should read “fissure/' which will explain the
difference between European and American synovial tissue,
and might have been detected as a typographical error by
Mr. Fleming, had his “ imagination been lively enough,” or
his “ knowledge of anatomy less profound.”

I am,

Yours, &c.

To the Editors of the ‘ Veterinarian .’

REPLY TO DR BUSTEED’S LETTER, BY PROFESSOR

VARNELL.

Through the courtesy of the editors of the Veterinarian , I
was enabled to peruse the foregoing letter prior to its publi¬
cation, and have been thereby afforded the opportunity of
furnishing a reply without the usual interval of a month's
delay. I think no one, after having read Dr. Busteed's
paper, will doubt the propriety of my defending the state¬
ments that I made in my former communication, both in
reference to the doctor's ideas of the cause of stringlialt, as
also of those he had expressed with regard to the views enter¬
tained on the subject by certain English pathologists. From
the doctor's remarks generally, and from the host of books
he has thought proper to refer to, it might be thought that
I was wholly ignorant of the views entertained in respect to
structural and pathological anatomy, the nature of an ulcer, or
the congenital peculiarities often met with in normal anatomy.

Pathological anatomy, like normal anatomy, cannot be
learned from books alone, however many a man may possess,
or in whatever language they may be written. Nor can the
symptoms of pathological lesions be rightly interpreted except¬
ing by long and careful observation, aided by a knowledge
of both these divisions of science. To this I have no doubt
Dr. Busteed will assent, and will feel with me that our object
in discussing matters of pathology should be, as far as pos¬
sible, to further the ends of medical science, whether human
or comparative.

The doctor says, after referring to a long list of books, “ I
could not be ignorant that ulceration of the articulation of
the astragalus was known to the profession.'' To this I
reply that I never for a moment supposed that he was, for
ulceration of this bone, as well as of others, will occasionally
exist. He goes on to say, “ It was not the existence of the

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

139

ulceration tliat I desired to direct attention to, but to the
nature of the ulcer.” What ulcer ? I had endeavoured to
show that what the doctor considered to the cause of string-
halt was in reality no ulcer at all, but a part of the articular
lamella, varying in size and outline, upon which articular
cartilage had never been developed. I may take this oppor¬
tunity to state that this peculiarity is not always con¬
stant; but, nevertheless, in many instances, it is present
on the articulations of the tibio-astragalean joint, and
also on those of other bones forming diarthrodial joints.
In another part of the doctor's letter he asks (alluding to
me), “ Does he mean that bone is found in the articulation
of the foal at birth ? or does he mean that foals are liable at
birth to a particular form of ulceration ?” I mean neither
the one nor the other, nor do I think that any such inference
can be rightly drawn from my remarks. Such sulci as are
referred to are not ulcers, and the articular lamellae forming
their bottoms are covered with a thin membrane, so that
exposed bone is not in the joint, either at birth or afterwards,
while the part remains in a healthy condition.

The doctor goes on to say, “ I think, in all fairness, he [I]
ought to have described the appearance between congenital
ulcer and that arising from injury or disease.” What does
the doctor mean ? I have never said a word about congenital
ulcer, nor ever thought of doing so. The congenital absence of
cartilage in the tibio-astragalean articulation, which I referred
to, and still have again to do, is not an ulcer, although I am
afraid the doctor has mistaken it for such. Further on
the doctor asks, “ in the two cases of spavin followed by
stringhalt, referred to by the professor, if ulceration of the
astragalus may not have existed at the same time ?” To
this I must reply that I cannot say, not having examined the
hock post-mortem ; but if it did, or even the so-called ulcer of
Dr. Busteed, I believe that neither the one nor the other was
the cause of the stringhalt. Again, he asks, “ Has Professor
Varnell made post-mortems of horses known to have had
stringhalt without finding ulceration of the astragalus ?”
Yes ; in the worst case I ever saw I dissected both hocks,
and not a trace of ulceration or disease of any kind existed
in any of the tarsal articulations. The doctor then observes,
quoting from my remarks, “ I believe that this form of
disease sometimes suddenly assumes a different character.”
In making this statement, I alluded to extensive ulceration
of the joint (see page 595 of the October number of the
Veterinarian), and had no reference to the supposed ulcer of
Dr. Busteed, but merely to true ulceration. The doctor's case

140

PATHOLOGY OF STRINGHALT.

No. 3; according to his statement, had ulceration of the articu¬
lar surfaces of both hocks, attended with lameness of the off —
I expect of the near one also — and stringhalt of the near limb.
This may have been so, but I doubt, nevertheless, if the
stringhalt was due to ulceration.

Dr. Busteed further says, “ I certainly did not wish to

be understood as stating that the cartilage was primarily

ulcerated, or that it is sensitive, or that vessels can be traced

into it when in a healthy condition ;55 and also that <( I

cannot divest my mind of the existence of vessels in cartilage,

as to do so 1 should have to consider it inorganic, which I

do not/5 Surely the doctor would not consider articular

«/

cartilage inorganic because no blood-vessels can be traced
into its structure. This would be quite a new idea.

He then says, “ I believe it must be supplied with vessels
for its nourishment, and for its repair when diseased.55 I may
inform the doctor that if he again refers to some of his nu¬
merous books on histology, he will find it stated that articular
cartilage is nourished from the vessels of the bone upon
which it is placed. Or if he examine the structure of this
tissue, and that of the bone beneath it, he will, I have no
doubt, come to the same conclusion ; and that when cartilage
is lost from disease or injury, it is not again repaired by car¬
tilage. Again, he says, “ I believe that wherever blood¬
vessels go, nerves will be found to accompany them.55 Yes,
so they do ; but he has stated that he did not wish to be un¬
derstood that either vessels or nerves could be traced into the
structure of articular cartilage.

The doctor also quotes largely from Bar well on diseases
of the joints, but I do not see that the quotations have any
direct bearing on stringhalt, but have reference only to the
structure of articular cartilage. I would refer the doctor to
pages 12 and 13 of this work, and I think he will not find
any evidence therein of the existence of vessels in this struc¬
ture. Again, at page 25 of Bar well5 s work, which I find
the doctor has consulted with reference to the nerves of a
joint, no mention is made of nerves having been found in
articular cartilage. At page 288 it is stated that Sir B.
Brodie is said to have had “ some difficulty in getting rid of
the idea of there being vessels in articular cartilage.55 On
referring to Sir B. Brodie5 s work on diseases of the joints,
I find at page ] 54, fifth edition , that he says, “ After the
period of growth is concluded, no blood-vessels can be de¬
tected in healthy cartilage, even on microscopic examination.55
Also at page 155, when speaking of Mr. Liston5s opinion on
this subject, he remarks, “ I do not mean to infer, nor did

ANALYSIS OF A COMPACT OSSEOUS TUMOUR. 141

Mr. Liston, as I apprehend, mean to infer, that blood-vessels
extend into the articular cartilage of the adult when actually
in a healthy state.”

Kolliker (vol. i, page 322), distinctly says, in the last four
lines of the second paragraph, “ The articular cartilage has no
nerves or vessels.” Again, in page 324, “ In the adult the
articular cartilages are non- vascular.”

I refer to these works to show that their authors
consider articular cartilage to he non-vascular ; and they,
be it remembered, are those particularly alluded to by Dr.
Busteed. I will now quote from a work the doctor has not
mentioned, viz., the third volume of f Holmes’s Surgery/
fifth article, “ Diseases of the Joints,” by Athol A. Johnson,
Esq., page 752 : — “ The articular lamella, like articular carti¬
lage itself, contains no blood-vessels.” And further on, at
page 753, “The articular cartilages, when fully developed,
contain neither nerves nor blood-vessels.”

For some years I have been a worker with the microscope,
in investigating the tissues composing the animal body, and
I must confess that I never saw either nerves or blood¬
vessels in articular cartilage. In making the remarks which
I did upon the. paper of Dr. Busteed, headed “Doubtful
Pathology of Stringhalt,3} published in the October number of
the Veterinarian, I did not consult any works on histology
or on pathological anatomy ; but now, having done so, I feel
gratified that the statements I then made are corroborated by
such high authorities. Much requires to be done, and many
minute investigations made, before the pathology of string-
halt will be fully understood, and I trust that Dr. Busteed
will feel with me that our friendly discussion on this subject
will not be altogether futile, but act as an incentive to further
research.

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPACT OSSEOUS TUMOUR
DESCRIBED BY MR. CARTLEDGE IN THE LAST
NUMBER OF THE VETERINARIAN .

By Professor Tuson.

The physical and anatomical peculiarities of an osseous
tumour found in the sinuses of the head of a horse having
been referred to in the last issue of this Journal, from which
it wrould appear that the tumour possessed the usual characters
of bone, I have thought that a quantitative analysis of it

142

ANALYSIS OF A COMPACT OSSEOUS TUMOUR.

would tend to complete our knowledge respecting its true
nature and character. Having made such an investigation,
I have now the pleasure of directing attention to the fol¬
lowing statement of the results obtained. That a comparison
may be instituted between the composition of this tumour
and that of normal bone, I have placed the analyses of these
two substances side by side.

Compact Osseous

Femur of Mare

Tumour.

aged 14 years.
Yon Bibra.

Phosphate of lime, with traces of fluoride of

calcium ....

. 6273

54-63

Phosphate of magnesia

. Traces.

1-50

Carbonate of lime .

5-84

11-28

Carbonate of magnesia

. Traces.

Salts soluble in water

. Traces.

0-40

Organic matter (gelatin, fat, &c.) .

. 31-43

32T9

100-00

100-00

We thus see that the osseous tumour contains about 8
per cent, more of phosphate of lime, probably from 1 to
IT per cent, less of carbonate of magnesia, and about 5-1 per
cent, less of carbonate of lime, than the bone of the mare ; but
that in other respects there is a striking concordance in the
qualitative and quantitative constitution of both specimens.

It may be well to remark that Yon Bibra has published
the analysis of the femur and humerus of a castrated horse,
aged six years, and that the composition of these bones was
not found to differ essentially from that of the fourteen-year-
old mare. If we now compare the composition of the
osseous tumour with the bone of the mare, with reference
only to the relative quantities of earthy and animal matters
contained in them, we shall find that the difference is so
extremely small (f per cent.), that it may be completely
rejected from our consideration.

Earthy matters. Animal matters.

Osseous deposit . . G8*57 1 Difference 3 1 '43 1 Difference

Mare’s bone . . 67‘81J 076 32T9 J 0 76

Thus we are enabled to conclude, from the mutually cor¬
roborative testimony afforded by the physical, anatomical,
and chemical examination of the osseous deposit, that it pos¬
sesses all the characters of true bone.

143

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

By R. IT. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

{Continued from p. 91.)

WINDGALLS OR BURSAL TUMOURS.

This affection has been from time immemorial, I believe,
termed windgalls , from its being supposed that the bladders
contained air or wind. Anatomists have given other and
more surgical, as well as expressive, titles to these swellings,
namely, bursal enlargements and ganglia. The latter term is
open to objection, because it has a wide and somewhat
foreign signification. The word ganglion is generally con¬
sidered to refer to an enlargement or swelling, or “ knot-like
enlargement in the course of a nerve, &c. f this term, there¬
fore — although employed by members of the human
profession when speaking to veterinarians with reference to
such enlargements — is, as I have said, open to an objection,
as it does not faithfully convey to persons the precise
meaning of the word. I wrould much prefer employing that
which is less objectionable, and at the same time more
expressive, i. e. tumefied bursae. The word windgall should
never pass the lips of a surgeon. Nor, indeed, is the more
modern term, bursa mucosa , less erroneous. Windgall, on the
one hand, would lead us to infer that the sac contained air ;
secondly, the surgical and scientific one, ganglion, will indi¬
cate situation or course of a nerve ; and thirdly, bursa mucosa
most positively relates to its containing mucus. It will,
doubtless, be easily understood why each and every one of
the above appellations should be abolished for ever from
veterinary nosology. It has often been remarked that it
matters but little what name a disease is known by, provided
it be understood; but in this the nineteenth century surely
such a word as windgall ought not to be found in any work
on surgery. As I don't profess to be engaged in arranging
such a work in the present instance, I shall not be expected
to place before the readers of the Veterinarian a very
elaborate paper upon the nature and treatment of these
affections. I write affections, from the fact of bursal enlarge¬
ments being said to be found in many situations, under a
variety of names, such as capped elbow, capped hock,
bog-spavin, thorough-pin, &c., all of which have been con¬
sidered as one and the same disease. A description of the

144

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

first would in that case generally suffice for all, although
some of them undergo much greater changes than others,
depending upon their magnitude as well as their situation.

A bursa is described as a small synovial sac, found in the
vicinity of joints and tendinous sheaths, which secretes a
fluid in every way analogous to that found within a true
joint, and which is termed synovia. Indeed, many of these
bursae are actually in direct communication with the interior
of a joint. Their use is supposed to be that of preventing
friction, concussion, &c., of parts ; and being placed between
structures, they will naturally have such a tendency, the oil¬
like fluid which they contain being admirably adapted for that
purpose. When, however, disease is set up, and the bursae
become enlarged or swollen, inconvenience and sometimes
lameness result therefrom. This is not of necessity the case.
Numerous causes have been assigned for the commence¬
ment of a bursal tumour, viz., work, sprain, and others, as
active agents in promoting disease. Doubtless, concussion
is the principal one, whether in youth or adult age. It has
been declared that a colt, not having been broken, cannot
have bursal enlargements through work or a sprain. It does
not follow as a matter of course, because an animal has not
been trained or put to work, that the disease which we are
considering is not caused by over-work or sprain. How
frequently do we witness colts exerting themselves in mere
play beyond their powers and strength ? The most marked
case in proof of this assertion — I could relate many —
occurred in my practice a fewT months since. A M.D. re¬
quested me — he is a great horse amateur — to call at his
stables and look at a twm-year-old colt, which had what he
termed a bog- or blood-spavin. I found on the off hock an
immense swelling of a bursal sac, w7hich w7as much inflamed
and extremely sensitive; and although the colt could not be
pronounced lame, still the action of the joint was impaired.
Various were the inquiries instituted as to the work he had
performed, to all of which replies were given in the negative.
I, however, found out that the colt spent the greater part of
his time in a low, small-sized loose box, and to amuse himself
he was in the habit of making attacks upon the rafters, to
accomplish which he stood upon his hind feet and struck out
with the front. This amusement caused tumefaction of the
bursa before mentioned, and converted a two-hundred guinea
colt into a comparatively valueless animal.

Thus, it will be seen that actual work, or the process of
training, is not absolutely necessary to produce disarrange¬
ment of these sacs.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

145

Blood-spavin and bog-spavin have usually been con¬
sidered by persons ignorant of the structure of the parts to
be synonymous. I have more than once refused to operate
upon animals affected with these diseases, as I felt convinced
I should — in the cases referred to — not add anything to my
reputation as a veterinary surgeon.

I think, in our examinations as to soundness, we should
bear closely in mind the stage in which we find enlarged
bursas. Doubtless all practitioners are aware that there are
many stages or states in which these enlargements are found
to exist. They do not attack every animal in a similar
manner, nor do they assume the same appearance in every
joint. Take, for instance, that affection termed capped elbow,
which is invariably caused by the heel of a shoe. This gene¬
rally terminates in suppuration or resolution ; therefore, I
am inclined to believe a capped elbow should not be classed
with these diseases. Take another example — capped hock.
This is generally the result of a blow, produced by kicking,
or it is sometimes brought on by the animal rubbing the
hock against a rough wall. This is another disease, strictly
speaking, not resembling those of bursal enlargements met
with in the vicinity of the fetlock-joints : this, however, and
that known by the name of thorough-pin, will be considered
in their proper places.

For the sake of brevity, I would divide tumefied bursae
into soft and hard. The soft bursae— I am now referring to
the front fetlock-joints — seldom produce any inconvenience,
except occasionally in racing stables. The bursae become
enlarged, as a general rule, by a very slow process; hence it
is that, whatever derangement there may be in existence, it is
but little felt, owing to the gradual development of disease.
On the other hand, when referring to tumefied bursae in
the hardened state, we shall have to look a little more closely
to the parts or structures upon which it is found to impinge.
Lameness is often produced by the pressure of a hardened
bursa upon the nervous filaments, and especially will a horse
be lame when that pressure is exerted upon the terminal por¬
tions of the metacarpal nerves. This being the case, it can
be readily understood how it is that bandages so often are
found to cause the irritation we are desirous of preventing.
When, however, the bandage is wet and applied loosely, it
has not that irritative effect as when it is placed tightly about
the joint, and allowed to become dry and hard. It is this
which proves so troublesome to a practitioner in the treat¬
ment of such affections; his instructions are not always
carried out in a proper manner.

XXXVII.

10

146

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

When bursal enlargements are small, soft, free from in¬
flammation, and not tender upon pressure, there is but little
to fear in giving an opinion as to the soundness of the
animal ; but when the enlargements are hard, hot, and
sensitive, especially in aged horses, known or suspected to
have done much work ; it will be advisable to scrutinise very
keenly the action of the limbs. There is often a rigid move¬
ment observable; and much also will depend upon the obliquity
of the pasterns, as to the impairment or otherwise in the
action of an animal having these diseases.

It is the practice of veterinarians to pass a horse as being
sound when he is not actually lame. The state of the law
with regard to windgalls, as it is termed, is about the same
as in every other affection, most ambiguous, leaving every¬
thing to the opinions formed by those supposed to be capable
of advancing them. Oliphant writes as follows : — “ There
are few horses perfectly free from windgalls, but they do not
interfere with the action of the fetlock or cause lameness,
except when they are numerous or large.” ci In an action
which was brought on the warranty of a horse, the breach of
which was windgalls, a verdict was found for the plaintiff.
The windgalls had probably produced lameness, as there
appeared not to have been any dispute about the unsoundness ,
but only about the form of action.” I must confess this
quotation is not characterised by its lucidity. It states, in
the first place, 6< there are few horses perfectly free from
windgalls, but they do not interfere with the action of the
fetlock or cause lameness;” secondly, plaintiff gained a ver¬
dict ; there was no dispute about the unsoundness, but only
about the form of action. Whether the impairment of action
was caused by this disease it does not state, but it must be
presumed such is the meaning of it.

It may be inferred that by far the great majority of horses
suffering from these tumefied sacs are what must or ought
to be termed practically or usefully sound ; and taking the
meaning of the word sound as given by the learned judges
of Great Britain, no horse with bursal disease is a sound
one, but for all practical purposes he is so.

(To be continued .)

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

( Continued from p. 24.)

Having given a brief outline of the botanical characters
of the natural order Ranunculaceae, I purpose now bringing
under notice, in detail, those plants belonging to the order
which possess features of interest to the veterinary surgeon.
The first plant I shall proceed to describe is one which has
recently been brought before the public as the poisonous
agent by which the murderer Hunt destroyed his own life
— viz., the Aconitum napellus or Monkshood. The following
are its chief botanical characters — Aconitum napellus [Monks¬
hood). “Stem, leafy, erect, about three feet high. Leaves
divided palmately into many narrow lobes. Flowers in nearly
simple racemes, downy. Sepals , five petal-like, very irre¬
gular, the upper one being covex and compressed. Petals ,
two, hooded with a curved stalk, horizontal ; three others
very small, scale-like, often wanting. Carpels , three to five,
many-seeded. Seeds , three-cornered, with many plaited
wrinkles at the back.” — Lindley . This plant has been
known from a very early period, and was considered by
the ancients to be the most powerful amongst vegetable
poisons. It is a doubtful native of this country, having been
probably introduced from the woody parts of Germany,
France, and Switzerland, on account of its medicinal value.
There are several varieties of this plant to be met with
growing in our flower-gardens and shrubberies, all possessing
more or less the same characters. The tubers (commonly
called the root) of the Aconitum napellus are from three to
four inches long, tapering in form, somewhat resembling the
napus or navel, the French turnip, from which it derives
its name, of a pale brown colour externally and white and
fleshy internally. Fatal consequences have resulted from
this root having been mistaken for horse-radish [Cochlearia
armoriacia ), although the difference in colour, taste, and
odour, should at once point out the distinction. The leaves,
which appear in patches about the middle of February, are
of a bright-green colour, deeply lancinated and placed alter¬
nately on the stem, which attains an height of from two to
four feet. The flowrers, which appear about the middle of
June, are of a deep violet colour and slightly covered with
down. It is from the resemblance of the upper sepal to a

148

CLAIM AGAINST A VETERINARY SURGEON.

hood that the name monkshood is derived. In other
varieties the flowers are variegated, and in some of a yellow
colour. This plant is cultivated for its floral beauty and as
a medicinal agent. That its green glossy foliage, with its
racemes of dark blue flowers, are very ornamental to our
flower gardens in the earlier part of summer, will be at once
admitted ; but from the tendency this plant has to extend
its growth, and the careless manner in which it is allowed to
propagate itself amongst those plants whose roots or leaves
(such as the horse-radish or parsley) are so frequently used
by us as adjuncts to our table, and from the fatal con¬
sequences which have taken place from its having been
partaken of in mistake for those plants, should, I think,
point out much greater care in its cultivation, or that so
deleterious a plant should alone be cultivated in our medi¬
cinal gardens. All parts of the plant contain active pro¬
perties, but the parts chiefly employed in medicine are the
root (tubers) and leaves. These should be collected after
the flowers begin to fade and before the seeds begin to ripen.
The tubers may then be cut into thin slices, and carefully
dried at a low temperature. From these, the two prepara¬
tions most commonly used, viz., the tincture and extract
of aconite, are obtained. The tincture is made by macerating
the root in rectified spirit, and the formula of Dr. Fleming is
generally considered the most effective, given in doses of from
ten to twenty minims. The extract of aconite is made by in¬
spissating the juice of the leaves, or more readily by
evaporating the tincture to the consistence of an extract.
For external application, an ointment may also be prepared,
as recommended by Dr. Turnbull, by mixing one part of the
extract with two parts of lard. In my next communication I
shall proceed to describe its value as a medicinal agent, and
its poisonous properties.

[To he continued.)

CLAIM AGAINST A VETERINARY SURGEON.

Letter from Mr. J. Aked, M.R.C.V.S., Blackburn.

Sir, — Having been subpoenaed to give evidence in the
above case, and considering the history of it, as published in
the Veterinarian for January last, not to be in accordance
with some of the facts, I wish to set the public right so far

OPERATION OF “ FIRING ” FOR ROARING. 149

as I am concerned in the matter. Being quite a disinterested
witness in the case, and having previously given the same
opinion to the plaintiffs that I was afterwards subpoenaed to
give in evidence for the defence, namely, that I was called
in to see the horse immediately tetanus had set in (not just
before his death) ; I informed them of the nature of the
disease the horse was labouring under, and that from a pre¬
vious engagement I could not possibly assist in the treat¬
ment of the case j but that in my opinion the best thing
would be to put the horse out of his suffering. This advice
proved to be but too true for the poor animal and the
parties concerned. I also gave it in evidence that tetanus,
as a rule, was incurable, or in other words, that there
was no certain or known cure for the disease, and that
although I had read of cases recovering (not of their suc¬
cessful treatment), I gave it as my opinion that when a
horse did occasionally recover from that dreadful malady he
did so more from the strength of his own constitution than
from any fancied remedies that might have been given to
him, as any such supposed curative agents, when admi¬
nistered to other similar cases, might prove of no earthly use.

I am, & c.

To the Editors of e The Veterinarian *

THE OPERATION OF " FIRING ” FOR ROARING.

By W. Shirley, M.R.C.V.S., Twickenham.

As firing over the course of the trachea is now attracting
attention, not only among ourselves, but also among sporting
men generally, I venture to address you in the hope that
some of your correspondents who have witnessed benefit
from the operation will kindly communicate the cases to the
Veterinarian , so that we may fairly learn the true value to be
put upon it.

The case published in Bell’s Life is not of itself at all con¬
clusive, as we get no history of the case, nor of the remedies
applied previous to the use of the actual cautery.

I can relate several cases of roaring that have been suc¬
cessfully treated without such an application, yet I should
no more think of treating a case of confirmed roaring, and
leading the owner to believe that I could cure it, than I
should one of confirmed glanders.

150 OPERATION OF (( FIRING 39 FOR ROARING.

The cases alluded to were of recent date, and the animals
not predisposed by conformation to become roarers ; and as
I am soliciting others to give, through your pages, accounts
of cases that have come under their notice, wherein firing
has been the means of establishing a cure, I perhaps may be
excused if I relate one that was successfully treated by
blisters alone. The patient was a brown gelding, belonging
to the Duke d’Aumale. I think the horse was about nine
years old, rather under fifteen hands two inches high, short
legged, and not long in the neck, with a well-bred head and
good shoulders; he had been constantly used as a hunter,
and when my attention was called to him had been a roarer
about three weeks. He had no cough, but there was a little
stiffness about the throat, the glands of which were slightly
swollen ; he fed well, drank without difficulty, his spirits
were good, and there was nothing else in any wray the matter
with him, except that he made a great noise, not only in his
gallop, but also in his trot. As I did not express myself
very sanguine about the cure, the duke was inclined to get
rid of him, but Mr. Coates, the chief of the stables, wishing
the horse to be treated, the duke complied. I find, by
reference to my case-book, that the horse wras blistered three
times, and had fourteen draughts given him (principally
composed of nitrate of potash) between the 16th of April
and the 28th of May; during wrhich time he was kept per¬
fectly cool and quiet. He was hunted two seasons since,
and the cure is as perfect as can be wished. Now7, I am of
opinion that this case, satisfactory as it is, only encourages
us to attempt a cure whenever the circumstances and form
of the animal are to almost an equal extent favorable.

I can also mention another horse that was cured by
keeping a seton constantly over his larynx, he doing his
work as a hunter and feeding well all the time. Being a
black horse, I put brow n tape in, bringing it out as much on
the off side as I could : the mane thus covered the eyesore.
But there wrere peculiarities about this case that, as I thought,
admitted the hope of a cure, otherwise I should not have
treated it. Of course cases wrili sometimes occur in practice
which, if handled with tact, give us a great hold on the con¬
fidence of the public, when in reality nature has done all, or
nearly all the work for us ; but even in such cases the vete¬
rinary surgeon is wrnrthy of his hire, when he has learnt to
bow with submission to and patiently watch the working
out of laws which the more he studies the less inclined he
becomes to interfere with. What I wish is, to guard the
profession against running aw7ay with the notion that, as a

RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH OF A HORSE. 151

general rule, they can cure roaring by any means. I have a
horse now on my premises that 1 will give any one fifty
guineas to cure of this disease.

I feel that I am trespassing on your time and space. If
you think any useful purpose will be answered by inserting
the above, I shall feel obliged ; if otherwise, please consign
it to the flames, though I own I shall be glad to learn some¬
thing more about firing as a cure for roaring. At present I
do not believe in it.

RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH OF A HORSE,
ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF
CYSTS BETWEEN ITS COATS CONTAINING
LARGE NUMBERS OF WORMS.

By “Argus.”

The following case is, I think, one of rare occurrence in
veterinary practice ; and as I am somewhat puzzled to
account for the original cause of such a state of things as the
post-mortem examination revealed, I shall feel much obliged
if you will kindly express your opinion on the subject.

A troop-horse of the Australian breed was admitted into
hospital one morning some months ago with all the symp¬
toms of severe gastro-enteritis. At first the treatment
usually adopted under such circumstances was resorted to,
and about three hours after admission I gave the patient
chloroform and opium in some acacia mucilage, and repeated
it every half hour. Six hours from his first coming into
hospital it became evident that a rupture of the walls, or
rather coats of the stomach, had taken place, and that he
was labouring under peritonitis. The case of course now
became hopeless, and the animal died in about ten hours
afterwards, or sixteen hours from first being attacked.

On examining the body after death I found the following
lesions : — inflammation of the mucous coat of the stomach
and intestines ; rupture of the stomach, the rent in its coats
being five inches long. The contents of the stomach were
floating about in the abdominal cavity, and extensive peri¬
tonitis had resulted therefrom. On examining the stomach,
after detaching it, I found indications of several large ulcers
having existed along the line of the rupture, and that the
coats of the organ were unusually thin and weak in this part.

152

RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH OF A HORSE.

It was the cuticular portion. In addition to these ulcers
there were three good-sized tumours, each being as large as
a big -walnut, and having a small opening at the top. I
made a vertical incision through each, and found that the
cavity within was about half an inch in diameter, and some¬
what less than an inch in depth. The contents consisted of
a muco-purulent-looking fluid, a gritty substance like sand,
and scores of minute worms similar to those found in the eye
of the horse, but smaller. Each worm was about the third
of an inch in length, and the thickness of very fine sewing
cotton. Their colour was whitish and semi-transparent. At
each end they tapered to a fine point. Were they filaria?
Have you ever seen them in the stomach ? If so, how do
they get into it — with the food, or water, or how ?

When the worms were first removed from their nidus they
were quite lively, but died in about ten minutes afterwards.

Is it not strange that horses with these lesions, akin to
ulcers and abscesses in the stomach, look healthy, feed well,
do their work all right, and are never sick until they are
suddenly attacked with gastro-enteritis, when the coats of
the stomach give way, and the animal dies in some ten to
twenty hours?

Several cases of ulceration and rupture of the stomach
have occurred in my practice, but only this solitary one
where worms have been found within cysts connected with
the lining membrane.

To the above case allow me to append the following
statement, as an example of the way in which veterinary sur¬
geons are treated in India. One of our assistant-surgeons
completed six years5 service on the 5 th of this month, and
from that date he takes rank as a captain, as a matter of
right, and without any examination. Prior to the 5th
instant I ranked senior to him, but I am now of course his
junior. Is this fair? Has it a tendency to make veterinary
surgeons zealous in the performance of their duties and fond
of their profession and the military service, or the reverse ?
I have been three years longer in the army than the assistant-
surgeon in question, and I am his senior in age by four years,
but I remain a subaltern in rank, and (for all I know to the
contrary) have every prospect of being one for the next
eleven years. Although I am now in my tenth year of ser¬
vice I am still upon the pay of a cornet of cavalry, and shall
be for several months more. On completing ten years I
shall get the magnificent increase of the difference between a
cornet's and lieutenant’s allowance, i.e. I shall come upon

RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH OF A HORSE. 153

the pay of the latter rank, thus receiving £5 10$. a month
more than now. This service in India is a great mistake.
To people in England the sum total of our pay and allowances,
looked at as a whole, sounds large ; but if wre deduct the
special allowances given for certain purposes, such as house
allowance, &c., wre find that the pay of a veterinary surgeon
in India is, after all, but 13s. 4d. a day during his first ten
years, and 17$. during his second ten years' service. What
is this in a country where our ordinary clothing and uniform
cost at least 100 per cent, more than at home, and our food
and wrines from 50 to 75? We ought to be better paid for
serving in such a country and climate: and 1 am certain the
Veterinary Surgeon-General at home wTould be only too glad
to urge the claims of the w7hole body wTere the matter laid
before him in a clear and true light.

I think the older veterinary surgeons out here have even
still greater cause for complaint. I know several wrho have
served over twenty years, and yet they get but captain’s pay
and allowances. There are two or three of about thirty
years' service, w7ho, if they were serving at home, wrnuld get
23$. a day. Out here they draw 265. 8 cl. Surely 3$. Sd. is
scarcely enough to make up for the difference in price of
everything in England and in India ! leaving out of the ques¬
tion the extra pay expected for serving in such a vile country
as India; far away from home and friends, and from every
amusement to which an Englishman in England is accus¬
tomed.

Remember, there is no barrack accommodation in India for
officers ; no free quarters, coals, or candles ; no soldier-ser¬
vants for nominal wages ; no part payment of forage cost by
the Government: all this has to be paid for by the officer
himself out of his extra allowances given for these special
purposes. I have given you his pay minus these allow7-
ances.

[The case of rupture of the stomach containing wTorms,
communicated by “ Argus/' is a most interesting and in¬
structive one. It opens up a rare field of research, especially
perhaps in India and other tropical climes, as to the real
causes W'hich are occasionally in operation to produce a
weakening of the coats of the stomach, and w hich may ulti¬
mately end in rupture of that organ. The ulcers of w7hich
“Argus" speaks are probably the effect only of parasites.
Many of the spots in which loss of structure was observed
by him we should be inclined to regard as cicatrices which had
followed the obliteration of cysts originally containing wrorms,

154

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

rather than ulcers. The non-existence of any perfect worm-
cvsts in connection with these cicatrices would almost of
necessity divert the mind to other origins of them rather
than the true one ; but in the case in question the coexist¬
ence of the two things throw's light on the real cause which
had been in operation. The closer wre investigate diseases the
more are we daily assured that very many w'hich hitherto had
been but little understood owe their origin entirely to para¬
sites. A few* years since wre met with an analogous case to
the one in question, in a pig — a wild one — originally sent
from Germany to the Zoological Society of London. Here
several cysts existed in the submucous tissue of the stomachy
in each of which strongles were being developed in a most
remarkable manner, and w*hen perfected they perforated the
mucous membrane, and entered the stomach. The strongle
is an entozoon remarkable for its existence in many and
diverse parts of the body. We have ourselves recorded
several instances of this worm being found beneath the peri¬
toneal membrane, as well as in other situations indirectly
only connected with the intestinal canal. Our belief is, that
the worms met with by “ Argus” were strongles , but as to
the way in which they became located in cysts connected
with the stomach we prefer at present to offer no opinion.

Many of the revelations of science in connection with
the natural history of some of the entozoic worms are very
remarkable ; and it may be that the above case will be of use
to investigators in this comparatively new field of research.
We would earnestly ask assistance of the members of the
profession in the important object of studying the natural
history of entozoa. “Argus” could scarcely do us greater
service than by sending us any specimens of entozoa he may
meet with in unusual situations within the bodies of animals,
and, if it be possible, we should, above all things, like to
have some of the worms in question. Have any of them
been preserved ?]

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

By “ Mentor.”

1. RUPTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS IN A FOAL.

A foal about three months old exhibited symptoms which
the owner considered arose from the presence of a foreign
body in the gullet, for which my attendance was requested.

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 155

The symptoms were considerably augmented and alarming
when I arrived. Pulse imperceptible ; respiration laborious,
short, quick and catching; cold perspiration bedewed the
entire surface of the body ; countenance deeply expressive of
pain ; mouth cold and clammy ; breath fetid, and a fluid
discharge escaped from the nostrils, principally composed of
grass and its colouring matter; the animal pawed much
with the fore feet, and violently threw his head from side to
side, and towards the ground ; frequent attempts were made
to eructate, as he stood propping his haunches against a
corn-bin. After a time he would rush violently forward, and
fall within a few paces as if in convulsions.

A large puffy swelling existed upon each side of the neck
along the trachea, that on the right extending from the
shoulder upwards about four inches, and terminating at a
point opposite to that on which the left or superior swelling
existed ; it was not quite so large, but nevertheless reached to
the throat. The character of these tumours were soft and
yielding, leaving the impression of the fingers, and rising in
other portions when touched, having the sensation of crepi¬
tation similar to that of tissue paper beneath.

The owner felt confident that a portion of swede turnip
was the cause, and stupidly insisted upon having the probang*
passed, notwithstanding my assurances to the contrary and
the consequences of so doing. However, it was done, the
instrument passing easily down, but greatly increasing the
severity of the symptoms.

From the evident nature of the injury little good was ex¬
pected from any kind of treatment, but as a means of relief
the trachea was opened between the swellings, which had
the desired effect, and gave exit to a frothy pultaceous mass
which was beneath the skin, consisting of masticated hay,
grass, &c., greatly reducing the general size of the tumours.

The symptoms were at length lessened in their severity,
but no hopes of recovery apparent; still the owner, seeing
the animal swrallow a morsel of hay, gathered courage,
and gave me credit for seeing farther into the case at first
sight than himself; but in this instance formed conclusions
as to his own superiority.

In passing through the village early next morning, my
patient having died in a short time after I left the previous
day, I found the body divested of his integument, except at
the neck, awaiting an examination. The skin being reflected
on each side from the trachea, showed that tube was sepa¬
rated nearly its whole length down the neck from its relations
by the presence of half masticated food. Effusion of lymph

156 RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

in consequence had taken place to a great extent, and a state
bordering on gangrene within the muscles existed. The
gullet, which accompanied the trachea in its separation, was
empty and collapsed, having a rupture extending about three
inches along the middle third, at the posterior portion, the
edges of which showed that the injury had not been confined
to the day on which my attention was directed to the animal.
The quantity of food within the spaces also proved that the
rupture must have existed some time, and this appears to
be corroborated by the evidence afterwards obtained.

About a week previous the animal was shut up in a stable
alone, whilst the dam was taken to work, and as might be
expected was very uneasy, screaming and jumping towards
a hole — an apology for a window, common to English farm
stables — having one of those <e hit or miss *’ slides. The day
before I saw him, symptoms of dulness came on ; he had
been before noticed unwilling to suck when the dam came
home, but still chewed grass, &c. The swelling also in¬
creased remarkablv from this time.

•/

In the oak bar forming the bottom part of the hole was a
large iron spike, standing out four inches at least, the head
of which was covered with hair from the animal, and I have
no doubt this was the cause of the rupture, for he had been
known to eat at the manger, and afterwards to rush towards
the place when he heard anything outside, when, the gullet
being probably distended by food passing down at the time,
a violent concussion took place against the nail, favouring the
injury. The action of the muscles of the neck, in the acts of
apparent eructation as witnessed, under the effects of the
presence of a foreign body, will account for the accumulation
of food, separation and effusion, with their consequences.

2. CHRONIC EPISTAXIS.

A gray mare, eight years old, fifteen hands three inches
high, of good form and proportions, whose daily work was
“ cabbing,” had suffered from a discharge of blood from the
nostrils, particularly the left, for several months.

The animal was lean, nevertheless did her work well, and
consumed the food allowed with a good appetite. After
some days* rest the flow was increased, but when she was
regularly worked the quantity lost per diem would probably
amount to five or six ounces. In the stable it subsided to
about half the quantity.

My opinion as to a probability of cure was solicited on
account of the valuable services of the creature, although a

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

157

professional friend had given up the case as hopeless, after a
trial during three months of laxatives, purgatives, astringents,
and various forms of injections.

After a careful examination, and knowing the results of
the previous trial, I resolved to take the mare to my establish¬
ment for treatment, feeling strongly that the whole of our
resources were not exhausted.

Several medical friends to whom I mentioned the nature
of the case intimated their intention of seeing my patient,
and wished me to try the effects of remedies they would
suggest ; and being open to anything productive of good, and
desirous of information, I readily consented.

The leaves of Artcinthe elongata (Matico) were finely
powdered, and sharply blown up the nostrils, by 'means
of an ebony instrument not unlike a pipette, the bulb being-
made to unscrew to admit of the powder. One end was
small, and would allow a knitting needle to pass in, the other
for the mouth, was like the mouthpiece of a bugle.

From the first I felt satisfied of the inefficiency of this
treatment, believing the bleeding orifices to be too high up,
beyond the reach of such remedies ; nevertheless, for the
establishment of a sound opinion and doctrine, and at the
desire of my friends, I steadily persisted, and each day
noted progress.

A fortnight elapsed; no progress was made, the blood
hung in long twig-like strings, coagulating as it flowed, and
reached sometimes near to the ground, irritating the animal.
To get rid of this, the walls of the loose box and her body
were bedaubed, presenting a spectacle not very sightly.

Creosote and tannic acid were also used fora great length
of time as injections, but with no good resulting. Next
creosote was given internally ; still no amendment.

Turpentine was then seized upon, my friend losing no
opportunity of being loud in his praise of its effects in
haemorrhages. I suggested the probability of its inertness
in this case, from the long-standing nature of the malady;
but having previously promised obedience, had no alternative
but to “ do as I was told ”

Four ounces, morning and evening, were fixed upon to
commence with ; oatmeal and water being chosen as the
vehicle.

After four or five days a third dose was added at noon,
and continued for a like period.

By this time the loose box had gained the most penetrating
olour of the drug, and the bowels were relaxed ; the con¬
junctival and other membranes being injected, and slight un-

158

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

easiness having occurred, and the pulse also increased, the
medicine was discontinued for a few days, but the discharge
of blood was not one whit the better.

At the end of a week, six ounces of turpentine were given
three times a day, and continued for several days, with a
recurrence only of the former symptoms, but no abatement
in the disease.

During the use of the turpentine the appetite became
impaired, but the mare drank about as usual ; still, with all
the doses given, the kidneys were not inordinately aroused.

Plugging, cold water, ice, &c., were now spoken of, but
deemed more or less too difficult of application.

Entertaining an idea that want of tone was the principal
cause, I resolved to try the effects of a course of tonics, com¬
bined with astringents, given internally, and selected for this
purpose iron and gentian, with tannic acid — the latter on
account of its well-known effects on mucous membranes, and
believing the discharge arose either from the turbinated
bones, as it was arterial blood, or the sinuses.

The symptoms of improvement were speedily manifest
under this treatment. The appetite was excited, condition
gained, and daily the discharge grew less, the animal also
becoming cleaner. A substantial diet was given in lieu of
clover, which only had been previously allowed by the owner,
and in ten days the nostrils were free from blood. The
visible membranes had in the meantime, from the action of
the astringent, become pale and blanched, scarcely a vessel
being recognised in them; the bowels were costive, the
mouth dry and parched, the skin hot and rough under the
hand.

With these symptoms before me I felt that the arrest was
only of a temporary character. I therefore continued the
iron and gentian without the acid, expecting daily to see the
original symptoms returned when I entered the stable. In this
I was, however, agreeably disappointed. The mare was now
sent to work, and continued all right for several months,
when, on being excessively galloped one day, a slight trick¬
ling from the nostrils came on ; but this gave way under the
same treatment.

She was soon afterwards sold, taken from the neighbour¬
hood, and I lost sight of her.

3. HAEMOPTYSIS AND TUBERCULOSIS.

A brown cart-horse, nine years old, sixteen hands high,
was sent to draw a load of coals a distance of two and a half

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 159

miles. When he reached a rising part of the road, he
attempted to cough, and as the man expressed himself,
“ looked as if he had something in his throat, which he
couldn't get up/”

At length he stopped, when a violent fit of coughing
ensued, and clots of blood were expelled, together with a large
quantity from the mouth and nostrils in a fluid state.

The symptoms were distressing, and the man loosed the
animal and brought him home, wrhen a messenger was im¬
mediately despatched for me.

I found the horse standing perfectly quiet, the bleeding
having subsided ; pulse thirty and weak, ears cold, legs not
quite so, coat staring, appetite defective, bowels costive and
alternately relaxed. In answer to inquiries I learned that
he had not been observed to lie down for six weeks ; — the
time he had been under the care of the present attendant.
He has been heard to cough but seldom, groans when he
turns round, abdomen is tucked up, respiration only partially
heard in the right lung, pain on intercostal pressure, visible
mucous membranes pale, mouth moist and cool, great de¬
pression, staggering gait, and stiffness of the extremities.

Previous to the time above named, my patient had been
lent to a farmer conspicuous for his team of skeletons,
under whose care the foundation of the disease in question
was laid.

By appropriate treatment a marked improvement was
effected, and shortly the horse was pronounced able to do light
work.

I saw no more of the animal for the space of six weeks ;
during which time the owner, not having sufficient work for
him, lent him to a brewer, by whom he was sent out in all
kinds of weather, at all hours, and eventually sent home
because he was not fit for work.

I was again requested to see him, and observed the follow¬
ing symptoms : —

Pulse sixty-eight, full and rather strong ; respiration acce¬
lerated, short and laboured; abdomen tucked up; mouth
hot, ears and legs temperate ; conjunctival membranes pallid ;
eyes half closed ; Schneiderian membrane dirty pink colour,
with a thin nasty discharge of mucus hanging about the
nostrils; breath extremely offensive ; bowels irregular ; con¬
dition low ; coat staring and unthrifty ; staggering gait, and
total loss of appetite.

Upon auscultation the left lung was found to be pervious
at the base and middle portion only. In the right no respi¬
ratory murmur was heard, but a sonorous gurgling sound,

160

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

interrupted at times, and terminating in a hissing sound at
the expiration.

Percussion also denoted the extreme state within, and
gave rise to a cough which was feeble, hollow, and weak,
with an expectoration too characteristic to be forgotten ; no
appetite, and diabetes present.

1 informed the owner of the nature of the case, and
advised him to have the animal destroyed, to which he
consented.

Autopsy. — Abdominal viscera pale and flaccid, especially
the stomach. The liver resembled the spleen in colour, and
exhibited a kind of fracture when torn ; large clots of blood
rolling out, and the capsule thickened. The spleen was
similarly affected. The kidneys were rather paler than
natural, but of normal size ; when cut in half they resembled
cartilage more than anything else, and contained spots of
calcareous matter. The tubes were thickened and secreted a
creamy fluid. The left kidney was by far the worst, the
pelvis being plugged with lymph. The intestines contained
but a small quantity of fluid; the mesenteric glands were
swollen and contained pus. The left lung was considerably
congested; the right hepatized, gray hepatization prevailing-
in the centre, and having abscesses, a few of which contained
small lumps of calcareous matter diffused in a creamy fluid.
The membranes of the bronchi were thickened and secreting;
pus ; the pleurae also were thickened and opaque, and calca¬
reous bulbs or knobs existed in glandular-shaped bodies at
the base of the heart.

4. ANASARCA, DEPENDING UPON HYPERTROPHY OF THE
HEART, AND DISEASE OF THE KIDNEYS.

The subject of the above was a bay horse used for farming
purposes. My attention being requested in consequence of
a loss of appetite, failing condition, and unthrifty appearance,
with cedematous swelling of the breast and abdomen, which
had been allowed to proceed unattended for six weeks. As
my patient was aged (about nine or ten years), of a coarse
shape and breed, with heavy head, drooping ears, and
hanging lips, his appearance was not at all improved by the
following symptoms: —

The anasarca extends from the point of the sternum an¬
teriorly, along the pectoral and abdominal muscles to the
sheath, which is unusually swollen and pendulous; the
coat stares, and the condition is very defective ; there is a
general equalisation of temperature of the body; the visible,

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

161

mucous membranes are about natural in colour; the mouth
cool and moist; the pulse 36, full and compressible;
constant borborygmus is present, and constipation of the
bowels, alternating about every twenty-four hours with
diarrhoea. There is likewise a constant disposition evinced
to turn across the stall and stretch at full length, in which
position he would stand for a considerable time, pawing
with the fore feet, principally the near foot ; at other
times he would lie upon his side, with his legs straight
out, groaning as if in pain, and afterwards roll as in
indigestion.

It was little that I could learn in addition from the
attendant, and although I felt convinced of serious changes
going on within, of what precise nature they were I could
not determine.

I had him led out, when he appeared weak and staggered
in his walk, dragging his hind limbs in a careless manner after
him, one sometimes coming in forcible contact with the
other. Auscultation furnished but little information, but
I thought that a peculiarly forcible action of the heart existed. The
sound was dull, and appeared the result of a more than
usual muscular contraction, in which an apparent prepara¬
tion took place for the accomplishment of the ordinary beat.
Thinking such might arise from irritability, as the animal
was very nervous when led out, dependent upon some
organic disease, I did not pay so much attention to this
symptom as I have since felt in justice should have been
done ; however, I was convinced that little could be expected
from treatment, and informed my friend the owner so, who
immediately placed the animal under my care, although more
for experiment. I commenced by giving a draught con¬
sisting of —

01. Lini, 3viij ;

Spt. Ammon. Aromat., 3j;

Tr. Opii, 3j.

This had the effect of bringing about a regular state of the
bowels. My patient evincing a desire for food, hay tea,
good oats, &c., were supplied, of which he partook satisfac¬
torily. The exhibition of opium and catechu, with vegetable
tonics and diuretics, followed for two or three days, during
which my attention was called to other cases of urgency,
which prevented my seeing him. On my return, however, I
found that, although the appetite had increased, all the other
symptoms were of a more formidable character. The chest,
abdomen, hind legs, and sheath, were intensely swollen, the

xxxvii. 11

162 RETROSPECTS OP VETERINARY PRACTICE.

latter hanging within a few inches of the ground ; the abdo-
men was enlarged, and, together with a loss of condition, the
animal had a strange pot-bellied appearance ; the pulse had
risen to fifty-six beats in the minute, and was weak.

I now suspected disease of the liver or kidneys, and
accordingly scarified the swellings. Making further in¬
quiries as to the state of the urine- — of which previously 1
could gather no account — I was now informed “it was not
right ” Orders were left to collect some for examination.

Mustard embrocations wrere applied to the loins, and
Potassii Iodidi given internally.

Next day a quantity of urine, measuring about a pint, was
brought to me, which exhibited the following characters : —

Sp. gr. 1-60, slightly acid to test-paper; colour a dark red
or brown, not unlike boiled linseed oil, which it also re¬
sembled in viscidity. The usual chemical tests revealed the
presence of pus and biliary matter in the secretion, which,
after standing at rest for some hours, deposited a thick
sediment of matter, that occupied the bottom of the vessel
to the height of two inches, but which on agitation freely
mixed with the fluid.

No alteration was effected either in the symptoms or the
character of the urine by the treatment, in fact, daily the for¬
mer indicated rapid dissolution. The weakness of the loins
increased ; the animal almost constantly lay down, groaning
as before; the swellings were, however, removed, and appetite
tolerable; but the borborygmus and alternate diarrhoea were
worse than ever, with offensive evacuations, and after suffer¬
ing complete paralysis for twenty-four hours, death put an
end to the scene.

I regret the post-mortem examination, which was made about
six hours after death, was not productive of greater satisfaction ;
for the man appointed to open the animal, in a fit of
drunkenness, had so sadly mutilated the various viscera, that
a perfect state of their diseased condition could not be
ascertained.

The intestines contained fluid only, and in places the
peritoneal surfaces were ecchymosed. A few bots clung to
the inner coat of the stomach. The kidneys were about the
natural size, but lighter in colour; the uriniferous tubes
thickened, and the pelves contained pus. The liver was not
seen entire ; that portion which was brought was congested
and disorganized.

The lungs were healthy, and the heart in appearance was
double the normal size , but it was greatly augmented from
the mutilation it had received. I could detect no dilatation

FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONE.

163

of the ventricles. All parts appeared to be correspondingly
enlarged.

There was a small quantity of serum in the abdomen.

The bladder I did not see, it having been thrown away
before I arrived.

FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONE.

By D. B. Howell, M.R.C.V.S., Reading.

As fracture of the sesamoid bone is of very rare occurrence,
1 forward the particulars of a case presenting several pe¬
culiarities which I recently met with.

About two years since, as J. J. Blandy, Esq., Highgrove,
was out with the South Berks hounds, riding an aged brown
gelding, the beau-ideal of a first-class weight-carrying hunter,
they ran very fast across a turnip-field, in which the roots
were very large, when the horse forcibly struck the near
pastern against one of them, but it did not impede his course
in the slightest degree.

The next morning he was very lame, and, after prepara¬
tion, the joint was well rubbed with a powerful liquid
blister.

He was not hunted any more that season, and being sum¬
mered was again prepared for the chase. The first time he
was hunted he went very fairly, but on the second occasion
came home extremely lame. The pastern-joint was now
enlarged all round, but no injury could be detected to the
sesamoid bone, or, in fact, any other part of the leg. On
January 13th, 1863, I fired him, and applied at intervals the
Ung. Hydrarg. Biniod. At the commencement of the present
season he went nearly free from lameness, being shod
with a shoe gradually thickened from the toe backwards.

On the 9th of December he was hunted for the first time,
the meet being at Basildon, about eight miles from here.
In jumping on to a bank, about six feet in height, his owner
noticed he gave a peculiar grunt on landing, but he did not
appear affected by it, and his rider was perfectly satisfied
with his day's performance.

He was brought quietly home, ate his food, and left com¬
fortable for the night as usual. The next morning he was
exercised (walking only) and returned to his box. In the
evening I was sent for, and found him apparently suffering

164

FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONE.

from tympanitis, but not evincing anything like the pain
usually met with.

I left him about 1 o’clock much easier, with directions
for frequent enemas to be given. The medicines I employed
were —

01. Lini cum Liq. Ammon. Acet. et Tinct. Opii.

11th, 7 o’clock a.m. — He had freely urinated during the
night, but nothing had passed via rectum, nor had the in¬
jections been expelled. Gave —

Sol. Aloes, 3iv ;

Tiglii 01., iqxx ;

Antim. Pot. Tart,, 5iss.

A slight weakness in the loins was now apparent.

10 o’clock a.m. — Restless, but still not violent. He was
down, lying on his side, and on endeavouring to get up he
could only sit on his haunches, paraplegia having now
attacked the posterior quarters. Gave —

01. Tiglii, iqxx ;

Antim. Pot. Tart., 5iss.

7 o’clock p.m. — I now called in the assistance of Mr. W.
A. Wheatley, M.R.C.Y.S., Reading.

Our patient was now on his legs, having a lull in the more
prominent symptoms, but the paralysis had increased. We
applied a hot sheep-skin to the loins, and as the bowels had
not yet responded, gave —

Sol. Aloes, ^vj ;

Tr. Opii, §ij.

Continue the enemata.

1 1 o’clock p.m. — Pie urinated freely, but the urine was
rather offensive.

12th, 9 o’clock a.m. — Animal in a state of profuse dia¬
phoresis. I removed by the hand a small quantity of
pultaceous feculent matter from the rectum, and being now
in hopes of a passage, medicines w7ere discontinued, but the
enemata to be still employed. After a time he became
tranquil, and we left.

4 o’clock p.m. — Worse. The paralysis had now extended
throughout the whole system, the breathing was very labo¬
rious, and he evinced greater pain. The bowels were still
dormant, and the last four injections returned uncoloured.

His owner, having been away from home since Wed¬
nesday, had not returned, and on my acquainting him with

l'RACTURE OP THE SESAMOID BONE. 1G5

the unfavorable state of the animal, consented to have him
destroyed, which I did with hydrocyanic acid.

The following morning I made a post-mortem examination,
first removing the off shoulder and the ribs on that side.
On tracing the intestines, nothing abnormal was met with
until arriving at the colon, where about five inches of that
bowel had protruded through a rupture of the mesocolon two
inches in width ; there was only a slight blush of inflamma¬
tion in the protruded part. Anterior to it the ingesta was
very liquid ; posteriorly, the pellets were hard and entire.
The near kidney was highly congested, the other not. The
heart was large, but healthy, as also the liver ; the lungs bore
traces of the poison given.

On removing about eighteen inches of the spinal cord
contained in the dorso-lumbar vertebras, I found the enve¬
loping membranes much congested, but not the substance of
the cord itself involved. Examining the near fore leg, I
found the suspensory ligaments, the perforans and perforatus
tendons, perfectly healthy. The capsular ligament sur¬
rounding the pastern-joint was thickened to about three
times its normal state ; the outer sesamoid bone was entire,
but the inner one was broken into five irregular pieces.

The structure of the bone was entirely changed, and the
whole articular surface, with the exception of a small portion
about the size of a pea, destroyed. The surfaces made by
the fracture showed marks of slight attrition, and were much
denser than the bodies (if we may use the term) of the parts
not exposed to this trifling motion. No portion was in the
least displaced, separation not taking place until the liga¬
mentous connections had been removed. The articular
surfaces of the pastern-joint contained some small grooves
from before backwards, as though grit had been introduced,
but these appearances were obliterated in boiling. The
pedal bone was very spongy, and had ossification of its inner
lateral cartilage.

Having thus far described the case, let us inquire when
the sesamoid bone was broken. My opinion is that it
occurred when the horse struck against the turnip ; and the
bone being broken in such a manner that no bony spiculae
were detached to work through the surrounding parts, and
crepitus being prevented by the powerful force of the en¬
circling structures, will account for the mischief not being-
discovered during the animal's lifetime. Again, if the
fracture had not taken place until after the exfoliation of the
bone, then the broken edges would have been equally soft
with the other parts.

166 FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONE.

In the Veterinarian , vol. iii, Mr. Fuller, of March, re¬
cords a case of a horse being destroyed for rupture of the
perforans and perforatus tendons of the near fore leg, the
sesamoid bone being found fractured in a transverse direction.
No mention is made of any crepitus being detected, but
probably, as the horse was at once destroyed, this was not
noticed.

Yol. v also contains a report of a case by Mr. Harris, of
Preston. The horse was galloped rapidly about 100
yards, when he fell, and was with difficulty got to his stable,
about two miles away. There was considerable swelling in
the off fore leg, the fetlock nearly touched the ground, and
on the animal's attemping to walk great pain was evinced.
A slight crepitus could be felt, but not the exact seat of
mischief.

Mr. Harris considered it a hopeless case, but the owner
would have some treatment attempted. The horse was bled
and physicked, and cold lotions and bandages applied to the
part. Two days after, bony spiculm protruded, and he was
destroyed. The inner sesamoid bone was found shivered to
atoms.

In this case I consider that either the perforans and per¬
foratus tendons, or the suspensory ligament, was severed to
account for the fetlock nearly touching the ground.

Mr. Blandy's horse did not fall, neither were the tendons
or ligaments injured; the swelling was inconsiderable, and
the foot was slightly rested.

What may we consider was the exciting cause to produce
the paraplegia ?

The horse had been hunted for the first time, but he had
been carefully prepared and had daily exercise, wras not
ridden hard, nor exposed to cold or wet, or fell or cast, or
rolled in his box. Turning suddenly round to follow
another horse, and perhaps making at the time an unconscious
movement, might have caused the injury, as it was then he
gave the peculiar grunt. Or was it now that the rupture in
the mesocolon occurred ?

In all cases of obstruction of the bowels, whether arising
from calculi, polypi, introsusception, &c., we find the pain
most excruciating; but in this case it scarcely amounted to
more than uneasiness, although, if disease had been allowed
to run its whole course, most likely the pain would have been
increased as death approached, because at the time I gave the
prussic acid he was suffering more than he had at all
before.

Perhaps the slightness of the pain may be due to the

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

167

diseased state of the spinal cord, by which the supply of
nervous force to the parts was curtailed, for it is well
known that to destroy a nerve all sensation is destroyed
with it.

The small quantity of soft feculent matter (a small hand¬
ful) which I removed from the rectum was broken down by
the action of the enemata alone, as the dung-balls were hard
close up to the obstruction.

Facts and Observations,

Parasitic Disease of Poultry transmissible to
Man and Animals. — Our readers are aware that from time
to time the pages of the Veterinarian have contained accounts
of skin disease in the horse, produced by near location to poul-
tiy-houses andhen-roosts, and that it had been ascertained that
this affection was due to parasites which found their way from
the birds to the horse. It was, however, a matter of con¬
jecture as to whether lice or acari were the real cause of the
malady. Poultry, as is well known, are often affected with
lice to a very great extent, and frequently also with acari;
but it is not so generally known that no less than four
varieties of lice attack these birds, and that one of them in
particular — the Menopon pallidum — possesses remarkable
migratory habits. From this cause, many authors inferred
that it was this louse which gave origin to the disease of the
skin of the horse, while others were of opinion that it de¬
pended upon the ordinary acarus of poultry. Investigations
into the subject have recently been made in France, by
Professor J. lieynal, of the Alfort Veterinary School, and Dr.
Lanquetin, who seem to have satisfactorily proved that
neither Menopon pallidum nor any other louse, nor the
common acarus, is the cause of the malady ; but that it is
due to a special acarus, one which was discovered by M.
Ch. Robin, and named by him Sarceptes mutans. This acarus,
it appears, burrows in the scarf skin of poultry, attacking
chiefly at the commencement the comb, the legs, and the
upper part of the beak, where it produces an allied disease
to scabies of man. In time the parasites extend to other
parts of the body, and the entire skin of the bird becomes

168

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

involved in the disease. From the scratching of the bird,
acari are dislodged, and if by chance they fall upon the
horse, or are otherwise conveyed to his skin, they imme¬
diately commence their instinctive habits of obtaining food
by burrowing in the epidermis, and thus become the direct
cause of transmitting poultry scabies to this animal. MM.
Reynal and Lanquetin enter into full particulars of the
indications of the disease as existing in the bird, with a view
of combating it at its commencement, and thus preventing
its extension either among the poultry or other animals.
— See Annales de Medecine Veterinaire , Feb., 1864.

Diseases of Cattle. — Veterinary Inspectorship.
— At a meeting of the Town Council of Exeter, held on
Feb. 10th, a memorial was presented from several farmers,
praying for the appointment of an inspector to prevent the
introduction of diseased cattle into the market. The ques¬
tion, after some discussion, was referred to a committee.

Suppression of Horns. — M. Charlier has introduced
an operation for the suppression of the growth of horns of
cattle. He says, in the early period of life, when the rudi¬
ment of the horn begins to appear, it may be resorted to
without any danger or expense, as the owner of the animal
may himself operate. The instrument to be used is a
kind of trephine — a small cylinder of good steel, having a
sharp cutting-edge at one end, and a point at the other.
This instrument is placed around the young horn, bearing
sufficiently on it to cut through the skin and subjacent
tissue at the base of the horn, and then everting the soft
horn, which offers no resistance. The wound heals in a
few days afterwards, without suppuration, and generally
without any febrile symptoms.

[The above operation was advocated at a late meeting of
the West of Scotland Veterinary Medical Association, by
Mr. Wilson, of Donne (see page 125), but condemned by
the president and others as likely to come under the de¬
signation of cruelty to animals.]

Condition of different portions of the Blood-
corpuscles. — Mr. Lionel Beale says that in man and
in mammalia there are circular, coloured corpuscles, without
a nucleus, and the so-called white or colourless corpuscles,
which are spherical. He believes that the colourless cor¬
puscles, and the colourless nuclei of the red corpuscles, con¬
sist of matter in a living state, while there are reasons for

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

169

the conclusion that the coloured material has ceased to
exhibit vital properties. “The red material is not living,
but results from changes occurring in colourless living
matter, just as cuticle, or tendon, or cartilage, or the formed
material of the liver-cell, results from changes occurring in
the germinal matter of each of these cells. The colourless
corpuscles, and those small corpuscles which are gradually
undergoing conversion into red corpuscles, are living, but
the old red corpuscles consist of inanimate matter.”

Action of Oxygen on Animals. — MM. Demarquay and
Leconte have ascertained by experiment that a dog might in¬
hale thirty or forty litres of oxygen gas with the effect only of
increasing his appetite and spirits. Further, that the respira¬
tion of this gas, up to a certain amount, produces a remark¬
able beneficial action on large wounds which they made on
animals. Also, that nearly two litres of oxygen may be
injected into the veins of an animal without killing it.

All this only goes to prove what was known long ago —
that oxygen has the property of exalting the vital powers.

Diseases amongst Cattle. — Accounts from Lausanne
state that the disease of sore mouth and sore feet has attacked
horned cattle in Switzerland in a terrific manner. The
Executive Council have consequently commanded that no
more cattle-markets shall be held. A strict watch is set
upon all farmyards where the disease prevails, and upon
those within a hundred yards of them. Cattle in the sus¬
pected farmyards are not to be permitted to drink at the
public fountains. All strangers are forbidden to approach
any farmyard, nor is any mendicant to pass the night there.
Veterinary surgeons and police agents are desired, when they
quit an infected stable, to wash and change their clothes
before they enter another. Farmers are to adopt similar
precautions when they attend a fair or market.

New Styptic Compounds. — Two powerful styptics have
lately been introduced. One consists of one part crystallized
perchloride of iron dissolved in six parts of collodion. The
union is to be effected slowly and carefully. After the
application of this compound to the bleeding vessel or wound,
an elastic pellicle is formed over it.

The other consists of equal parts of a concentrated solu¬
tion of chloride of iron and chloride of iodine. Lint saturated
with this is to be applied to the bleeding wound.

iro

THE VETERINARIAN, MARCH 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE PROVINCIAL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

It is exceedingly gratifying to us to record the admirable
beginnings of our provincial medical associations. They
are harbingers of good, germs of onward progress, and
adumbrate what the profession may become, nay, must
become, if the members be only true to themselves.

The inauguratory addresses evince an earnestness of pur¬
pose and intention which is more than hopeful. We have
perused them with pleasure, and hereafter they will be
referred to on account of their containing, not only an
outline of what is anticipated to result from these meetings,
but much that is suggestive. We are glad, also, to perceive
that it is not intended that the meetings of the associations
shall always take place in the same town, but other towns
of importance in the county are to be from time to time
selected. This will prove conducive to the maintenance of
a friendly feeling, as well as tend to the greater acquisition
of knowledge and its diffusion, since different localities are
oftentimes productive of diseases that are rarely met with
in others ; an account of which cannot fail to awaken
interest, and to prove mutually profitable.

We have said there is much that is suggestive in the
addresses. We need not particularise, as we are sure they
will have been read by the members of the profession with
equal satisfaction to ourselves. A few salient points we
may, perhaps, be permitted to advert to. Mr. C. Hunting,
President of the North of England Association, sensibly
observes that e< amongst the foremost objects of provincial
veterinary medical associations is unquestionably the investi¬
gation of epizootic and enzootic diseases, not only writh a
view to the adoption of the best modes of treatment to

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

171

combat their effects, but more particularly to the employ¬
ment of the necessary means for the prevention of their
spreading and reappearance ; or, when this is impossible,
the adoption of such measures as shall reduce their fatality
or deteriorating consequences to the minimum point.”
With these observations we must heartily concur; and we
also perfectly agree with him when he asserts that “ the
study of hygiene is of far more importance to the veterinary
surgeon than the study of therapeutics, for surely there is
much more true philosophy and more noble scientific
research in the prevention of disease than in the cure of
it albeit many may not be inclined to assent to this,
they thinking that the province of the veterinary surgeon
is solely the cure (so called by them) of diseases, which is
a mistaken view of their duties, or, at any rate, this is only
a part thereof. Science, philanthropy, and the general
weal, demand a more liberal and extended application of
their talents. We would only under this head suggest
that a statistical account of these diseases be carefully
registered, with all the facts obtainable in connection with
them. Particularly should those maladies that are sporadic
in their nature receive attention, and their peculiarities be
noticed. By these means will the archives of veterinary
medicine be both enlarged and enriched.

The proposition made by the Secretary of the West of
Scotland Association, Mr. A. Pottie, meets, too, with our
warm approval, namely, that “ a portion of the funds of
the society should occasionally be applied for testing the
value of certain medicines, or proving the truth or error of
cures said to be effected, either surgically or otherwise.

Agents not possessed by many, as single
individuals of the profession, might be procured at the
society’s expense, and a trial made of them, more especially
as we read at times, in our monthly publications, of new
methods of treatment, methods which often are, without
doubt, of much practical utility.”

Allied to this is the suggestion of Mr. E. C. Dray,
President of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society,
“ that for the general use of the members the more expensive

172

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

books, instruments, and apparatus be obtained — those only
occasionally required, such as lithotomy instruments,
inhalers (should any be desirous of employing them),
instruments for extracting teeth, &c.” The appropriation
of the funds for such purposes as these we should consider
perfectly legitimate, while the benefits resulting to the
members would be great, since expenses fall heavily on
an individual that are scarcely felt by a body.

Not the least valuable sources of information will be the
papers read by the members; whether to be given pub¬
licity to or not, we presume will rest with their respective
authors. By them scientific truths will be brought into
order and usefulness, as they necessitate research. They
are, likewise, acquired almost imperceptibly, and are at the
same time indelibly impressed on the mind. More espe¬
cially is this the case during the discussion that follows,
when facts are elicited which otherwise would lie entombed,
or only come forth fitfully and disconnected. Details
are likewise given that might be altogether unnoticed ; yet
these frequently are of much moment, and render explana¬
tions, either of cause or effect, comparatively easy.

We need not say that the discussions should ever be
perfectly free and unrestrained. We feel sure that the
amenities of society will always be observed. Thus will
these associations become so manv centres of union, each
member provoking the other to works conducive to the
advancement of the profession. Politically, it is said to be
suspicious when, instead of talking about what is to be done,
we u rest and are thankful ” with what has been done, as
this implies that nothing more remains to be done. So it
is with science — it indicates indifference, which indulged in
would in the present day leave us stranded.

All who know us know we are no friends to inaction. We
are also friends to union, and we have just said these associa¬
tions will form so many centres of union, and, although at the
risk of being charged with unnecessary repetition, we again
revert to the subject of unity. We want not uniformity;
we do not believe in it. We have before said, men cannot
any more be made to think alike than they can be made

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

173

to grow alike. In nature we find oneness and yet diversity.
All the planets have not the like satellites, nor do they
move in the same orbits round the sun ; yet they form one
solar system. The light that gives colour to all bodies, and
renders them resplendent, is in itself white, but by the prism
it is proved to be made up of many colours. All the compound
substances we know of are constituted of a few out of rather
more than sixty elementary bodies, these being combined
in different proportions; and it is stated that in the
vegetable kingdom there are 80,000 different plants, and a
far greater number in the animal, which go to make up these
two grand natural divisions, in which there are, nevertheless,
order and union to be seen, not only in the adaptation of
each to its location, but also in the interlinks. We only
wish for a bond of cohesion to exist, so that we might
work amicably together in the temple of science, using no
untempered mortar, and none daring to assume supremacy or
undue authority over us. All this may be very trite, but
we are sure that it is only by union we shall be able to
present a front against which the empiric and the pretender
may hurl their missiles in vain, and thus take our proper
status in society. May it soon be said “ Venit kora ” — “ the
time is come.’'

Not that we object to differences of opinion, however
boldly they may be advanced, provided always this is done
courteously; since the more truth is questioned and inves¬
tigated, the more convincing and enlightening it becomes,
as the higher a torch is lifted, and the more it is agitated,
the greater light it gives. Indeed, very frequently the
greater amount of good is derived from these mental
antagonisms, as truths are often struck out by the clash of
contraries, and passions become the elements of life. Seeds
will lie in the soil buried for ages, but brought to the
surface of the ground, and exposed to the vitalizing influence
of light and air, they germinate and grow ; so facts may be
reserved, and be almost useless to the possessor of them,
unless communicated to others. We are under no ap¬
prehension as to the consequences some say will result
from this free interchange of thought and ready communi-

.174 EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

cation of information. We clo not believe that it would
prove detrimental to our interests, but, contrariwise, advance
them. We hold it is a narrow mind that would endeavour to
prevent or restrain it, and the arguments advanced in favour
of doing so we believe to be untenable. Mr. Dray has well
said, “ The sun, although it is constantly imparting to other
bodies heat and light, never diminishes in splendour;”
nor does the fountain lessen in its supply of water on
account of the vessel it fills.

“ Imparted knowledge doth not diminish learning’s store.”

Eliliu Burritt has stated that the present age is truly
one of association. Never before could the social principle
have been seen working so perceptibly throughout the
world of mind, matter, and motion. And in each of the
three great domains its operations can at a glance be noticed
in action, with all its reflex and combined movements.
There can be no questioning the fact that unions such as
these being referred to tend to enlarge and liberalise the
mind, and to remove jealousies which otherwise too com¬
monly arise between individuals of the same profession,
while the benefits derivable from them are seen in the en¬
gendering of a friendly feeling that is reciprocated by the
many, and by which the knowledge of all becomes increased.
The domain of science is broad and comprehensive; its
culture therefore calls for the employment of numerous
votaries, all of whom derive profit according to the
amount or degree of their labour, not the least of which is
the awakening of sentiments that bind man to his fellow-
man — sentiments of friendship and good will. Invidious
distinctions become lost in the desire to advance the common
interests of all, and an impetus is given which must even¬
tuate in the obtainment of the object each has in view,
namely, the advancement and elevation of the profession of
which he is a member to that position which its importance
demands. Nor will the public be slow to recognise the
efforts thus made, and especially will the scientific portion
thereof hail them with delight and an expectation of aug¬
mented good resulting. We are of opinion that few will

LATE OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX IN SHEEP. 175

ever attend the meetings of the different associations without
being advantaged by them. They will become both wiser and
better men, and the impressions they receive will be commu¬
nicated to others, so that in the end that cordial union will be
brought about which is in every sense a desideratum. We
consequently view this movement on the part of our profes¬
sional brethren with much satisfaction, commend them highly
for taking the initiative in their several localities, and wish
them every possible success. Moreover, we have the grati¬
fication of knowing that they will not long stand alone.
We have been informed of efforts being made in other
counties to form similar associations, and we rejoice in the
knowledge thereof. As progress is made, we hope from
time to time to be privileged to record it. Our pages shall
ever be open to receive their reports, convinced that they
must tend to the promotion of that which we have so long
advocated, and from which rich and abundant fruit cannot
fail to be derived. Hitherto too much indifference has
been manifested, and an apathetic spirit, almost amounting
to torpidity, has crept over the body, which we think we
perceive some signs of being now thrown off. Some cor-
ruscations of the silver lining of the cloud are being emitted
which we accept as bright precursors of the future of the
profession. It is time it should be so. May all, and more
than all that we anticipate, be realised.

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE LATE OUTBREAK OE SMALLPOX IN SHEEP.

Testimonial to Mr. Joseph Parry.

Our readers — especially those who are flockmasters — will
not have forgotten the extraordinary and virulent disease,
called smallpox, which made its appearance amongst the
flocks in the neighbourhood of Devizes during the summer of
1862. It was a disease which created great alarm at the time

176 LATE OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX IN SHEEP.

— the more so because it was entirely new in this part of the
country, and because its appearance in proverbially one of
the most healthy flocks in Wiltshire could be accounted for
by none of the known means by which such diseases are
usually communicated.

The flock in which it first broke out was, as is well known,
the property of Mr. Joseph Parry, of Allington, near this
town. Seeing his sheep sicken and drop off, one after
another, by a loathsome disease which no person in this
neighbourhood could understand, Mr. Parry determined at
once to seek the advice of Professor Simonds (the great
authority at the Royal Veterinary College). He accordingly
went to London, and brought the professor back with him
to Allington ; and we believe we may say that it was entirely
owing to the promptitude which Mr. Parry thus showed, and
the care which he exercised throughout to prevent contami¬
nation with his neighbours’ flocks — added to the efforts of
an excellent association which was afterwards set on foot
— that the arrest of what threatened at one time to spread
ruin amongst the flocks of Wiltshire is to be ascribed. The
result, however, was, as many of our readers know, a loss of
something like .£1000 to Mr. Parry; and it was as an ex¬
pression of sympathy on the part of his friends, and to mark
their sense of his honorable conduct on the occasion, that
a testimonial was some time since set on foot. The response
to the movement will be best understood when we say that
in a very few weeks upwards of £120 was subscribed, and
Thursday last, February 4th, was the day appointed for the
presentation.

At least fifty persons were present on the occasion, in¬
cluding Mr. Brown (Avebury), Mr. Brown (Horton), Mr.
T. Brown, jun., Mr. Grant (Manningford), Mr. S. Hitch¬
cock, Mr. Brown (Hazlebury), Mr. W. Ferris, Rev. G. T.
Ward, Mr. S. R. Neate, Mr. W. Plummer, Mr. R. Coward,
Mr. W. Long (Devizes), Mr. A. Giddings, Mr. J. Wentworth,
Mr. C. Giddings, Mr. Sloper (Bishop’s Cannings), Mr. M.
Sloper, jun., Mr. Cockram, Mr. F. Stratton, Mr. N. Went¬
worth, Mr. J. Edwards, Mr. A. Baden, Mr. T. Simpkins, Mr.
W. P. Hayward, Mr. W. P. Hay ward, jun., Mr. H.Puckeridge,
Mr. W. Treen, Mr. Jno. Tanner, Mr. Pearce (Haxon), Mr.
Jos. Stratton, Mr. J. Young, Mr. W. Young, Mr. Arnold,
Mr. Jas. Simpkins, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. T. Henly, Mr. W.
Stratton, Mr. B. Baily, Mr. W. Tayler, &c.

Mr. George Brown , in proposing that Mr. Grant, of Man¬
ningford, take the chair (which was seconded by Mr. Ben¬
jamin ), said he was anxious to take that opportunity of

LATE OUTBREAK OP SMALLPOX IN SHEEP. 177

expressing his interest in the movement which had called the
meeting together, as every Wiltshire farmer must feel gratified
in being able to show to their friend Mr. Parry the depth of
their sympathy in regard to the sad loss he had been called
upon to sustain by the visitation of 1 862.

Mr. Grant , on taking the chair, said that, however re¬
luctant he might feel on ordinary occasions to occupy a post
so prominent as the one he then filled, he yet felt it was no
less the duty than the privilege of all Mr. Parry’s neighbours
to come forward as they had done on the present occasion.
This visitation was of no common kind. All who were owners
of flocks must from time to time be necessarily exposed to
losses of greater or less magnitude ; but this disease of small¬
pox amongst sheep was of so unusual and severe a kind, that
none could have anticipated its outbreak. He felt bound to
refer to the excellent spirit which Mr. Parry had displayed
during this trying ordeal, and the calmness which he had be¬
trayed throughout; and, in conclusion, he would venture to
express an earnest hope that God’s best blessings may rest
upon him, and that he, as well as those whom he then
addressed, may be supported in those trials and difficulties
which they would be called upon to endure in their course
through life. He now begged to call upon his friend Mr. W.
Ferris to present the testimonial.

Mr. IF. Ferris , after having expressed a wish that the duty
of presenting the testimonial had fallen into abler hands,
wished it to be distinctly understood that the contributions
which had purchased it were purely voluntary, and had been
raised almost entirely amongst Mr. Parry’s friends and neigh¬
bours. Had the testimonial been made of a more general
character, it might have been on a scale of much greater
magnitude ; but the object had rather been to show Mr. Parry
the cordial esteem in which he was held by all those who knew
him intimately, as well also as to testify their sense of his
efforts to do all that in him lay to prevent the disease in his
flock from spreading to his neighbours’. With these few
remarks he had much pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers,
in handing to Mr. Parry the present which they saw before
them.

Mr. Parry , in replying to the kind observations which had
been made by the gentlemen who had been deputed to re¬
present the subscribers, said that he should be ashamed of
himself if he did not feel most deeply all the kindness which
had been shown him throughout the trial which had befallen
him. It was in vain for him to attempt to give utterance to
his feelings on that occasion, for no language which he could

xxxv 11. 12

178 LATE OUTBREAK OE SMALLPOX IN SHEEP.

command would adequately express what he really then felt.
Yet he must be allowed to observe, with reference to what
had been said by Mr. Ferris regarding the efforts he had
made to prevent the spread of the disease to the flocks of his
neighbours, that he had done no more than would be done by
every other Wiltshire farmer under circumstances of a like
kind. Although then he felt that on this account he was in
no way entitled to praise, yet he did not the less cordially
thank those whom he saw present, as well as all who had
subscribed to the very handsome testimonial he had just
received at their hands — a testimonial which he hoped to
hand down with pride to his children, as having been given
him by those whose friendship he hoped he should ever
continue to retain.

A cordial vote of thanks to .the Chairman having been
proposed by Mr. Brown , of Horton, and seconded by the
Rev. G. T. Ward , brought the more formal proceedings of
the meeting to a close; but the company did not separate
without individually expressing to Mr. Parry the warm
feelings of regard towards him which had called them
together.

The testimonial consisted of a very elegant silver centre
piece, vine and grape pattern, elaborately chased in relief,
with glass bowl for flowers or fruit. The base, which is
triangular, displays three shields, engraved with the crest and
motto cyphers and the following inscription :

“ Presented, with a salver, to Mr. Joseph Parry, of Ailing-
ton, by his friends and neighbours, in token of the kind
feelings of regard and esteem they entertain towards him.
1863.”

Also a large circular silver salver, with richly chased and
pierced shell and flower border and engraved plate, bearing
the same inscription as the centre piece.

We trust Mr. Joseph Parry may long live to enjoy the
gratification and satisfaction which a testimonial presented
under such circumstances cannot fail to carry with it ; and
that the day may be far distant which shall witness the re¬
currence of a devastation in the flock of any farmer in Wilt¬
shire such as that which took place in the flock of Mr. Parry
in the summer of 1862. — Devizes Gazette.

179

THE YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

SOCIETY*

(The Secretary^ Official Report.)

The annual meeting of the above society was held at the
QueeiPs Hotels Leeds, on Friday, the 29th January, at
1.30 p.m. The attendance of members was very good, and
the feeling of kindness to each other, accompanied with a
desire to advance the common objects of the society, was
cordially evinced by all present. In fact, it was a most suc¬
cessful meeting, and cannot fail to produce beneficial results.

There were present — the President (Mr. E. C. Dray,
Leeds) ; Messrs. Seeker, Knaresborough ; Lecker, Ripon ;
Nicholson, Womersley; Pratt, Masham; Anderton, Skipton ;
Fallding, Wakefield; Patterson, Dewsbury; Kay, Ponte¬
fract; Edmondson, Hormby; Horne, Barnsley; Greaves,
Manchester (President of the Lancashire Veterinary Medical
Society) ; Taylor, Wetherby ; Broughton, Leeds ; Carter,
Bradford ; Cuthbert, Leeds ; Fishwick, Gargrave ; and the
Secretary.

After the preliminary business had been disposed of, the
President delivered the following inaugural address :

Gentlemen , — In the present age of intellectual progress,
no one will deny the advantages that arise from association.
Throughout nature we find this to obtain as a principle, and
in so many ways, patent to all, that it is not necessary to
advance a single instance in confirmation of the truth of the
statement. Both in art and in social and political life the
same also holds good. But if there be one section in which
its truthfulness is most markedly manifest, it is in the asso¬
ciating together of the members of a profession for the pur¬
pose of its advancement.

Associations have been thus glowingly and eloquently
described : — “ Statesmen associate to make laws for empires,
and devise plans to promote their interests. Men of science
associate to study our planet, or to explore the wonders of
the star-thronged universe. Men of literature associate to
converse about the ideas, the figures, and style of celebrated
writers, and to strike out a thousand richer notes from the
golden lyre of eloquence. Students of the fine arts associate
to perfect the art of sculpture, or painting, and to increase
the embellishments of civilisation. Men of business asso¬
ciate to promote the extension of commerce. Lovers ot

180 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

pleasure associate to listen to sweet songs, to join in the
merry dance, and experience noisy excitement. On the
Continent of Europe men are associated to burst the bonds
of tyranny, and by the sacrifice of life itself to secure to their
children, and their children's children, the magnificent
heritage of civil liberty ; and lately the Emperor of the
French convoked the sovereigns of Europe to an interna¬
tional congress or association/"’

Now, although our aspirations may not reach so high
as some of these, yet our lesser orb has its sphere of useful¬
ness in which to revolve, and we shall soon be associated
with others, each moving in its separate and independent
circle. I hope, and believe, that our aim is to be useful.
VVe are become wedded to our science having been long in
love with it. To advance its interests, therefore, is only to
advance ourselves, and surely for this we merit no commen¬
dation, for it is simply selfishness. But it fairly may be
asked, What are the best means that can be devised to
effect this? And we unhesitatingly answer that, among all
the methods proposed, we know of none so likely to accom¬
plish what we have in view as the periodically meeting toge¬
ther of those who are actuated by the same desires, influ¬
enced by the like motives, and whose aim and end are the
same.

These platitudes I might almost be content to leave with
you, only you will naturally expect that I dwell somewhat on
the object for which we have now met together, and explain
more fully the plans we purpose to adopt. The object is
one — the general advancement of our profession ; and the
means to be adopted to attain this have been already enun¬
ciated. We claim no originality here, for it has been
over and over again suggested in our monthly Journal the
Veterinarian ; but wfith the suggestions there would seem to
have been but few, if any, efforts made to carry them out. On
us, then, falls the honour of being among the first provincial
veterinary medical associations formed, and the very first in
Yorkshire. Nor do I think lightly of our being thus privi¬
leged to take the initiative in this county.

The course of procedure we may adopt at first, probably,
will not be perfect. Indeed, it is not likely to be so ; if, how¬
ever, the foundation be correctly and firmly laid, and the
outline of the building in like manner be truthfully traced,
the superstructure, as it is gradually raised, will prove
enduring, from the many labourers that will be employed in
it, each bringing materials that have been tested, and each at
the same time giving the result of his experience. On this

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 181

head I need not further expatiate. Every member will feel
that, whilst he comes with a desire to acquire knowledge, he
is equally bound to communicate all he knows on the subject
chosen for consideration. We never lose by this interchange
of information. On the contrary, we are more commonly
gainers. Like the sun, which, although it is constantly
imparting to other bodies heat and light, never diminishes in
splendour. It may be further asked. Are there to be no
restrictions? I know but one desirable, namely, that our
members be confined to those who have graduated at one or
other of the recognised schools. Surely among these our
opinions may freely be made known. There must be no re¬
serve, no exclusiveness, in our debates. W e have no secrets to
keep in reserve, although it is wise at all times to be cautious,
and particularly at the beginning to exercise discretion. In
a debate utterance is often given to an opinion that mature
thought might wish to correct, or by explanation to render
more plain. Sometimes we might even wish it were alto¬
gether withdrawn, from its being premature or hastily given ;
moreover, the progress of science may have caused new views
to be entertained respecting some points, and no man is
fully armed at all times.

Now, the giving of publicity to the essays may not call for
these considerations. As it respects the essays themselves,
from us will not be expected the elaborate and systematic
theses we were wont to write in our younger days, for
although the Archbishop of York has lately told us that the
best master of thinking is the pen, few of us have leisure
and opportunity to devote ourselves to it. On the other
hand, they must not be crude and unconnected attempts,
for such would disgrace us. Necessarily, we shall have to
read for them, so as to ascertain the opinions entertained by
others on the subject selected by us. They will, therefore,
embody not only those opinions maturely weighed and con¬
sidered by us, but also our own, as confirmed by experience.
Still it is to the debate that follows we shall have principally
to look for the benefits to be derived professionally, and to
this I have already adverted. I have said it must be out¬
spoken and free, and, ergo, there possibly may be objections
to its being given publicity to; but not so the essays.

Few of us have forgotten what we used to write as school¬
boys — “Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit,” and certain
it is that no one is so wise as not to need anv further in-
struction. In the course of our practice cases will often
occur in which we may be desirous of obtaining the opinion
of another member of the profession, and in this association

182 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

we shall have a brotherhood, each being ready and willing to
assist the other with his advice in anv doubtful case, or in a
season of emergenc}r. Nor do I see but that otherwise,
when we are fully established, this association might prove
to each member thereof beneficial. I allude to the obtain-
ment, for the general use of the members, of the more
expensive bookstand instruments, and apparatus — those only
occasionally required by us, such as lithotomy instruments,
inhalers (should any be desirous of employing them), instru¬
ments for extracting teeth, &c. Of course these would call
for a responsible custodian, who may be the president for
the time being. I throw this out more as a hint or sugges¬
tion. There may be yet many other ways than those to
which I have alluded, in which this association might be
made to subserve the interests of its members, and awaken
a reciprocity of friendly feeling.

Thus have I spoken of the benefits derivable from associa¬
tion. Whilst advocating union, I do not anticipate unifor¬
mity. Indeed, I believe not either in its desirability or the
capability of its existence ; in truth, the very formation of
this association is a demonstrative proof that it does not
exist. For what purpose do we meet? Simply to ascertain
the varied means that are resorted to among ourselves to
accomplish the great object of our vocation — the ameliora¬
tion of the sufferings of God’s creatures, those placed lower
in the scale of creation than ourselves; also to prevent
diseases among them, by the adoption of those sanitary
measures which the laws of science have made us conversant
with. During our debates these will be fully and deliberately
considered, and the best or most effective selected ; and all
this gives proof of variety. The trim quaintness of a Dutch
flower-garden may be pleasing to the eye of some persons,
but for beauty I prefer the English landscape style of
gardening. Leave the former, however, for a short time
only to nature, and where will be its uniformity? And
mental uniformity is as impossible as physical. The mind will
always assert its prerogative of being free. This leads me
to comment on the present state of education among us.
No one in the least acquainted with the past and present con¬
dition of veterinary science will hesitate for a moment to
allow the great superiority that the latter^has over the former
in this respect. Our status has thus become much higher
than it was; our vantage ground greater. But are we to be
contented with what has been clone ? to fold our arms in
security and ease, as if nothing more, nothing still greater,
were to be achieved? Assuredly not. What has been

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

183

hitherto done is merely as a stepping-stone to what is to be
clone. It has been said that veterinary science is still in
its infancy. I have long heard this statement made, but
now it is assuredly high time that it should get out of its
leading strings and be allowed to walk alone. Of all
methods most likely to accomplish this, I know of none so
well suited as the free and friendly associating together of its
members ; while, at the same time, it will prove the means
of giving health and vigour to the growing body, and cause
its more perfect development. We have not the least desire
to assume the office of dictators, far less to cavil at what has
been done. So far as it has gone we are pleased with the
progress made, and we can look back a few years; still we
do think that some things have been left undone. I refer
more particularly to the twin sciences of botany and materia
medica, as yet scarcely taught in our Alma Mater. They
should have a more prominent place given them — a chair or
professor of their own. I am convinced, if so be the profes¬
sion as a body, arising from the Provincial Veterinary
Medical Associations hereafter uniting together, were to
represent the desirability of this, it would be at once con¬
ceded. Perhaps it might be said that in this I am somewhat
deviating. I have, however, no doubt in my own mind that
questions of this kind will come now and then before us,
especially when any uncertainty or doubt arises in the mind
as to the operation of certain medicaments, and the laws that
should govern their administration. We have much to learn
respecting therapeutics ; nor will mere practice always enable
us to assign satisfactorily the “ why and the wherefore” of
tilings ; science must come to our aid. While, therefore, we
would be grateful for what has been done for us, we do not
hesitate to say that we expect still more to be done. At the
same time we are not slow to perceive, and at the same time
we also thankfully acknowledge, the promises of continued
improvements that have been recently made at the Royal
Veterinary College, for we believe they are calculated to
promote our advancement.

Hitherto I have dwelt on an honour that is mutual, one
shared in common by us all. Allow me for a few moments
to advert to that w7hich is personal, namely, your election of
me as your first president. Why I should have been chosen
to this proud distinction, I do not know. I owe it, I am
aware, to your too favorable opinion of me. Nevertheless, I
accept it with much gratification, and the few talents I
possess shall be honestly and earnestly devoted to promote
the best interests of this association — the only return I am

184 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

able to make for the honour )7ou have conferred. I remember,
when a student at the Iloyal Veterinary College, the sub¬
secretaryship of the Veterinary Medical Association held
there was filled by me, and some of jfou may have remem¬
bered my being in that office, and therefore may have thought
me not altogether unacquainted with duties hereafter to be
performed. I feel confident I shall have, during my term of
office, your united support, which will materially lighten my
labours, so that instead of the presidentship proving a task,
it will be “ a labour of love” to me.

I should not be doing my duty did I not mention the
subject of our fees. I think it is a great pity vTe have not
more uniformity here. Some of the members of the profes¬
sion charge much too low, which has an injurious effect upon
the profession. We ought to let our conduct, dress, and
address always be such as become gentlemen. We ought
never to adopt the style of the groom or stableman, and far
less his general habits. They may be vulgarly called “ flash,”
but they are unprofessional, and derogatory to our vocation.
I am aware it is policy, and also necessary, to be on good
terms with these persons ; but it is a great mistake to sup¬
pose there is any necessity for undue familiarity with them.
We should rather be anxious to gain both the ear and the
confidence of our employers. Believe me, I am only actuated
by a strong desire that our profession should take a higher
standing than it does in making these remarks.

Further, we must not let any petty animosities divide us;
on the contrary, we must co-operate for the sake of humanity
and science, of which veterinary science presents so admi¬
rable a field, and especially when so much of it remains
uncultivated. “ There is no royal road to knowledge.” The
hill is often steep and difficult, and like travellers in a moun¬
tainous country, when they have laboured hard and reached
one ridge, and think it is the last, they look around, and see
others still higher to be ascended. These, too, we must
mount, for each presents some new prospect from its summit.
Difficulties often serve to awaken new energies, and call
forth latent powrers. To yield at the onset will prove we are
cowards ; to hesitate is to be beaten ; while to advance is to
gain the victory. Fortunes, I admit, are seldom or slowly
made in our profession ; the wherewithal comes in tardily.
The professions generally are not like commercial specula¬
tions. Nevertheless, by probity and persevering industry,
pecuniary success is certain in the long run. We shall heed
not imaginary lions in the pathway of knowledge, nor
become captives to Giant Despair, although “the race is

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 185

not always to the swift, or the battle to the strong.” Let us
keep our heads clear, by avoiding all excesses of a deleterious
character, which only tend to dull the edge of wit, blunt the
tenderness of humanity, make a mockery of science, dissipate
all right motives, and scatter to the winds all pretensions
of being a gentleman. If we wish to succeed and be
respected, we must eschew all connections which involve a
sacrifice of self-respect, for there is nothing so destructive in
its consequences, and so difficult to recover from as this :
the moral elements of man are the true conditions of his
success. So long as good feeling spreads her banner over
us, we need have no fear for the future. Let us maintain a
sincere friendship towards each other, keeping our eyes fixed
on the importance of our duties, and opening them to the
brightness of the light of experimental science.

With reference to veterinary jurisprudence, the late re¬
ported trials exhibit a melancholy state of this branch of our
profession, and I cannot do better than give you an extract
from the beautiful and excellent “ annual address ” of the
editors of the Veterinarian for this month (January), in which
they remark — “ The subjoined observations, taken from an
address delivered by the Lord Chief Justice, at a meeting of
the medical profession, may not be inapplicable to ours;
whilst the truthfulness of the remarks, and the high source
from whence they emanate, will give them due weight, and
enforce their worth. The difference between the two profes¬
sions is one of degree rather than of principle. His Lord-
ship observed, they might rely upon it that it was of the
greatest possible importance in the elucidation of the truth
that medical witnesses should understand the bearing of the
evidence they were giving. They had all heard of the
frequent contradictory nature of scientific evidence. One
set of scientific witnesses were called to prove one side of a
case, and another set of equally scientific witnesses were then
called to contradict the first, and to give a completely
different complexion to the facts. It frequently arose from
the fact that, although not one gentleman could be found
who would wilfully and deliberately enter a witness box to
pervert the truth, or to state that which is not true, yet
medical men were apt to identify themselves with the cases
on which they were consulted, somewhat as lawyers did with
their clients ; and although the medical man gave his opinion
according to the best of his judgment to the person who
first consulted him, he could not help feeling a sort of desire
to carry that person through all subsequent proceedings.
He thus, -without knowing it, became interested in maintain-

]86

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

ing a particular view of the case. Now, he earnestly entreated
them to divest their feelings of preference, and remember
they were called upon to aid courts of justice in arriving at
sound, and true, and just conclusions. The next point to
which he begged to call their attention was the necessity
for using the plainest possible language in giving evidence,
carefully avoiding technical and scientific terms, and all such
displays of learning as might seem pedantic. Such displays
laid witnesses open to the ridicule of the lawyers on the
side opposed to that which the pedantic evidence favoured.^
This important advice, from such high authority, cannot be
too often reiterated, as we must all more or less plead guilty
of being biassed in giving our evidence in courts of justice ;
assuming the functions of the advocate, instead of the scien¬
tific witness.

It would not perhaps be altogether foreign to the subject
of education were I to add a word or two respecting pre¬
liminary examinations, as to fitness for the profession.
There are, we are told, some old laws that have never been
enforced respecting this. Would it not be as well if these
were rendered available, and their application revived? It
is a day of competitive examinations for almost all govern¬
mental and many other offices, and knowledge never
becomes burthensome to its possessor. This might be
followed by some observations as to what is due from us,
as practitioners, towards those who are placed under our
charge as pupils, so as to render them competent to undergo
these examinations ; and here mutual considerations would
be called for. I am aware some members of our profession
entertain an opinion that the term of apprenticeship required
is too long, it being a waste of time. But I refrain from
further comment. This address may be thought by some
to be too cavelling or captious, which is far from my in¬
tention ; indeed, I have no wish to do aught that will tend
to awaken even a controversial spirit that is not perfectly
legitimate and desirable ; but would rather that all our
meetings should be begun and carried on with the utmost
harmony and goodwill ; ever steadily keeping in view the
object of our associating together, namely, the general
advancement of our profession. Although, in the language
of the poet, we may have to

“Learn to labour, and to wait,”

nevertheless, let progress ever be our motto. For the
present, we can hardly take upon ourselves to be even
suggesters. Our motives, however, being pure, in accordance

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 187

therewith will be our actions, and it is alone by these we
shall be judged by our professional brethren. May they
prove such as shall ensure their commendation, and quickly
lead to the formation of other similar associations as that
which is now inaugurated.

Mr. J. Greaves, of Manchester, in proposing a vote of
thanks to the President, after paying a just tribute to
him for the pleasure all present had derived from his elo¬
quent address, went on to state that, as the President of
the Lancashire Society, he, Mr. Greaves, had very great
pleasure in making some remarks relative to it, and said — •
“ In the first place, I must tell you we had an association of
Veterinary Surgeons in Manchester eleven years ago. We
continued to meet once a month for about two years, during
which we succeeded in advancing the fee for an examination
of a horse from 5s. to 10s. 6cf., and spent many very pro¬
fitable and agreeable hours together, that resulted in the
formation of a generous and enduring friendship. But by
degrees it seemed to lack interest, and was not conducted
with the spirit and discipline which are essential to success.
Our present association appears to assemble under more
favorable auspices. We have about twenty-five members,
and others are joining us at every meeting. I had the honour
of calling this association into being (as I had also the other
one). On the 16th December, 1862, I called the profession,
in Manchester and its neighbourhood, together, to consult
them upon the desirability of discontinuing the custom of
giving new year’s gifts. This question was favorably
received by them, and the custom finally and very satis¬
factorily discontinued. We then inaugurated our society,
drew up its rules, and determined to have essays and dis¬
cussions on the more interesting subjects. At our next
meeting we shall have a paper read on “ Pleuro-Pneumonia in
Cattle.” I have every confidence in these societies. If they
are only conducted in a proper spirit, they cannot fail in
being productive of the happiest and most beneficial results,
as they will tend to elevate the profession, assist it to attain
a higher degree of excellence, render us more useful members
of society, and, as a necessary sequence, we shall be indi¬
vidually more respected and more appreciated. All this
must follow, when the watchful eve of our fellow-men sees
that we are striving to assist each other in our endeavours
to alleviate more effectually the sufferings of the lower
animals ; for it must be borne in mind that honour cannot
be laid upon a man or upon society, or removed from off a
man, like unto a garment; it must proceed from within him,

188 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

it is the product of a high and noble nature. A body of
veterinary surgeons of the present day, without a rallying
point, are imbued with one idea, chiefly with reference to
each other ; viz., a feeling of rivalry and antagonism. They
view each other as opponents, and in no other light. Now,
the tendencies of these societies are to change this state of
feeling, to modify it, and if possible to entirely dissipate it ;
and in its stead to place a bond of sympathy, a brotherhood,
which in its very nature has a tendency to produce kindly
feelings and friendship ; they involuntarily necessitate a
better understanding, and give us an opportunity of forming
a better knowledge of one another. We cannot all boast of
having had a classical education ; but we endeavour, whilst
in each other’s presence, to conduct ourselves as gentlemen,
manifesting a becoming respect and amiability towards one
another; this engenders kindness, and depend upon it has
its effect on us in our conduct and demeanour towards each
other beyond the precincts of this room. Veterinary sur¬
geons, as a rule, are noted for their civility, industry, and
integrity, and let it not be said that veterinary surgeons
become the detractors of their brethren in the profession. It
has been well said by one of our ablest writers, that ‘man’s
inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn.’
Let it rather be said, f have faith in one another ; we may
want friendship yet.’ You have, I doubt not, each of you,
experienced at times, as I have, a feeling of overwhelming
sorrow and sadness from circumstances with which you are
at the moment contending. There is not one of us but is in
the mill at one time or another. It may be from some
serious and protracted cases doing badly, belonging to a
fidgety and unreasonable proprietor ; or it may be from a
number of lame horses, caused by our own smiths, and the
owner coming down upon us heavliy and harshly. Well, at
such a moment as this, you happen to spy in the distance a
fellow-member of the profession — one with whom you have
frequently met at the society. At the first glance you dis¬
cern a cold, sharp, thoughtful countenance ; it may be that
very man is writhing under the same dejection of spirits,
arising from the same cause as yourself. Well, just watch
his countenance as he approaches and passes you ; you per¬
ceive it to relax ; it warms, it brightens up, it gladdens as
you near each other, and by the time you meet it assumes a
brilliant radiant smile ; his eyes sparkle with pleasure,
while he gives a frank, easy, honest wave of the hand, and
a kindly, friendly nod of recognition, as he dashes past you.
All this pleasantry is mutual, and, of course, you have

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 189

shown equal amiability to him. Why, that little incident, of
only a moment's duration, has flashed a ray of sunshine into
each of your drooping hearts ; it cheers and invigorates your
whole frame ; you seem to feel as if you had more of the
British lion in you than you possessed before. Yes, my
friends, the frank, kind, friendly nod of recognition from a
‘ brothership ' is worth more than half a dozen nods from
any other man, as is his contrary conduct more acutely
felt. This, then, is one of the objects and aims of these
societies, viz., to increase and to perpetuate this kindly
feeling. Veterinary surgeons must ever feel an interest in
one another; as they meet each other, therefore, let them
grasp one another's hand without reserve, without that petty
shyness and suspicion ; for after all, they can enter into each
other’s feelings, hopes and fears, thoughts and views, as no
other men can. Their conversation is always practical, let
it be equally candid, unreserved, and friendly, and then these
societies will not have been established in vain. But you
may say to me, c This is all sentiment, Mr. Greaves ; can
you not give us an illustration of their practical advantages ?'
I would reply, the practical benefits that may accrue from
these societies seem to me to be self-evident; there is not
one, however humble or eminent, but may impart knowledge
to others. The man who can sit three hours at a time
listening to the remarks — the best and most sensible remarks
— of experienced and practical men, and not derive any benefit
from them, must be a dolt indeed. The man of quick per¬
ception, an intelligent man, under such circumstances, cannot
fail to pick up and to secure valuable knowledge, which will
prove of more use to him in his daily avocations than gold,
aye, than even fine gold."

After passing a vote of thanks to Mr. Greaves, the members
decided that their next meeting should be held at Bradford,
on the second Monday in April, at 1.30 p.m., when Mr,
Seeker, of Knaresborough, promised to read a paper.

Gentlemen desirous of being elected members at the next
meeting should give notice to the Secretary, on or before
the 30th of March.

W. Williams, Bradford,

Hon. Sec.

190

Translations and Reviews of Continental
Veterinary Journals,

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Annales de Medecine Veterinaire.

RESEARCHES ON THE INEUSORIA OE THE BLOOD IN THE

MALADY KNOWN AS APOPLEXY OE THE SPLEEN (SANG

DE RATE).

By M. C. Davaine. (Sitting of the Academy, 27th of July, 1863.)

Under the name of splenic apoplexy (sang de rate), a
malady is designated which is very destructive among
sheep, and frequently prevails epizootically during the
great heat of summer. In 1850 I was enabled to examine,
with M. Rayer, several cases of this malady, either at his
hospital in Paris or in his excursion to Chartres. Before
this journey, M. Rayer had inoculated a sheep with the blood
of another which had died from this malady. This inocula¬
tion terminated in the death of the animal on the third day.
I repeated this experiment before him at Chartres, in the
presence of several medical men and veterinary surgeons. It,
too, was followed with similar results. Other inoculations on
different animals performed by these gentlemen showed that
the malady was transmissible, not only to sheep, but also to
the ox, the horse, and other animals, and that it kills in two
or three days. I have from that time made many researches
on the composition of the blood in this epizootic. In the
first examination, the blood was examined by the microscope,
from eight to ten hours after death, when a great number of
Bacteria were found in it, while in the blood of the healthy
sheep, either alive or slaughtered at the butcher’s, none of
these infusoria are ever found.

In a sheep inoculated by M. Rayer with the blood of the
former one, and examined two and a half hours after death, I
found in the blood a great number of corpuscles identical
with the former. In a note inserted in the ‘ Bulletins of the
Biological Society’ for the year 1850, M. Rayer gives an
account of our researches in Paris and on our journey to
Chartres. He expresses himself as follows on the subject of
the blood in these two sheep : — The blood examined under
the microscope was in the same condition as that of the
sheep affected with the malady which had served for the ino¬
culation. The globules, instead of being distinct, as in the
blood of the healthy animal, wrere agglutinated, generally in
irregular masses ; there were, besides, small filiform bodies
double the length of the blood-globules. These little bodies

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 191

exhibited no spontaneous motion. The existence of the
Bacteria in the blood of these two sheep more particularly
fixed my attention, on account of the short space of time that
elapsed between their death and our examination, principally
in the second case, which leads me to think that these
Bacteria were not the result of putrid decomposition of the
blood, but that they were pre-existent to the death of the
animals. I decided from that time to verify the fact of the
existence of infusoria in the blood of animals affected with
splenic apoplexy at the very first opportunity, and to discover
whether the development of these microscopical beings might
not be the cause of the deterioration of the blood, and conse¬
cutively of the death of the animal. This opportunity had
not yet presented itself, and other business had likewise
prevented me from more active researches, when M. Pasteur,
in 1861, published his remarkable work on the butyric fer¬
ment, which consists in small cylindrical bodies, possessing all
the characters of the vibrions or the Bacteria. The filiform
corpuscles which I had seen in the blood of sheep attacked
with splenic apoplexy having great similarity of form with
these vibrions, I was induced to examine whether corpus¬
cles analogous or of the same species with those which
determine the butyric fermentation, introduced into the blood
of an animal, would not produce the same effect as a ferment.
It would thus be easy to explain the rapid alteration of the
mass of the blood in an animal which had either accidentally
or experimentally received into its veins a certain number of
these Bacteria, that is to say, of this ferment. These reflec¬
tions made me desire more ardently to re-examine the blood
of animals, suffering from splenic apoplexy ; but two summers
had passed without my being able to procure a sheep affected
with this malady. Lately, M. Diard, a distinguished doctor
of medicine at Dourdan, informed me that the malady pre¬
vailed in his district ; that a farmer had lost twelve sheep in
ten days ; and at my request he sent me the blood of one of
these sheep. The blood exhibited no odour of putrefaction ;
it had the peculiar violet colour of the blood of apoplexy of
the spleen, and examined under the microscope it was found
to contain an immense number of Bacteria. They did not
move, but were exactly like those I had observed in 1850.

I inoculated immediately with this blood (21st of July,
1863) two rabbits and a white rat, all in good health and
vigorous, having their blood perfectly normal. Twenty-four
hours after, these animals presented no change in their
appearance ; their blood, being examined with great care, was
found to be healthy, and contained no Bacteria. Forty-
three hours after the inoculation, one of the rabbits was seen

192 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

to be dying. I hastened to examine his blood, and ascer¬
tained that it contained an enormous quantity of Bacteria,
identical with those found in the blood of the sheep. The
number of these corpuscles was so great that I could hardly
give an idea of them except by comparing them with the my¬
riads of the spermatic filaments found in the semen of animals.
The blood of the other rabbit, examined forty-eight hours
after the inoculation, presented no infusoria whatever. The
next day the animal died unexpectedly. The blood, exa¬
mined half an hour after, contained a considerable number
of Bacteria, similar to the preceding. A third rabbit was
inoculated with the blood of the first, and while the blood
was yet fresh, which died at the end of seventeen hours, after
a very short agony. This was examined almost at the
instant of death, and the blood was found to contain the
same sort of Bacteria as the others. The number of these
corpuscles was not so considerable; nevertheless, they sur¬
passed by a great deal the number of the corpuscles of the
blood. The rat was reinoculated with the blood of the first
rabbit, but for all that it is still alive (26th of July), and
presents nothing particular in its blood.

The Bacteria of splenic apoplexy are free, straight, stiff,
cylindrical filaments, of variable length — between the fourth
and twelfth thousandth part of a millimetre, and of extreme
thinness. The largest sometimes have one, rarely two, in¬
flexions at an obtuse angle; by a great magnifying power,
traces of a division into segments may be perceived to exist.
They have no spontaneous motion whatever. By desiccation,
they still preserve their. form. Sulphuric acid or caustic
potass does not destroy them, applied either in solution or a
concentrated state. They comport themselves in respect to
reactions in the same way as the most simple conserves (sic).
When the blood putrefies, the traces of segmentations are
more visible. They have divers inflexions, and are divided
by segments. As far as I am able to judge at present, they
disappear entirely when the blood is completely putrefied.
This fact alone would clearly separate them from the cate¬
gory of infusoria, which ferment in putrefied substances, if,
on the other hand, they were not already distinguished by
their development in the living blood, so to speak, and that
without any characteristic odour. It is a long time since
doctors in medicine and naturalists have theoretically ad¬
mitted that contagious maladies, epidemic fevers, the pest,
&c., are determined by invisible animalcula or ferments;
but I am not aware that any positive observation has ever
confirmed these views.

(To be continued .)

193

VETERINARY INSPECTION IN SUFFOLK.

At the meeting of the committee of the Suffolk Agricul¬
tural Association, at Ipswich, on Tuesday, the 19th ult.. Lord
Stradbroke in the chair, the question of veterinary inspection
of the horses came on for discussion.

The Chairman said, he had been told that it was objected
that the veterinary surgeon could not, in one morning, give
sufficient time properly to examine the animals. They all
knew the enormous importance of having sound animals ; and
prizes ought not to be given to animals which were not sound
both in wind and limb. [The noble earl here quitted the
chair to catch the train ; and Mr. Allan Ransome was called
upon to succeed his lordship.]

Mr. Steam proposed that there should be no inspection.
The time allotted to it did not enable the inspector to give
satisfaction. Mr. M. Biddell seconded the jwoposition, and
said, let them choose good judges, and depend upon them.

A member remarked that a veterinary surgeon at the elbow
of the judges must be an immense assistance.

Mr. G. Sexton said, unless the inspection could be done
well, it should not be done at all ; and he did not see how it
could be done well in the time.

Mr. W. Biddell mentioned an instance in which the certi¬
ficate of the inspector led to great injustice to the exhibitor.
The animal's teeth indicated three years old, whereas it could
have been proved it was only two years.

Mr. H. Biddell proposed that the last sentence in the rule,
“ The judges of horses to be accompanied by a duly- qualified
veterinary inspector,” be struck out, and that there be added,
“ The judges to have special regard to soundness.”

Mr. Dobito proposed that the rule stand as at present ;
and if one inspector were insufficient, let two or three be
appointed. They wanted to breed good sound horses. There
was no better stock in the world ; and let them keep them
as pure as they could.

A member seconded Mr. Dobito's motion.

Mr. Steam said it would be all very well if the show lasted
a week.

On a show of hands, there appeared ten for the rule to
stand as at present, and ten against it.

The Chairman said, where there was a rule in dispute, and
the voting was even, the Chairman gave his vote in favour of
the rule as it stood, inasmuch as there was not a majority
against it.

XXXVII.

13

194 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

Mr. G. M. Sexton then proposed that with 'every animal
should be sent a veterinary surgeon’s certificate. As they
could not have a proper examination in the showyard, let the
animals be examined at home.

Mr. Steam. — You will not get ten horses into the field.

Mr. Waller. — You will have no show.

Mr. Dobito seconded Mr. Sexton’s proposition, which was
carried bv ten to seven.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, held Fed. 17, 1864

Present: — The President; Professors Spooner, Simonds,
and Varnell ; Messrs. Braby, Mavor, Moon, Robinson,
Wilkinson, Withers, and the Secretary.

The President, W. Ernes, Esq., in the Chair.

The minutes of the preceding meetings were read and
confirmed.

Previous to signing the minutes, a discussion arose with
regard to the legality of confirming the minutes of an ordinary
previous meeting at a Special meeting, which was subse¬
quently convened. On referring to the Charter, and Bye¬
laws 7 and S, where it was stated that “ At each meeting of
the Council, prior to entering on the general business, he
minutes of the preceding business shall be read and signed,”
it was held that this, as worded, rendered the act a legal one.

The question having been put by the President was
carried.

The Secretary read a letter received from Mr. Garrard, the
legal adviser to the College, enclosing counsel’s opinion
with regard to the Veterinary Medical Bill.

The President stated to the meeting that he had been in
communication with Ed. Holland, Esq., M.P., with regard
to the bringing in of the Bill into Parliament. He had sub¬
mitted to that gentleman some brief notes relative to the
Veterinary Medical Act, and Mr. Holland had promised to
use his interest in promoting the welfare of the profession,
and as an initiatory step had given notice to the House that
he should introduce a Bill for bettering the regulations of
the Veterinary profession. Mr. Holland now awaits further
instruction. A long discussion ensued, when —

It was moved by Professor Spooner , and seconded by
Mr. Wilkinson ,

That a copy of the counsel’s opinion be submitted to

RIRE AT THE EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE.

195

Mr. Holland, and that the President and Secretary do wait
upon that gentleman, to ascertain the probable result of
brirmimr forward the measure in Parliament/’ — Carried.

The meeting adjourned sine die.

\y order of the Council,

William Henry Coates,

Secretary.

TH

ft

i 1

/I

t

—

Jo

FIRE A3? THE EDINBURGH VETERINARY

COLLEGE.

We regret to learn that a fire broke out on the afternoon
of February 16th, at the Edinburgh Veterinary College,
which at one time threatened the entire destruction of the
scholastic portion of the establishment. It seems to have
commenced in a vacant space under the raised seats of the
lecture- theatre, which had been appropriated to the putting
away of forage. “ About 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Pro¬
fessor Dick had just entered the room, and was about to
commence his lecture, when a strong smell of burning, and
the appearance of smoke through the crevices in the floor,
gave rise to the apprehension that the hay immediately
beneath the theatre was on fire. The alarm was immediately
given, and messengers despatched to the police station at
St. James’s Street and to the main police office. The engines
arrived shortly before 5 o’clock, but some little delay was
occasioned from the difficulty the firemen experienced in
obtaining access to the close and intricately arranged loft,
which was fully packed with hay, from which there issued
dense volumes of smoke. In the mean time the veterinary
students present, from seventy to eighty in number, rendered
signal survice in removing the books from the library to the
front part of the building, and assisting in clearing the
museum of its valuable contents. By the time the engines
were got into proper working order a large crowd of spec¬
tators had assembled, some of whom were very active in
their endeavours to assist in saving the property. The
firemen, on obtaining access to the hay-loft, concentrated
their exertions on the removal of the burning contents, and
poured in a copious flow of water; but from the difficulty of
getting facility for the effectual play of the engines, a con¬
siderable time elapsed before the fire was thoroughly sub¬
dued. The lecture-room, being immediately over the flames,
sustained, of course, the greatest amount of damage. The
whole of the interior fittings were either burned or charred

196

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

to such an extent as will require their complete renewal.
The flames ascended to the roof, partly composed of glass,
and a considerable portion of it fell with a loud crash.

“ Fortunately, a thick stone wall intervened between the
museum and the lecture-room, or this part of the building
must have shared the same fate. In the hasty removal,
however, of the valuable contents of the museum, they, of
course, sustained some damage. The property, we under¬
stand, is ensured in the Sun Fire Office. It is satisfactory to
add that the educational course at the college will suffer no
interruption from the unfortunate occurrence, as Professor
Dick^s lectures will be delivered in Clyde Street Hall.
Little alteration will result to the other arrangements con¬
nected with the institution.” — Extracted chiefly from the
South British Agriculturist.

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

NISI PRIUS COURT. — Feb. 3rd.

Before the Lord Chief Justice and a Special Jury.

Quartermaine v. Morris.

Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., and Mr. I). D. Keane, were for the plaintiff;
Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., and Mr. Barnard, for the defendant.

This case was partly heard yesterday, and occupied a great portion of
to-day. It was an action by Mr. Quartermaine, the well-known horse-
dealer of Piccadilly, against Colonel Morris, C.B., Assistant-Inspector of
Volunteers, for breach of warranty of a horse sold by the defendant to
the plaintiff last April.

From the opening of the plaintiff’s counsel, and the evidence adduced
on his behalf, it appeared that the horse was a showy animal, and attracted
the plaintiff’s attention on more than one occasion, when it was ridden
or driven bv Colonel Morris’s groom. Having ascertained that it was
for sale, Mr. Quartermaine and his son called on the defendant, who told
him that the horse had been in his possession about two years, and came
from Yorkshire. He asked 250/. for him, a price which the plaintiff
thought not too high, provided the animal were sound. But Mr.
Quartermaine desired further opportunities of examining the horse, and
for that purpose asked whether he might go to the mews where the horse
was kept. Colonel Mori is objected to this, for he said there were some
“coping fellows” about the place, and that if the plaintiff did not buy the
horse it Avould get a bad name with these persons. Colonel Morris also
refused, for the same reason, to let the horse go down to the plaintiff’s
stables in Piccadilly. Nothing further took place at the interview of the
31st of March, but on the 4th of April the defendant called at Mr.
Quartermaine’s stables, and said the plaintiff might see the horse that
afternoon at Cadogan Place. There, accordingly, at a few yards from
Colonel Morris’s house, in Cadogan Place, the groom put the horse into
a canter in the presence of the defendant and plaintiff, and of Mr.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

197

Quartermaine, jun. The plaintiff noticed some slight blemish upon the
horse’s throat, but took no particular notice of it, because both then and
on the 31st of March Colonel Morris said that the horse was perfectly
well, and that there was not a sounder horse in the kingdom. Mr.
Quartermaine said, “Of course you will warrant the horse?” to which
the alleged reply was, “ Oh, of course ; there is not a sounder horse in
the kingdom.” Thereupon the plaintiff said he would have the horse at
the price asked, and on the horse being sent to Mr. Quartermaine5 s
stables a cheque was returned for the amount. Every care was, of course,
taken of so valuable an animal by the buyer, and about the 25th or 26th
of April it was sold to the Hon. Mr. Coventry for 350/. A few days after
this sale Mr. Quartermaine received an intimation from Mr. Coventry
that there was something the matter with the horse’s wind. The horse
was accordingly taken to the Veterinary College, where he was examined,
and pronounced to be a “ whistler.” Mr. Quartermaine at once cancelled
the sale to Mr. Coventry, and communicated with the defendant, who,
however, declined to take back the horse. The horse was kept by the
plaintiff down to July, when it was sold at Tattersall’s, and fetched (after
deducting expenses) 158/. As. Gd., leaving a loss of 91/. 15,*. Gd. upon
the amount paid by the plaintiff. This was the sum now claimed, together
with 12/. 4s. Gd. and 100/. loss sustained upon the cancelled re-sale to
Mr. Coventry, making up a total of 204/.

The Lord Chief Justice. — It is doubtful whether the plaintiff can recover
the 100/. There is a question now pending in the courts on this point.
It is quite clear that a person who receives a false warranty can recover
any loss he has thereby sustained. But whether he is entitled to recover
mere profit which he would never have made if a true representation had
been made to him, is a nice question, which awaits decision, and which
must therefore be reserved in this case.

It was further shown, on the part of the plaintiff, that so far from the
horse having nothing the matter with him, it had in 1861 been under the
care of Mr. Mavor, the veterinary surgeon, for strangles, and even in
the March of 1863 the horse had had an attack of inflammation of the
lungs, and had been under the care of Mr. Williams. Plaintiff admitted
that he did not hear any “ whistling” when the horse was trotted in
Cadogan Place; but then, though it was trotted pretty fast, it did not go
at the rate of twelve miles an hour, for the horse could not do such a
pace. He denied that previous to the sale defendant urged him to have
the horse examined by a veterinary surgeon ; nor did he hear from the
defendant about the horse having been in 1861 under Mr. Mavor’s care.
He should never have thought of buying the animal for so high a price,
and without a minute examination, except upon a warranty. When the
horse was sold at Tattersall’s he objected to its being saddled and ridden,
because it was entered as a harness horse, because if it had been ridden
round the ring every one would have seen that it was a whistler, and it
would not have fetched half the sum obtained for it.

It was stated that the horse was bought at Tattersall’s by Sir James
Fergusson, M.P.

Mr. George Barker, assistant to Mr. Williams, veterinary surgeon, of
Pimlico (who was too ill to give his evidence), and Mr. Mavor , a well-
known veterinary surgeon, deposed that the horse had suffered from
strangles in 1861, and was then ill about a month, and that last March
the horse suffered from congestion of the lungs, for which mustard poul¬
tices were applied.

Mr. Mavor said that strangles was a common cause of “ whistling,” and
“whistling” was a decided unsoundness; but he had no idea, up to the

198

VETEll! NARY JURISPRUDENCE.

last, tliat this horse was a ‘‘whistler,” because he had no opportunity of
trying him.

Mr. Spooner and Mr. Varnell, Professors at the Veterinary College,
stated that they examined the horse in May, and found that it was a
“ whistler,” and they thought the disease was not of recent development,
but must have existed for some months. Mr. Spooner was of opinion
that the “whistling” did not come on from paralysis of the nerves after the
4th of April, or, at all events, such a case would be a very exceptional one.

For the defence it was urged that no warranty was given at the time
of the sale, and that the defendant then believed that the horse was sound ;
that the illness of the horse before the purchase had been much exagge¬
rated, and the blemish in the neck, arising from bleeding, had been seen
by Mr. Quartermaine before the sale. Colonel Morris had given direc¬
tions to the livery-stable-keepers to sell the horse for 250 /., but not to
warrant it, although he fully believed it to be sound.

The Defendant said that he bought the horse in 1861, from Mr. Sewell,
of Pimlico, and gave 105/. for it. It was then rising four years old. He
bought it for riding, but latterly used it in a brougham. A very short
time after he bought it the horse was attacked with strangles, and it also
suffered from lameness. Last March the horse was also taken ill, and
Mr. Williams, who was called in, said it had slight congestion of the lungs,
advising mustard poultices, but defendant had the horse bled, and it soon
got well. He denied altogether having told the plaintiff that he had
bought the horse in Yorkshire, or that it was as sound as any horse in
the kingdom. He did not allege that the horse had always been sound,
but only said that, so far as he knew, the horse was sound, and that if
plaintiff was not satisfied he had better take it to Mr. Mavor, or any
other veterinary surgeon, and have it examined. Plaintiff never, as he
represented, said to him, “ Of course you warrant the horse sound?”
After the sale he saw the plaintiff, who expressed himself satisfied with
the horse, and said he was able to make it step considerably higher than
when he first had it. Defendant contradicted the statements made by
the plaintiff and his son as to the alleged warranty, and declared that
Mr. Quartermaine never asked for a warranty, and that nothing was said
about a warranty.

The Defendant' 8 groom corroborated, in some material points, the state¬
ment of Colonel Morris, and several livery- stable-keepers and horse-
dealers were called to prove that the horse had not been seriously ill in
March, and that, so far as they had observed it, having had opportunities
of doing so, they had not noticed the alleged unsoundness.

It was also contended, on the part of the defendant, that the “ whistling”
spoken to by the veterinary surgeons might have originated in a sudden
attack of nerve-paralysis, which the animal might have had after the sale
to Mr. Quartermaine.

The Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, said the questions for the jury
to consider were — first, whether there was a warranty of soundness at the
time of the sale ; secondly, whether the horse was unsound then ; and,
lastly, whether the horse was unsound at all. He did not remember a
more painful case of the kind, for it was impossible to reconcile the testi¬
mony of the adverse parties by any of those rules to which the Court was
always too happy to resort with a view to reconcile opposing testimony.
It was difficult to conceive here that there could be such mistake, or mis¬
conception, or want of recollection, on either side, as would account for
the discrepancies in the evidence ; and it must, therefore, be left to the
jury to determine which of the parties — Mr. Quartermaine and his son,
or Colonel Morris — was telling the truth.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 199

The jury retired to consider their verdict, but in about three hours
sent word that they were not likely to agree.

His Lordship asked whether the counsel in the case would accept the
verdict of the majority.

Mr. U. J). Keane said that on the part of the plaintiff he should decidedly
object to do so.

Shortly afterwards the jury were sent for, and in answer to the Lord
Chief Justice, said there was no probability of their agreeing. By con¬
sent of the parties, they were accordingly discharged without a verdict.

CONVICTION FOR EXPOSING FOR SALE DISEASED

CATTLE.

A conviction of some importance has taken place before the magis¬
trates at Worcester, who have expressed a determination on a former
occasion of putting the law in force with the view of preventing the ex¬
posure of diseased cattle for sale in the local markets. At the last
Worcester fair a cattle-dealer, named Slade, brought a herd of twenty
or thirty cattle for sale.. In consequence of the prevalence in the district
of a disease among cattle called the foot and mouth disease, an officer has
been appointed by the town council, whose special duty it is to watch the
fairs, and see that no diseased sheep or cattle are exposed for sale at
them. On Monday the inspector (Berridge), while on duty in the cattle-
market, examined Mr. Slade’s stock, and found among them two cows
which exhibited symptoms of disease. He accordingly seized them, and
summoned the owner before the magistrates. Evidence was given by
him, and by a veterinary surgeon, that the cows were so affected, and the
disease was contagious and infectious. The animals had sore mouths
and tongues, and swollen fetlocks. The veterinary surgeon said that
the owner could not plead ignorance of the fact, for no person at all
acquainted with cattle could fail in detecting the disease. The magis¬
trates accordingly convicted the defendant, fining him 71. and costs, and
ordering the cattle to be detained until cured, and the extra costs of
their cure and maintenance to be paid by the defendant before the cows
were given up to him.

SALE OF DISEASED PIGS.

At the weekly meeting of the Liverpool Health Committee, last week,
it was formally reported that Mr. Lewis, the steward of the Rainhill
Lunatic Asylum, had, on the 12th inst., sold 80 pigs to a pork-butcher
in that town, and he had been induced to do so because lung disease had
broken out among the pigs at the asylum, of which it was usual to keep
from 100 to 200, and that number was found barely sufficient to supply
the consumption of the establishment. Finding that a virulent disease
had broken out among the animals, which neither a veterinary surgeon,
who was called in, nor the medical superintendent of the institution,
could cure or counteract, Lewis, with a view to prevent loss to the
asylum through the death of the pigs, sold them to the butcher referred
to. Some of these pigs had been in such a condition as to be fit to be
driven off the premises; but others had to be carted, in consequence of
being unable to walk. It is believed that these pigs were slaughtered in
Liverpool, and were consumed as human food. Others of the pigs which
were left at the asylum died, and were buried ; but it is believed that

200

OBITUARY.

another sixteen of these diseased pigs have been sold. A copy of the
report was ordered to be forwarded to the county justices, and a strict
inquiry was ordered to be made in the matter, with a view to have the
guilty parties punished.

Parliamentary Intelligence.

DISEASED CATTLE.

Feb. \m, 1864.

Mr. Long asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether his attention had been drawn to the
statements made by the Government Commissioner, Pro¬
fessor Gamgee, as to the losses inflicted on British farmers
by the importation of diseased cattle and sheep ; and
whether it was his intention to propose any remedy for the
evils complained of.

Sir G. Grey said his honorable friend the Under Secretary
of State would shortly give notice of the introduction of two
Bills on the subject.

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

War Office, Pall Mall.

3rd Hussars. — Veterinary Surgeon George Fleming, from
the Military Train, to be Veterinary Surgeon, vice Hicks
Withers, transferred to the 10th Hussars; Jan. 19tli.

10th Hussars. — First-class Veterinary Surgeon Hicks
Withers, from 3rd Hussars, to be Veterinary Surgeon, vice
William Thacker, promoted; Jan. 19th.

Military Train. — Acting Veterinary Surgeon Michael D.
Byrne to be Veterinary Surgeon, vice George Fleming, trans¬
ferred to the 3rd Hussars; March 17th.

OBITUARY.

Died, Dec. 27th, 1863, after a short but severe illness,
John Smith Mayer, M.R.C.V.S., Newcastle-under-Lyne,
aged forty-two. His diploma bears date June 16th, 1841.

Lately, at Melton, Suffolk, Edmund B. Goodwyn,
M.R.C.V.S. Diploma dated June 19th, 1839.

To these deaths we regret to have to add another,
namelv, that of William Blunsom, of Daventry, Northamp¬
ton, who was accidentally killed by a fall from his gig, on
February 22nd. Mr. Blunsom passed his examination
May 14th, 1831.

ERRATA IN NO. 431.

Page 92, line 10 from top, for “For some of these,” read “ To some of

t ll 6 S 0 ^

Page 95, line 10 from bottom, for “ Mr. Gamgee,” read “ Mr. Greaves.”

THE

VETERINARIAN

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 436.

APRIL, 1864.

Fourth Series,
No. 112.

Communications and Cases,

REMARKS ON CASES OE PARASITIC DISEASE

IN HORSES.

By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College, London.

During the month of February, 1864, I received some
interesting morbid specimens taken from horses whose
deaths were doubtlessly caused by parasites. Being aware
of the ravages that parasitic diseases are making in our do¬
mestic animals, far greater than is generally supposed, even
by the members of the profession, I am induced to ask for
room in the pages of the Veterinarian for the following letter,
and the few remarks I have made upon it ; my chief object
being to add to the common but as yet scanty stock of this
description of veterinary literature. The facts that I may
be able to contribute, and those also which my professional
brethren may be disposed to supply, will doubtless be useful
to whomsoever may undertake the publication of a treatise
on the entozoa of domestic animals, and the diseases that are
produced by their presence. Such a work is much needed
at the present time, and whoever accomplishes the task will
confer a boon on the public at large, as well as on the pro¬
fession. I make this remark, as I have some reason to think
that such a book is in the course of preparation, although
I cannot speak positively thereon.

To the pathological anatomist an investigation of the struc¬
ture of parasites, and a knowledge of their natural history,
are of great importance, as their presence in large quantities
often implies previous disease in the animal they inhabit,
xxxvii. 14

202

PARASITIC DISEASE IN HORSES.

and also the almost absolute certainty of new diseased action
being induced thereby.

Such knowledge will enable the practitioner to understand,
to some extent, the particular organs each variety of entozoa
locates itself in, and also that certain kinds are singularly
erratic in their habits. It will likewise assist him in interpret¬
ing the symptoms of the disease they produce, and in
suggesting suitable therapeutics for the expulsion of the
parasites from the body of the animal.

Very little is known of the precise causes which render
the horse susceptible to the attacks of entozoa, or even
what that condition may be which makes his interior a
suitable soil — if I may so express it — for the development
of ova taken into the system from without, or produced from
existing parasites already within the organism. It will be
admitted, 1 think, that some animals become infested with
parasites, while others, under similar circumstances, alto¬
gether escape. Assuming this to be the case, we are forced
to the conclusion that the systems of some horses are in
a more favorable condition for the propagation and develop-
ment of these creatures than those of others.

The particulars of the case in question are contained in
the following letter.

Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray,
February Ind , 1864.

Sir, — Knowing from the perusal of your excellent articles, recently
published in the Veterinarian , that you possess an ardent zeal for the
promotion of veterinary science, I take the liberty to send you, per
railway, thinking you would like to lay them before the members of the
Veterinary Medical Association, portions of the crncum and colon, with
a small piece of the wall of the abdomen, and the anterior mesenteric
artery, of a yearling colt. All the parts sent, as you will perceive,
are infested with worms. Within the mucous membrane, both of the
caecum and colon, the parasites exist in myriads, and in various con¬
ditions. The majority are extremely small, while some are encysted,
having produced small abscesses. They are apparently ascarides.

In the mesenteric artery you will observe a different kind of worm,
which has wrought important changes in the structure of that vessel.
The areolar tissue underneath the parietal peritoneum affords a nidus for
another kind, which is larger than that either in the blood-vessel or
within the mucous membrane of the large intestine. These parasites
undoubtedly occasioned the death of the animal from which the diseased
parts were taken. Worms are common in young horses in this neighbour¬
hood, and are highly destructive to life. They give rise to symptoms which
are most distinctive, and to various secondary affections, which, generally
speaking, are not understood, and which the country practitioner seldom
refers to the true cause.

Hoping the specimen may be of use,

I am, &c.,

To Professor Varnell. Robert Littler.

PARASITIC DISEASE IN HORSES.

203

In the specimens forwarded to me, and mentioned in the pre¬
ceding letter, there were a great many parasites, while on the
surface of the mucous membrane of the intestines indica¬
tions were present of a still larger number having existed,
and which, I have no doubt, had escaped by the removal of
the ingesta when the bowel was laid open.

The indications just alluded to, consisted of numerous
small reddish-brown spots, having an appearance as if fine
bran had been strewed over the surface of the membrane.
These spots, upon closer examination, appeared to have been
produced by the entozoa having been attached to the mem¬
brane for the purpose of obtaining nourishment at the
expense of the animal organism ; at least, I cannot in any
other way account for their presence. They were evidently
minute blood spots.

The abscesses mentioned by Mr. Littler — of which there
were several in the portions of intestine I received — were situ¬
ated in the submucous tissue. They varied in size from a
hazel nut to that of a walnut. Each contained some pus
of a soft and cheese-like consistence, and in some of them
one or two strongyles were found, but in others I was not
able to detect any worms, either of this or any other variety.
In the immediate vicinity of these abscesses I noticed, how¬
ever, several strongyles imbedded in the submucous areolar
tissue, as though they had wandered from their original
abode. With reference to the portion of the wall of the
abdomen, many strongyles were found beneath its peritoneal
lining. They varied very much in size. Some were large,
and others quite small ; and on examining the free surface of
the membrane, I noticed several small pin holes, as though
these creatures had bored their way through it, which is,
I suppose, very probable.

The mesenteric artery also contained a large quantity of
strongyles. This, however, is by no means a rare occurrence ;
indeed, it is a circumstance so frequently met with in the dis¬
secting room of the College, especially in emaciated animals,
that very little notice is frequently taken of it. Nevertheless,
it is a fact which I feel has not been so fully appreciated by
the pathologist as it should be in his endeavours to account
for certain phenomena in connection with entozoa and the
effects they are capable of producing.

Mr. Littler thinks that when parasites exist in the interior
of an animal in large quantities, there are symptoms which
strongly indicate their presence. This, no doubt, is quite true
with some varieties, and some practitioners may infer that

204 PARASITIC DISEASE IN HORSES.

it is so with all. Nevertheless, I feel assured that parasites
may infest the system, and even in large quantities, with¬
out the practitioner suspecting their presence. With re¬
ference to “ various secondary affections,” mentioned by
Mr. Littler, I can quite understand that their true nature
is often not understood, or the cause which gave rise to
them comprehended. There are certain diseases which
give rise to symptoms analogous to those produced by
parasites ; for example, if a horse loses flesh, his mus¬
cles becoming flabby at the same time, the visible mucous
membranes pale, and the abdomen unusually large, with drop¬
sical effusions into the areolar tissue of his legs and the under
part of the belly, these symptoms may, with consistency, be
attributed to mesenteric disease, complicated, perhaps, with
thoracic disease also. But if in addition we observe that the
horse has a chronic cough, a voracious appetite, an unhealthy
coat, and often a lax state of his bowels, then the evidence is
very strong in favour of parasitic disease being the cause of
the symptoms.

A similar specimen to the one alluded to was sent to the
College on the 1st December, 1863, by Mr. Goforth Wyer,
M.R.C.V.S., of Donington. In this case the parasites were
of the same kind as in Mr. Littler’s case, viz., strongyles, and
the surface of the colon presented precisely the same speckled
appearance, which was due, I believe, to the same cause.
That worms existed in very large quantities in the intestines,
and were the cause also of death in this instance, I think
there cannot be a doubt.

In connection with these remarks it may be asked, if any
means can be suggested to prevent the occurrence of parasites
in the horse, and when they do exist what is the best mode
of getting rid of them. These two points concern both the
owners of horses and veterinary surgeons, and although I did
not intend to make any remarks upon them, nevertheless, I feel
desirous of giving expression to a few thoughts which have
suggested themselves to my mind.

Prevention of disease at all times demands our first
consideration, and with reference to the point in question I
hesitate not to state that a dry soil, nutritious food, and
a clear dry atmosphere are most congenial to the health
and longevity of the horse ; and that animals bred and reared
under such circumstances are usually capable of great
endurance. On the other hand, horses which are reared in a
damp humid atmosphere, upon a badly drained soil, and fed
upon coarse, half-decomposed, innutritious herbage, are as

PARASITIC DISEASE IN HORSES.

205

a rule structurally weak, and incapable of great exertion.
They are also subject to many diseases ; are particularly liable
to be infested with parasites, and to fall a prey to the effects
which they produce on the system.

If these remarks be true ; prevention, as far as our climate
will admit, is to a certain extent in the hands of the breeder;
and there can be no doubt, I think, but that the best localities
for breeding and rearing horses are good, dry, upland pas¬
tures, covered with short but nutritious grasses, having the
surface undulating, and not too highly wooded. Care also
should be taken in providing suitable winter provender. The
hay, especially, should be well cured, and the produce of good
sound land. Bad provender is well known to be favorable
to the engendering of parasites in animals that feed upon it.
Too much care cannot therefore be taken in the selection of
the best kind of food, especially for young stock. It is even
more important in those establishments where thorough¬
breds are reared that all drawbacks to the development of
vigorous health should, as far as possible, be avoided.

I may be told that there are many breeding establish¬
ments that correspond with what I have thought most
desirable as far as locality and dryness of soil are concerned,
and yet it is notorious that the foals and yearlings that are
there reared are infested with worms. How is this to be
accounted for? Let us suppose that an establishment of this
kind is planned out, with suitable paddocks and buildings, and
that horses, mares, and foals are placed upon it. Some of the
animals, in all probability, have worms in their intestines. At
the time they may be few in number, and of different varieties.
It will not be long, however, before some of these parasites, or
their ova, or both, will pass through the intestines and be de¬
posited on the pasture. Now it is to be remembered that the
ova do not at once perish, nay, some of them may remain alive
for a long time, and be taken up again by the same animal while
feeding, or by a fresh occupant. The rapidity with which
entozoa multiply is almost fabulous ; and from the same soil
being inhabited year after year with mares and their offspring,
the surface may become covered with myriads of ova, and I
can conceive that it would be almost impossible for a foal, on its
first attempt to eat grass, to be very long before some of these
ova were taken into its interior, and thus infest it with
worms. There may be some truth in this theory, for the
reason that the ova must be taken into the young animals from
without ; and where else should they get them but from the
food they partake of? And as the foals and yearlings suffer
more from parasites in the paddocks than they do on the

206

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

adjoining farms, where only an occasional foal is bred, I
think there is no doubt but that the cause I have suggested
is a very common one. At any rate, I feel persuaded that it
must be so.

If these views be confirmed by the experience of others,
they call for a deep consideration as to the advisability of
using such paddocks permanently for the purpose of rearing
valuable thoroughbred horses. If a change of locality
could be made for two or three years, or for such a length of
time as would be required for the ova to perish on the original
pasture, then the animals might be returned to it again with
safety. No loss need be occasioned by such an arrangement,
as the paddocks could, with great advantage to the herbage
itself, be fed with another species of animal. The medical
treatment for the expulsion of worms from the intestines of
animals should at all times be left in the hands of a competent
veterinary surgeon. I have no doubt but many a valuable
foal or yearling which, had it lived, might have been the
winner of the Derby, has been sacrificed to the use of some
drastic nostrums, prescribed by some self-opinionated person
wholly unacquainted with the action of the medicines which
he administers for the expulsion of worms.

OBSERVATIONS ON “ SOUNDNESS.”

By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

[Continued from p. 146.)

Having taken a hasty glance of the different structures
met with in the course of our examination of the fore limb,
it becomes necessary to direct our attention to the foot. It
would be supererogatory to remind any of your readers that
the examination of the pedal extremity is one of extraordi¬
nary interest. If my memory serves me, the late Professor
Coleman found matter for forty lectures, or thereabouts,
when giving- instruction to his class in the anatomy, physio¬
logy, and pathology of the foot of the horse. Whether the
knowledge the learned professor possessed of the subject was
all that was required, is not for me to venture an opinion
upon ; but, I may be permitted to state, that even at the
present day much has to be learnt with reference to the
physiology of certain parts of the foot.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

207

Most of the diseases likely to meet the eye of an examiner
as to soundness have been remarked upon, in a somewhat
cursory manner it must be confessed, yet sufficient has been
said to direct the attention of those more competent to treat
the subject than I am in that branch of our profession,
which, up to the present time, has been too much neglected.

Similar marks of unsoundness are sometimes present
between the fetlock and the coronet as have been described
as found between the knee and fetlock, and which renders it
unnecessary to dwell upon, sufficient having been said of the
one to answer for the other ; we, however, may just mention,
en passant, that at the anterior part of the fetlock a bulging*
or enlargement is frequently seen, which occasions some
alarm. This will arise from one of several causes ; in one
case it is analogous to a tumefied bursa ; in another, it will be
caused by disease of the bone; but whatsoever the nature of
the swelling may happen to be — and it is well to ascertain
this as nearly as possible — it is caused by injury from with¬
out. Horses with upright pasterns are liable to it most
especially ; although horses with legs and joints of every
shape and form are obnoxious to it also. These enlarge¬
ments are often produced in the hunting-field. Jumping a
wall or a rail, going too close to the fence, will likewise be a
certain source of accident; indeed I know of no surer way
than this to produce the injury. Horses addicted to pawing
in the stable will injure their joints in a like manner; but of
all things, going too close to timber or stone walls in the
flying or buck jump is the most frequent. When wre take
into consideration the wreight of a horse and its rider, the
impetus with which the horse goes at a fence, the peculiar
position of the soft and hard parts of the limbs, the fact of
those soft parts being drawn as it wrere tightly over the
bones when the limb is doubled up ; we need not be sur¬
prised at injury being the result of a knock under these cir¬
cumstances.

The same observations will apply to the knee. People
often wonder at seeing their horses with big knees the morn¬
ing after a hunt. They cannot imagine how a slight tip, as
they are pleased to call it, should so disfigure the leg. They
do not take into consideration the position of the joint, the
speed of the horse, and the texture and low state of organiza¬
tion of the integument at that particular part ; if they knew
all this they would no longer wonder, especially so when
we remember that the fence is made of unyielding stone.

In these observations I have not mentioned anything with
respect to peculiar marks sometimes seen midway between

208

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

the knee and fetlock, as well as between that joint and the
foot. I allude to scars left after the operation of neurotomy ;
because these scars will receive some attention in another
place.

In pursuing our scrutiny towards the hoof, we usually
spend a little time in ascertaining the state of parts around
the coronet. They should feel elastic to the hand, not, as is
too often the case, as hard and unyielding as a piece of dried
gutta-percha. When this latter state exists, we often find
the animal with stilty or rough action. The diseases met
with at this part of our examination are ringbone, ossified
cartilage, false-quarter, sand-crack, sore heels, treads and
over-reaches.

Ringbone is occasionally met with in horses submitted for
an opinion as to soundness. This disease is one of much
importance. It is found to vary a good deal as to its conse¬
quences, depending upon the exact situation of the abnormal
deposit. It is occasionally seen that ringbone exists without
interfering with the usefulness of the animal ; but, as a
general rule, the reverse is the case, especially when situated
in the fore limbs. There are cases brought for our opinion
which are found to be slightly lame, and with all our acute¬
ness we are not able to account for it, or to point to the
cause; and we are sorely vexed, inasmuch as we are expected —
like newspaper editors — to know everything. A few weeks,
however, or perhaps a few days, will bring to light the hidden
cause of lameness, which presents itself in the shape of an
exostosis near the pedal extremity, so deeply situated as to
occupy a spot below the coronary ligament, which eventually
grows upwards, and becomes what is known as ringbone.
This term is not a happy one, as we do not always find an
exostosis forming a ring or circle round the bone ; it is more
frequently met with in two separate or distinct parts. Ring¬
bone is thought less of when situated on the hind feet than
when on the fore, and much less, if both feet are affected.
Horsemen say that if both hind feet are diseased, the horse
will travel more easily than when lame only of one. This is
true, and so it is with most other lamenesses. The screw
dealer is aware of this, and fails not to make both feet suffer
by tightening the shoe of the sound foot, by which the action
is rendered even, although shorter. The unwary are in this
manner deceived ; they are made to believe — if mention is
made of the shortness of action or stride — that it is the
natural one of the animal in question, and the purchase is
generally effected after this assurance. Action, although
much is known about it, is, in my opinion, not thoroughly

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

209

understood ; certainly not by the mass of horsemen. I dare
say most persons who are in the habit of riding or driving
animals would feel themselves offended if told thev did not
understand what a horse’s action should be. If we look into
the streets, or the hunting-field, we shall learn that every
animal has his own peculiar gait or action in his various
paces ; hence arises the difficulty in making persons believe
that this or that horse has imperfect action, and that that
imperfection arises not infrequently from diseased bones ;
but so it is. This subject will be referred to again in another
place. I have thrown out a hint to the effect that impaired
action may, and often is, referrible to diseased bones, although
the disease in each particular case is not always definable.
If ringbone has commenced immediately beneath the co¬
ronary ring, as it sometimes is known to do, it will not be an
easy matter to diagnose it ; time will be required to bring it
to light. Ossific deposits are not always of the same cha¬
racter. I have found more of the earthy carbonates in some
than in others; this fact will account for the easy and
effectual manner that some are absorbed ; no matter whether
the deposit is situated upon the tarsi, metatarsi, metacarpi,
suffragini or coronae. We are sometimes told of the wonder¬
ful cures made by skilful men in the country, that is to say,
the men who live as farm servants, and know a little — or as
some persons think a good deal— about medicine. Many
times I have been told of such and such a one being able to
take off a splint or a spavin in less than no time. Doubtless
there are men of this class to be found, and they invariably
obtain much credit for their cures ; the failures, however,
scarcely ever transpire. How different this is to the mem¬
bers of our profession. If we fail in one instance, the winds
convey the evil tidings far and near; but if we make a hit,
hovT quiet it is kept ! It may make a little consternation if
it happens to be anything truly wonderful, but it is only of
short duration.

But to return to the different kinds of bony deposits.
Some of the specimens I possess consist of masses of matter
analogous to common chalk ; others are as hard as adamant.
This explains, I think, the reason why some splints are so
readily absorbed. Cold applications will, not infrequently, cause
rapid absorption of these deposits. On the other hand, we
know also that the most potent agents will frequently fail to
reduce others. I have had occasion to penetrate the bony
deposit with a sharp knife, or the actual cautery, both of
which have failed to accomplish the desired end when the
mass has been of the hard kind. If we can ascertain in our

210

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

examinations to what class the abnormal deposit belongs, it
will guide us in a great measure in our opinion, and we shall
be likely to gain some credit for our discernment.

That renowned writer in his c Hippopathology* — Mr.
Percivall — has not made mention of the quality of the deposit in
his remarks upon ringbone ; he merely describes its situation,
size, and form. Too much stress cannot be made as to the
equality of the growth. I am convinced, however, that situa¬
tion has much, indeed almost everything, to do with its
influence in causing lameness. If the exostosis commences
immediately underneath a ligament or tendon, the pain will
of necessity be much greater than when isolated. The ten¬
sion produced upon the periosteum is bad enough, which,
if added to by the interference of ligament or tendon, will,
of course, cause an augmentation of the pain, and consequent
lameness.

The causes of ringbone are said to be threefold — heredi¬
tary, structural, and incidental. If we could ascertain the
soundness or otherwise of the parents of our patients, it
would lessen the difficulties we sometimes meet with. I
knew a horse with ringbone who was used as a sire. It was
stated when the horse was introduced into the locality, that
the enlargement upon the limb was not ringbone, but, as he
was racing, it was contended, he met with an accident, and
that the swelling was produced by it, which ought to be a
guarantee of its innocuousness. The horse was excessively
lame, which was readily accounted for from the fact of the
abnormal growth of bony matter occupying so much space
so as to implicate the ligaments and tendons passing over
the pastern joint ; the animal, however, was in the possession
of a very popular man, which was enough to gain a good in¬
troduction for him. Some of his produce have come under
my notice, and have been pronounced anything but sound
ones ; lameness has been a characteristic feature in some,
although it is difficult to state in a positive manner that
idngbonewas the cause; at the same time the rigid state of parts
in connection with the coronary ligament favored the idea that
the cause of lameness was in the immediate vicinity, as there
was an absence of any symptom by which I could fix upon
any other part as the source of evil. The reply given by a
horsedealer in Percivalks f Hippopathology,’ when asked how
it happened that but few ringbones were now met with com¬
pared to the numbers that attracted notice in times past,
deserves to be known, “ Because no breeder of horses nowa¬
days will send a mare to a horse having ringbones.” This
seems to direct oner’s attention more especially to an here-

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

211

ditary predisposition on the part of an animal to contami¬
nate his produce with disease which exists in his own system.
A great deal is often said by persons in courts of law as to
hereditary predisposition. Some are of opinion, a disease
— ringbone, for example — is one of this class; whilst others
contend that it is sometimes, but not always. Who can
settle such a question ? Surely, it may be argued, one man’s
opinion is as good as another’s when neither has the power of
proving his case by ocular, or other conclusive, demon¬
stration. It still is an open question as to whether many
complaints are not indeed hereditary. Would it be too
much to say that all diseases which are not really pro¬
duced by accidental or other well-definable causes , are here¬
ditary ? Iam very much inclined to this opinion. It is
no proof of the iw-correctness of the theory, merely because
every animal whose sire or dam was known to possess this
or that infirmity does not at once become affected in a like
manner. The exciting cause which most complaints wait for,
may not have had its influence. My idea of diseases gene¬
rally is, that the system, prior to its becoming affected by
any particular one, must be by some influence rendered or
brought into a state to receive the taint. This will apply
more directly to those diseases which are generally known as
contagious and infectious; but, it also applies to most, if
not all others. We may turn to one of our old authors and
find the following truism with reference to ringbone : “ It
proceedeth, as some farriers hold opinion, either from some
blow of any horse, or by striking the horse’s foot against
some stub or stone, or such like accident ; but surely I hold,
that also it proceedeth from some imperfection in nature ;
forasmuch as I have seen many foals foaled with ringbones
on their feet ; these ringbones do breed a viscous and slimy
humour, which resorting to the bones that are of their own
nature, cold and dry, waxeth hard, and cleaveth to some
bone, and so in process of time becometh a bone.” Vide
e Markham’s Masterpiece/ page 225.

Every practitioner’s experience will no doubt afford the
same evidence as regards the young animal being seen to
suffer from these deposits soon after they see the light.
With respect to treatment, it may not in this paper be out
of place if a few words are said with reference thereto.
Most veterinary surgeons pursue a similar mode by which
these abnormal growths are attempted to be got rid of, I say
attempted, because I believe but few ringbones are indeed re¬
moved. The author just named gives the practice of the old
farriers ; that is to say, e( caustic applications, both potential

212

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

and actual; cutting down upon the bone with a lancet or
sharp knife/' &c. I should like to know how much im¬
proved that practice is in the nineteenth century. For
my own part, I do not see that we have much to boast
of, if we except the division of the nerve. In some cases
of old standing, when they have been under the treatment
of others previous to my being consulted, and they have
failed to effect a cure of the lameness by all the known
remedies, I have been very successful in rendering an
animal useful by the operation of neurotomy. Two cases
were thus treated last year by me, each of which had been
under surgical treatment for a lengthened period. Repeated
vesicants, and the actual cautery twice applied, had failed to
effect the desired end. Upon carefully examining the parts,
and taking into account what had previously been done, I
could come to no other conclusion than that the deposits so
interfered with the ligaments as "well as the tendons, that
nothing short of cutting off the supply of nervous influence
wrould be of use in the cases referred to. Suffice it to
state, the operation was performed, and in due time they both
became again useful animals ; one as a farm mare and the
other as a carriage horse.

We often lose much time in the treatment of ringbone,
and cause some dissatisfaction to the owners of the animals
so affected, by the tedious and oftentimes unsuccessful appli¬
cation of the various preparations of iodine, vesicatories, and the
actual cautery. It is a question whether in such cases as I
have alluded to, it would not be wdse at the onset to prepare
the parts for the operation of neurotomy, and recommend it
instead of the old routine mode of treatment. In every case
that I have had recourse to the division of the nerve in the
fore extremity, success has favoured the operation, it there¬
fore with me is a question which I entertain strong opinions
upon.

Ringbone, under any circumstances, must be considered

an wn soundness.

213

ON SOME OF THE DISEASES OF THE RESPI¬
RATORY ORGANS OF THE HORSE AND
OTHER ANIMALS.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., London.

( Continued from p. 81.)

BRONCHITIS.

More frequently, perhaps, than any other of the lung
structures the mucous membrane is the seat of disease ; the
various forms of catarrh confine themselves to this tissue,
and inflammation also seems to attack it more commonly
than the serous membrane or parenchyma. It has been
already noticed that catarrh will extend to the bronchial
tubes, constituting bronchial catarrh; between this condition
and that of inflammation there is, however, a distinction to
be made. So long as catarrh alone exists, there are no
active symptoms, no excitement of circulation nor respi¬
ration ; there maybe painful cough, much prostration, and
occasional disturbance of breathing from mechanical obstruc¬
tion, but no indications of actual inflammation; in bron¬
chitis, however, both the circulation and respiration are
of necessity accelerated. The disease may be of the low
form, and as much debility be present early in the disease
as in the epidemic catarrh or influenza.

Causes acting apparently under precisely similar condi¬
tions seem to produce very various consequences. Two
animals, exposed to exactly the same influences, shall suffer
differently, one perhaps from acute pulmonary congestion,
the other from a simple cold. So, in the same manner, the
ordinary causes of cold will in certain instances result in
bronchitis.

Some peculiarity of constitution, something which is
conveniently called idiosyncrasy, must be assumed to explain
this ; or, in plainer terms, we must accept the fact as it
occurs, without in the present state of our knowledge being
able to explain it at all.

In the preliminary remarks upon respiratory diseases,
it was noticed how colds and influenza occur apparently
independently of weather; the same is true of inflammatory
affections. Some animals will suffer from an attack after
a short journey, the body being heated by exertion as the

214 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

phrase goes, and probably exposed to a current of cold air
afterwards ; whether in the midst of frost or in the middle
of summer the effect seems to be much the same. Ordinary
catarrh commonly enough advances to bronchitis, and so
does sudden or acute congestion.

Young animals are more subject to this affection, as to
most others of the breathing organs, than old ones, a cir¬
cumstance that is not remarkable, when we consider the
state of the atmosphere they are compelled to inhale in the
stable, and compare it with the air they have been accus¬
tomed to before being brought into use ; added to which
there is the influence of a stimulating diet, probably in abun¬
dance, with a very limited amount of exercise. Symptoms
will vary in different cases ; the really distinctive signs of
most diseases are often insignificant in their extent. General
signs of derangement are apparent enough, and we do not
wonder at the number of affections compressed into one
general title of “ inflammation of lungs/5

The horse will naturally be dull and dispirited, sick
animals are not usually remarkably lively ; he will not,
however, stand obstinately in one position, nor will he mani¬
fest any particular desire to avail himself of any openings
where he may obtain a little fresh air, on the contrary, he
often lies down at intervals, and frequently finds some
apparent satisfaction in pushing his head into a corner quite
away from the open door, left so for his especial advantage ;
most practitioners will take it as a sign of commencing
recovery when the horse once more faces the light, and stands
with his head honestly out in the open air. In a number
of cases all sorts of eccentricities are met with, and if any
dozen good observers were asked to note down all the
symptoms of this or any other form of disease, there would
be found to exist many discrepancies in their lists.

The general signs will invariably be sufficient to point to
the lungs as the organs affected, and a careful examination
of those organs will settle the question of the particular
tissue most implicated. Respiration is always quickened,
according to the temperament of the patient, from thirty to
sixty or seventy in the minute; the breath is always hot, the
mucous membranes are reddened, and usually there is a
painful cough. The bronchial murmur is very distinct, and
higher in pitch than it is in health.

The presence of the mucous rale indicates the moist stage
when the air has to pass through the accumulated mucous
secretion. The moist stage is very often not accompanied by
this sound, but the sound is never present without the

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 215

moist stage being established. An examination of the pulse
will assist the practitioner to a correct opinion ; in number
it will vary from sixty to one hundred, but in character it is
uniformly somewhat full and soft in the early stage of the
disease, only becoming quicker and feeble as debility ad¬
vances.

Presuming the disease to pass through its stages without
implicating any other structure besides the mucous mem¬
brane, there will be but little variation in the symptoms ; after
a few days the breathing becomes more tranquil, the pulse
less frequent, the cough more sonorous, and the general
appearance more cheerful; but in the majority of acute
cases, particularly in young and plethoric animals, the dis¬
turbance extends to the parenchyma, deposits take place in
the air vesicles, obliterating their cavities; purulent forma¬
tions occur in various parts commonly connected with dis¬
tended bronchiae, the pleural membrane ultimately becomes
implicated, and fluid exudation takes place into the cavity
of the thorax.

All these complications may be distinguished with tolera¬
ble accuracy by auscultation.

Obliteration of the air vesicles by deposits will be indi¬
cated by a loss of the murmur over a large portion of the lung,
the sound only being distinct in the anterior and upper part
of the thorax ; large deposits of exudation matter, leading to
a state of hepatization are frequent, and invariably give
rise to the sibilous sound, which in its turn gives place to
the cavernous rale as the deposits are softened in the centre,
and cavities are formed containing pus or curdy matter
similar to that found in scrofulous abscess in the human
subject.

Effusion is of all morbid conditions most easily distin¬
guished, unless peculiar complications should exist to mo¬
dify the signs. A well-defined grave sound at the supe¬
rior part of the chest, and the sudden cessation of it at a
particular line, all below being obscured, is indicative of no
other condition. Various degrees of sound will be noticed
in many diseased states of the lung, but the sudden inter¬
ruption of the full sonorous murmur, and the substitution
of nearly absolute silence below a certain point, may be safely
taken as a sign of hydrothorax.

Certain conditions may however exist, in which this very
characteristic symptom is wanting, when effusion has ad¬
vanced even to a considerable extent; for instance, when
the lungs are adherent to the sides of the che3t, the sound
at the lower part is apparent ; when consolidation of the

216 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

inferior part of the lung is present, the murmur is still more
audible; and in the event of cavities being formed, the sounds
at the lower part of the thorax may be more sonorous than
those at the upper part, and yet the cavity shall be half filled
with fluid.

In these very difficult cases it will be observed, that in
many parts of the chest where there are no cavities or adhe¬
sions, the peculiar change in the sounds of the upper and
lower parts are still apparent, and if the indications are not
under the circumstances satisfactory, they will justify a
strong suspicion, which may be readily tested by the simple
operation of puncturing the chest.

Not merely to satisfy curiosity is the operation to be
advised, but the examination of the effused fluid will mate¬
rially assist the prognosis ; should it prove to be serous,
of a yellow colour and transparent, not coagulating, and
having little or no sediment, recovery is probable : if the
colour is white, the sediment copious, and a general opacity
in place of transparency be observed, and further, if under
the microscope there are seen many granular corpuscles
and pus globules, a fatal termination may be confidently
predicted.

Treatment will be exceedingly simple : no active measures
are admissible, counter-irritation will stand first, and may
be repeated as often as the judgment of the practitioner
shall dictate ; febrifuge medicine, with tincture of opium or
hyoscyamus, may be exhibited frequently ; low diet, consisting
principally of bran tea during the first stage will be enjoined,
and great care taken to preserve a moderate and uniform
temperature. Tonics may be exhibited as soon as the acute
symptoms have subsided. Tincture of gentian, bark, and
nitric acid in small doses, are among the most effective.
Sulphate of iron will be indicated when effusion occurs.

Under the most careful treatment cases of bronchitis will
frequently proceed to a fatal termination, but as compared
with other acute diseases of lungs, it is probably the least
destructive of any; especially when it occurs uncomplicated
with those affections of heart and liver so frequent in young
horses, and to which allusion has recently been made.

{To be continued .)

217

CASES OF TENOTOMY.

By T. G. Webb, M.R.C.V.S., and Y.S. to the West Essex.

Yeomanry Cavalry, Bishop's Stortford.

Case 1. — A chestnut mare, four years old, the property ot
a shoeing-smith at Coopersale, near Epping. This mare
was in a three-stall stable, she got loose, and went into ano¬
ther stall, in which was a chaff-box, with the knife fixed to it.
By some means she got her leg entangled in the box, and the
knife cut through the skin and flexor tendons of the near hind
leg, midway between the hock and fetlock. I was at once
sent for, and on my arrival at first thought there was no
chance of doing any good; but I set the smith to work to
make a patten shoe, having a light bar of iron at the back so
as to come near the hock, and an iron on each side of the leg.
The mare was then put into slings, and after cleansing the
wound, it was dressed with creosote liniment and ban¬
daged. I had a strong bandage passed round the iron bars
and the leg, and the mare's head was tied to the rack.
Occasionally the wound was dressed with a solution of chlo¬
ride of zinc.

This case was about three months under treatment, when
the mare was turned out, and about nine months after I saw
her hunting, and but very little lame.

Case 2. — Was a well-bred hunter. The owner was riding
him with the hounds near Epping, and jumping a fence that
had but recently been cut down, the stakes of which were
left sharp, he cut his leg, dividing the skin and flexor tendon
of the near fore leg. The animal was with difficulty brought
to my stables. I dressed the wound with creosote liniment,
and had a patten shoe put on the foot, as in the former case.
In two months the horse walked home, a distance of ten miles,
when he was placed under the care of another practitioner,
and I heard that he did well.

Case 3. — The subject was a black nag gelding, the pro¬
perty of a Mr. P — , of this town. This horse was brought
to be killed, being considered useless. The owner, however,
asked me to look at the animal, as he thought he was worth
firing. I at once said that would be of no benefit, but
thought it a good case for division of the flexor tendons.
My proposal was immediately acceded to. I operated on

xxxvii. 15

218

FILARIA OCU LI.

him three days after. I had the horse cast and properly
secured, made a longitudinal incision, about two inches in
length, between the flexor tendon and metacarpal bone on
the outside of the near fore leg, midway between the knee
and fetlock, laying bare the nerve, artery, and vein; with the
finger of my left hand I kept them back, and with the knife
in the other hand, I at once divided the tendons, taking care
not to cut through the skin on the opposite side. The ends
of the divided tendons immediately separated from each other
to the extent of about an inch and a half. I then placed my
knee in front of the fetlock, and with a little force the leg was
made to assume a straight position. The animal was now
freed from the hobbles, and got up; a bandage of fine
tow with creosote liniment was applied, and sometimes the
wound was dressed with a solution of chloride of zinc, and
in two months he was sent to work in a cart, and continues
to work well to this day, wearing a shoe elevated at the
heels.

FILARIA OCULI.

By “ Miles.”

I forward to you a worm extracted from the off eye of a
horse by a friend of mine. Three months ago, a worm was
taken from the near eye, and in five vreeks after the operation
the animal had quite recovered the sight thereof, there being
only a little opacity remaining where the opening had been
made into the anterior chamber through the cornea. Seven
weeks subsequent to this operation, a worm was observed
floating about in the other eye, causing, of course, much
opacity, and nearly total blindness of that eye. Mr. FI —
again operated successfully, and the case is now doing well.
The horse will quite recover the sight of the off, as he has
already done of the near eye.

The first worm was lost, as it escaped with the aqueous
humour, and got among the straw of the casting bed. There
wras, howTever, no doubt whatever as to its being a worm
similar to the one sent you, for we saw it as plainly as pos¬
sible before and during the preparations for the operation.

The horse from wrhom it was taken is a healthy Arab, eight
years old. Is it not strange that a second worm should
appear, and in the other eye too ? I have seen this occur
once before, but I believe it is not very common.

OPERATION OF "FIRING” FOR ROARING. 219

On each occasion Mr. H — put the patient under the in¬
fluence of chloroform before operating. The opening through
the cornea was made with a " Beer’s knife/’ such as sur¬
geons use when operating for cataract.

[We need hardly say that we are obliged to "Miles” for
forwarding to us the extracted worm.]

THE OPERATION OF “ FIRING ” FOR ROARING.

By J. G. Cattrall, M.R.C.V.S., London.

In answer to Mr. E. Coleman Dray’s letter of inquiry that
appeared in the Veterinarian of December last, relative to the
new operation for roaring, and its effects, and which has not
yet been answered through the medium of your pages, per¬
mit me to say in reply that the operation mainly consists
in the application of the actual cautery by means of a flat
iron around the dilator muscles of the larynx, and continued
down the whole course of the trachea on the left side of the
neck, being over the region of the left recurrent laryngeal
nerve, which accompanies the jugular vein and carotid artery.

I beg also to inform the inquirer, and the profession
generally, that I have had recourse to the above remedy in
very many cases of roaring, both as the result of protracted
influenza, and arising from an hereditary predisposition, and
the results have proved unsuccessful in every case.

I may be permitted to add, that it affords me much
pleasure to contribute any little information I am able, tend¬
ing to promote the well-being of our profession ; and my
opinion is in accordance with that of Mr. E. C. Dray’s,
namely, that your columns are the most fitting place for our
professional discoveries and investigations to be recorded.
But when some of our leading practitioners are the first to
make a sporting paper the vehicle for their reports, I think
that as members of a common profession we are justified in
trying to suppress such a practice, which can only be accom¬
plished by writing to the same journal. In the months of
June, July, and August of last summer, the subject relating
to the new operation for the cure of roaring in horses con¬
tinued to be all the rage among the horse-masters of the
west end of London, but more particularly among our cab
proprietors. Indeed it was so much so, that it became
almost a mania affecting these knights of the whip. Who-

220

H ASM O- ALBUMINURIA IN MARES.

ever was in posession of a horse affected with the above
malady,, more especially from its being described in Bell’s
Life, by our friend Mr. Goodwin, as incipient roaring, at once
had recourse to the actual cautery. Some of them selected the
flat iron of the laundress, while others preferred the ordi¬
nary firing iron, believing it to be a more scientific mode. In
fact, it became almost as popular as Major’s British remedy,
that was once announced to be a cure for spavins, ringbones,
and all exostoses occurring in the horse, until ocular proofs
were adduced that such was not the case. The above facts
being the result of my own experience, induced me to write
against the absurdity of this practice, after stating the true
cause and nature of roaring, and which, I am happy to say,
had the desired effect.

COLOURLESS MUSCULAR TISSUE IN A COW.

By W. Carless, M.R.C.V.S., Stafford.

A curious case of this kind was brought under my notice
by a butcher in this town, who sent for me to inspect the
carcase of an animal which he had slaughtered for the
Christmas market.

When I arrived, I was surprised to find that the whole of
the muscular structure throughout the body was of a light
grey colour; in other respects the carcase was every thing
that could be desired. On enquiry I learned that the animal
had been bought from a farmer in this neighbourhood for
nearly £20, and that not the slightest suspicion of any¬
thing being wrong was created in the mind of the butcher,
until the carcase was being cut up for sale, when the above
named appearances were presented.

HiEMO-ALBUMINURIA IN MARES.

By the Same.

Several cases of this kind have come under my notice
within the last few weeks, one of which I think may possess
some interest.

The subject was a well bred cart mare, in high condition,

ILEMO-ALBUMINURIA IN MAKES.

221

ten or eleven years old, and had been used upon a railway up
to within a few days of her illness. I was requested to attend
her on the night of the 26th of December last ; when I
arrived, I learned that she had been brought to this town,
a distance of three miles, for an empty cart, and that while
returning home she began to sweat profusely, and that it
was with difficulty she could be got to the stable.

I found her lying down, straining violently, and voiding
small quantities of black-coloured urine, breathing with diffi¬
culty, visible mucous membranes injected and tinged yellow,
extremities cold, pulse seventy per minute, several parts of
her body were enormously swollen, but principally the
shoulders and hind quarters, the swellings being very hard
and cold ; when she attempted to move, she could only
extend her hind feet a few inches at a time, bowels consti¬
pated and accompanied by slight griping pains.

I administered a purging ball, containing six drachms of
aloes, and ordered her loins and the swollen parts to be
fomented with warm water continuously until I saw her
again. I left a ball containing one drachm of opium and half
a drachm of calomel to be given in case the straining continued,
which was accordingly done.

27th 1 1 a.m. — I found her better, she had eaten a little
bran mash, and drank some chilled water, and had left off
straining. The pulse was about sixty in the minute, the
swellings somewhat diminished, extremities warmer, bowels
beginning to act, but she was still very stiff when moved, and
the urine very dark coloured. I gave no medicine, ordered
the fomentations to be continued until night, and the body to
be well clothed afterwards.

28th. — Animal much better, the swellings have nearly all
disappeared, the medicine had acted well upon her bowels,
the stiffness is passing off, the visible mucous membranes
have assumed their natural colour, the extremities are warm,
the pulse lowered to about forty-five in the minute, and the
appetite is returning. I gave her a vegetable tonic ball, and
left another for her to have on the following day.

30th. — She has continued to go on well, and to all appear¬
ance there is not now much the matter with her. The urine
also is nearly of its natural colour. Repeated the tonic bail,
and ordered her a few minutes’ walking exercise daily.

She resumed her work on the 4th of January, and has
continued to go on well since.

The other cases were similar to the above, and all termi¬
nated favourably under the same treatment.

222

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

By “ Mentor.”

LAMENESS ARISING FROM DISEASE OF THE LIVER.

A white short-horn cow was reported very lame in the
near fore leg , and which was said to be caused by c{ romping
after the bull.” The animal being found in an adjoining
held, and a stone wall dividing the two being thrown down,
were evidences too conclusive to be overlooked, as the owner
considered.

The symptoms are extreme halting and dragging of the
limb along, flexion being principally performed by the knee
joint in progression. During rest the whole weight can be
supported, no indication of pain whatever then being mani¬
fest.

There is no swelling, no pain on pressure, nor stiffness of
any joint to be detected in a most searching examination, the
patient being a very quiet animal in the house, and allowing
the limb to be manipulated in any way whatever.

Here, I thought, was a conflicting case, and I considered
that although the method of using the affected member was
very much in favour of lameness in the shoulder, yet other
symptoms were wanting to strengthen such a view.

The pulse was found to be quick, numbering about sixty-
five in the minute, but weak; the horns and ears temperate;
the muzzle dewy; the bowels reported to be regular. The
animal was out at grass during the day and housed at night,
being the property of a “ milkseller,” whose usual practice
was to hire a field during the summer months, to which his
cows were driven each morning.

I must confess I was somewhat perplexed ; but keeping in
mind the journey to and from the pasture, and the broken
down stone wall, I still considered it to be a case of cc shoulder
lameness,” and said — •

“ It must be so, Plato thou reasonest well.”

I therefore made a bold attack, by applying

01. Cantbaris, giv, cum
01. Tiglii Sem., $ij ;

to the affected parts, advising an extra amount of friction to
ensure success. A strong dose of cathartic medicine was
also administered, and a soft diet with rest enjoined.

The next morning, on my way to the cow-house, the
owner informed me the animal was better as touching the

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 223

lameness, but “ as yellow as gold over the shoulders, neck,
and particularly the affected side.”

This was found to be the case, together with a large accu¬
mulation of dandriff partaking of the same colour. The
milk, too, was nearly gone, about which the owner evinced
greater concern, I thought, than the future well-being of the
animal.

1 now threw aside the idea of the stone wall and the bull,
particularly as I afterwards learned that he was a myth ; the
animal having strayed in consequence of the wall being down
through the act of some mischievous urchins who roam at
large in the vicinity of all large towns.

The cathartic having acted well, it was succeeded by
alterative doses of calomel. The appetite continued good —
at times it was ravenous ; the milk returned ; the lameness
entirely disappeared after a few days, and in a fortnight she
was quite well.

From this time — May to January in the following year —
I heard nothing more concerning my patient; when happen¬
ing to meet the owner, he said she had been recently
slaughtered, and the liver was found “ rotten.”

There appears not only a great scarcity of information as
to the symptoms that decidedly characterise the variety of
lameness which arises from affections of the liver, but also of
actual cases of this kind : probably one fact depends much
upon the other. Yet I am inclined to believe that such
often occur, and are dependent, too, upon very slight causes
wherein there are no w7ell-marked symptoms of a decided
case of lameness; or, in other words, although there are
indications of perverted function in the limb, yet the cause,
arising from an abnormal condition within — namely, the
liver — by no means establishes a regularity in the kind of
lameness ; although the affection may savour strongly of
shoulder-lameness in one case, yet in another the impediment
to correct progression is equally as great, but evidences are
wanting to enable one to fix upon the joint, or part of the
limb affected. This may not appear surprising when is
borne in mind the fact that, disease of the liver will go on
until it puts an end to the animal’s existence without any
lameness existing, as in icterus, &c., and, in several cases
which have come under my observation, any symptoms of
internal disease, otherwise than could be supposed from a
wTant of good condition. One case, I remember, terminated
in paralysis, the animal becoming comatose within an hour,
and died whilst in that state. Nothing during life warranted
the belief that any internal disease existed, as reasonable

224

CASE OE RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH.

allowances could be made for the low condition — the time of
year being the supposed cause — which a more liberal diet
was expected to remove ; but in this instance, no doubt, the
latter hastened it to a termination. A detail of this case will
be given in due course.

Another case of lameness, supposed to arise from some
derangement of the liver, occurred in a cart-horse. He was
in the act of walking slowly with a load of coals, when he
was observed suddenly to drop with the left shoulder, become
slightly lame, and he continued so for three miles, to my
establishment. Upon a careful examination nothing wrong
could be found in connection with the limb, therefore I
determined to see him at the owner’s residence.

Some hours later, when out of harness, he was found to
be no better, yet the animal was all life and gaiety, the
appetite good, and the general system apparently healthy.
A dose of physic only was administered, and the next day he
was all right.

Some months afterwards I heard that the animal had died
suddenly, although I never learned the cause. The owner
also said that he fell lame several times in a manner some¬
what similar to that which occasioned his visit to me, but
nothing was done to him, the affection disappearing without
any treatment. He however sold him in consequence of this
inconvenience.

{To be continued.')

CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH.

By James Storrar, Cushnie, Banff.

In the April number of the Veterinarian for the past year
there is an account of a case of ruptured colon by Mr. Bil-
lington, which it is supposed had taken place several days
before death. Besides this, other articles have appeared in
more recent numbers on the same subject; and keeping
these facts in view, it has occurred to me that the simple
recital of the symptoms, treatment, and post-mortem appear¬
ances of a case that came under my care a few years since,
may throw some light upon the question of these occurrences.

The horse of which I now write belonged to Andrew
Wallace, Esq., Chaple of Leggat. He was a strong, active,
spirited animal, seven years old, and in excellent condition.
He had been under treatment for colic by a blacksmith be¬
fore I saw him, having frequently had rather severe colicy

CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH.

225

symptoms, which had usually been successfully treated with
Tine. Opii et Spt. JEth. Nit. Occasionally also he had been
purged. Still, after partaking of food severe abdominal pain
came on, which caused him to roll very violently, and sit
long and persistently upon his haunches.

The swallowing a small quantity of water brought on the
same symptoms, although, as a rule, he drank but very little.
When these paroxysms were over, he appeared well, was
hearty, and when walked out playful; his coat was sleek,
and for hours together he was apparently all right until he
got food again.

Diagnosis. — Some peculiar spasmodic disease of the sto¬
mach, induced by the introduction of food or water into that
organ. Yet food and water he must have. Let him have
good food in very small quantities, and given very often.
Tonic medicines were given very cautiously in boiled barley.
Hay caused great pain if more than a mere handful was given ;
he was therefore only allowed it in handfuls.

Under this treatment the animal continued to do well, only
once or twice having a slight return of all the unfavorable symp¬
toms when the quantity of hay was somewhat exceeded. He
was so playful when out at exercise, and looked otherwise so
well, that I allowed him to be put to wrork. He was put to
the plough, and did well for eight or ten days. Gradually
his hay had been increased, with no bad effects, and he was
now considered altogether better.

I was, however, called to him one night, after a Sabbath
day; he was in the stable, without stint of hay, when he was
again taken ill, but was dead before I arrived. I had an
examination made in the morning, and upon opening the
abdomen the existence of a rupture was certain from the ap¬
pearance of the ingesta, and its being scattered over the whole
of the peritoneum. Closer examination showed that the
stomach was the ruptured organ. It was torn from side to
side along its greater curvature. But what are these bodies
like strings hanging around the opening ? Let us examine
them. They are shreds of peritoneum, drawn up upon them¬
selves, and in numerous instances they have formed round,
bead-like-looking ends. What next? The muscular coat
has thickened, fleshy edges ; granulations are formed all
around the wound upon this coat, and only the mucous mem¬
brane appears to be recently torn. The inner opening is not
nearly so large as the rent along the peritoneal and muscu¬
lar coats, and, of course, no healing process has been going
on there.

The whole of the symptoms were now to my mind at

226

OPEN STIFLE-JOINT.

once accounted for. The stomach had been at the first
ruptured in two of its coats, and that at least four weeks
before death ; only the mucous membrane had been left
entire. The muscular coat being so extensively torn was the
cause of all the pain when the stomach was distended by
food, with the ugly symptom of sitting upon the haunches.
The sleek, healthy-looking skin was accounted for because
the mucous coat was not implicated.

The treatment was successful so long as it was continued ;
but it was not continued long enough to allow of a complete
recovery. From the extent of the lesion it must have taken
months completely to cicatrize.

Since then I have had a case similar in every particular,
and I treated it according to the knowledge I obtained from
this case. The mare was often fed with nutritious food in
small quantities, and for months could not be allowed a full
supply of anything; she, however, ultimately recovered, and
I kept sight of her for years, during which time she had no
return of any of the symptoms. Was Mr. Billingtoffs case of
this kind ? And had the mucous membrane stood out longer
than the others ? were the questions that at once suggested
themselves to me.

OPEN STIFLE-JOINT.

*

By J. Edge, Student of Veterinary Medicine with
W. Cox, M.B.C.V.S., Ashbourne.

We were called on the 1st of November last to visit a
brown filly, belonging to Mrs. Wright, of BassetPs Wood,
near this town. We found her suffering from a contused
wound on the stifle-joint, just below the patella, the result of a
kick from another horse. The wound was probed, but did not
seem of great depth, although the swelling was considerable.

Treatment. — Fomentations, and the administration of altera¬
tive and fever medicines. On the 3rd she was again visited,
and an escape of synovia perceived. On re-examining the
wound, we found the skin and tissue covering the joint were
torn from it, as if the calkin of the shoe might have broken
the skin, and become fast in it; the actual opening into the
joint would admit of the introduction of the thumb, and the
outer surfaces of the bones could be felt for several inches in
circumference ; the tumefaction around the orifice was much
lessened; pulse quiet.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

227

The treatment consisted in the application of a dressing of
caustic tincture, held to the opening, when a coagulum of
synovia formed, blocking up the entrance into the joint;
over this was placed a pledget of tow, saturated with tinc¬
ture of myrrh, which was held on constantly by relays of
men. For several days no escape of synovia was seen, and the
general symptoms were favourable. On the 12th she became
restless from fatigue, when slings were tried without success ;
they only irritated her, and in plunging she forced out the
plug formed, and the synovia was seen flowing from the
opening almost as freely as ever. We visited her, and pro¬
ceeded at once to apply the actual cautery, passing it
slightly over the surface of the wound ; and a blister was sub¬
sequently rubbed in around the orifice. The application of
the tincture of myrrh was ordered as before, powdered myrrh
being scattered on the pledget held to the wound. This treat¬
ment was continued for several days, the case progressing
favorably, when the animal was allowed to be loose, and to
rest herself against the wall. In the course of ten days or a
fortnight she was again visited, when the opening into the
joint was found to be closed, and the wound healing up. It
was dressed with emollient oils, and is now quite healed.

There is remaining a little thickening of the skin over the
joint, and for this we have applied the biniodide of mer¬
cury with blister ointment.

Facts and Observations.

Diseased Cattle.— The bill now before Parliament,
the object of which is to make further provisions for the
prevention of infectious diseases amongst cattle, proposes
to inflict a penalty of twenty pounds for their public expo¬
sure. A justice of the peace is upon application empowered
to make an order for the removal of infected animals, and
the expenses incurred may be recovered from the owner in a
summary manner. The sale of diseased cattle, with a
knowledge of the fact, is to be deemed a fraud in addition
to the penalty imposed for the offence. Special regulations
are laid down by order in council as to cattle, and provision
is made for the appointment of a cattle inspector, by the
local authorities, whose duty it shall be to examine all
animals exposed for sale in any market or fair within their
jurisdiction, and to exclude any he may deem to be affected
with any contagious disease. Non-compliance with the

228

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

orders of this official renders the offender liable to a penalty
of five pounds. Railway and canal companies and common
carriers may refuse to carry diseased cattle, and the cleansing
and disinfecting of boats, trucks, and other vehicles in which
such animals might have been carried is effectually provided
for, to be enforced under penalties.

New test for Nitric Acid. — Mr. R. Kestings asserts
that the alkaloid brucine is a most delicate test for nitric
acid, being coloured rose-red by w*ater containing only the
100,000th part.

Spectrum of the Lightning. — M. L. Grandeau,
analysing, by means of the spectrum, the lightning flash,
observed in it rays indicative of the presence of nitrogen and
hydrogen. These he refers to the production of ammonia
and nitric acid, known to result from the passing of elec¬
trical discharges through the air. Otherwise, and at first,
the spectrum afforded nothing beyond the electric spark.

Pleuro-pneumonia and Scab in Australia. — From
the Sydney papers sent us we learn that pleuro-pneumonia
has been spreading in the Muscumbidgee district. It ap¬
pears now to have set in so virulently, and extends over such
an immense tract of country, as to make any attempts to
check it almost hopeless.

The prevalence of scab amongst the flocks in the interior
continues to excite the apprehensions of those who are in¬
terested in pastoral properties. Several numerously attended
meetings of the largest squatters in the country were recently
held in Sydney, and as the result of their conferences, a bill
was drafted, the main principle of which was — the imme¬
diate destruction of all infected sheep, and the compensation
of the owners at the rate of five shillings per head, with
threepence per month for the growth of the wool. At a
meeting of squatters held at the Exchange, the attendance
at which represented about two millions of sheep, the bill
was almost unanimously approved of. The bill was intro¬
duced into the Assembly by Mr. Robertson, but it met with
very strong opposition, on the ground that it would cause a
ruinous destruction of property, and it was rejected by a very
large majority. A temporary bill has since been rapidly
passed through both houses, suspending the operation of a
portion of the present Scab Act, as otherwise a large number
of sheep would have to be destroyed. Another bill is about
to be introduced, providing for the adoption of curative
measures.

229

THE VETERINARIAN, APRIL 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE ADVANTAGES DERIVABLE FROM THE PRESS, AND
INDIVIDUAL LABOUR TO THE PROFESSION.

Ever since we have undertaken the duties of Editors of
this Journal, we have certainly not had to complain of
want of contributors to it. In proof of this statement we
might refer to the increased number of our pages, and even
these have, from time to time, to be added to. Nevertheless,
looking at the profession as a whole, and numbering, as it
does, now above 1500 members, we cannot help expressing
both our surprise and disappointment that comparatively so
few of them think it worth while to place on record those
facts, in connection with our division of Science, which
could not fail both to interest and to profit the entire body,
while, at the same time, they would tend to raise us in
the estimation of a discerning public.

There are, doubtless, many who are critically watching
our doings, and who justly anticipate that having made
those advances by which we have been lifted out of the
darkness and uncertainties of farriery, — the mud and mire
of ignorance and pretension, — proofs should be given by us
of the benefits that are to be derived from the light of
Science illumining our pathway and governing our actions.
And are we for ever to continue thus inactive ? Can nothin £
be done to arouse us from our mental slumbers, and cause us
by co-operation and union to promote the continued onward
progress of our Art ? No little has been effected, it is
true ; but it does not yet amount to what we have, as a
body, a right to expect. The work, however, rests with
ourselves. Each has a personal interest in it, and all will
derive a corresponding good from it, if so be there is a
determination evinced by all to advance the common inte-

230

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

rests of tlie profession. As a compact body, we must
resolve in our own strength to “go on.” The present age
demands activity and open demonstration as evidences that
we are earnest and honest in our desires to work for the
general weal. All selfishness must be thrown aside, as
unworthy of men whose minds have been liberalized and
expanded by scientific truth. It is by thus acting, and
thus only, that we shall in the end reap our just reward.

We have written thus much, somewhat impulsively. It
may be thought even warmly, but certainly not with feel¬
ings approaching to censoriousness, for this would not
become us. Some little disappointment we have confessed
to have felt ; still we do hope hereafter to have such an in¬
crease of contributors as the Journal has hitherto never
experienced ; liberally, and for so long a period as it has been
supported by the profession.

And surely there are none who will gainsay the advan¬
tages that are to be obtained from the press in connection
with medicine ; more especially that which is commonly
designated the periodical press. Lest, however, there should
be, and words of ours might fail to convince them of their
error, we will employ those of others ; premising that,
although primarily written for the sister profession, we be¬
lieve they will with equal force apply to our division.

“ In the medical press we have an important engine of
progress. The existence of this power and its flourishing
condition depend greatly upon the tendency to association
labour. Into this treasury is poured the labours of the best/
men in the profession, and its directors shape and produce
these exertions so as to render them useful to the medical
public. The medical press is to the body medical what
medical men are to the public. The press, more than any
other influence, moulds the profession as a body politic.
By its agency extravagancies are checked, grievances pointed
out and redressed, discoveries made known and abuses pre¬
vented. In a word, the press, as a whole, is an embodiment
of the public opinion of the profession, and when it ceases
to be this it will fail in its influence. It is perfectly demo¬
cratic, as open to the voice of the youngest student as to the
utterance of the highest persons in the profession. It is a
great educational instrument, modifying the laws, institu-

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

231

tions, opinions, habits and manners of the profession, more
than any other single agency. In consultations two or three
might meet, in societies medical men might gather by hun¬
dreds, but in the press alone could they all, as it were, stand
face to face, and enjoy the privilege of an exchange of
thought. It alone could deal with the thousands of the
profession as with one man. Some might deplore that ephe¬
meral writings tend to displace the solid tomes which were
produced when the periodical press did not exist, but they
must accept the age as they find it, and on the universal
diffusion of the products of thought, the incessant collision
of thousands of minds busied with the same subjects, more
truth and progress are elicited than were ever produced by
solitar}^ members/”

And may we not be permitted to add to this, that there
are names in connection with the medical press from among
ourselves whose literary efforts have not only not dis¬
graced our art, but, on the contrary, have tended much to
its advancement ; and, in fact, have given to it both an
impetus, and a locus standi it would not have possessed
without them ? It is true, too true, that these labours are
by many thought slightingly of, and by some even, perhaps,
contemned ; yet this detracts not from their real worth or
importance. In the end their worth will be seen, and duly
appreciated and acknowledged.

Sincerely do we hail the multiplied efforts that are being
made freely to disseminate knowledge, being convinced that
exclusiveness becomes not men of science, and secresy is
worthy only of the charlatan, who is always bold and pre¬
suming because he has nothing to lose, while by him a
principle never yet was developed, and never will be. He
works not to accomplish it. His aims are purely selfish.
This is the little circle by which all his desires are inclosed,
and here his thoughts and wishes centre. Such conduct is
altogether unworthy of a professional man, who should ever
be actuated by higher and nobler motives, — motives con¬
ducive to the general good of his fellows, and the ameliora¬
tion of the sufferings of those animals that are placed lower
in the scale of existence than he is ; since this latter con¬
stitutes his particular domain.

232

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

Moreover, all around us betokens intellectual progress.
When the Premier of England, during the interval of re¬
laxation from liis official duties, not only does not refuse
hut delights to preside at meetings of ragged schools and
brigades of shoeblacks, and, in common with others of the
aristocracy, urges upon the members of mechanics’ institutes
the necessity of their becoming acquainted with the sciences ;
not only as they may apply to their particular calling in
life, hut to extend their investigations to one and all, as
means and opportunities present themselves ; when there
are collegiate schools for the working classes, and encou¬
ragement is given to emulous students to undergo examina¬
tion at the Society of Arts; while both middle and upper-
class competitive examinations are instituted for civil and
military appointments, and the science certificates for
teachers in artisan classes are yearly increasing, it is surely
required of us, as a profession, to be up and doing, lest
we should be overtaken and distanced in the race of mind.
Fast are the chilling frost-mists of ignorance being dispelled
by the bright rising of the sun of science, which in this our
day seems to have put on the seven-leagued boots of the fairy
tale, so rapid and so wide are its strides. What has been said
of Truth, may also be said of her hand-maiden, Knowledge.
“ It may be obscured, maj' be veiled, may be hidden, but it
shall nevertheless be ascendant. It shall fill the universe
with a flood of molten glory. It shall bathe the mountain-
tops, and - crest the ocean waves, and light up the valleys
with a glow of heavenly beauty, and ignorance shall flee
into the depths of fathomless abyss, for it shall not find a
resting-place for its foot upon the earth.”

“ Spes magna futuri.”

233

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

CATTLE DISEASES.

To the Editor of the Times.

Sir, — The state of the public mind at this time on the
question of cattle disease and the supply of wholesome meat
will, I trust, be a sufficient apology for my troubling you
with this communication, and asking you to give it a place

in your valuable columns.

%/

Within the last week my attention was directed to a state¬
ment in one of the leading agricultural papers to the effect
that the “lung disease” was on the increase in the London
dairies, and that “ in the fertile vale of Aylesbury the disease
has” — I quote the entire sentence — “ for three months been
extremely prevalent, and the cases are generally of a severe
and fatal character.”

Feeling that these statements might have considerable
weight just now, and believing from my previous informa¬
tion that they did not fairly represent the facts, I put
myself in communication with several farmers, cattle-dealers,
veterinary surgeons, dairymen, and others in London and its
immediate neighbourhood ; and I also wrote to the veteri¬
nary surgeon to the Yale of Aylesbury Cattle Association.
The results are now before me, and I have the satisfaction
of saying that my informants from the London district are
almost unanimous in stating that the lung disease has not
prevailed to any serious extent for several months, and that
in many establishments it has had no existence at all; and,
further, that in the isolated instances in which it has been
present its virulence has been considerably diminished.

My information from Aylesbury is even more conclusive
on the point. My correspondent thus writes: — “With re¬
spect to pleuro-pneumonia — lung disease — possibly I cannot
do better than give you extracts from my case-book, and
forward with these a copy of the rules of our association, at
the end of which you will find a list of the members with
the numbers of the cattle insured within a radius of ten miles
of the town of Aylesbury, no very inconsiderable number to
form a conclusion as to the extent of disease of any kind.”
tc Of cases of pleuro-pneumonia we had in May, 1863 — 3;
June, 2; July, 12; August, 9; September, Jo; October, 3;

xxxvu. 16

234

CATTLE DISEASES.

November, 4; December, 1 ; January, 1864, 2; February, 0;
making in all 51 cases in ten months, but only ten during
the last five months.”

On referring to the list alluded to I find no less than
11,310 beasts insured, and 150 calves, making a total of
11,460, among which, as we see, there have been only 51
cases of lung disease during ten months ; or, speaking in
general terms, only five cases a month in this large number
of animals.

Trusting that these facts may tend to place the matter of
cattle diseases in its true light, and somewhat allay the
excitement in the public mind on this question,

I beg to remain your obedient servant,

J. B. Simonds, Professor of Cattle Pathology
March 5. to the Royal Veterinary College.

CATTLE DISEASES.

{From the ( North British Agriculturist / March 16, 1864.)

“ Sir, — My friend Professor Dick has just informed me
that he has received an official communication from the
Government, to the effect that steppe-murrain has made its
appearance among the cattle in Schleswig, and as this intelli-
gence, when made public, will be apt to add more fuel to the
undue excitement already existing with regard to the subject
of cattle disease — excitement, or rather panic, which I cannot
help thinking, owes much of its morbid influence to the ac¬
tivity and ingenuity of sensation-mongers and alarmists, I
have taken the liberty of asking you to give insertion in your
journal to a few remarks from my note-book on what I have
seen of this class of maladies in two campaigns — one in
the Crimea, the other in China.

I trust that they may tend, wTith the publication of the
practical experience of others, to allay the very disquieting
apprehensions which weigh so heavily on the public mind,
that seemingly nothing will suffice to reassure it but severe
legislation, and the adoption of extreme measures which, en¬
forced, would weigh heavily on stock proprietors, obstruct the
interests of commerce, and would prove a great detriment to
the general welfare of agriculture, besides proving a constant
source of grievance and fraud — results the very opposite of
those sought to be attained.

It is an undoubted fact that want of cleanliness, exposure

CATTLE DISEASES.

235

to the weather, dense packing on board ship or in confined
spaces, fatigue, and insufficient or improper food or water,
will predispose to, or excite diseases of a most formidable
character ; hence it is that in the rear of all large armies in
the field epizootics of a fatal tendency are almost certain to
become manifest among horses as well as cattle, and thus oc¬
casion serious loss.

In the Crimea, I was encamped near a large division of the
English Commissariat, and so great were the depredations
caused by typhus and dysentery among the cattle, that I was
frequently asked to give my opinion as to remedial measures.
From what I could learn, these animals were shipped in good
health, and their appearance certainly went far to prove that
they had not been suffering from any chronic disease, but
that their ill health had commenced with the hardships and
privations of transport on ship board, and the inclement
weather and insufficient food after landing. The French
losses in the winter and spring of 1856 were much heavier
than ours — apparently from the fact that their ships were
more crowded, and cleanliness was less attended to.

I took every opportunity of satisfying myself as to the con¬
tagious or non-contagious nature of the epizootic, and am
decidedly of opinion that there was nothing to induce anyone
to consider the disease as contagious or infectious.

No malady of a like character made its appearance among
the oxen belonging to the Tartars, or the other landed pro¬
prietors, either in the valley of Baidar, or towards Simphero-
pol, so far as I could learn.

The British troops provisioned on these cattle, — I will not
assert that the animals which had died were issued as food — ■
were never in better health.

In the spring of '60, when it had been determined to de¬
spatch a large expeditionary force to the north of China, large
depots of cattle were collected at Hong Kong for the purpose of
supplying the army with meat, as well as land transport.
These beasts were purchased and brought from great distances
in the interior of China, and were conveyed down the rivers
towards Hong Kong in small ' san-pans or native boats, hud¬
dled as closely as they could be crammed, and though perhaps
kept in tolerable condition by hay, yet they must have suf¬
fered much from the long confinement, want of wrater, and
extremes of temperature, as well as the heavy evening mists.
The consequences were, that no sooner had they arrived at
the depots than numbers were attacked with acute dysentery
of so severe a character that death often took place in twelve
hours from the beginning of the attack.

236

CATTLE DISEASES.

Strange to say the animals in good condition were those
most disposed to be first attacked.

On inquiry I was informed that no disease of that descrip¬
tion was then known in the districts from whence these oxen
were brought, but a very intelligent Chinese drover, who
superintended one of the depots, informed me that the affec¬
tion, though not often seen, was known to his countrymen as
Low-peng or “ belly sickness ; 99 that the causes were fatigue
and bad weather, and that the remedy was rice-vjater.

Few, if any, of these bullocks died in transit to Hong
Kong, but almost as soon as landed many were seized with
the most urgent symptoms, and died.

I may mention that at one of these depots, where there was
no shelter by night or by day, the deaths were far more
numerous than at another where temporary mat sheds were
erected, and that after a rainy day or a chilly night a larger
mortality prevailed.

Everything possible in the way or isolation of the diseased
from the apparently healthy, and the exhibition of nourish¬
ing food, as well as medical treatment was tried, but without
much success. The death list numbered sometimes thirty
and forty a-day. So serious indeed was the loss, and so
alarmed were the authorities, that on the sailing of the expe¬
dition from Hong Kong I was ordered to proceed to the
north in a large ship freighted with oxen for the purpose of
observing and reporting on the epizootic in its several stages.
This report was forwarded to England for the information of
the Secretary of State for War.

Only those animals which appeared in good health were
embarked for service, and every available precaution was re¬
sorted to for the maintenance of strict sanitary measures. Yet
the sickness in the various transports was very great — as many
as seventy and eighty dying in a cargo of about two hundred
during the ten or twelve days' voyage to the rendezvous in
North China.

On arrival at Talen-whan Bay in Mantchuria, it was found
necessary to disembark the entire army and encamp on the
shores of the bay until the French were ready. No sooner were
the southern Chinese bullocks landed than the direful malady
ceased as if by magic, and they remained on shore about a
fortnight, were re-embarked again, and conveyed without a
single casualty to the landing near the Taku Forts, from
whence many of them found their way to Peking with the
army without a single symptom of the epizootic reappearing.

I may notice that a large number of Japanese bulls — re¬
puted very hardy and enduring in their own country — were

CATTLE DISEASES.

237

purchased at a high rate for purposes of transport, but scarcely
were they embarked for China when they were attacked by
diarrhoea, and this, with low fever, carried off a great number,
leaving the others useless, save as food.

To exhibit still further the influence of confinement and
an unnatural mode of life in the production of disease, I may
refer to another unfortunate outbreak of an epizootic which
also occasioned a good deal of loss and inconvenience. For
the rationing of the Sikh troops employed in the expedition,
a large number of goats — diminutive creatures not much
larger than an antelope — -were purchased in Chusan and the
neighbouring islands. These were in perfect health when
purchased, but after being collected in droves and put on
ship-board, catarrhal fever made its appearance among them,
and scores died just as dogs die in distemper. One ship
sailed from Chusan with some 350 on board, and arrived at
Talien-whan with about thirty or forty.

Even the sheep brought from Shanghai and other places
did not escape similar diseases, though there was no possi¬
bility of their having derived them from contagious sources.

Thus far I have traced some diseases which, I am certain,
owed their origin to hardships and altered conditions of life.

With regard to their contagiousness, I could discover no
facts to satisfy me that they were so; and though every
care was exercised to segregate the sound from the unsound
as quickly as possible, yet they did not seem to be checked
in the slightest degree. But concerning their non-contagious¬
ness, there is one fact which, I think, deserves special men¬
tion. At one of the Hong Kong depots, when the Chinese
oxen were dying by the dozen, a battery of Indian gun bul¬
locks was encamped for more than a fortnight within a few
yards of the diseased, yet not a single one was attacked by
the epizootic, either then or during the campaign, and the
same immunity existed also amongst the oxen employed by
the Chinese in the rice fields around these depots, as well as
amongst the cattle kept by Europeans in Victoria, a mile or
two away.

The Chinese gladly avail themselves of the glorious oppor¬
tunity afforded of laying in a stock of provisions by removing
all the dead bodies from the camps, or dragging them from
the ships to the shore, there to be dressed and prepared as
food ; and neither among them nor yet among the European
sailors, who were not slow in cooking and eating this diseased
meat when they got the opportunity, did I hear of any
dreadful pestilence having punished them for their temerity.

I have thus endeavoured to lay before your readers, and

238

CATTLE DISEASES.

those specially interested in cattle diseases of a specific
nature, a few facts and observations from somewhat hurriedly
taken notes, and while believing that it is the duty of every
one concerned to do his best to promote the interests of the
community by endeavouring to suppress the sale of what are
really diseased beasts, or in checking the desire of the un¬
scrupulous to dispose of that which is unfit for human food,
yet I am inclined to the opinion that there is a good deal of
unwarrantable fuss, and what plain-spoken people would
term “ humbug/’ added to strong exaggeration of facts, and
great imaginary evils, mixed up with what undoubtedly is
truth and matter for investigation in the epizootic, which
were certainly known and wide-spread, years before they
were supposed to be fraught with such danger to the con¬
sumers of animal food, as has been represented.

I do think that this so-called pressing danger is question¬
able until it can be shown that it really exists, and until a
certain number of well-attested facts prove it to be so. Many
of those reputed contagious diseases which are supposed to
contaminate to an injurious degree the flesh of the animals
affected by them, and which give inspiration to the imagina¬
tions and speeches of our public-spirited men, are not so
dangerous as they would fain have us believe. For example,
aphtha, or foot-and-mouth illness, is a simple disease, the
contagious nature of which is yet a matter of doubt with
some of the best authorities, and the speedy cure of which,
by the adoption of easy hygienic measures, is a popular fact,
and does not impair to anything like an injurious degree the
nutritive value of the flesh. Surely, then, such a trifling
illness need not call for such alarm, or deserve such stringent
laws. If legislation interfere at all, it ought only to be to
warn proprietors of the existence of the disease, and to
suggest simple measures for its limitation and suppression.

The innocuousness of 'the flesh of sheep suffering from
variola ovina , or “ sheep-pox,” when used as food, is a posi¬
tive fact. But I need not extend this letter to any greater
length by offering examples which are numerous enough,
and which would only go to prove that there is not so much
need for very active legislative interference as the terror-
stricken or zealously patriotic would have us suppose.

I am, &c.,

George Fleming, V.S., F.R.G.S. : F.iV.S.L.,
“ King’s Own” Hussars.

239

Translations and Reviews of Continental
Veterinary Journals.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Annales de Medecine Veterinaire,

RESEARCHES ON THE INFUSORIA OE THE BLOOD IN THE

MALADY KNOWN AS APOPLEXY OF THE SPLEEN (SANG

DE RATE).

By M. C. Davaine. (Sitting of the Academy, 27th of July, 1863.)

0 Continued from p. 192.)

I will not at present raise tlie question whether the
Bacteria of splenic apoplexy in sheep, and other animals
inoculated from them, act as animalcula? or as ferments.
I hope that by further observations I shall soon be enabled
to throw some light on this subject ; observations which
by being extended to those maladies in man that are
more or less analogous, will acquire a greater degree of
interest. I will for the present confine myself to signalize
one fact, which I believe to be new. An examination of six
animals attacked, or that had died of splenic apoplexy, have
always shown in their blood the existence of the same micro¬
scopic beings, though these corpuscles had evidently been
developed during the life of the infected animal; while their
relation with the malady which caused the death of the
animal cannot admit of a doubt.

Continuation of these researches at the sitting of the 10 th

of August.

The results of my first investigations on the infusoria of
splenic apoplexy, communicated to the Academy at its sit¬
ting, July 27th, 1863, have been fully confirmed by other
researches.

In fourteen inoculations performed on rabbits with
fresh infected blood, arising from the presence of the Bac¬
teria, fourteen times have similar Bacteria been reproduced,
and the death of the inoculated animal has invariably fol¬
lowed. In several cases the infusoria have been observed
twro, four, or five hours before the death of the inoculated
animal. In several cases the blood taken from the animal
while yet alive, has transmitted the malady, and caused death
by the Bacteria.

The Bacteria develope themselves in the blood, and not in
any particular organ. When, by a persevering investigation,

240 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

one has discovered in the beginning of the infection some of
these corpuscles, they are then very short and few, but they
are soon seen to multiply and grow rapidly, their complete
evolution being accomplished in a very few hours. A rabbit,
in the blood of which were found but a few Bacteria, not
more than from the fourth to the sixth of the thousandth
part of a millimetre in length, died at the end of four hours.
Its blood, examined immediately after, contained a con¬
siderable number of Bacteria, some of which were the longest
I had yet seen. They had attained the length of the five
hundredth part of the millemetre. In some animals these
corpuscles are generally longer than in ordinary cases; but
they present no other difference, and their number is then
generally less. The length which these filaments sometimes
acquire would induce one to class them among the conserves ;
but I leave this question for the present, as it has but little
importance. The number of the Bacteria is very variable in
one animal as compared with another. After my first inocu¬
lation, the number decreased rapidly, and became from eight
to ten times less than that of the corpuscles of the blood.
From this I am led to think that the power of propagation
was weaker in the rabbit, but I was convinced afterwards that
this was not the case ; in fact, in a series of eleven indi¬
viduals successively inoculated one from the other, the tenth
presented myriads of Bacteria in its blood, the same as
the first. I cannot explain the reason of these variations
otherwise than by the temperature, which rose and fell
during the time of the experiments. From the moment the
animal dies the Bacteria cease to multiply and increase in
size. In the blood preserved out of the blood-vessels they
perish, or transform themselves at all events ; and when they
lose their primitive form they cease to multiply in the living
animal. Two inoculations, one with the blood of a sheep
preserved eight days, the other with the blood of a rabbit,
preserved six days, produced neither the malady nor Bac¬
teria. When the blood is quickly dried in the open air, the
Bacteria preserve the power of inoculation. This I have
ascertained by several experiments. This dried blood can
resist a heat from 95° to 100° without losing its power.
Fresh blood was put into a tube, and left for ten minutes in
boiling water ; this blood was afterwards introduced under
the skin of a rabbit, which died thirty-one hours after, with
Bacteria in the blood. Ebullition, therefore, does not des¬
troy their vitality. Of fourteen rabbits, the average duration
of life after inoculation was forty hours ; the shortest being
eighteen hours, the longest seventy-seven. This duration is
longer in the adult and old animals than in the young. In

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 241

this space of time the appearance of Bacteria is very tardy ;
but from the moment they appear the animal has but a few
hours to live. The longest time from the appearance of the
Bacteria to the death of the inoculated animal, has been five
hours. The mean duration of the incubation would thus be
thirty-five hours. During this period of incubation the
animal loses nothing of his strength and agility ; it is only
in the last two hours, and when the Bacteria exist in great
numbers, that the rabbit ceases to eat and run about. It
then remains lying down on its belly, becomes rapidly
weaker, and dies without any remarkable phenomena. Some¬
times death is preceded by slight convulsions.

The autopsy, performed directly after death, shows all the
organs to be healthy ; but the heart and the large blood-
vessels~are always distended with clots of coagulated blood ;
the coagulation of the blood being the only apparent cause of
death. The microscope gives during life some indication of
this coagulation; in fact, from the time that the Bacteria
multiply in a notable manner, the red globules seem to ac¬
quire a certain degree of viscosity, which causes them to
agglutinate to one another in small clots. The organs con¬
tain Bacteria only in proportion to their vascularity. The
spleen is the one of all others which contains the most, and
these corpuscles are always in truly prodigious numbers
This organ, though in appearance healthy, is, however,
always a little more voluminous than in the normal state.
It seems to be the actual form through the production of the
Bacteria ; but, no doubt, this is on account of its great vas¬
cularity. After the spleen comes the liver and the kidneys,
then the lungs, the brain, the muscles, the glands, the gan¬
glions, and the lymphatics, which contain them only in the
blood-vessels which course their tissues. Experience hav¬
ing demonstrated that the appearance of Bacteria in the
blood precede those of morbid phenomena, it is natural to
attribute the presence of these phenomena to the presence of
Bacteria, which have a real existence, multiply, and propa¬
gate in the same manner as other beings that are endowed
with life. So long as the blood only contains the germ, and
their development is not effected, the morbid phenomena are
not produced either. But on examining these questions, if
we take another view, it is probable that the blood in which
the Bacteria have not made their appearance might be inca¬
pable of producing them in another animal ; that is to say,
during the period of incubation the Bacteria could not
be sown, so to speak, and the malady could not be communi¬
cated by inoculation.

After having said that during the period of incubation,

242 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

that is to say, before the Bacteria have appeared in the blood
of the inoculated animal, these Bacteria could be propagated,
and the malady of the spleen could not be communicated by
inoculation to another animal. M. Davaine adds: — ffThe
following experiment confirms this view in a peremptory man¬
ner. A rabbit, which I will designate by the letter A, adult,
and very vigorous, was inoculated with three or four drops of
blood taken from a rabbit still alive and affected with Bacteria.
Forty-six hours after the inoculation (the average time being
exceeded by six hours), I carefully examined the blood of the
rabbit A, and I found not a single Bacterium. I then took
from the vein of the ear twelve to fifteen drops of blood,
which were injected into the subcutaneous tissue of another
rabbit about two and a half months old, which I will designate
byB. Nine hours after this inoculation, I again examined
the blood of A, and ascertained that it contained avast num¬
ber of Bacteria. Immediately I took from the vein of the ear a
certain number of drops of blood, which I injected under the
cellular tissue of another rabbit, brother to B, and which I
designate C. About an hour after this inoculation, the
rabbit A died ; and twenty hours after the rabbit C, the last
inoculated with the blood containing the Bacteria, also died.
The examination of the blood of both proved the presence of
Bacteria. As to the rabbit B, inoculated with the blood
from A, forty-six hours after the inoculation of the latter,
and ten hours before its death, and when its blood did not yet
contain any Bacteria, it is still alive and in good health this
day, eight days after the inoculation.

(To be continued .)

THE LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above Association was held at
the Brunswick Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester, on Wednesday
evening, the 9th of March.

The attendance of members and visitors was the largest
known since the formation of the society, comprising the
following gentlemen : — Manchester : Mr. Thomas Greaves,
President; Mr. Roger Hampson, Treasurer; Messrs. John
Lawson, William Haycock, George Sermon, James Haslam,
Peter Taylor, A. L. Gibson, W. Dixon; J. Taylor, Oldham; G.
Brown, Oldham; A. Hampson, Bolton ; Brooks, Pilkington;
Anttall, Rawtinstall; Williams, Bradford, Sec. c York. Vet.
Med./ Morgan, Liverpool; Cartwright, Whitchurch; W.

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 243

Challinor, Pencilebury ; Jas. B. Taylor, Mottram; R. Budge,
Bury; John Greaves, Altringham; Howell, Rochdale;Whittle,
Worsley ; Carter, Bradford; Naylor, Wakefield; Jos. Halfry,
Southport ; Leech, Bakewell.

The private business of the Association having been con¬
cluded, the President delivered the following inaugural address:

Gentlemen, — In taking my place before you this evening in the capa¬
city of your president, and assuming for the first time the responsibilities
of that office, I labour under a considerable degree of diffidence, being
well aware of my deficiencies and imperfections. Nevertheless, I cannot
but feel proud of the distinguished and honourable position in which you
have placed me, that of presiding over so large, intelligent, and
influential a body of Veterinary Surgeons as I see before me. But I
must confess I doubt whether you have got “ the right man in the right
place.” I very much fear, too, I shall not be able to initiate and infuse
that vigour, energy of mind, and earnestness of purpose which ought to
emanate from the chair and be influential to persuade and animate each
member individually. I likewise very much fear I shall be found only a
poor successor to our very worthy and deservedly esteemed ex-president,
Mr. Lawson. But since you have made your election, since you have
made your bargain, as Paddy says, ** a good bargain is all very well, but
a bad bargain is better than no bargain at all.”

In Leeds, where it was my happiness to be present at the opening of the
Yorkshire Veterinary Association, I believe they have made no mistake
about their president, for they have “the right man in the right place.” I
have very great pleasure also in reporting to you that their president
received me with great cordiality as your representative. I was an entire
stranger to all there, except two or three. The respect and courtesy
shown me I esteemed as a compliment paid to you, and I must say I felt
honoured to be the president of a body so much respected, and I know,
whenever an opportunity occurs, this respect will be reciprocated by you.

I must ask you, gentlemen, kindly to accord me your indulgence and
attention while I deliver what I believe to be the first inaugural address
ever attempted before a veterinary audience in Lancashire. The annual
addresses delivered at our Alma Mater, although always of unexception¬
able excellence, are framed with the view of being chiefly applicable to the
student of veterinary medicine, therefore an essentially different form is
called for when addressing an audience composed entirely of experienced
and business men as this is, some of whose honoured heads have grown
grey in the service of their country. This attempt will be seen to be only
a simple, plain, homely exposition of facts in connection with veterinary
science. I have found it utterly impossible to compress within reasonable
bounds the whole of the matter I felt anxious to have commented upon ;
such, for instance, as the sciences of Botany and Agriculture, with the
manner in which they are linked to our art, and how the best interests of
each are bound up with the other. I should like to have made some
observations, also, on the subject of vivisection, veterinary jurisprudence,
the question of soundness of horses, and likewise upon the question of
breeding stock, the great importance of a wise, intelligent selection, &c.,
&c. Moreover, a most interesting enquiry would have been the question
of a desirability of a superior education being given to the veterinary
student, but time and space forbid all this.

In this address I have not aimed at producing a learned dissertation ;
perhaps some of my hearers mav complain that it is not sufficiently

214 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

scientific, nor clothed in sufficiently classical language ; but I have endea¬
voured to make some amends for this loss by keeping steadily before my
mind that which appears to me to be practical and useful, and for that
purpose I have divided my subject into two parts, viz :

1st. An epitomised retrospect of the veterinary profession in Manches¬
ter. 2ndly. Veterinary medical associations, and the important usefulness
of which they are susceptible.

1st. An epitomized retrospect of the veterinary profession in Manchester.

In reviewing a body of men or a profession as to its status in society,
and compariug it with other bodies of men or other professions, it must
ever be borne in mind that to approximate the truth we must always take
into account the nature of the town or city and the character of its inhabit¬
ants. I believe it is admitted, on all hands, that Manchester is a pre-emi¬
nently practical city, and its inhabitants are essentially a pounds, shillings,
and pence class of men, each diligently following his own avocation,
almost altogether regardless of his next door neighbour, and among them
success is deemed the best, if not the only proof of merit.

The respectability and dignity of our profession has so well been sus¬
tained by our predecessors that it will bear comparison with any other
town or city in the kingdom. It is the proudest thought of my life to
know this, and as I look around me at this moment, I see an array of
veterinary talent and ability that is not surpassed, and I believe I am right
in saying — is uot equalled in this or any other country. The last time I
had the happiness to meet you in this room we were on the eve of break¬
ing down an old custom, which had been often condemned by many right-
minded men as being a habit deserving of censure, and, in many
instances, entailing demoralizing effects. I am alluding to the giving of
new-year’s gifts. At that time all kinds of rumours were in circulation ;
from one quarter we heard that our smiths threatened that they would
turn out, because it would encroach upon their vested rights ; from another,
that the place would be turned out of the windows ; in a third quarter, the
representation of a coffin was posted alongside of a large notice, intimat¬
ing what would be required if these intentions were carried out, and
from all quarters the threat was loud and deep that much of our income
would be imperilled. But at length the 1st of January, 1864, came, and
so far as I am aware, the sun did not change colour on that day, neither
was there any earthquake ; but this I believe did happen, there was a
creditable peace and quietude in each of our establishments, utterly
unknown on any previous occasion, and, to the honour of Manchester be
it said, I believe not one of its members swerved an hair’s breadth from
the mutual engagement ; nor do I believe our business has suffered in the
remotest degree ; at least I speak for myself.

This is, I believe, the largest and most influential meeting of English vete¬
rinary surgeons ever assembled together in this or in any other town out of
the metropolis. And let me remind you, gentlemen, that this association is
the pioneer provincial veterinary association in England, andthat Manches¬
ter still stands high in public estimation. We have heard of the Manchester
school before to-night. She is ever first and foremost in every great and
good movement, whether it be social, political, or scientific. Yes, the
voice of Manchester has been heard throughout the length and breadth
of the land, and her influence felt in every clime. I have heard the voice
of Manchester listened to with bated breath in our hall of legislature;
but the House of Commons is not the only assembly in which the voice
of Manchester has been heard. For three years your respected ex-presi¬
dent, Mr. Lawson, has raised his voice and used his vote upon every
mportant question in our National Veterinary Council in London. The

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 245

humble individual who has now the honour of addressing you, has like¬
wise, on many occasions, used his voice and his vote at that same council
table. At the fifteenth annual meeting of the profession, on the 2nd of May,
1859, he had the honour to preside over that meeting. It has long been
my opinion — and I am not alone in that opinion — that our present
charter is defective, and at that time I suggested in a letter to our present
president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons that new powers
should be applied for. I proposed to contribute £50 as my share for that
purpose, and I find the council are now applying to Parliament for new
powers. I hold in my hand a very kind letter received the other day
from the president of the lloyal College of Veterinary Surgeons, explain¬
ing the object they now seek, and let me tell you, gentlemen, there is
plenty of work yet to be done. There is work for each and all of us to
do, and I wish to ask you this question to-night. Is Manchester, that
stands so proudly forward in every other question, to occupy a place in
the van or in the rear as regards veterinary politics ? Do you say in the
van ? Then you must work to render her worthy of that distinction.
Do you say you have not time ? well, let me tell you plainly, this excuse
will not bear investigation. It would be less correct to say our innate
love of ease and indolence induces us to spend our time uselessly,
absolutely uselessly, if not worse. We find a vast majority of mankind,
from the beginning of the world to the present time, allow their mental
faculties and the higher capabilities of their moral and religious feelings
to lie dormant and unemployed. But I am proud to know we have many
instances of gentlemen in our city who add lustre and honour to our city
and to our common profession. We have in our midst to-night a gentle¬
man who has distinguished himself as a bold thinker and a bold writer ;
and when we witness our ex-president leaving his extensive practice and
going up to London to the meetings of the council seven times in the year,
and to Edinburgh once or twice a year, to exercise the judgment necessary
for an examination ; travelling- a distance of over 3720 miles yearly at an
expense of over £30 for railway fare alone, to say nothing about his loss of
time, time which you know must be to him of far greater value and import¬
ance than money ; for all this, I say, we are under a deep debt of gratitude
to that gentleman, and I feel I must laud him for his zeal, and for those
sacrifices he has so nobly, so generously, and so praiseworthily for so many
years laid upon the altar of veterinary science. I will give you another
particular instance, as illustrating “ where there is a will there is a way.”
Eleven years ago our respected ex-treasurer, Mr. Peter Taylor (I make
this allusion with every feeling of respect, and I know he will pardon me
for doing so), sent me a note, bearing date 14th March, 1853, excus¬
ing himself from attending our veterinary meetings, on the ground that
his time was fully occupied. Well, since then his business has increased
considerably; he stands higher and deservedly higher in the estimation of
the public of Manchester, and added to this, the claims upon his time in his
domestic circle are much greater now than then, still, paradoxical as it
may seem, he can now find time to attend these meetings, and attend
them too more punctually than any other member, and he has proved
himself a better member, a more useful working member than any other
without a single exception. The very excellent essay he has compiled
and read before us, has done him infinite credit ; it is of itself a work of
no light importance, and at once establishes his claim upon our gratitude
and our admiration. With these noble examples before us, it will be seen
that it only wants the heart in the cause, and there will always be found
a way to accomplish great results. In our daily life, on taking a cursory
view of human nature, we see many things calculated to perplex and em-

246 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

barrass us. We see, for instance, men rich in intellectual attainments
unable to secure for themselves a sufficiency of even ordinary necessaries,
whilst, on the other hand we frequently find plain uneducated men, of
unquestionably a lower order of intellect, quietly and diligently plying
their avocation, it being an invariable rule with such men, under all cir¬
cumstances, to execute business with prompt and decisive action, and by
a wise economical application of time and means to amass money, and
after a few years of wholesome thrift we see them rolling in wealth.
We are apt to refer matters of this kind to some mysterious dispensation
of Providence, beyond our comprehension and wholly independent of
human control ; but on a closer inspection of the circumstances of any
particular case, we often find all the mystery vanishes, and we are able to
trace man’s failures to natural causes. It will frequently be found that
such failures are referable to some weak point in the mind or the body;
to a defect in the balance of power among the different functions of his
nature. Possibly he is a victim to the baneful effects of that worst of all
habits, procrastination and incomplete resolves ; a want of nerve and
energy ; and an insufficiency of animal and moral courage which are
necessary for success in the practical struggle of life. With him there is
a constant miscalculation of time and means, occasioning continual hurry
and difficulty, and the adoption of expedients that too often lead to
penury.

We will now take a retrospect of the veterinary friends we have lost
in Manchester. The constant and frequent changes that are taking
place amongst us is something surprising, considering the small number
of our members who are practising here at any one stated period of
time. During the thirty years that I have been engaged in this pro¬
fession in this city, I have lost not less than twenty-three fellow practi¬
tioners through death. When I commenced my career here there were
nine veterinary practitioners in this place, with lives full of vigour as we
are now, but, with only one solitary exception, all of them have long
since gone to that bourne from whence there is no returning. Mr.
Peplow, he is dead ; Mr. Lefton, Mr. Frank Myatt, Mr. Bird, they, too,
are dead. Mr. Matthew Gibson, whose name is never mentioned only in
terms of sincere respect to his memory, is also dead. Mr. John
Taylor, that man of indefatigable and untiring energy, whose practical
judgment was deservedly esteemed far and wide, lie is dead. Mr.
Thomas Taylor, whose activity and diligence in his profession, combined
with great abilities, caused him to be much respected by all who knew
him, is likewise dead. Mr. James Taylor, their father, after an indus¬
trious and useful career, having accumulated a competency, retired from
the profession to enjoy for many years a green old age, he, too, is dead.
And last, though not least, the much respected Mr. James Hollinworth,
that brilliant little gentleman, that vivacious and eminently successful
practitioner, whom to know was only another word to respect and to
esteem, he is dead. As a dream all this seems to have passed before
me. The only survivor is my very much respected and truly esteemed
relative and tutor, Mr. John Greaves, of Altringham. To him I am
indebted for planting in my mind much useful practical knowledge. It
is to the principles he so faithfully and earnestly inculcated in my youth,
that I can ascribe the honour and the distinguished position I this mo¬
ment hold amongst you, and for which I shall ever entertain a lively
sense of gratitude to the end of my days. I have heard our esteemed
ex-president say, “I know no veterinary surgeon’s name spoken of with
more respect than the name of John Greaves,” and we are proud in
having the honour of his presence this evening. Yes, gentlemen, and

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 247

since then we have lost from amongst us Mr. Joseph Gibson, Mr.
Andrew Howarth, Mr. Samuel Dean, Mr. Gilbert Fulton, Mr. Thomas
Ball, Mr. Joseph Ball, Mr. Peter Hulme, Mr. Thomas Tennant, Mr.
Matthew Poett, Mr. Isaac Worthington, Mr. Isaac Gladwin, and Mr. Isaac
Gladwin, senior. This mortality, which is at the rate of one death in
every fifteen months out of a professional body whose living members
have seldom if ever exceeded twelve at a time, is something startling.
Only ten years ago, a small society of veterinary surgeons used to meet
together in this very house, as we ourselves are. now assembled, and we
conversed together pretty much in the same manner we are now con¬
versing ; they plodded the same streets we tread, but since then death
has made sad havoc in that little band of ten members, only four now
survive, and three only remain in the profession.

Such, my friends, is life ! and even now, scarcely a week passes with¬
out the king of terrors making an attempt, as it were, to snatch one or
another of us from out of our midst by accident or sickness. Is it not,
I would ask, matter sufficiently solemn to awaken many serious thoughts ?
These are facts that sound to me like foot- falls on the confines of ano¬
ther world. Let us think of it, for it warns us that our time of depar¬
ture hence is approaching as inevitable and certain as the silent watches
of the night follow the day.

Gentlemen, I have thought it not out of place to pay what appeared
to me a fitting tribute of homage to the memory of our departed veteri¬
nary friends, the contemplation of which discloses to us how close we
stand in the midst of our ambitions and successes to the dark and
noiseless grave. We see the cypress vies with the orange blossoms,
and we turn with sorrow to note the losses we have sustained by death.

*2ndly. Veterinary medical associations, and the important usefulness oj
which they are susceptible .

In the very excellent inaugural address delivered a short time since
in Leeds, I had the pleasure to hear the president, Mr. E. G. Dray,
very beautifully illustrate the tendencies of this enlightened age to form
associations, when, among others, he referred to co-operative societies, and
the formation of veterinary medical associations in various parts of Eng¬
land, and in Scotland, and which he further illustrated by the contem¬
plated association of sovereigns invited to a congress in Paris. I feel
a strong desire that as many of the members of the Yorkshire society
as can should become members of our association, and give us their
countenance and support ; also that our members should fully reciprocate
this, remembering that whenever Lancashire and Yorkshire have heartily
united their brawny and stalwart arms together, whether in a social or
political movement, or whether it be with a Wilberforce for negro
emancipation, or with a Bright for a repeal of the corn laws, or in any
other good cause, their power is irresistible ; and still further remem¬
ber, that the great natural barriers which have separated these two
counties from the beginning of time are now broken through, that the
Yorkshire hills are bored, and we are now as it were one family, one
society. It appears to me that these veterinary medical associations are the
forerunners of a new era in our profession, but I particularly wish to
impress upon your minds this fact, that, neither veterinary medical
associations, nor compacts of any other kind, can be lasting unless there
exists in such bodies linked together a certain motive for cohesion, a
certain number of inducements to union which will render their common
dependence agreeable, and the task of management light. And, more¬
over, that no system can succeed without the presence of favourable
circumstances, added to the influence of good laws. There must be a

248 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

certain number of common interests which serve as intellectual ties of
association. Now I would ask. what are the common interests which
draw us together ? First and foremost I would say, there is operating
within us an indefinable feeling of self-interest, prompting us to come
together and listen to the remarks and opinions of others upon diseases,
and important questions, with which we individually are daily and hourly
contending in our business. We feel anxious to have an interchange of
ideas, and are impelled by a strong intellectual desire to acquire more
practical knowledge by which we may with more ease administer relief,
and with more certainty remove suffering, or save life. We may truly
liken this to an errand of mercy, for what object can be more laudable,
or more praiseworthy ? Talk of a heavenly calling being incompatible
with an earthly calling, why this in its very contemplation has an infinite
charm. It is a proverb as old as it is true, that “ there is more pleasure
in giving than in receiving/’ There is not one of us, however humble
or however eminent, but he may impart some knowledge to others. In
this you cannot fail to observe that there are two powerful motives
operating to cement and perpetuate our associations ; let us, then,
cordially co-operate and become strong by union, being actuated by one
desire, namely, the advancement of our profession. That man who can sit
in our midst, listening for two orthree hours at a timeto the sensible remarks
made by experienced and practical men and gain no benefit, must be a
dolt indeed. The man of quick perception, the intelligent man, cannot
fail to pick up and secure practical knowledge which will be of more
use to him in his daily avocation than gold, aye, even fine gold. During
the two years of our former society, and the fifteen months of this asso¬
ciation, I have not heard one single jarring word spoken by its members.
Everything has been to the contrary ; the one vying with the other to
contribute something for the general good.

You will observe, gentlemen, I am contemplating the high moral
grounds of usefulness of these associations. There are a great number
of other aspects in which we might contemplate them, such, for instance,
as their social aspect, the feeling of pleasure we must of necessity expe¬
rience in being in each others society, the casual and incidental con¬
versations upon interesting cases then under our treatment, coming to
mutual friendly understandings in reference to professional consultations,
and also the consideration of the question of a more equitable rate of charge
for shoeing, which, as matters stand at present, is a miserably inadequate
return, &c., &c. There is likewise another aspect which I delineated at the
Leeds Association, and which has been deemed worthy of insertion in
the pages of the Veterinarian for this month. But there is still another
important use which these associations may be made to subserve, and
which I shall here characterise as being the greatest of them all ; and I
beg to call your very earnest attention seriously to this point, namely,
they may be made to concentrate practical knowledge upon given
points; for, although the Royal Veterinary College was founded for
the purpose of developing and imparting scientific information, and
the professors and teachers from first to last have done their duty nobly,
still there are certain diseases with reference to the cure of which our
knowledge is lamentably deficient. For instance, there are farcy,
glanders, tetanus, canker, scarlatina, purpura hsemorrhagica, in the
horse ; pleuro-pneumonia in cattle ; rot and smallpox in sheep ; rabies
or hydrophobia in the dog. Now, since we are living in an enlightened
age, in which scientific discoveries have given us great advantages over
our ancestors, and as it is my great desire to make this paper as truly
useful and practical as possible, I would for that purpose respectfully

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 249

and in all earnestness suggest that our secretary be instructed to confer
with the secretaries of the Yorkshire Society and North of England
Society, and also to invite our brethren on the other side of the Tweed,
viz., the West of Scotland Society, to join with us in singling out one of
these diseases at a time for consideration. Let us take tetanus as one
year’s work, and canker for another year’s, and so on. Let us thus do
all we can, I beg of you, to accomplish this task. Let us see what col¬
lective effort can do in extending knowledge, let every member of these
societies put his shoulder to the wheel, and gain all the information he
possibly can upon one given point at a time. I want the energies of the
whole body to be aroused to make a great intellectual effort, and I be¬
lieve I shall be appealing to the most likely tribunal on earth to attain
my purpose, namely, to large bodies of educated and intellectual men
in the lieighday of manhood, whose whole time and mind are occupied
entirely with these kind of cases. The wide area of practical expe¬
rience that can be thus comprehended, may enable us to accomplish
something in our day and generation ; and with a view of giving an im¬
petus and an inducement to research, I respectfully suggest that the
man who can discover a remedy that can cure nineteen out of every
twenty cases, shall have presented to him not only the title of “Honorary
Associate” of this society, but also a gold medal. I would stipulate no re¬
striction whatever ; it should not even matter whether he possesses
a diploma or not. I do not mean the man who can write the best paper
on these diseases, nor do I mean it to be the man who can cure a casual
case, for we can any of us do that, perhaps, again and again. He must
practically develope a certain specific mode of cure, and make the same
fully known to us ; and as I am one of those men who utterly abominate
all shams and barren efforts, I will gladly make an annual contribution
of£lO towards that purpose. But you will perhaps say, these things
are insurmountable, and some of you may be ready to charge me with
being an enthusiast. To such a charge I can only say I should feel
proud of it, if only I was deserving of it. Sir Humphrey Davy, with
his small lighted lamp in his hand, stood undaunted in the very teeth of
the death-blast without any fear, for he felt there was an immunity from
danger : he had robbed death of all his terrors in the mine. Yes, there
he proudly, nobly stood, and received the homage and the blessings of a
whole world. He is one of the greatest and grandest of enthusiasts.
Dr. Jenner, after twenty-five years’ patient and unremitting experiments
with smallpox and cow-pox, became at length triumphant. Behold
him, too, as he proudly and nobly stands, his vanquished victim lying
at his feet, and he receiving the homage and thanks of a grateful people.
Others may be named in honour of enthusiasm. Such are Newton,
Shakespeare, Watts, Stevenson. The latter was declared a lunatic in
addition to that of an enthusiast, because he said he would drive a loco¬
motive at the rate of twelve miles an hour. And last, though not least,
Bichard Cobden of our own time. All of these were enthusiasts upon
the particular subjects to which they had devoted and consecrated their
lives, and England is proud to call them her sons. In fact, every great
man that ever did exist, and probably every great man who ever will
exist, must be an enthusiast. It is because he is an enthusiast that ho
becomes a great man. But there may be others of you who are ready to
say, the task I want to accomplish is chimerical or utopian ; that I am
far too sanguine, for no one will make such a hopeless attempt. Need
I adduce any other proof to controvert such a timid statement than the
fact that one of our ablest members — certainly the best veterinary
microscopist and physiologist of the day — is going to “seize the bull
xxxvn. 17

250 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

by the horns,” in this very room to night. I honour the man for his
great courage and daring, and that he is able to grapple with so great a
difficulty as pleuro-pneumonia in cattle. My prayer is, that his sagacity
and penetrating intellect may lead him to touch the secret spring, and
unseal the fountain from whence will flow out the true means of cure,
and enable him and us to vanquish this terrible scourge ; or, if failing in
being actually successful, he will be able to strip it of all its mysteries
and insidious character, placing its hideous proportions nakedly before
us, and bringing to bear upon it the full blaze of science, which will in
the end result in the adoption of a certain method of cure. You may
rely upon it as a certain truth, that an arm which is ever willing and all
powerful will be stretched out to help us. We must never forget that
God only helps those who help themselves. I should wish this asso¬
ciation of ours to make some great effort, and to accomplish something
worthy of the city in which we live. The usefulness and dignity of our
association depend entirely upon its own members. We have within
ourselves the germs of all-conquering power. Honour, like virtue, is an
attribute that cannot be laid upon a man or upon a society, and be
removed like unto a garment; it must proceed from within the man.
It is a product of a high and noble nature. Scientific knowledge, com¬
bined with close observation, becomes a light to our path, and opens our
eyes to a world which the charlatan never enters. He may practice the
veterinary art, but veterinary science never. Nor would he if he con¬
tinued in practice for a thousand years. It is said that practical wisdom
depends entirely upon chance, and is the only thing that can neither be
taught nor learned ; that it is a sagacity, which would seem infallible, an
instinct for truth which cannot err. But I have yet to learn, and would
put the question boldly : Why cannot a philosopher or a discoverer
develope himself now as in times that are past. I believe it is, in some
measure at least, referable to a most erroneous and wide-spread notion,
that philosophers and discoverers are prodigies, men of gigantic intellects,
and that they accomplish their purpose, or make a discovery, by a
simple instinctive effort of their mind ; than which nothing can be more
erroneous. They are all of them men like unto ourselves, differing only
in their ardour. And it is by their untiring intensity of application that
the truths of science are developed and promulgated. It is not because
we have no men in the present age possessing the quantity or quality of
intellect to make great men. • An example of success occurs to my mind
at this moment. A poor lad, seven years of age, is seen with axe in
hand, working in the western forest, clearing the ground in the back
woods of America. Until seventeen he was nothing but a simple farm
labourer, with probably not more than one year’s schooling in his whole
life. This lad was frequently seen pondering over and studying by the
light of the evening fire books which he had borrowed, he being too poor
to buy them. This man, out of his own intellectual resources, his indo¬
mitable energy and skill, unlike a “ Napoleon,” with a prestige and a
name, gradually acquires a name in his own country, which becomes a
name above every name. The greatest and most powerful nation upon
the earth elected Abraham Lincoln their president, by a larger number
of votes than were ever recorded for any other man before. Thus it
would seem his own great natural talents, unswerving honesty and
indomitable industry, caused his fellow men to select him to conduct the
passage of a great people through a crisis involving the destinies of the
whole world. No, there is no lack of material to make discoveries, and
no lack of problems wanting solving. It is because there is too much
apathy in man ; the desire to become great is not sufficiently strong to

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 251

exact from us that untiring and indomitable application necessary to
reach the climax. The secret of our failures is often found in the feeble¬
ness of our exertions. Depend upon it, great principles and truths are
rarely developed by accident. They are the final results of diligent and
patient research, guided by an intelligent mind of a high order. The
discovery is simply the result of a series of long-continued experiments,
each landing the investigator a little nearer and nearer to the object he
is bent upon gaining possession of. His intense interest induces him to
anticipate the lark’s first flight, as he soars carolling to the skies ; and
he is seen prosecuting his researches long after the liquid melodies of the
nightingale have died away in the vale. Sir Humphrey Davy’s magni¬
ficent discoveries of the composition of the earths and alkalies by the
voltaic battery and his safety-lamp, were the result of many years’ intense
and indefatigable labour, carried on generally until 3 o’clock in the
morning, and frequently for whole nights together, night after night.
Dr. Jenner was twenty-five years diligently prosecuting his inquiries
before he finally succeeded. And what was the result of his research ?
It was the perfecting of a method of vaccination which accomplished a
complete revolution in the power of that virulent and fatal disease, small¬
pox, which then destroyed one out of every seven persons born, but
now it only carries off seven in every thousand. Would it not be a cause
for great national joy, a universal boon, if our exertions resulted during
our lifetime in the cure of some of those diseases I have alluded to ?
Say one half, or one third of them ? Can you suggest a more likely course
to accomplish this than what has been proposed? If you can, I conjure
you, by all that is great and good, to make known yonr plan. I verily
believe that most of us in this room could become philosophers or dis¬
coverers, and accomplish results equal to any that have yet been accom»
plished, if we would only set about it with the same resolute determi¬
nation, and be guided by proper judgment. To acquire the knowledge
necessary for the cure of the diseases I have specified, requires only the
same course of conduct as that pursued by Dr. Jenner. In prosecuting
our enquiries there is probably no human intellect sufficiently sagacious
to see its way clearly to the end of the task. But Providence may
vouchsafe light as it proceeds. And God, in His own good time, and by
His own wise purposes, will develope the result. It may take one,
perhaps two, or even three decades of time to work it out. But I hope
yet to hear, before I die, the long loud ring of triumphant and happy
shouting, proclaiming that the task is accomplished.

And now, gentlemen, I must bring my address to a close. In doing
so, allow me to return you my warmest thanks for the kind, patient,
and attentive hearing you have granted me. Ardently do I wish for the
success of the veterinary profession, and especially for the veterinary
medical associations, and, till “ life’s toils are o’er,” my fervent prayer
shall be, that hereafter we may be where there is no more night, but
where all is joy and peace; and oh, may we meet each other there !

A vote of thanks to the President for his excellent address
was proposed^ in a neat speech; by Mr. Williams^ of Brad¬
ford; Secretary to the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Asso¬
ciation; which was seconded by Mr. Lawson, of Manchester,
and accorded by acclamation.

The meeting then terminated.

Thomas Taylor, Honorary Secretary .

252

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

WARWICKSHIRE LENT ASSIZES. — Warwick, March 2nd, 1864.

Before Mr. Justice Blackburn and a Common Jury.

Thompson v. Hewitt.

Mr. Macaulay, Q,. C., and Mr. Beasley, instructed by Mr. Dickinson,
were for the plaintiff, Mr. Serjeant O’Brien and Mr. Brooke, instructed
by Mr. Douglas, were for the defendant. This action was brought by
Mr. William Thompson, horse-dealer, of Manchester, to recover the sum
of £54 17s. 6(7., being the amount of loss he had sustained by a horse
which he had purchased from Mr. Charles Hewitt, farmer and horse-
dealer, of Draughton, Northampton, at the Rugby horse fair, November
18th, 1862.

The plaintiff and Mr. W. Humphreys, a shoeing smith of considerable
experience, proved the horse to be lame on the day after he got home ;
that there was nothing to be seen to account for the lameness.

Mr. Goodier, a horse-dealer of considerable experience, also proved that
he was lame on the 28th of November.

Mr. Frederic Mitchel, plaintiff’s stepson, gave evidence to having written
several letters to the defendant, at the dictation of the plaintiff.

Mr. Lawson , V.'jS., examined by Mr. Beaseley , then gave evidence as
follows :

I am a veterinary surgeon, carrying on business at Manchester. Iam a
member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. I am also a member
of the Court of Examiners, and of the Council. I have had considerable ex¬
perience and education in the diseases of horses. I have been in business
myself practically for twenty-six years. On the 19th of December, 1862, at
the request of the plaintiff, Mr. Thompson, I examined a chestnut gelding.
The horse was brought to me, and I examined him at that time. I found
him lame of the near fore-foot. I believe the cause of that lameness to
be navicular disease. I directed poultices to be applied. I do not know
whether my recommendation was followed. I saw the horse again on
the 2nd of March, but I also saw him in the interim. He had bron¬
chitis in the interim. He was brought to me with bronchitis, on the 21st of
January, and remained until the 25th of February. He was very ill indeed
while with me. He got quite well of that attack, and was sent back again.

Are you correct in your date as to the 21st of January that he came to
you with bronchitis? — Unless I have made some mistake — it might
have been a little earlier than that. It may have been a mistake of mine
in taking it from my book.

Mr. Justice Blackburn : You have not brought your book here? — No,
my lord, I have not.

Mr. Beaseley : At all events it was some little time after you. examined
him in November ? — I am quite sure of that. I believe he had some
treatment for cold before he came to stay with me. I believe I must
have seen him then ; I am not quite sure about it — I believe so — I
think so. He got well of this bronchitis, and was sent back again. I
examined him again on the 2nd of March, with reference to the foot ;
that was at the request of Mr. Thompson, the plaintiff. He was still
lame then of the same foot. I gave my certificate then. My opinion
was more confirmed that it was navicular disease that he was lame from.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

253

Just explain the nature of navicular disease? — Navicular disease con¬
sists of a sprain of the flexor tendon as it passes over the navicular bone of
foot — a sprain of the fibres as they pass over the navicular bone of the
foot. You can see if it is a recent case. There is very often acute
lameness, and increased heat of the foot, and several other symptoms
which indicate the presence of a recent injury. But in the more chronic
cases a horse will sometimes go nearly altogether sound and travel well
until he is really at work, and then he becomes lame. Tor instance, it is
a common thing for horses with navicular disease, if they are poulticed
and taken care of, to trot out quite sound — comparatively sound ; but
give them a gallop, or a ride of ten miles on the road, and allow the
horse to stand a short time, and then bring him out. and he will be
lame.

On the 19th of December, when you first saw him, was the lameness of
a recent character, in your judgment? — I should say not. I do not be¬
lieve it was.

How far back would you carry that lameness ? — I should not like to
fix a definite period to it; but certainly more than a month or six weeks.
I thought so. I could not pretend to speak positively to it.

Was there any appearance of acute disease that you could see on the
19th of December? — Not the least.

If you knew, as a fact, that on the 20th of November, the horse went
lame in your judgment, would you attribute it to the same lameness ?
— I should.

That is, if you were told that he was lame on the 20th ? — Yes.

When did you see him last? — Friday last, the 26th of February, I
examined his foot then. He was then lame, and I examined him carefully,
with a view to give an opinion as to his then state. I say, then (as I
have always said), that it is a chronic case of navicular disease, without
a question or doubt in my mind.

What were your charges ? — I do not know.

Some £3 17.?. is put down. — I dare say they would be that at least.

When did Mr. Thompson pay you those charges ? — I do not know.

You cannot say without your books ? — No.

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien: — The horse did not remain
on my premises on the 19th of December only while I examined him.
He would be there about two hours. I was not examining him during-
the whole of that time. I told Mr. Thompson, on the 19th, that I believed
he had navicular disease. I did not give a certificate on the 19th to
that effect. I signed and gave a certificate on that day as to lameness.

Mr. Thomas Greaves , V.S. , examined by Mr. Beaseley , gave evidence as
follows :

I am a veterinary surgeon, residing at Manchester, and am also an office
holder in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons : and was vice-president
of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; I am also an
honorary fellow of the V eterinary Medical Association. I saw this chestnut
gelding on the 7th of March last year. I am not quite sure whether it
was the 7th or the lOtli I examined the horse, and gave a certificate of
my opinion. It is now before me. [Producing the same.] I made a careful
examination of the horse, and the conclusion I came to was that the seat
of lameness was the navicular joint. It had become chronic at that time.
The navicular disease, when it commences, is in an acute state for some
time, until the synovia of the joint is exhausted and it has become
chronic ; there is also going on a slow, gradual, and by imperceptible
degrees a change in the internal structure of the navicular bone itself;
the articular surface upon the navicular bone, and upon the articular

254

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

surface of the flexor tendon where it plays over the navicular bone
forming the joint, becomes rough. All this may be going on without
the slightest degree of active disease or inflammatory action existing,
and up to a certain point, without having occasioned the slightest
lameness. It may have been progressing for many months, probably
for years, before any abrasion or ulceration of the articular surface of
the joint has become effected, or the navicular bone become hollow
from absorption, but ultimately in all bad cases of navicular disease,
the capsular joint of the navicular bone becomes obliterated and de¬
stroyed. Some cases begin with acute inflammation, others come on
gradually ; but there is never any very acute inflammation., When the
disease is at its very commencement, if caused by extra work or concus¬
sion, and you should find it out the first day of the horse being lame, you
can see by examination that there is inflammation going on, but not in
all cases. Navicular disease may arise from natural predisposition, or
what is called hereditary causes ; it may creep on as it were up to a cer¬
tain point, and then by receiving a little extra work in breaking, hunting,
or being knocked about at a fair, occasioning concussion or bruise at the
bottom of the foot, it passes the crisis, developes the lameness, and the horse
will go immediately lame and continue lame, off and on, throughout life.

You examined this horse on the 7th of March ; now, supposing the fact
was that he was lame on the 20th of November, and also that you found
him lame on the 7th of March, should you suppose, from those two facts,
that the lameness was from the same disease ? — I should. There was an
absence of all other diseases that create lameness.

Something about alteration of structure was asked Mr. Lawson. I
suppose chronic lameness cannot exist without some alteration of the
structure internally ? — Internally ? There was no visible alteration of
structure externally. It was a remarkably good foot, iust that sort of
foot in which is frequently found navicular disease. It was a remark¬
ably good foot, having wide frog and bulbous heels.

Is it very uncommon to have no alteration externally? Would it
lead you to doubt whether it is a navicular disease or not ? Mr. Lawson
told us that the rule was, that an alteration of structure would be found,
but that there were plenty of exceptions. — It frequently happens when
the disease has been in existence for a long time that there is an altera¬
tion of the structure, but not necessarily.

Is there any rule as to the length of1 time necessary to bring on the
alteration of the structure ? — It depends upon whether the inflammation
has been severe, and the pain caused the horse to nurse the foot, and
for some time to lay but little weight upon it ; if so, the horn becomes
so dry and brittle that the contraction goes on more rapidly. If the
disease has been slow, the horse suffering little pain, laying his whole
weight upon the foot, and maintaining the expansion, it may be for years
not contracted.

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien : — If I understand you rightly,
you say this disease may commence or originate from the effects of an
injury ? — Then you may expect acute inflammation for a time. It may
also arise from predisposing causes in the foot itself, or in the constitution
of the animal, when it would creep on gradually.

The horse was out of condition when you saw it ? — Not particularly
so. He had pretty well of flesh on him. I was not aware he had been
treated for bronchitis.

You say a strain or sprain might have produced it? — Yes; rather
more likely a concussion. I saw the horse last Sunday, and the foot was
in the same condition still. What I formed my conclusion on is this — -

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

255

the absence of other disease and the fact that the horse was lame. The
lameness was so evident, that it was impossible for me to come to any
other conclusion. I saw the horse trotted upon pavement.

Supposing the horse .was lame upon the 20th November from that,
disease, would you have expected that that lameness had commenced
long before November? — It is quite possible it might have been in
existence some time, the joint being incipiently unsound and defective
before November, the disease being in a latent state, and remained
stationary; that is, a slight degree of tenderness existed, but not
amounting to lameness, -would he set up, whenever he was put to work
previous to November.

I ask you, was there anything in the state of the fact when you saw
it inconsistent with the theory or supposition that the disease may have
commenced after November ?— There was.

What ? — The absence of distinct symptoms of recent disease.

You say it creeps on sometimes without producing any acute inflam¬
mation. Would inflammation be the only symptom? — No. Heat in
the foot and throbbing of the artery. Contraction of the foot is not a
necessary symptom of navicular disease.

Pleat is the result of the inflammation ? — It is.

Ileat merely indicates the presence of the inflammation? (No answer.)

Mr. Justice Blackburn : — When you saw it on the 7th of March, was
there anything inconsistent with the lameness having commenced since
the 20th of November? — It was inconsistent, in my opinion, to believe
that there was any cause of lameness originating since that time. If it
had originated since then, there would have been symptoms of heat and
tenderness in the foot. On the 7th of March there was tenderness in
the navicular joint, but not in the other parts.

Was there anything different in the degree of tenderness which
existed on the 7th of March and that which exists now ? — No.

There was no heat on the 7th of March? — No. In a recent case we
find tenderness on the least tapping round the foot. We tap round it
with a hammer. I tapped the foot round on that day, and he evinced
no tenderness.

Do you mean, by recent lameness, lameness commencing from some
accident or some strain ? — (No answer.)

Mr. Roger Hampson, of Manchester, was then sworn, and gave evidence
that he was a veterinary surgeon, and also a member of the Itoyal College
of Veterinary Surgeons, London, that he examined this gelding on the 7th of
March, 1863, and also on the 26th of February, 1864, that the horse was un¬
doubtedly lame on the near fore foot, from chronic navicular disease ; the
lameness was the same on both occasions.

Mr. Thomas Taylor , V. N, of Manchester, was then sworn, and gave
evidence that he had examined this gelding on the 7th of March, 1863,
and also on the 26th of February, 1864, that he was undoubtedly lame
of the near fore-foot on both of these occasions, and that the lameness
was attributable to chronic navicular disease.

The defendant was then sworn, and proved that he had had the gelding
thirteen months ; that he had hunted him, and had him with the cavalry,
and up to the day of sale he had never been lame ; his nephew also proved
the same. The shoeing smith swore to his never having been lame to his
knowledge.

Mr. Peter Taylor , V. iS., was then sworn, and gave evidence as follows —

Examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien: — Are you a veterinary surgeon,
Mr. Taylor ? — Yes, I am.

How long have you practised ? — For nineteen years.

256

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

At Manchester? — Yes.

Do you recollect Mr. Hewitt coming to you upon the 7th April and
asking vou to examine a chestnut horse for him ? — Yes.

Was the horse at Mr. Buxton’s ? — Yes.

Did you go down there at two o’clock ? — Half-past two.

And then did Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Thompson come down the yard?—
I saw Mr. Hewitt first, and then Mr. Thompson afterwards.

Did Mr. Thompson say anything about your examining the horse ? — He
refused me.

What did he say? — He said, “That man shan’t examine the horse.”

- lie said that to Mr. Hewitt? — Yes.

What did Mr. Hewitt say ? — Mr. Hewitt said, “This is my veterinary
surgeon. It is a hard case if you won’t allow him to examine the horse.”

Did you see the horse at all on that day? — Yres; I was permitted to
see him in the box, and when he was brought out for sale.

As far as you could judge, from your examination of the horse in the
box, could you discover any symptoms %of lameness or of navicular
disease ? — No.

Did you see him afterwards run out ? — Yes ; when he was brought out
for sale, I saw him run both slowly and cjuickly.

That was to show him to the intended purchaser ? — Yes.

As far as you could see did he run sound ? — He ran sound.

Now, I believe navicular disease may arise from various causes, but if
of long standing, what effect has it on the foot ? — Yrou have a contracted,
high foot, and no doubt (if the disease be long-existing) it will be smaller
than its neighbour.

From want of the natural supply ? — From want of the natural expansion
and contraction of the foot, and from inflammatory action.

Now supposing such a disease had been set up from any external causes
or from natural causes; supposing it had commenced in November,
1862, and continued up to the present time, would you expect to find
an appearance of that in the foot ? — Decidedly so.

Visibly ? — No doubt of it.

Both as to form and structure ? — In the first place you would have
decided lameness ; in the second place, having had chronic disease for
such a length of time, the horse when at repose in the stable would point
the foot, and would hang the limb in a relaxed position to relieve the weight
from the navicular joint.

I think you were present at the conversation about the £20, on April
7th ? — Yes.

Will you, as far as you recollect, tell me how that commenced, or
what occurred ? — Mr. Hewitt, after he had said it was a hard case that
Mr. Thompson would not allow his veterinary surgeon to examine the
horse, said, “ The horse is very much out of condition (which he was, he
had had his sides rubbed, and was disfigured from mustard poultices to
his breast), and to prevent any further proceedings, and to settle all
disputes, without prejudice to the case, I will give you £20.”

Was that before the sale ? — Yes.

Were you at any conversation at all between them after the sale ? — No.

Cross-examined by Mr. Macaulay , Q.C. : — You say that if this horse has
navicular disease, which dates as early as November, 1862, he ought to
point the foot in the stable ? — Yes.

Did not he do so at the sale ? — No.

I wish to get your opinion ; supposing the horse, at the time of the
sale, had navicular disease, which had arisen, say within nine months ? —
That would be a professional speculation : you must go by the facts.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

257

What I understand you to say is, that under those circumstances the
horse ought now to point the foot ? — Yes.

But if in April he had a navicular disease, say nine months old ? — He
would point the foot.

You say it is matter of speculation? — Well, if you are positive he had
the disease - -

Mr. Justice Blackburn: — I understood him to say it was a professional
speculation as to how long he had had the disease.

Mr. Macaulay : — I am not asking you if he had it nine months or nine
years, but I say, supposing he had navicular disease, which had arisen,
say nine months before, you would not, in that case, expect the horse to
point. Is that what I am to understand you to say ? — Decidedly I
would.

How many months within the time of the origin of the navicular disease
do you expect a horse to point the foot ? — Three months.

Did he point at the time of the sale ? — He did not.

You are quite sure of that? — Quite positive; because I looked at him
standing at repose, and knowing that the dispute was about the navicular
disease, I looked at him quietly in the box.

You are as sure as a man can be that he had not navicular disease ?
— I say, as a professional man, that on April 7th he had not, to the best
of my knowledge.

Mr. Thompson seems to have said, in your hearing, that you should
not touch the horse. I believe you had had some quarrel with Mr.
Thompson ? — Quarrel ?

Yes. You were his veterinary surgeon once, were you not? — No
more than other men.

Has not there been something unpleasant between you and Mr.
Thompson ? — There was something between him and another man in
my forge, and since that transaction I have neither spoken to nor
recognised the man.

He did not recognise you and you did not recognise him ; you did
not recognise one another, is that so ? — Yes, of course.

You went to prove, as a witness, on one occasion, that Mr. Thompson
assaulted somebody ? — Yes ; I went to prove that he stabbed a man in
my forge with a piece of iron ; a drunken man.

That he assaulted a man? — No; stabbed him with a long piece of
pointed iron in my presence.

Did the magistrates come to that conclusion? — Well, the other man
was drunk.

Mr. Serjeant O'Brien: — My lord, I must object to this line of cross-
examination.

Mr. Justice Blackburn : — You see, brother O’Brien, it is one of those
things which, going to the credit of the witness, I cannot stop.

Mr. Macaulay : — I have only one more question to ask. You say you
gave evidence that he stabbed a man with a piece of iron, what was the
result? — He was not convicted. He had the man brought up. He was
the means of getting up a case against the man that he had insulted, and
wanted to prove that he was in danger.

Well, I believe the man was convicted or bound over, was he not, to
keep the peace against Thompson ? — He was bound over; but it was a
most dastardly action on the part of Thompson.

The learned Judge then summed up the evidence to the jury.

Mr. Justice Blackburn: — Gentlemen of the jury. The action here is
brought upon a warranty of a horse, which it appears, on the 18 th of
November at Rugby fair, Mr. Thompson, the plaintiff, bought from

258

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

Mr. Hewitt. Hewitt signed the written memorandum of sale, by which
it appears that the plaintiff bought for “£90 the chestnut gelding, war¬
ranted sound so that there is no doubt that on the 18th of November
this horse was sold, and warranted sound ; and the question is, whether,
on that day, he really was sound or not. If he was sound on that day,
and has become unsound since, that is Mr. Thompson’s misfortune, and
the defendant is not in the least, liable to make it good. But if the
effects of the unsoundness existed at that time, and have become visible
since, then there has been a breach of this warranty, and your verdict
must be for the plaintiff.

Now the evidence that has been called was very strong to show that
the horse is now lame of the navicular disease, which is unsoundness ;
and the question is, whether or not that unsoundness had commenced
on or before the 18th of November, the day on which the horse was
sold ; and that will be the point upon which your verdict will have to
turn.

Now I must begin by disclaiming, myself, every possible knowledge of
horse-jockeying; I know nothing about it, literally and truly. In this
case 1 know nothing about it except what I have collected from what
the witnesses have said. You will judge of what the witnesses, from
your own recollection, have said, and you will say what you think the
result of their evidence is.

Now my own impression is, that the navicular disease, which is what
they say this horse has got, comes in this way : — It is in the joint of the
foot; and when the horse has sustained some injury or other which
strains the tendon as it passes over the navicular bone in the centre of
the foot on the inside of the joint, disease is set up there, so that the
tendon gets dry and the joint grates a little; that is, the horse is unable
to use that foot after he has gone through any exertion, and the animal
is practically useless, and cannot do any very heavy work. When he
does any work, this begins to show itself. When he stands idle the effect
goes off, but whenever he is set to work again it would come out. On
the other hand, it is averred that this disease may be occasioned in one
or two different ways ; that it may arise, and frequently does arise, from
an accident happening to the horse which would occasion inflammation
and pain to the horse, which results in that disease. Then, I understand,
that for a time, after the horse has recently had the accident, his hoof
is inflamed, and the poor animal suffers pain. You can feel it hot, and
even when it is not hot if you take a hammer and tap the hoof, the
animal, which would in its healthy state not mind anything about it,
would wince, and show that it felt pain when this disease exists after a
recent injury. That shows that there is inflammation going on, and they
would expect, as men of skill, that when an internal injury has been
received the animal would suffer pain, and consequently they can tell
when they examine the foot. If it is not hot, and the animal does not
wince, it is proof that it is not tender ; from which they, as men of skill,
draw the conclusion that there has been no recent injury. Lawson said
it would probably show. Some of the others said it would be three
months, which, you see, would be some proof that there was no recent
injury unless there be heat and tenderness at the time when they touched
it. It appears further, from what they say (of which of course you will
have to judge), that, when the animal has suffered from violent inflam¬
mation, from the inflammatory effects the hoof contracts and shows a
different appearance. And further, they say, that even when there has
been a slow, long-continued inflammation which has gone on slowly, that
the hoof would contract then, although more slowly. When the disease

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

259

lias been of any long standing, they would expect the hoof to be con¬
tracted from the navicular disease more than from violent inflammation,
much less than if the animal had it from hereditary cause or slow disease.
Still they expect that there would be the external appearance. Further,
they tell us that when the animal has been suffering long from this
disease it acquires a habit — originally derived, no doubt, from feeling
pain — of what they call pointing with the foot — standing, that is, in the
way you would expect to find an animal that had got into the way of
thinking that if he put down the foot he would feel pain, and which
would show also that the animal had long sustained the pain. I think
the doctors all agree in saying that the animal’s foot does not show now
any external appearance of lameness, and they are not quite sure, but,
I think, they also say that it does not show that appearance of pointing —

Mr. Macaulay : — I think your lordship will find it is so — that they say
it does.

Mr. Justice Blackburn : — I do not think the evidence shows that it is
pointed now. If you will call my attention, Mr. Macaulay, afterwards
to the evidence of any witness you wish me to mention, I will do so.
But the impression left on my mind — although there was not very much
asked as to the pointing — is, that the plaintiff’s surgeons did not say it
pointed now ; and on the 7th the defendant’s surgeon says it did not,
or that he did not see it point. Upon that there is an argument which
makes both ways. The argument in favour of the plaintiff is this : as
the foot is not contracted, and as there is no appearance of any violent
inflammation, this disease cannot have been the result of accident, but
must have been slow and chronic, continuing a long time. And, of course,
if you believe that the lameness showed itself shortly after the sale, it will
be for you to judge whether it was a slow, chronic disease. If you are
satisfied that the surgeons are all right in saying that the non-contraction
of the foot would show that it had not been owing to any acute accident,
then of course the probability would be great that it had been unsound
before the sale, if it showed shortly after the sale. On the other hand, the
argument is used for the defendant — that same argument — that if it did not
show itself, and had not contracted (they seem to say it has not even now —
at all events it had not at that time), and if it did not really point on April
7th — of course if it does not point now, the thing would be stronger ; but
if it did not show then, the inference would be, that the animal had not
acquired the habit of thinking that that foot was the sore and tender foot,
and conseqnently had not become accustomed to pointing the foot. There¬
fore if you suppose the symptoms of lameness not to have shown them¬
selves early, you would imply that the lameness had come after the sale.
The first time the disease showed itself is a point of great importance in
the case. As to that, the evidence is this : — the defendant tells you, and
he calls his nephew to confirm him, that he had bought the horse in
September, and had him thirteen months. During all that time he rode
him, and his nephew looked after him, and these two both tell you that
during that time, up to the time of the sale, the horse never showed a
symptom of lameness at all. No doubt, if you believe them, it would go
very strongly to show, that the disease could not have existed up to that
time. If you believe that, it would tend very much to show that the
horse was sound when sold. But then comes the question, whether you
believe that completely or not. Somehow or other, people who deal in
horses — and in this case the observation applies equally to plaintiff and
defendant, because both deal in horses — but it seems that people who
deal in horses, seem to be a little less particular what they do and what
they say, than people who deal in other commodities. If it be true as

260

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

the defendant says — if it is literally true — that up to the time of the sale
they hunted it, and rode it, and shoed it, and everything, and that it
never showed symptoms of lameness, it would go very far to show that it
was some accident which happened during the plantiff’s ownership, and
for which the defendant would not be responsible, which occasioned the
lameness.

The plaintiff tells an entirely different story. On the 18th he buys
the horse. There is a slight conflict between him and the defendant
as to what took place at the sale. Roth agree that the plaintiff did
mount the horse and try it, that the horse was examined, and that the
plaintiff was satisfied, and thought from the look of the horse that he had
been sound, and believed him (o be sound at the time. Now I dare say
some of you know Rugby a great deal better than I do. The plaintiff
says that the place where it was sold, that the street there was a very
hard paved street, but that there was sand at the side, and that the horse,
instead of being trotted on the stones, was trotted on the sand (of course
the sand would show it less), and afterwards was trotted in a field (that
would not show it so much). The defendant says he was trotted on the
hard road of the street. Then upon the 1 9th he takes him to Man¬
chester, and finding the horse would not feed well — though he makes no
complaint about this — he writes for his pedigree, and to know what lie
had been fed upon.

Then comes the 20th, the day afterwards. “Then,” says the plaintiff
(and now you will have to see whether he is accurate), on the 20th, he
says, he fancied he saw that the horse was lame. That is the plaintiff’s
account, and the same remark which I made with regard to the defen¬
dant’s statement — I mean as to horse-dealers — exactly applies to the
plaintiff in what he says. The defendant’s witnesses swear he was
perfectly sound, and never showed any symptom of lameness up to the
18th. Now “on the 20th of November,” says the plaintiff, “I put a
man on him and made him gallop, and found he was lame of the fore
foot. I put his foot in a poultice, then the next day he was out again.
Still quite lame. Then I took him to Humphreys.” Humphreys (who
is not a regularly qualified veterinary surgeon, but a man who shoes
horses) says “ he. examined him on the 20th, and that then he was lame,
that he tapped him on the foot, and did those various things which
he mentioned. He found no heat or symptoms of inflammation — found
nothing. Took off the shoe to see if there was anything in the shoe to
cause the lameness — found there was not. Found that the horse was lame
on the 20th, and sent him back.” If that is true, that he really became
lame on the 20th, then that is very strong evidence tending to show that
he was lame before the sale, supposing this lameness to be the same lame¬
ness. Then the plaintiff says, after that he took him to Mr. Lawson,
about the 19th December. On the 19th it appears Lawson did examine
him, and found him lame on the same fore foot. He did not, at that time,
say it was navicular disease in his certificate. He only said it was lame.
He says now he came to the conclusion more decidedly afterwards, on the
2nd March, that it was chronic navicular disease in the foot, and that
now, after a further lapse of time, he is sure of it. The lameness
continues.

Then there comes that question about the letters. First of all the
plaintiff and the plaintiff ’s step-son say, and Goodyer states that upon the
28th November he came and saw the horse, and advised them to write to
the defendant. It appears, also, that on the 19th December, the day
Lawson saw the horse, Goodyer was again down there, and saw the horse.
Now the plaintiff says he instructed his step son to write, and he says he

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

261

wrote tw5ce to the defendant before the 13th January, and received no
answer- Once the step-son fixes the date, saying that it was on the d ly
that Mr. Goodyer came. He says he wrote both of these letters, and
received no answer to them. Then he says he wrote the letter of January
13th, and as he says, having received no answer to his previous letters, he
began to keep copies of the letters. The defendant says, positively, he got
no such letters. No doubt there is a good deal in this point as to his prompt¬
ness in writing as soon as he thought the horse was lame. It would be an
argument against him if he did not do it, as in that case nearly two months
would have elapsed before apprising him of the horse being lame, and
of course still more so if he were to say now that he did write when he
did not. If he were saying it falsely it would have considerable weight as
against the rest of his evidence. It is two years ago now, and he may pos¬
sibly have made a mistake. Looking at the letters themselves, and find¬
ing that the letter of January 13th was the first letter of which a copy was
kept, I think that afterwards the plaintiff and his step-son may have had a
notion that they must have been written before. But I think the letters
themselves look as if the letter of the 1 3 th January was the first that was writ¬
ten. On January 1 3 th, the plaintiff dictates this letter to his step-son.
“Sir, — After I got your chestnut horse back from Rugby,” &c. (Reads
letter.) Now I certainly don’tthink, reading that letter, that it is exactly the
sort of letter that a man would write who had written twice before, stating
that the horse was lame, and had got no answer. Therefore I confess
that in reading this letter, it strikes me that it is probable that such letters
icere not written before. I think — without putting it down as being perjury —
it must be a mistake. The defendant immediately answers that letter of
the 13th, “ Sir, — Yours of the 13th came to hand this morning,” See.
(Reads letter.) Now I have no doubt it is quite true that the plaintiff had
been told by a man that the horse had been sold to a Mr. Collins and
returned by him. But it now appears, according to the defendant’s story,
which seems to be quite true, that on that day, at Rugby Fair, Collins
saw the horse, and had never seen him before. There seems to have been
some mistake, and, at all events, nothing was asked as to that. “ And as
you say,” says the defendant, “ he has been ill ever since you had him,”
&c. (Reads letter.) Well, now, upon that I think it is quite fair to make
this remark — that if the two letters had been written, you would have
expected when it was quite fresh in their minds they would have answered
that at once, and would have said, “Why I did write to you, twice.
Don’t you remember I wrote to you first a month since, and afterwards
a fortnight since.” They don’t say that, but they answer thus, “ Dear
Sir, — The horse,” &c. (Reads letter.) To that the defendant does not send
an answer; he does not send a veterinary surgeon to examine him. I
think it would have been much better if he had, for then we should
have had his evidence, and should have known more distinctly how mat¬
ters stood. I have examined the letters, but I do not know that there is
anything more of importance to be derived from them. It appears the
horse had been subsequently ill with pneumonia, or bronchitis, or some¬
thing of that sort, and that he was at Lawson’s again, and was lame.
Lawson examines him again, and declares him to be unsound. The
plaintiff says he was lame upon the 20th, and took him to Humphreys.
Humphreys says, “ On the 20th I did see him, and then he was lame. His
foot had no inflammatory appearance'at all, and no corn. I looked, and
was satisfied of that.” Now that, certainly, if it is true, would go a good
way to make one think that the lameness was owing to something that
occurred before the sale. Then Mr. Goodyer, who it appears knew both
plaintiff and defendant, says, that at Manchester, on the 28th November,

262

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

he saw the horse, and that he was lame of the near foot. He had been
present at the sale, and he says he advised the plaintiff to write on that day.
Then on the 19th he saw him again, and examined him, and found him
still lame of the same foot. Then he proceeds to say, that when he was
at the sale on the 7th April, the defendant offered £20 to make peace. I
think that offer amounted to this — the defendant says, “ I don’t admit
that the horse was lame or unsound when I sold him, but I will offer you
£20 to have done with the matter.” I do not think you should bestow
too much attention upon that, because a man may very fairly say, “ I will
give you £20 to purchase peace” without admitting himself to have been
in the wrong, and that seems to have been in effect what the defendant
did in this case. He seems, in terms, to have said, “ I will give you £20
or £30 to have done with it,” and the plaintiff says, “I will not take
that,” and he now claims a higher sum ; and if you find your verdict in
his favour I must say a word as to how the measure of damages must be
arrived at.

Then Lawson is called, and he says, on the 19th December, at the
request of the plaintiff, he examined the horse, and found that he was
lame in the fore foot. He believed that it was navicular disease. In
his certificate on that day he only expresses that the horse was lame, but
he does not say it was navicular disease, or chronic disease, nor does he
give any account of it. Now the inference one would draw from the
terms of the certificate is, that he was not quite certain that it was navi¬
cular disease, but he says he believed it to be. Then on the 2nd March
he says he saw the horse again. He was with him for bronchitis from the
21st January to the 25th February. He had been there twice, once
with sore throat, and again with what is called pneumonia, or bronchitis.
Of both these attacks he was cured. They have nothing to do with the
case. Then he says, “ He quite recovered from bronchitis ;” — he thinks
he had seen him for a cold before: that is doubtless the cold in question.
Then he says, “ on the 2nd March I examined the foot, and he was still
lame of the same foot. My impression was, that it was navicular dis¬
ease.” Then he explains that. You heard all that was said, and I do
not think I could assist you, or do you any good, by reading all that over
again. If either of the counsel want it read over again, I will do it
readily ; or if you wish it, I will read it over ; but I think your
general recollection of the evidence will be enough. Then, he says, on
both these occasions there was no heat, and that he would certainly say
that the cause of lameness must have been there for more than a month
or six weeks. He says there was no heat, or acute symptoms ; but he
cannot possibly say what was the length of time. He says there was no
acute disease on the 19th December. If he is right in that, I think that
shows at least that the disease must have been of six weeks’ standing,
and it must show that it was there before the sale. But, of course,
though Mr. Lawson is a man of skill, he is, like everybody else, liable to
error, and you must judge whether that is correct or not.

Then he goes on to say that, on the 2nd March, he was sure that
there was chronic disease in the foot ; and though Mr. Greaves, veteri¬
nary surgeon, did not see him so soon, on the 7th March he and the
other veterinary surgeons saw him, and all agree that there was chronic
lameness. But then there was time enough between the month of No¬
vember and the 7th March for the disease to have been produced, and
the acute symptoms to have disappeared. But, at all events, on the
7th March they all agree that the horse had the navicular disease.

Then the horse is sold on the 6th April, and here there comes in a
matter which you will have to consider a little, and that is this, when the

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

263

defendant comes over at that time, he naturally enough wants to have a
veterinary surgeon of his own to examine him. He accordingly goes
and fetches a veterinary surgeon, named Taylor, with whom the plaintiff
unfortunately seems to have had some quarrel, and he, the plaintiff, I
think very foolishly and very wrongly, refuses to let Taylor see the
horse at all. Now, I think, in common fairness, when the defendant had
selected his veterinary surgeon, and wanted him to see the horse, the
plaintiff should have allowed that veterinary surgeon to have examined
him as much as he liked. I think the plaintiff might very reasonably
have said, “This is a man who has had a quarrel with me, and I would not
like him to examine my horse, and, therefore, I wish you would get some¬
body else instead but when the defendant said, “ Let this veterinary
surgeon of mine examine him,” I think the plaintiff's refusal to do so iveahens
his evidence , because, of course, it has not been fairly tested by the defen¬
dant’s evidence on the other side. I think you ought to give this much
weight to that circumstance, that it was not giving the defendant quite
fair play. 1 do not suppose it was done from any bad motive. It was
because the plaintiff had quarrelled with that particular man, and, con¬
sequently, appears to have resented bringing that particular man to
examine the horse. The defendant himself seems to have thought the
horse was sound at that time, and Taylor says the same thing, though he
only saw him trot upon soft ground as he was run out for sale. I must
say there is a very great weight of evidence against them, because all
these people, selected by the plaintiff, men of skill and position, all say
that the horse was unsound, and had a chronic disease at the time, so
that I think the evidence preponderates greatly that he was unsound
then.

However, the horse is put up for sale, and the defendant bids as high
as £64, and the plaintiff buys it in for £66. The plaintiff says the
reason he did that was that a horse with navicular disease, by nursing
and taking care of him, might be made to appear sound for a time, and
that he thought that was what the defendant intended to do, in view of
an action at law, and that he would so produce him to the jury as to
make a better case for himself. But I do not think that was proper conduct ,
or a very wise course to pursue. However, it was frankly admitted, and
was what a man might naturally enough do. Still he has bought the horse,
and has said by that act that the horse is worth sixty-six guineas to him,
for he gave sixty-six guineas to prevent the defendant getting the horse,
therefore that is very strong evidence against himself that the horse was
worth sixty-six guineas at that time. That you must take into con¬
sideration in considering the amount of damages in case you find the
horse to have been unsound.

And that is the last point. If you find the horse was sound on the
18th November, then of course the defendant is entitled to your verdict.
It rests with the plaintiff to satisfy you that the horse was unsound on
the 18th November. If he has satisfied you that the horse was unsound,
then the plaintiff is entitled to your verdict, and the measure of damages
which wou would award would be the difference between the sound value
of the horse and the real value of the horse, with such unsoundness as
be actually had at the time. That will be the meausure of the damages,
with the addition of a reasonable allowance for the expenses incurred in
keeping and trying to cure the horse ; all, in short, which might reasonably
he done during a reasonable time, whilst trying to ascertain whether the
horse was really unsound, and trying to find out whether he could cure
him or not. Not all the time he kept him, when he might have sold him,
but for a reasonable time, during which he was trying to find out whether

264

MISCELLANEA.

he could cure him or not. Then the difference between the sound value
and the real value of the horse. As I say, notwithstanding it had a sore
throat, and so on, the fact that the defendant paid sixty-six guineas for
him is very strong evidence against him, but not conclusive, because it
maybe explained away in the way he has done, and to which I have
already alluded. But it is strong evidence that the animal was worth
that at least.

But the great and main question upon which your verdict will turn is
this — Has the plaintiff satisfied you that the animal was unsound when
he was sold to him, and warranted to be sound on the 18th November ?

You will decide upon the soundness of the animal first. If yon find
that the horse was sound in November, of course the question of damages
will become quite immaterial. You will then say, verdict for the
defendant. If the horse was unsound in November, then you must
assess the damages to be awarded to the plaintiff.

After a short consultation the jury found a verdict for the defendant.

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

War Office, Pall Mall, March 8, 1864.
1st Dragoons.— Acting Veterinary Surgeon Thomas James
Richardson to be Veterinary Surgeon, vice Evander Cham¬
bers, placed on half-pay; May 5th.

MISCELLANEA.

PRESERVED CORN.

An experiment was lately made in Paris for the preserva¬
tion of corn from fermentation and the attack of insects by
inclosing it in a metal vessel and exhausting the air. The
experiment was made in the presence of forty persons, and
succeeded perfectly. Ten hectolitres of wheat were placed in a
metal vessel, and the air was exhausted. The vessel was
opened after fifteen days, and the weevils, which were seen
quite lively when the wheat w?as placed in the vessel, had quit¬
ted their cells and were dead. They wTere warmed, but did not
stir. Being placed on white paper, they vTere crushed and
reduced to powder, without leaving any stain on the paper.
Irom various experiments made on w heat under glass, it w7as
found that the weevil retains life longer than any other insect
wrhen deprived of air.

THE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 437.

MAY, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 113.

Communications and Cases.

NOTE FROM PROFESSOR YARNELL.

Gentlemen, — May I request the insertion of the follow¬
ing communication in the next number of your Journal ?

I am, &c.,

George Yarnell.

To the Editors of ‘ The Veterinarian .*

An important oversight on my part occurred in my exami¬
nation of a portion of the intestine of a colt, sent to me by Mr.
R. Littler, Y.S., and published in the last number of the
Veterinarian. This error would very likely have remained
uncorrected for some time had not Mr. Littler himself noticed
it. On repeating my investigation of a small portion of the
intestines which, with other parts, I had fortunately pre¬
served, I find that the numerous dark points, alluded to by
me as studding the mucous membrane, instead of being
simply “ blood spots,” the majority of them contained young
worms in various stages of growth. It is true, however, that,
as far even as my second investigation has gone, I find that in
some of these spots no entozoa exist. It therefore must
have been some of those that I had accidentally examined
at first, and thus concluded that they were all alike. I think
this must have been the way the error occurred ; for the
greater part of the worms in these spots were so far advanced
in growth as to be detected even with a moderately low mag¬
nifying power.

XXXVII.

18

266

NOTE ON AN ALKALOID OBTAINED FROM THE
SEEDS OF R1CINUS COMMUNIS, OR CASTOR-
OIL PLANT.

By Professor Tuson.

It is well known that certain parts of several plants
belonging to the natural order Puphorbiacere , as well as various
pharmaceutical preparations obtained therefrom, have been
long employed in medicine as remedial agents ; and that,
notwithstanding this circumstance, our knowledge respecting
the chemical constitution and physiological action of the
active principles residing in such bodies is even at the present
day in an exceedingly unsatisfactory state.

For a considerable period I have devoted much of the time
which I could snatch from that occupied in my regular pro¬
fessional pursuits to attempts at isolating the active constituents
of the seeds and oils of castor and croton, of gum euphor-
hium, and of cascarilla hark, i. e. the bark of Croton eleuteria
or of Croton cascarilla. Now although, as yet, I have not
succeeded in accomplishing the particular object which I had
in view when I commenced my experiments, I have never¬
theless discovered several substances possessing chemical if
not therapeutic interest, and it is one of these proximate
* principles which I have separated from the seeds and oil of
Ricinus communis that I wish to partly describe in this com¬
munication. The compound to which I refer is an alkaloid,
and I have provisionally named it ricinine.

Preparation of ricinine. — Crushed castor-oil seeds are ex¬
hausted by successive quantities of boiling water, and the
matters soluble in water separated from the oil and other
insoluble materials by filtration through wet calico. The
filtered liquid thus obtained is then evaporated to dryness
over a water hath, and the extract produced is treated with
boiling alcohol so long as it exerts any solvent power. The
alcoholic solutions are allowed to cool, when a small amount
of a resinoid body precipitates. This is separated by filtration,
and the filtered liquid is concentrated to a small bulk and
allowed to stand all night. The next morning a mass of
almost white crystals are found to have deposited from the
alcoholic solution. These crvstals are the new alkaloid,
ricinine. It may he obtained perfectly pure by recrystalliza¬
tion out of alcohol and decolorising by animal charcoal.

Properties of ricinine. — Ricinine crystallizes in rectangular

ALKALOID OBTAINED FROM CASTOR- OIL PLANT. 267

prisms and tables. When placed on the tongue, it slowly
manifests a feebly bitter taste, resembling somewhat that of
bitter almonds. Cautiously treated on a microscope slide,
ricinine melts and forms a perfectly colourless and mobile fluid,
which on cooling solidifies into a whorl of acicular crystals.
Heated between two watch-glasses, a sublimate is obtained,
which appears to be unaltered ricinine. Strongly heated on
platinum foil, ricinine first melts and subsequently burns with
a highly luminous and fuliginous flame.

The best solvents for ricinine are water and alcohol ; benzol
and ether dissolve but a small quantity of the akaloid.
Heated with solid hydrate of potash it evolves ammonia,
thus demonstrating the presence of nitrogen.

Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves the alkaloid without
colouring it, and the addition of bichromate of potash simply
causes the development of a green colour.

Iodic acid is not deoxidized by ricinine, even when these
substances are warmed together.

Concentrated nitric acid dissolves ricinine without evolving
red vapours, although heat be applied. On evaporating the
solution thus produced to a small volume and allowing it to
cool, gr<fups of transparent and colourless acicular crystals
develop. These crystals are rendered opaque by the addition
of water.

Concentrated hydrochloric acid dissolves ricinine, but
the hydrochlorate of the base, which is doubtless produced in
this reaction, appears to be readily decomposed both by
evaporation and dilution. A solution of ricinine in hydro¬
chloric acid does not give a precipitate with a concentrated
aqueous solution of bichloride of platinum, but on evaporat¬
ing a mixture of these bodies well-defined octohedra and
modifications of octohedra having a deep orange colour
crystallize out.

On mixing together cold saturated aqueous solutions of
ricinine and perchloride of mercury no change is at first
observed, but if the mixture be allowed to stand for a few
minutes a mass of beautiful silky crystals, arranged in radiate
tufts, is formed ; which is so solid that the vessel in which the
experiment is performed may be inverted without any fear of
its contents falling out. The mercurial compound of ricinine
is soluble in water and in alcohol, menstrua from which it
may be purified by crystallization.

If ordinary castor oil be shaken up with water, the water
decanted and evaporated to dryness, a small quantity of
resinous residue is left, which, when treated with boiling ben¬
zol, partly dissolves. If the benzolic solution of this residue

268

DISEASED LUNGS OE A HORSE.

be allowed to evaporate spontaneously, a small quantity of
white crystals are obtained, which, so far as one can judge
from their physical properties, are ricinine.

Neither ricinine nor the resinoid body which falls when the
alcoholic solution of the aqueous extract of the seeds is
allowed to cool, is the purgative principle of castor oil or of
the seeds from which it is expressed, for I administered two
grains of each of these educts to a rabbit more than a month
ago, and the animal has not evinced the slightest inconvenience,
temporary or otherwise. The true active principles of offici¬
nal Euphorbiaeice I am still seeking, and the nature of the
results which I have already obtained, induce me to indulge
in the hope that before long I shall be enabled to publish
an account of them. I may be permitted to conclude this
imperfect account of ricinine by stating that I have obtained
a similar if not identical body from croton seeds, and, so far
as I have yet discovered, differing in several important
characters from those described as belonging to cascarilline,
an alkaloid discovered by Braudes in the bark of Croton
eleuteria or Croton cascarilla} both plants belonging to the
nat. ord. Euphorbiacese.

UNUSUAL CASE OF DISEASED LUNGS OF A

HOUSE.

By G. South, M.R.C.V.S., London.

I have much pleasure in forwarding the particulars of the
case of a black horse, the lungs of which I sent to you on
the 11th February last.

From inquiry, it would seem that the horse was a good
worker, but about a month previous to his being placed
under my charge he appeared to breathe a little heavily in his
work, was off his feed, and had a slight discharge from the
nostrils, with a cough.

I first saw the animal on the 6th of January, and found
him in good condition, pulse 48, ears cold, loss of appetite,
respiration unnaturally quick, especially under excitement, a
powerful cough, and a discharge from the nostrils. So far
as I was then able to judge, he appeared to be suffering from
catarrh ; I therefore ordered him to be placed in a loose box,
the throat stimulated, and mild saline draughts, combined
with diffusible stimulants, to be administered twice a day until
the 11th, when I found the pulse 60, small, and difficult of

DISEASED LUMGS OF A HORSE,

269

compression ; the breathing hurried and laborious ; he refused
his food, and grunted on being turned in the box. There
was no discharge from the nostrils ; the visible mucous mem¬
branes were healthy. I could perceive no difference in the
rhoncus, but could distinctly hear the ingress and egress of
air from the lungs. From these appearances and auscultation
I concluded that some constitutional disturbance had taken
place in the chest. I applied counter-irritants consisting of
Ung. Bini. Hyd. repeatedly over the surface of the ribs, but
with no apparent effect; febrifuges and narcotics in small
doses were administered in the form of a draught twice a
day until the 16th, when the pulse had fallen to 50; the
breathing was about the same, and the conjunctiva around
the margin of the eyelid injected. I administered stimulants
with vegetable tonics, the appetite being much improved.

20th. — The pulse remains the same. I thought I perceived
indications of effusion in the chest, but none was present ;
the breathing is laborious, the appetite lost, but he drinks from
two to three pails of gruel daily. An immoderate discharge
of urine is present. Tonics, with astringents, were given in
mucilage twice a day until the 26th, when the pulse was still
60 and very small, the breathing difficult, but the diabetes
and thirst had subsided. He now partook of from three to
four feeds of corn, with carrots, hay and gruel, looked
cheerful, and would approach any one on going near him.
Gave mineral and vegetable tonics, combined, increasing
them to strong doses.

February 4th. — Pulse 70. The horse appears to be in
pain, is frequently lying down and getting up ; the pulsation
increased to 100, and the buccal membrane has assumed a
livid hue. These symptoms continued until the 9th, when
the animal died.

I have to remark that the symptoms during the progress of
the disease were somewhat of a peculiar character. The
cough was strong, but not frequent ; the ears cold, and
extremities warm, which continued throughout his illness ;
the faeces were fair in quantity, and of a natural consistence ;
the animal appeared cheerful, and would lie down in appa¬
rently a comfortable position ; and although he appeared to
have improved in his feeding, and was doing well until about
the 4th, he quickly wasted away, and died quite emaciated,
being reduced almost to a skeleton.

I beg to subjoin the 'post-mortem examination. The lumbar
region of the abdominal viscera was tolerably healthy ; the
intestines and various parts were pale and flabby ; the peri¬
cardium and heart were inflamed, the latter containing a

270

DISEASED LUNGS OF A HORSE.

quantity of dark fluid blood. The pleurae pulmonalis and
costalis were healthy ; the lungs, which were of an enormous
size, and weighed 50 lbs., bore a remarkable and striking
appearance ; they resembled in touch that of liver, and
were consolidated, having small patches (triangularly shaped)
of a fatty nature permeating the whole substance of the
parenchyma. The near or left lung, on which side the
animal died, was of a dark colour, the off having a light flesh-
coloured appearance ; the bronchial tubes contained a small
quantity of sanguineous mucus.

To Professor Varnell.

REMARKS BY PROEESSOR VARNELL.

The above is one of the most interesting cases of disease
of the lungs I have ever met with, and, as far as I can
discover, it stands alone in English veterinary literature. I
think I may safely state that this is the opinion also of my
colleagues. The morbid specimen was shown to some of the
most eminent pathologists in London, who considered it to
be almost unique. This makes the case the more inter¬
esting, and places me under great obligation to Mr. South
for the opportunity he has given me to investigate it.

With only a little difference, both the lungs presented the
same morbid appearance ; they were, as nearly as possible, of
equal size, although much larger than natural, and, as
remarked by Mr. South, one was darker in colour than the
other, which, no doubt, was due to the position the horse was
in at the time he died, and also in which the carcass remained

for some time after death. In consistence they were firm

«/

but springy to the feel, except at the posterior and anterior
extremities of both the large and small lobes, where they
were soft and spongy, and much lighter in colour. The
pleural coverings were, with the exception of being in some
places slightly thickened, but little altered in character.
In making a section through the lungs in a longitudinal
direction, a better idea could be formed of the extent of the
disease, which to me, I must confess, was very remarkable.

With the exception of one lung being a little darker in
colour than the other, as was noticed with regard to their
outer surfaces, the interior was very similar in appearance.
The cut surfaces of the sections of these organs were of a
pale-red colour, thickly studded with whitish spots about the
size of a pea ; some of them, however, were much smaller.
They varied in colour from yellowish to a pearly white, the

DISEASED LUNGS OP A HORSE.

271

small ones more particularly assumed tlie latter appearance.
The spongy portions of these organs were of a dirty straw
colour, there being no red points or other indications of
blood having circulated through them, or of their having
been permeated by air for some long time ; the small
bronchial tubes seemed to have been completely obliterated
by compression from the interstitial deposition.

Such was the general appearance of the lungs as far as the
unaided eye could discover. The microscope was now resorted
to, to determine the true character of the white points that
were diffused throughout the entire structure of these organs.

On examining a small quantity of the matter scraped off
them, it was found to consist of large nucleated cells, large
and small granular cells, and what appeared to me to be
free nuclei, with an abundance of granular matter. An
examination of the deposit of these lungs was made by a
pathologist of high standing, who, in his remarks to me on
it, says, quoting his words, “All the white points in the
lungs were made up of the same elements ; cells nucleated
and non-nucleated, granular and homogeneous, some like
cancer cells, some small, like the nuclei of mucus-corpuscles
or young epithelium.”

1 regret that the bronchial lymphatic glands were not sent
with the lungs, as I think they would have exhibited a disease
of the same character as these organs. I am also of an
opinion that the disease commenced primarily in these organs,
and that the lungs were secondarily affected.

Since making the above remarks, a case very similar in
many respects to that to which they refer has been brought
under my notice by Mr. William Clark, Y.S., of Islington.
I think it very remarkable that two cases, so nearly identical
in character, should have occurred within so short a time of
each other. The organs affected, consisting of the lungs, heart,
and spleen, were brought to the College for our inspection ;
and a few days, after, the following letter, describing the
symptoms observed during the time that Mr. Clark had the
animal under his care, with his reasons for advising the owner
of the horse to have him destroyed, also came to hand :

Little Cross Street, Islington ;

• March 21st, 1864.

Dear Sir, — I beg to hand you a brief account of the symptoms pre¬
sented by the bay mare whose 'post-mortem appearances you have had an
opportunity of seeing. On the 27th of January last she was brought
here in consequence of being off her feed and having a slight cough ; she

272

DISEASED LUNGS OF A HORSE.

had been at work, however, up to within a day or two, taking rest in the
usual way, and, in fact, nothing of serious moment was suspected. From
her very irritable temperament, it was impossible to approach her head for
the purpose of examining her visible mucous membranes without apply¬
ing a twitch ; however, I did not deem it necessary to do so, but advised
that she should be taken home and carefully nursed and dieted. I heard
no more of her until the 17th of February, when her owner thought it
desirable that she should come to my infirmary and occupy a loose box.
When his man brought her I observed to him that her respiration was
very much laboured, and that he must either have ridden her or brought
her here in a very hurried manner, but he assured me that he led her at
her own pace. It being late in the evening, I placed her in a comfort¬
able loose box, and deferred any minute examination until the following
morning. On the 18th I ascertained that she had eaten up her previous
night’s supper and had lain down ; her pulse was 56. I managed to
examine her visible mucous membranes, and found them pallid. I then
auscultated the chest ; the respiration was between 50 and 60 per minute ;
the sounds on the right side normal, but those of the left indicated great
oppression, and resembled wind passing through bagpipes. I applied,
therefore, an extensive blister to the left side.

19th. — Blister acted well ; appetite tolerably good ; respiration more
easy ; pulse 56.

21st. — Ung. Hyd. Biniod. applied over the blistered part ; animal
feeding tolerably well.

23rd. — Pulse 60 ; respiration increased ; countenance very much de¬
jected, appetite tolerably good, but has not lain down since the appli¬
cation of the blister. From this time she began to waste in condition
very much ; the eyes became glassy ; the mane also was easily detached.

On the 10th of March, considering that she had extensive structural
disease of the lungs, from which she would never sufficiently recover so
as to be again useful, I advised her owner to have her destroyed.

On the 12th, on her way to the yard, she walked tolerably well
until she reached the neighbourhood of Barnsbury, when, as my groom
informs me, she became suddenly and intensely lame of the off hind leg,
and, refusing to proceed any further, was destroyed in the street.

I am,

Yours very truly,

William Clark.

To Professor Varnell.

It will be seen, by comparing this letter with the one re¬
ceived from Mr. South, that the symptoms in the cases they
refer to, to a certain extent, correspond with each other.
For example, we find in both cases that the breathing was
unusually quick, and a cough was present ; the pulse in each,
as compared with the number of respirations per minute, was
slow, except in Mr. South's case, a short time before death.
These symptoms, as far as they go, were certainly diagnostic
of disease of lung, and that of a character not usually met
with. But I am sure no one will suppose that either Mr.
South or Mr. Clark could possibly determine the true nature
of the disease they had to contend with. The symptoms
were not those of pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, or con-

DISEASED LUNGS OF A HORSE.

273

gestion of tlie blood-vessels, either active or passive ; and yet
it was evident enough that these organs were extensively
involved, and over which no treatment, whether medical or
otherwise, could have the least control. Such, I conceive,
were the feelings of these two gentlemen, both being practi¬
tioners of large experience, and I feel confident that such
would have been my position under similar circumstances.
The importance, then, of recording these cases seems obvious
enough. In some degree they may assist in diagnosing
similar lesions, and they may also serve as guides in arriving
at conclusions in disputed cases of soundness at the time of
the sale of a horse. I will now give a brief description of
the morbid parts above alluded to.

The lungs were much enlarged, and of a lighter colour
than natural; their outer surfaces were slightly uneven,
in consequence of numerous nodule-like tumours in their
structure, immediately beneath their serous coverings, but
the latter were in no way structurally involved with the
former. These tumours varied in size from that of a pea to
a small walnut, and were found, on making a section of the
lungs, to be disseminated throughout the entire substance of
these organs, and were more or less connected together by
light-coloured striae, which passed from one to the other
between the lobuli. These small tumours were moderately
firm and of a lightish gray colour, except in the centre of
some of the larger ones, where it was of a yellowish-white
aspect. The striae between the lobules were of a pearly
white colour, and, if anything, a little firmer in structure
than the tumours.

The bronchial lymphatic glands, which had not been re¬
moved from the root of the lungs, were larger than natural,
and their structure materially altered by the deposition of
abnormal matter in their interior, which was similar in
appearance to that deposited in the substance of the lungs,
but it looked as though it was of an older date.

The spleen was a most remarkable specimen of disease.
It was many times larger than it would have been in a healthy
state, weighing not less than twenty-five pounds, and was of
corresponding dimensions. Its bulk was not due to its being
surcharged with blood, as is very often the case, but, like
the lungs and glands above alluded to, to abnormal growths
within its structure; these growths were not, however, regularly
developed throughout the organ, but in isolated spots forming
a series of tumours varying very much in size ; some were as
large as a good-sized apple, others not larger than a small
walnut, and many were of an intermediate size. Of these

274

DISEASED LUNGS OF A HORSE.

tumours, those seen on the surface of the organ varied in
colour. The summits of all the larger ones were of a light
gray, their sides of a brownish aspect, and their bases the
same in colour as the spaces between them, which was the
natural colour of the healthy spleen. The surfaces of this
organ, studded as they were with these tumours, might be
made to resemble a miniature model of a section of the
earth on which a number of snow-capped mountains existed,
varying in height, the bases of which, and the valleys be¬
tween them, being of a brownish-purple colour, as though
covered with heather. These tumours, when cut through,
presented the same structural appearance as those previously
mentioned as existing in the lungs, but in consistence they
were evidently firmer. The heart was smaller than natural,
pale, and flabby to the touch. At its apex it had evidently
undergone a fatty degeneration, very little* muscular tissue
being present at this part of the organ.

Such is the general character of the above-named organs
as seen by the unaided eye, and to those conversant with
pathological anatomy it is sufficient to give a tolerable idea of
the true nature of the disease. But it is to the microscope
that we are indebted for a more precise knowledge of the
character of such deposits. By its aid only can we determine
the nature of the histological elements of which growths like
these are made up.

On examining a small quantity of matter scraped from the
cut surface of the diseased parts of either of these organs,
similar elements were seen (by me at least, others who examined
them may have discovered more), of the same character as
those noticed in Mr. South’s case, viz., large nucleated cells,
granular cells in large numbers, free nuclei, with an in¬
tensely granular fluid. A little matter taken from the cut
surface of the tumours of the spleen had, I thought, many
more of the large nucleated cells in it than I observed in
that taken from the other organs.

I have thus given a brief sketch of the diseased organs
taken from the horse under the care of Mr. Clark, to whom
I feel indebted for the opportunity he has given me for such
an interesting investigation. By what title is this disease to
be designated? It has been suggested to me that it is
cancer, and I think that the nature of the growths (ab¬
normal) before referred to justifies such an appellation. This
disease did not, in all probability, commence in either the
lungs or spleen, but in some other organ, most likely in the
bronchial glands. This may have been the case also in Mr.
South’s case, and from these organs some of the abnormal

DISEASED LUNGS OF A HORSE.

275

elements were carried by the blood in its circulation to the
lungs and spleen, and perhaps to other organs also, but to an
extent not noticed.

What could have induced such disease in the animal
organism in the first instance ? This I will not venture to
give an opinion upon. There may, however, have been that
peculiar diathesis in these animals which would only require
some exciting cause to determine active disease. We may
safely assert, I think, that the seeds of the malady were in
the system, although in a dormant state, long before either
Mr. South or Mr. Clark was consulted.

Specimens from the lungs were examined by Dr. Harley
and also by Dr. Hicks, whose reports on them are published
in the Medical Times of April 9th, 1864 :

“The portion of lung examined was found to be very
slightly crepitant, and on being cut into small pieces some of
them sank in water and others barely floated. On a naked-eye
inspection, it appeared to contain a quantity of grayish-white
matter, filling up the spaces of the lung-tissue. On micro¬
scopic examination this whitish matter was found to occupy
the air-cells, filling up most of them more or less completely.
It was seen to consist of corpuscles, varying somewhat in size
and shape, the predominant form being spherical. These
corpuscles contained much granular matter, and many of
them appeared to be nucleated.

“ Dr. Harley said that Dr. Quain had reminded him that
the specimen on which Dr. Hicks had reported was very like
one he (Dr. Harley) had received from the Veterinary
College. On section, the lungs presented innumerable white
spots, looking at first sight like entozoa. When he received
the specimen it so happened that no less than seven patholo¬
gists were present, and none of them had seen a similar con¬
dition in the lungs. They were removed from a young horse,
four years of age. The animal had had good health until six
weeks before death, when it began gradually to lose flesh.
The appearance of the lungs being very unusual, they were
sent from the country to the Veterinary College, but the
professors there said they had never seen lungs in that con¬
dition. Dr. Harley looked for ova, but found none ; but on
microscopical examination found appearances similar to those
Dr. Hicks described in his report, and he had no doubt the
specimen was some form of cancer. Unfortunately, the other
organs had been thrown away. Dr. Harley came to the con¬
clusion that the cancer was secondary. Since examining this
specimen he had received another nearly like it, but here

276

ELASTICITY OF THE HORSE’S FOOT.

there were masses of soft cancer in the spleen, and in the
lung also were several large nodules, as well as the smaller
ones found in the other specimen.

“Dr. Wale Hicks said that in his specimen no distinct
spots were found. The matter was uniformly infiltrated.”

ON THE ELASTICITY OF THE HORSE’S FOOT.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.Y.S. London.

The subject of the elasticity of the horse’s foot remains,
up to the present time, an unsettled and disputed point, not
only in this country, but also on the Continent. It was
first treated of by M. Lafosse, sen., in his fNew Practice of
Shoeing/ published in 1754, and afterwards the subject was
further elucidated by his son, whose manual was published in
1766. The MM. Lafosse, however, only drew attention to
the flexibility of the heels. Lafosse, sen., says, at page 86,
“ the heel comes in contact with the shoe, for the hoof is
flexible /’ at page 101 he again says, “ the thinner the shoe
at the heel the greater is the flexibility of the hoof at the same
part.” At page 203 of the f Manual’ we read, “It is true
that there is an old prejudice that, to protect the heels from
the hard and paved roads, the shoe should be long at the
same parts, and cover the point of the heels of the foot ; but
when it is suggested to the partisans of this system of shoe¬
ing that the iron on which the heels bear is as hard as the
pavement, they answer that they take care to raise the heels
of the shoes so that there is no bearing on the heels, which
certainly is the case, to the extent, as they clearly show you,
that the blade of a knife can be easily passed between the
shoe and the heel of the foot, but this is only while the foot
is held up. When the foot is on the ground and the other
foot is held up, tell them to pass the blade of the knife in
that position, and they will find that there is no space left,
even to introduce anything as thin as a beaten gold leaf. They
believe that it is the shoe that bends, and consequently put
on a thicker shoe ; but the effect is the same, and they are
quite confounded on finding that, on taking up the foot, the
same distance between the heel and the shoe exists, which
could not be perceived when the foot was on the ground.”

Bourgelat, the founder of the first veterinary schools, in
his work on shoeing, published 1771, after having described

ELASTICITY OF THE HORSE’S FOOT. 277

the different parts which constitute the horse’s foot, says,
“ finally, the elasticity pervades every part of the hoof.”
Professor Coleman, in his work on the foot, 1802, takes
nearly the same views of the elasticity of the hoof as MM.
Lafosse and Bourgelat. In 1809 the best work on the
horse’s foot appeared from the pen of Bracy Clark. Though
the anatomy of the foot is most accurately described, the
work is principally directed to the mode of shoeing, of which
he gives a most erudite history. He enumerates with great
care all the prejudices and abuses in the practice of shoeing,
and to it he attributes the principal causes of the deteriora¬
tion of the hoof. To demonstrate more accurately the injury
caused by shoeing, the author begins by describing the elas¬
ticity of the hoof, of which he claims the first discovery,
which, according to him, consists principally in the descent of
the sole, and the lateral expansion at the heels, in which certain
functions are attributed to the frog rather inconsistent with
its structure. The theory of Bracy Clark was generally
adopted on the Continent as well as in England, his work
being translated into French and German. In this country
it had the effect of introducing a better system of shoeing,
and led to the adoption of a better shoe, thinner at the heel,
and consequently lighter, put on with fewer nails, and these
placed further from the heels ; but it also led to that most
objectionable system of paring the feet, opening the heels,
and sometimes rasping off the inside quarter to promote the
supposed expansion of the heels. Whether this cutting,
paring, and rasping, with soaking and softening of the feet,
did or did not produce some of the results advocated by the
author, it would be difficult to say ; but if so, it could only
be the effect of the abnormal, and not the normal, condition
of the parts. A question might be asked, did not the paring
of the feet, until the sole sprang under the thumb, and blood
was all but drawn, as was recommended and generally fol¬
lowed in all shoeing establishments, lay the foundation of
navicular disease ? This source of lameness was up to that
time unknown, and is now of much rarer occurrence, since a
more rational plan has been adopted, although the roads are
still as hard, and the pace, since the introduction of railways,
is quite as much accelerated. There is no doubt that by
paring and rasping of the sole, frog, and crust, the parts
which were immediately covered by them became more ex¬
posed to external injury; and the hoof, becoming dry and
brittle, was much deteriorated, and disposed to contraction;
one half of the horses were thereby more or less crippled,
and it was painful to see tender-footed animals travel on

278 ELASTICITY OF THE HORSE'S FOOT.

rough or fresh macadamized roads. To remedy this, leather
soles were applied by some persons. But why remove the
natural protection to substitute an artificial one ? On the Con¬
tinent the consequences were not the same ; for though expan¬
sion was generally espoused, it was not carried out in practice.
Their system of shoeing is more uniform, and the but¬
tress used in paring the feet is not so well adapted for
scooping out the sole as the more ingenious drawing-knife.
It has been reported by good observers that the number of
lame horses is less in Paris than in London, but that may
depend on other causes. Let it not be supposed that I speak
disparagingly of the works of Bracy Clark ; on the contrary,
though there are points on which I do not agree with him, I
hold that his work on the foot is very erudite ; and if he had
done nothing more, he has certainly made us better acquainted
with the structure of the horse's foot, as well as the origin
and history of shoeing.

More than thirty years ago I was engaged on some experi¬
ments on shoeing in which paring the feet was inadmissible,
and this created some doubts in my mind as to the lateral ex¬
pansion of the heels. I there and then instituted some direct
experiments to ascertain the fact, and selected feet which had
never been shod, as well as those which had been shod, for
the purpose. I repeated these experiments several times,
but could not find the least appreciable descent of the sole or
expansion of the heels. But I do not on that account deny
the elasticity of the horse's foot ; on the contrary, I ascer¬
tained that to a limited extent it did exist, principally
towards the coronet and the heels, and is determined in the
following manner. When a sound free-going horse in pro¬
gression extends his leg and brings his foot to the ground,
the heels and quarters reach it first ; this, however, is hardly
perceptible ; the pressure on the toe is greatest when the
foot is on the point of leaving the ground ; however, when
the whole weight is thrown on the foot at the moment when
the other foot is leaving the ground, the soft parts within
the hoof become compressed, the upper part of the hoof
yields, its fibres are compressed, the heels descend, and are
brought into contact with the shoe on the ground. When
the foot is off the ground it slightly expands. The same
takes place in the hind feet, with this difference, that the
motion at the heels is not so great, while the elasticity at the
coronet is greater than that in the fore feet.

To resume. The hoof is a horny box, in which are con¬
tained the different parts constituting the digits, or what is
designated the horse's foot. It is composed of three different

observations on soundness.

279

liorny substances — 1st, the crust or wall, composed of longi¬
tudinal fibres closely matted together, which, when macerated,
have the appearance of coarse horse-hair. This part of the
hoof is elastic to a limited extent ; it yields when the weight
is thrown on it in a downward and backward direction ; this
elasticity is greater at the coronet and the quarter where the
lateral cartilages greatly contribute to it, but it is almost nil
over the os pedis. 2nd. The sole, which is composed of irre¬
gular layers superposed on one another. It does not, as far
as I have been able to ascertain, possess any elasticity or
yielding power. According to Bracy Clark, Girard, and
other writers on the horse^s foot, the sole contributes to the
elasticity of the foot by expanding the heels; this, in my
experiments, I have been unable to discover, and I doubt it
being the fact. 3rd. The frog, a soft pyramidical body,
bifurcated at the base, and composed of flexible fibres, parallel
like those of the crust or wall. Its function is to ward
off concussion and prevent slipping. It is therefore neces¬
sary that it should always be brought in contact with the
ground, as otherwise it will become hard and dry, and be
thrown out of use.

The horse^s foot, from its shape and construction, is essen¬
tially formed for rapid progression on plain or level ground.
It is not like that of the polydactyls, adapted to ascend or
climb, or even like the didactyls, to secure a footing on steep
rocks or mountains, where they find food and security against
hunters and beasts of prey. It therefore possesses great
solidity and but limited yielding power.

OBSERVATIONS ON “ SOUNDNESS.”

By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

( Continued from p. 212.)

The lateral cartilages are liable to become ossified, especi¬
ally in the heavy draught and coarse bred horses ; and well
bred ones are not entirely free from the disease. Many horses
are the subject of this disorganization of structure, and are
passed as sound, and free from disease, by the veterinarian ;
in some instances by being overlooked, and in others, in con¬
sequence of the examiner not deeming it necessary to make
any remark. Some men are desirous of earning the name of

280

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

good fellows , and of becoming popular with breeders and
dealers in horses. In order to accomplish this they are not
over particular in their examinations as to soundness : wTe
often hear remarks as to the manner Mr. So-and-so passes
his horses. I do not wonder at the neophite adopting this
course, more particularly when he has to contend with
“ Yieux routier.” It is common to hear some people say they
object to a certain man as he is very particular, that is to say,
when selling, but not when buying ; they do not care how you
scrutinise a horse when they have to pay the purchase-
money. I have been told by farmers that a “ vet.” ought to
overlook many little things when a gentleman is the purchaser,
because he can well afford to lose his money if anything
goes amiss. Sellers of horses — as a general rule — are not
sufficiently versed in what constitutes the duties of an ex¬
aminer as to soundness ; indeed I have known some gentle¬
men give a hint to the “ vet.” not to look more closely than
needs be. When this suggestion is made, he ought to take
extra pains in examining his case. But this is a digression,
and now to proceed. We all know how prone the horse is
to the deposition of bony matter upon various parts of his
frame when a sufficient exciting cause has called it forth. We
find cases of substitution also very frequent as we approach
towards the pedal extremity ; for example, this substitution is
met with between the metacarpal bones and in cartilaginous
structures generally, when contiguous to the bones-

The lateral cartilages are — as I have said — especially liable
to the change of structure adverted to, in certain bred horses.

These appendages too, often feel like dried gutta-percha,
and are curled towards their posterior parts, which must to a
certain extent impair the action of the animal so circum¬
stanced. Being intended to protect certain parts by warding
off concussion, the lateral cartilages should be extremely
pliable. Much may be said of these bodies, were it
necessary. I know of no portion of the anatomy of the
horse more overlooked by some persons than the lateral
cartilages, and I have no doubt much diversity of opinion
will exist as to a diseased state of the parts being considered
an unsoundness when, of course, the disease has rendered
them but slightly rigid. It is usual to certify an animal
sound if no lameness is apparent.

I pass over that disease called e( quittor,” not believing
any person would subject an animal to the ordeal with such
a disease apparent. The next to catch the eye is a sore heel ,
this is generally looked upon as a very trivial affair, and un¬
worthy of notice, A word or two, how ever, may not be un-

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

281

profitably employed in discussing the merits of this apparently
trifling ailment.

I omitted to mention — not deeming it necessary — that
when practicable the legs and feet should be well cleansed
from dirt, either by water or otherwise, previous to the ex¬
amination, as it is possible the eye may be deceived during
the process. A slight' crack in the heel, or a fissure may
exist in the horny part of the foot, which might escape de¬
tection unless this precaution be taken. Sore heels, cracked
heels, or as some persons describe these affections, scratched
heels, will, (although considered by many of no consequence,)
sometimes cause a great deal of mischief. A word in season
will tend to ward off evil consequences. Lameness is often
the result of a sore heel, and if it should happen that a splint
is present in the limb of the same side, it is more than
probable the lameness will be attributed to the splint and not
to the slight crack in the heel ; these mistakes are not in¬
frequent. Mr. Percivall mentions a case in Part I, vol. iv, of
his f Hippopathology,’ which will teach a better lesson than I
am capable of doing.

The late Mr. Henderson read a paper on the subject of
splint, in the year 1829, at the Veterinary Medical Society,
which contained the following observations : — iC Early in the
spring of 1827, a Norfolk breeder, brought seven or eight
horses to town for sale. I was requested by a gentleman to
inspect one of them, of which he had made choice. They
were a lot of very clever horses, and all got by old Pretender.
There was one remarkable circumstance, they all had splints,
but situated on the shin bone, and, as far as regards lameness,
they were all perfectly sound. I mean to say, not one of them
was lame; and, therefore, I considered them sound. I passed the
one in question (a mare), and she always remained sound, and
gave satisfaction. A fewdays afterthis, a gentleman called upon
me to ask if I could recommend him a horse to carry a lady.
Having seen one belonging to the breeder to whom I have just
alluded, I took the gentleman to the stable, accompanied by
his friend and servant. After they had all three ridden the
horse, approved of him, notwithstanding he had a splint on
each leg of large dimensions, which was pointed out to them,
they bought him. On the third day I found the whole
party at my house exceedingly angry, the horse was lame, and
it was insisted that the dealer should take him back. It ap¬
peared that the horse was sent the day before to the college ;
it had left the gentleman’s stables sound, but on arriving at
the college he was discovered lame in consequence of the
splint, and the gentleman was recommended, immediately to

xxxvii. 19

282

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

return him. When I saw him the following day, he was still
lame ; but I was soon satisfied the splints had nothing to do
with the lameness. I had the shoe taken off, and could find
nothing wrong in the foot ; but on pressing my thumb in the
heel above the frog, the horse felt so much pain that he
plunged from me with violence. On close examination, I
found it proceeded from a very trifling crack in the heel.
After a great deal of angry contention between the dealer
and the gentleman, I persuaded them to consent to my
keeping the horse three days, in which time I was to give
him a dose of physic, and poultice the heel if he was sound
at the end of that period, the gentleman wras to keep him ; if
he continued lame, he was to be returned. On the third day
the horse was sound ; but, instead of the party meeting as
agreed, the gentleman sent his attorney to demand the
purchase-money. Although I was perfectly satisfied as to
the soundness of the horse, yet, to make assurance doubly
sure, I advised the man to take the horse to Mr. Field, for
his opinion. Mr. Field examined him with the greatest
minuteness, and gave a written certificate that he was sound.
The dealer then resisted the payment, and an action at law was
the consequence. The horse remained in my stable. About six
weeks after this, Mr. Sewell, accompanied by the purchaser,
called to see the horse; when, after having examined and ridden
him, Mr. Sewell gave it as his decided opinion, that, although
the horse was not lame, he was unsound , because he had
splints, which splints were (according to Mr. Sewell's notions,)
precisely the same as nodes in the human subject." I have
made the above quotation for the purpose of showing that
from a slight cause a horse will fall lame, and be rejected as
unsound, even by those who are most careful in their scrutiny.
Sore -heels — I have found — are thought but little of by horse-
keepers and their grooms ; they cannot imagine that so slight
a sore as that sometimes met with in the heel can produce so
much lameness ; the foot must be at fault they exclaim. We
have great difficulty occasionally in persuading the owner to
place the horse at rest for a few days ; it is generally thought
that a cracked heel should pass unnoticed, and anything by
way of medical treatment, is quite uncalled for. If a horse has
disease of this kind, he cannot, for the time being, be con¬
sidered truly sound ; but it would seem as though one were
straining at a gna,t if he rejected the animal. These things can
always be remedied, unless we have a crotchety purchaser to
deal with who fancies he has bought at too high a figure; in
that case he will avail himself of the excuse and shuffle out
of the bargain.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

283

SandcracJc .

Sandcrack will most probably fall under our notice at
this part of the examination. It is usual to push back
the hair at the coronet when the foot is being held up so
as to have a good view of the origin of disease. Separation
of the fibres generally commences at the superior portion of
the hoof, and proceeds towards the inferior part. It is either
a very trifling ailment or a troublesome one, depending upon
the nature of the lesion ; the crust at the superior part of the
quarter being exceedingly thin, is frequently ruptured, which
will often cause lameness, as the sensitive parts are implicated
and exposed to the annoyances of dirt and other causes
together with concussion produced by almost all ordinary
shoes, when a separation of the fibres takes place midway, or
commences at the inferior part of the crust. As a general rule,
true sandcrack may be prevented by ordinary care. If the
fissure should make its way towards the upper half it will not
occasion inconvenience or lameness unless both tables of horn
have suffered • separation . Brittle and shelly horn will be more
liable to sandcrack than horn of a tough and healthy descrip¬
tion ; indeed, it may be questioned whether healthy horn is
ever found with sandcrack in it. If we could at all times
learn the true state of the parts for some time prior to the
appearance of the crack, I make no doubt we should be able
to detect much feverish heat in the foot. Professor Spooner,
in his lectures, stated that “ it is not usual to find it in circular
feet ; it is almost always found under the centre of gravity,
&c. If the crack has grown out, or nearly so, from above
downwards, I should say, it would be of no consequence.
It may be, however, an hereditary predisposition, and it
may be produced again from any predisposing cause.”
Again. “ It is found always in an altered state of the
fibres.” I can bear testimony to the truthfulness of these
remarks, and am glad to have availed myself of the notes
taken at the learned professor’s lectures. When the crack
continues so as to reach the sensitive parts, it will invariably
produce lameness. Under any circumstances, unsoundness
is the result of sandcrack.

False Quarter.

False quarter is generally the sequel of quittor, although
an injury to the coronary substance may, and does sometimes,
produce it. False quarter cannot be cured by any means ;
when once established it remains as long as the life of the
animal lasts ; it, therefore, must of necessity be considered
an unsoundness.

[To be continued .)

284

THE OPERATION OE “ FIRING” FOR ROARING.
. — TREATMENT OF SPAVIN.

By E. C. Dray, M.R.C.V.S., President of the Yorkshire

M.V.A., Leeds.

I am quite sure that many members of the profession, as
well as myself, will thank Mr. J. G. Cattrall, M.R.C.V.S.,
for his very candid letter in last month's Veterinarian in
reply to mine of December last, relative to the operation of

firing" for roaring. I trust other members will follow
Mr. Cattrali’s excellent example, and give us the benefit of
their experience, so that the subject may be fully discussed
and ventilated.

But I would respectfully suggest that the professors of
the Royal Veterinary College should on all occasions
thoroughly investigate any new operation or mode of treat¬
ment, so that we provincial vets, may have their authority
to state to our patrons the result of the College experiments.

I have had my doubts of the good effects of “ firing" for
roaring, and suspected there was a strong odour of em¬
piricism about it. Another operation for iC bone spavin"
is performed by some veterinary surgeons, and, as I am
credibly informed, successfully, by dissecting the integument
over the spavin, and introducing some caustic substance, then
replacing the integument and inserting sutures. Perhaps
those practitioners who resort to this operation will inform
us as to its results, and if I have rightly described it.

OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOWELS OF DOGS.

By Thomas Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester.

The subject of this communication may not possess to
some of your readers that interest and value which it would
had any particular mode of treatment been adopted, whereby a
cure had been effected and the lives of the patients saved.
Others, again, may think as I do, and maintain that cases
which recover are not at all times the most interesting or
capable of affording us the greatest amount of valuable in¬
formation as future guides, nor of exciting the same amount
of useful matter for contemplation and reflection, as do well-

OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOWELS OF DOGS. 285

marked cases during the animal's illness, added to the ad¬
vantage of ascertaining the real or true state of the case after
death. In ail cases that recover we can only approximate
the truth by surmise. In some the opinion formed from the
symptoms may be very wide of the mark, but, the patient
recovering, the error is never found out. I maintain further
that the simple fact of a patient recovering is not always a
certain and satisfactory proof that our view of the case was
correct, and that the treatment was the best and most proper
which could have been adopted, any more than it would be
right to conclude, on the other hand, that because the patient
did not recover it was a proof that the treatment was im¬
proper. But to my point. A few months ago a small
terrier dog was brought to me, apparently in a sinking con¬
dition, from the impaction of a solid compact substance within
the rectum, and partly projecting from the anus. It appeared
a perfect fixture, and was so firmly grasped by the sphincter
ani that it could not be passed backwards or forwards by
the animal. He had suffered in this way for several days,
had been constantly yelling, and was in great pain. I care¬
fully and gently grasped the substance with a pair of forceps,
and by dint of drawing gradually and gently, and at the same
time carefully manipulating the mucous membrane of the
rectum backwards over the substance, I succeeded in re-
moving it. On examination, it proved to be an angular¬
shaped piece of bone, enveloped in dry and hardened faeces.
The dog rapidly recovered. But the question of interest in
connection is, how long had it taken for this large piece of
bone to pass from the stomach to the end of the rectum,
bearing in mind at the same time the small calibre of the
intestine of the dog? Each inch of the bowel, step by step,
must have been preternaturally distended and yielded to
admit of its passage at all.

The second case occurred in a middle-sized dog, of the
retriever and mastiff breed. About a week or two ago I was
requested to make a post-mortem examination of him, as it
was suspected he had been poisoned. He was found dead
in the morning, having been on the night previously, as
they believed, in perfect health. I found the bowels quite
empty, but the stomach full of clean bones, and unmixed with
any other food. Most of the bones were small and angular,
and would have filled a good-sized basin. At the pyloric
end of the stomach, just at its entrance into the duodenum,
the bones were all of one kind, viz., broken or split cylin¬
drical bones, like those of a fowl's leg. These would have filled
a large breakfast-cup. They were lying across the opening,

286

SECRETION OF MILK BY A YEARLING FILLY.

completely blocking up the passage. All were perfectly
clean, with no admixture of any other food. The stomach
was inflamed.

Now, I was assured that this dog had eaten his usual food
up to the night before. The impression upon my mind was
that these bones had been some time, say for many days, or
perhaps weeks, in the stomach, and that his regular meals
must have been vomited, but that he could not dislodge the
bones in this way.

The third case was a large mastiff and retriever. I was
called to him a few weeks ago. He had had no motion for
four weeks . He was a voracious feeder. A few months pre¬
vious he had voided a large champagne cork.

I injected enemas, passed my forefinger up the rectum,
and gave various powerful purgatives. By external exami¬
nation, I could feel a very large solid substance in the bowels.
He died at the end of three weeks, having been seven weeks
without having had any passage whatever.

On making a post-mortem examination, I found an accumu¬
lated mass of dry faeces, resembling half-baked, dark-coloured
clay. It was not, however, gritty, but greasy on being
rubbed between the finger and thumb. In form it resembled
large German sausage. It weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz., was 19
inches long, and 2| inches in diameter. It was so situated
as to abut against the bones of the pelvis, apparently showing
that if it had not been for this bony obstruction the bowel
would have been expanded sufficiently to have allowed of its
expulsion.

SECRETION OE MILK BY A YEARLING FILLY.

By Thomas D. Broad, M.R.C.V.S., Bath.

A short time since I forwarded to you a bottle containing
some milk taken from the mammary gland of a cart-filly now
one year old, belonging to Mr. E. Mathews, of Bath, which
had never been impregnated. In the early part of January
the gland was first observed to be enlarged, and shortly after¬
wards it became very much distended, and milk constantly
dropped from it as the animal walked about the field. A
quart could be obtained at a milking. The filly was at
that time in good condition, but gradually lost flesh up to
the middle of March, at which time the flow of milk nearly

OSSEOUS TUMOUR OF THE IIOCK.

287

ceased. Since then she has been able to get some grass,
and is fast regaining her condition. The mammary gland is,
however, more distended than it has ever been, and the
quantity of milk is much greater.

These cases are not common ; I have known two, in both
of which, however, the milk was only small in quantity, and
did not continue long. These fillies belonged to a Mr.
Pocock, of this neighbourhood. I find that there are two or
three cases reported in the Veterinarian of the same kind as
this.

[An examination of the milk, both chemically and micro¬
scopically, showed that it differed in no essential particulars
from milk yielded by animals under ordinary circumstances.]

CASE OF OSSEOUS TUMOUR ATTACHED TO THE
INNER AND FRONT PART OF THE HOCK.—
OPERATION.

By the Same.

THE^accompanying tumour was dissected from the hock, at
the seat of bog-spavin, of an aged bay cob-gelding, fourteen
hands two inches high, belonging to Walter Long, Esq., M.P.,
who had a year previously refused 180 guineas for him. The
enlargement had been increasing in size, notwithstanding the
repeated applications of iodine ointment for nearly twelve
months previous to my seeing the animal. It was loosely
attached to the capsular ligament, although it did not interfere
much with the action of the hock ; but I nevertheless con¬
sidered that there was much danger of wounding the capsular
ligament in the operation of removing it. I also feared an
unfavorable result from subsequent sloughing.

The operation was performed on the 24th November,
1863, and the subsequent treatment consisted in the applica¬
tion of cold water only. The edges of the wound required
to be occasionally touched with caustic. In about a month
the animal was daily exercised, and on the 14th January he
was ridden home, a distance of fourteen miles.

I have not seen the animal since that time, but have been
informed by the groom that the edges of the wound are quite
closed, and that the case went on most satisfactorily from the
time the animal left my infirmary.

[The tumour was spheroidal in form and about the size of
an orange.]

288

SUPPOSED DEATH OF THREE COWS FROM
GATHERING UP PORTIONS OF LEAD (THE
SPRAY OF RIFLE BULLETS) WITPI THEIR
FOOD.

By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

In place of continuing my remarks on the medicinal pro¬
perties of the Aconitum napellus in this month’s Journal, I
purpose noticing a case which has been brought before me
within the last few clays, and which I think is of some
interest and importance, more especially as the opinion of the
members of our profession may be asked in like cases during
the summer months, when rifle shooting is principally carried
on. The following is a brief history of the case :

The rifle butts at wrhich the Rugby Rifle Volunteers
practise shooting are situated about a mile from the town,
adjoining some rich meadow and pasture land, irrigated by
the sewage from the town, and in the occupation of a gentle¬
man named Mullins. A few days ago Captain Wratislaw
(the captain of the Rugby Rifle Volunteers) received the
following note from Mr. Mullins :

fC Newbold ; April 9, 1864.

“ Dear Sir, — I beg to call your attention to the following
case. The parcel forwarded by bearer contains a portion of
the c spray’ that was yesterday taken from the paunch of one
of my cows, and had evidently caused her death. She had
been ailing for some months, and when opened the stomachs
were found to be highly discolored and inflamed, the lungs
pulpy and full of a frothy phlegm. The symptoms for
above a fortnight previously to death were — entire loss of
appetite, great thirst, violent purging, increased respiration,
grunting as though in considerable pain, indisposition to
move, &c. As regards the manner in which the lead got
into the stomach, I have no doubt it was gathered up from
time to time with the food. I may add that within the past
four months I have lost two other cows which presented
precisely the same symptoms, though, unfortunately, through
their not having been examined, I am unable to say that
they died from a similar cause. I should have stated that
the lead must have been in the cow for some months, as
since November she has not been where it was come-at-able.

(( Respectfully, &c.,

To Capt. Wratislaw. “ Bicknell Mullins.

SUPPOSED DEATH OF COWS PROM SPRAY OF BULLETS. 289

This note was accompanied by a small parcel containing
portions of the lead, &c., taken from the cow's stomach.
Upon receipt of this, Captain Wratislaw called upon me,
showed me the letter and parcel, and asked my opinion as to
whether the lead was the cause of the death of the animal.
I found the parcel to consist of numerous pieces of metallic
lead, covered with a film of oxide, doubled into various
shapes, a portion of a percussion cap, and a piece of iron,
probably the remnant of a particular class of bullet. These
were the facts upon which an opinion was asked, and the
importance of the reply is of more importance than at first
sight appears, inasmuch as legal proceedings for the recovery
of the loss (although such is not at all likely to be the
result in this case) would very much depend upon the
opinion given by the veterinary surgeon. The question then
arises, was the death of this animal caused by, or in any
way attributable to, the lead found in the stomach ? With
a view of making the matter as clear as possible, I went
and inspected the pasture in the vicinity of the rifle butts,
and found fragments of lead of different sizes, and what i3
termed the spray from the bullets after striking the iron
target, spread about in considerable quantities amongst the
herbage for a distance of upwards of a hundred yards on
either side of the target. In this field ten cows had been
kept from the spring of the year until last November; since
that time three had died, presenting symptoms similar to the
one described. It is unfortunate that no professional exami¬
nation was made of the animal either before or after death ;
but from inquiries I ascertained that the animal in question
was five years old, and had given birth to a dead calf about a
month previous to her death. The person that opened the cow
said, in addition to what is described in Mr.MullinsTetter,that
the paunch (rumen) externally presented a peculiar indented
and puckered-up appearance, quite different from any he
had before seen ; and on cutting into it to discover the cause,
he found in the lower end of the paunch the pieces of lead,
(See., above described ; he also noticed portions of lead at the
bottom of the holes constituting the honeycomb stomach
(reticulum). Such is the history of the case, and after
careful consideration of the matter, I am inclined to attribute
the death of the animal to the injurious effects of the lead.
That the animal did not present the usual*, symptoms of
acute lead poisoning, such as colic, paralysis, obstinate con¬
stipation of the bowels, &c., will be at once observed ; but it
must be borne in mind that the lead found in the stomach
of the animal, although when in its metallic state is devoid

290

DR. BUSTEED ON STRINGHALT.

of poisonous properties, had, by remaining in the stomach
of the animal for several months, been slowly converted, in
all probability, into the poisonous compounds of carbonate
and acetate of that metal, and these by a long-continued ab¬
sorption and accumulation in the system had so far produced
permanent derangement of the digestive functions as to give
rise to the symptoms exhibited in the animal, eventually
terminating in its death. If analysis could have been
made of the liver, spleen, and other organs of the body, I
have no doubt lead in considerable quantities wTould have been
found. Another interesting question in the case presents itself,
namely, as to whether the large quantities of lead scattered
amongst the herbage may not only be gathered up by animals
in its metallic state, as in the above case, but also by be¬
coming oxidized and converted into the various salts of the
metal, be taken up by the growing plants and thus render
the herbage poisonous. This was proved to have been the
case in an examination made by Dr. Taylor on some grass
from the neighbourhood of Mendip, and recorded in his work
on 4 Poisons/

DR. BUSTEED ON STRINGHALT.

Letter from Mr. George Fleming, F.R.G.S., F.A.S.L.,

Y.S., King’s Own Hussars.

0

Gentlemen, — I regret very much that I had not an op¬
portunity of seeing the March number of your Journal until
after the date for despatching communications, as I should
have been most anxious, with your kind permission, to reply
to that portion of Dr. Busteed’s letter wherein he does me
the honour of sundry remarks, which, if neither very lucid,
very instructive, nor yet kindly conceived, at least merit a
response, as that gentleman deigns to seek for information on
the subject of stringhalt beyond that which, seemingly, he is
able to find in a collection of more than Jive hundred works
on veterinary science.

Professor Varnell’s comments on the other portions of the
doctor’s letter will, I think, go to testify in the strongest
manner that there are some matters, besides the actual and
true pathology of stringhalt, in which my interrogator is not
quite at home, though these pertain as much to human as
they do to comparative anatomy and physiology.

DR. BUSTEED ON STRINGIIALT.

291

The doctor desires me to inform your readers the name of
the English veterinary physiologist or anatomist who makes
mention of the sulci in the astragalus being covered with
cartilage, or who — with the exception of Mr. Gamgee —
even mentions their existence.

As I trust the doctor includes himself among your readers,
I may, in addressing him in particular, excuse myself for
thrusting this information upon them — if it can be worthily
designated information — in asserting that no English veteri¬
nary surgeon ever made such a mistake as to describe the
fosettes in the astragalus covered with cartilage. Without
being in possession of such a formidable library as that of
Dr. Busteed, or even pretending to possess more than some
dozen and a half English and French veterinary authors, I
am certain that this will be found correct.

With regard to their existence ever being mentioned, I
may only say, that had Dr. Busteed been tolerably con¬
versant with the contents of the volumes of the Veteri¬
narian since the commencement of that periodical — all of
which he says he possesses — he could not have failed to re¬
member a controversy that took place some years ago between
Professor Dick, of Edinburgh, and Mr. Spooner, of South¬
ampton, in which the latter gentleman maintained that
these sulci were the result of disease, and give rise to occult
hock lameness : certainly a much more pardonable mistake
than that of Dr. Busteed. I need not refer your attentive
readers to this controversy, but in it the doctor will find that
these excavations or depressions are described by the re¬
spected professor as natural and healthy contrivances for
aiding in the movements of that important articulation, and
not a cause of morbid symptoms or impeded action — in
short, that their presence and dimensions are indicative of
really good and sound joints.

So in this instance I miss the honour to which Dr. Busteed
aspires — though not unwittingly — and I trust he will do me the
credit of believing that I shall never make any pretensions to
the title of “ discoverer 99 until I have at least done others the
justice of making myself acquainted with their labours.
Such, I believe, is the preliminary and proper course to
pursue before attempting to lay claim to that honour.

Perhaps other English veterinary authors besides Professor
Dick mention these sulci. Certainly in all the modern
French works they are described, and if there was any need
to refer specially to one of these, I would name the f Nouveau
Dictionnaire 5 of MM. Boully and Reynal, article “Articu¬
lations/' pp. 76, 77, and 82, as likely to satisfy the doctor,

292

PYAEMIA IN THE HOUSE.

unless he is determined to cling to the unique views put forth
by him.

Stringhalt is nob I think, very often witnessed in the fore
limbs, and yet these sulci are never absent, to my knowledge,
in the scapulo-humeral and humero-radial articulations.

But it is asking too much in seeking, to occupy your pages
by further discussion and reference to books or unpublished
experience with regard to an affection on the nature of which
Dr. Busteed has not thrown the faintest light, but, as it
seems, only made the subject more obscure by the un¬
scientific way in which he has treated it, and attempted to
make himself a discoverer despite the labours of others who
had thoroughly studied the principles of pathological investi¬
gations.

If one more negative result can indicate tli e probable nature
of this disease, I may add that an aged horse was destroyed at
the Edinburgh Veterinary College in consequence of being so
badly affected with stringhalt as to be perfectly unserviceable.
Professor Strangeways conducted the post-mortem exami¬
nation, and took every possible care to thoroughly investigate
the various organs and textures of what was a very interesting
and somewhat rare case. But not a trace of disease or struc¬
tural change could be detected in the spinal cord, nerves, blood¬
vessels, or muscles; even the astragalus in both hocks was
healthy, notwithstanding the controverted 'ulceration at the
bottom of the grooves.

I am, &c.

To the Editors of the ‘ Veterinarian

PYiEMIA IN THE HORSE, THE RESULT OF
MAL-TREATED STRANGLES.

By J. G. Cattrall, M.R.C.V.S., London.

I was requested on the 13th of March last to see a brown
carriage-horse, five years old, one of the stud of the French
Ambassador’s, to whom I have the honour of being veterinary
surgeon.

On my entering a loose box in which the animal was,
the following symptoms exhibited themselves : — Intermittent
rigors, staring coat, cold extremities, respiration much
hurried, more particularly in the act of inspiration, when a
convulsive effort was made to cough, preceded by con¬
vulsive movements of the voluntary muscles, especially of

PY2EMIA IN THE HORSE.

293

the pectoralis magnus and panniculus carnosus, the latter
more particularly ; the visible mucous membranes had as¬
sumed a semi-leaden and yellow hue, and the Schneiderian
membrane was of the same colour, the saliva very tenacious,
the breath fetid and much below its normal temperature, the
surface of body very sore, more especially over the region
of the submaxillary space, shoulders, knee-joints, and hind
quarters showing a disposition to tumefaction, the pulse
intermittent and almost imperceptible, and he had not voided
any faeces nor urinated since the day previous. On my
inquiring into the history of the case, I was informed by
the first coachman that the animal had been recently pur¬
chased by the prince in France, and had only been in their
stable seven days, since which time he had refused to feed ;
a discharge from the nostrils also existed, and a cough, with
a swelling between the fauces. The coachman, considering
it, as he said, to be a common case of strangles, thought it
right to give the horse a five-drachm dose of aloes, and to
blister the throat. He informed me that it went on favorably
for a day or two, but, to his surprise, on the following morning
he found the animal much worse ; that the swelling of the
throat had quite disappeared, likewise the discharge from the
nostrils had ceased ; and the animal, in fact, was showing all
the symptoms I have described. It was from a knowledge of
these facts, blended with the symptoms, that caused me to
infer that I had a case of pyaemia to contend with, more
especially when I considered the large amount of materies
morbi which must have been carried into the circulation ;
this being sufficient to account for the symptoms related.
Knowing that my first effort must be to try to restore the
circulation to its normal condition, I gave the following
draught :

fib Spt. Ammonias co., 3J ;

Solut. Ammon. Carb., §ss ;

Decoct. Sarsse co., ^ij ;

Tinct. Calumbse, 3ij ;

Ether. Chloric., 5iij ;

Aq. Menth. Pip., q. s. Eiat haustus.

To be repeated every five hours.

Strict injunctions were given that the head should be
steamed, the animal well clothed, and the legs bandaged. A
clyster was also thrown up.

7 a.m. — The animal is a little better, evidenced by the re¬
spiration being more tranquil, the circulation much more
natural, and the extremities warmer. But the head is rather
more swollen and pendulous \ the urine is thick and offensive ;

294

DOUBTFUL CASE OF GLANDERS.

he has voided a few faeces, hard and pale in colour ; the visible
swelling is now more evident over the maxillary space,
pectoral muscles, and gluteal region, and very sore to the
touch. The same treatment to be continued, with the addi¬
tion of a bottle of port wine given daily.

6th, 9 a.m. — The animal continues to go on favorably,
although he does not lie down, and seems sore from head to
foot. Another abscess is now forming over the region of
the parotid gland, which is hard and painful. Persevere in
the same treatment.

7th, 9 a.m. — Animal still doing well; he has taken rest
during the night ; the swelling in the maxillary space is much
more developed, likewise over the parotid gland and the
pectoral and gluteal muscles, evincing a strong disposition
to the formation of abscesses. I now considered it time to
assist in the formation of the same, and ordered hot linseed-
meal poultices to be applied over the respective regions
Treatment otherwise continued as before.

At the end of three days the abscesses fluctuated suffi¬
ciently to admit of their being opened, which I did as boldly
as possible, giving ample room for the discharge of their
contents.

Taking into consideration the heavy drain which had
been imposed upon the system, I now gave the following:

9) Ammonite Carb., ^iss ;

Terri Sulph., gj ;

Pulv. Zingiber., gj ;

Oninre Disulph., ;

Pulv. Glycyrrli., ^vij ;

Syr. Simpl., q. s. ;

To make twelve balls, two of which to be given daily, one
at 1 1 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Generous diet and careful grooming were ordered, and I
am happy to say my patient is now convalescent.

A DOUBTFUL CASE OF GLANDERS.

By “ Argus.**

Gentlemen, — Some months ago I was consulted about
a horse, suffering from what was supposed to be “ a cold, with
discharge from the nose/5 the owner of the animal being a
man who knows very little about horses or their diseases.

DOUBTFUL CASE OF GLANDERS.

295

Upon examination, I found the following symptoms to be
present : — A constant, though copious, discharge from the near
nostril; three good-sized ulcers on the Schneiderian mem¬
brane of the same, and considerable enlargement of the sub¬
maxillary gland on the near side. The horse was in fair
condition, had a good coat, fed well, and had no cough. I
was told the discharge and enlargement under the jaw had
been noticed about a month before, and upon pushing my
inquiries still further I learned that a horse, with which my
patient had formerly run in a carriage, had died in a very
emaciated state about a year before, having been affected
with discharge from the nose and lumps 39 under the jaw for
months previous to its death.

This circumstance, added to the state in which I found
the horse in question, justified me in telling the owner that
in my opinion it was a case of glanders, and that if the
animal were mine I would destroy him. His value was only
some £20 or £25. At the request, however, of the owner,
the case was treated, but I told him to be very careful in his
visits to the horse, and to keep it away from all others. No
improvement took place from the treatment, and the horse
is now in exactly the same state as when I saw it five months
ago ; it is daily driven in a carriage with another (a sound)
horse. The proprietor being fond of money and not over
wealthy, cannot, or will not, destroy this diseased animal,
though he has been warned of the possible consequences to
his other horses, his servants, and himself. Surely there
ought to be some stringent law on the subject. In this
country there is none bearing upon infectiously diseased
animals the property of civilians . In the army such a horse,
whether a charger or trooper, would be shot at once. Would
you have any hesitation in pronouncing such a case to be
glanders, and therefore of a dangerously infectious nature?
The ulcers are unmistakably present, plainly visible on the
mucous membrane, about an inch and a half above the line
of union with the skin. The discharge is constant, thick,
discoloured, and adherent to the nostril. The submaxillary
enlargement hard, firm, and close to the jaw. For six months
no change has taken place in this state of things.

I would try inoculation on a young ass, but that the owner
of the horse appears to prefer remaining in doubt to having
the true state of the case proved, as this might compel him
to destroy the horse, and thus lose a sum of about £20.

No one better understands the difficulty of deciding on
the true nature of a disease in the absence of the patient

296 OPERATION OP ^FIRING” FOR ROARING.

than "Argus,” and hence our answer to his inquiry must be
received in a somewhat qualified manner.

The symptoms in the case in question, viewed as a whole,
would justify us in stating that the animal is the subject of
glanders. It is by no means uncommon for glandered horses
to keep up their condition, and to perform a certain amount of
work, even for a much longer space of time than this animal
has done. Such a fact in no way militates against the animal
being the subject of glanders, nor does the circumstance of
the other horse being apparently uninjured by cohabitation
for so long a time disprove it.

The test suggested by " Argus ” should be tried. Such a
case imperatively demands a special investigation.]

THE OPERATION OF "FIRING” FOR ROARING.

By “ Action.”

In some of your late publications mention is made of the
operation of firing in the treatment of roaring. If you
consider the enclosed professional " mite” of sufficient worth
for acceptance, it is at your service.

In 1856 I recollect purchasing a number of young horses,
and, as a matter of course, all the concomitants of first
stabling soon became rampant — catarrh, strangles, and such
like juvenile maladies appearing. The usual routine of treat¬
ment having been gone through, health again apparently
predominated, their condition improved, and they were con¬
sidered equal to the fatigues of breaking. Not many days after
their leaving my hands I was informed, much to my discom¬
fiture, that two of the number were bad roarers, and most
certainly they wTere so. Not seeing clearly how to dispose
of them for some few weeks, they were thrown by as worth¬
less for the purpose for which they were purchased. About
two months afterwards, when examining them, much to my
surprise I found one quite sound, and the other nearly so, a
slight whistle only indicating the disease, and that ultimately
disappeared.

1 think the advertising gentleman in Bell must have
stumbled on a case somewhat similar to the foregoing.

I think it was in 1857 I first saw or heard of the application
of the hot iron to the throat, Mr. Farrell, of Dublin, bringing
it to my notice in his treatment of sore throat, and I believe he

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

297

was of opinion that roaring in many instances was prevented by
such active treatment. Since then I have used the iron pretty
freely in cases of chronic sore throat, and I have found the
treatment clearly to have had a very good effect in allaying
or rather cutting short the cough, and I do not think roaring
has been so common a termination of sore throat as formerly.

In horses with a certain conformation of neck I have
found roaring follow an attack of the throat, in spite even of
a second application of the iron. A case of this description
has been under my observation for upwards of four years.

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE*

By “ Mentor.”

LAMENESS ARISING FROM DISEASE OF THE LIVER.

(Continued from p. 224.)

The following case presents some peculiarities :

December 7th, 1861. — A chestnut mare, five years old,
15*2 hands high, nearly thorough-bred, belonging to a
hunting farmer, had been purchased six weeks prior to the
above date, and shortly afterwards fell lame, for which a
liberal application of goose grease , applied twice a day to the
withers, shoulders, elbows, &c., in seriatim , had failed to effect
a cure, when on the present date my attendance was re¬
quested.

The animal was rather low in condition, but this was
ascribed to severe hunting over a heavy country, her breed,
and the fact that she had walked some distance ; also that she
had been in the hands of a not over-respectable dealer previous
to the present owner becoming possessed of her.

I had her run out, both on grass and the road, but the
lameness was in no wise altered by the change. In the walk
it was not observable , an*d most apparent in the trot ; but in the
gallop I could detect a peculiar holding back of the whole
shoulder, which in the trot merged into a modified lift, when
the limb was brought forward.

However, in no other respect could I detect any want of
flexion or extension, no stiffness, no undue action, no
injury to muscle or tendon, &c., except a slight enlargement
upon the antero-external portion of the radius above the knee,

xxxvu. 20

298 RETROSPECTS OE VETERINARY PRACTICE.

which was not so large as a nutmeg, and on moderate
pressure being applied, to which the mare flinched.

Half an hour was occupied in the examination of the
animal, and by no means with any satisfaction resulting as to
the precise nature of the complaint.

A dose of physic was, however, administered, and arnica
lotion applied to the knee, enjoining care and attention to the
state of the animal until I saw her again. This took place
on the 12th, when a lengthened examination was again made,
and to inquiries instituted I received the following informa¬
tion : —

There was a peculiarly lean and unthrifty appearance of
the animal, and she had not gained, but rather lost, condition
since she came into the owner’s possession, notwithstanding
a liberal diet being allowed her. The appetite at times was
capricious, and varied much, the bowels irregular and some¬
times costive; but diarrhoea had not ever been present;
skin scurfy, and the coat does not lie well, although she is
well clothed and in a warm box ; the pulse 36, small and
weak, and auscultation proved the lungs to be in a healthy
state. Nevertheless, there teas a peculiar dulness about the
animal in and out of the stable , not in keeping with her breed and
general character .

My fears, which pointed towards the liver as the origin of
the affair, were communicated to the owner, who, however,
desired me to reduce the nodule upon the knee before any
further treatment was instituted.

On the 24th, after several applications of Ung. Iodini, the
nodule was lessened, but the lameness continued as bad as
ever, and the mare therefore was left in my hands.

January 2nd, 1862. — The animal has been given alterative
doses of calomel daily since my last visit, and with some
benefit, the lameness being better; and considering it likely
she would now come round, I was told, if she did not progress
satisfactorily that a message wTould be sent requesting my
attendance. Owing to this, I saw the mare no more until
May 6th of the same year, when she was not quite sound,
although much improved in that respect ; still it was not so
with regard to her general condition, it being about as before
stated.

She was now suffering from what appeared to be an attack
of laryngitis, accompanied with a racking cough, anorexia^
weakness, low and feeble pulse, numbering about 36, cold¬
ness of extremities, &c., symptoms which greatly masked the
disease that was really doing all the mischief. I felt but
little could be done, yet treated the patient, although no

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 299

signs of amendment succeeded the loss of cough, &c. The
pulse increased, the weakness came on more rapidty, and she
died on the 18th.

On the next day a post-mortem examination was made, and
the following were the appearances : —

A man had already skinned the animal, and proceeded
with care to detach the fore limbs, especially that on the near
side; but nothing abnormal could be detected. The abdomen
was next opened, all the viscera of which, excepting the liver ,
were perfectly healthy. The lungs were congested, especially
on that side upon which the body had lain throughout the
night previous.

The investing membrane of the liver was opaque and
thickened, and the substance of the gland greatly affected,
about one half being congested and easily torn, large clots of
blood falling from it. The other half was condensed, and
its structure entirely destroyed. In size, the whole organ
was about natural. The portal vein, about two inches below
the bifurcation, contained something hard, which extended
through the branches to the liver, and on being opened was
found to be a closely fitting plug of lymph, some inches in
length, and arborescent in its appearance. The coats of the
vessel were thickened, and whiter than natural. Upon closer
examination, the plug was observed to be furrowed by
numerous small channels upon its circumference, and in no
way adherent to the walls of the vessel. By this means I
apprehend a small portion of blood only was admitted to the
organ, not sufficient probably for its nourishment, thus
accounting for its diseased condition; but it is strange that,
on the other hand, no diminution of size was the result.

In cattle, under such disease of liver, dropsy of the abdomen
generally follows. No signs of it were manifest here.

{To he continued .)

300

Facts and Observations.

The Cattle Disease. — The Roman Government have, it
is said, published a very interesting and instructive report on
the late terrible cattle disease in the Campagna. The most
important features in it are, that the disease is certainly of a
highly contagious nature, and, as a rule, it dies out in the
fourth generation.

The Viceroy of Egypt has expressed his conviction that
although the cattle murrain has been a grievous calamity, it
will confer alasting benefit on the country, by compelling the
cultivators of the soil to adopt an improved system, which
will both civilise his people and enrich them, thus evoking
good out of seeming evil.

Diseased Meat in the City Markets. — In spite of
the continued condemnation of the meat, game, and poultry,
sent to the city markets in an unfit state for food, and not¬
withstanding the vigilance of the officers and the punish¬
ment which has been inflicted on offenders, the practice is
still on the increase. There is no other country in the world,
we should think where such practice w7ould be tolerated, and
it is high time that some severe legislative measures were
adopted to prevent it. During the last quarter, 56,326 lbs.
of meat were condemned; the average for the same quarter
for the last three years being 36,965 lbs.

. Extraction of Iron from the Cinders of Puddling
Furnaces. — It is well known that immense quantities of
cinders are drawn from puddling and retorting furnaces,
w7hich are considered almost useless. Mr. A. L. Fleury, of
Philadelphia, states that they contain from 25 to 50 per
cent, of metallic iron, mixed with sulphur, silica, lime, and
alumina. To separate the iron has long been his object, and
he finds he can effect it by the agency of lime while being
hydrated or slaked. For this purpose he mixes powTdered
burnt lime with fine-ground cinder, and, after wTetting the
whole with water, exposes it to the drying influence of the
atmosphere. The compound is then heated in a common
puddling furnace, and treated like pig iron. The iron thus
obtained, however, retaining some sulphur, renders it red-
short. To extract the sulphur, a chlorine salt is mixed w7ith

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 301

the water used for slaking the lime, and' thus he says, if
properly worked, he invariably gets a good quality iron.

A patent, we perceive, has also recently been taken out for
obtaining from the slag of blast furnaces an aluminate of
soda and potash, so that that which has long been thought of
no value can by science be rendered useful.

Cause of Phosphorescence in Minerals. — Accord¬
ing to Dr. Phipson, the cause of phosphorence is a vibratory
movement of matter. The light of the sun, acting upon a
mineral substance, occasions a certain vibration, electric,
chemical, or magnetic; but this vibration not being able to
continue when the action of light ceases, that is, wThen the
substance is placed in obscurity, the body gives back light
whilst losing the electric, chemical, or magnetic vibration
occasioned in it by the rays of the sun. The magnetic vi¬
bration, he considers, is probably commonest.

Benefits derived from Vaporization. — It is the
opinion of M. Morin that a greater benefit results from the
diffusion of watery vapour in the air than is generally enter¬
tained, namely, that dependent on the development of a
certain quantity of electricity and the production of active
oxygen, which possess in a high degree the property of
destroying, by burning, miasms and emanations from putre¬
fying substances. In this way it is that storms and tempests
become such purifiers of the atmosphere as they are known
to be. Differences in the thermal state of the air sensiM}"
modifies its electrical state.

From experiments instituted by M. Morin, he also finds
an acid is generated, this being most probably, he says, a
nitrogen product.

Vanadic Acid. — The oxide of the metal vanadium, which
as yet has not been applied to any useful purpose, neverthe¬
less appears to be pretty generally diffused in metallic and
other combinations. Dr. Phipson has made the following
somewhat curious calculation : — “ A ton of London clay
contains, ” he says,<f 1 lb. 2 oz. of vanadic acid ; say 1 lb.
to the ton in round numbers. If we suppose that there
exists only about a million tons of this clay at the west end
of London — for instance, in the Hyde Park and Bayswater
districts alone — we have evidently upwards of 445 tons of
vanadic acid. And if we calculate the quantity of this acid
which exists in the London clay of the metropolis, supposing
London to cover fifty square miles, and taking the stratum

302

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

of clay at the moderate thickness of four j^ards, we find that
under this city alone there lies probably far more than
303,443 tons, or about 679,712,320 lbs. weight of vanadic
acid. The present price of this substance in shops where
chemical curiosities are sold being about one shilling and
sixpence a grain, or <£32 5s, 6d, an ounce/5 As applied
science is constantly, at the present day, rendering available
that which at one time was thought nothing worth, so com¬
pounds of vanadic acid may possibly hereafter be found useful.

The Donderobo. — This is the name given by the natives
of tropical Africa to a fly, whose bite, according to Baron von
Decken, is as deadly as that of the better-known Tsetse, de¬
scribed by Dr. Livingstone, (see Veterinarian, \ ol. xxxi, p. 17),
but fatal to asses and dogs only. The baron states the effect of
the poison seemed to be to produce a tubercular deposit, fol¬
lowing immediately upon acute imflammation. These flies
caused serious inconvenience and even danger to the expedi¬
tion, by the destruction of the draught asses of the caravan.

The inhabitants of one of the mountain ranges manifested
much opposition to their progress, they having a notion that
the mere presence of a European would prove fatal to their
cattle.

Entozoa in the Blood. — At a late meeting of the
Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, Dr. John Harley read
a paper on a malady (haematuria) produced, at the Cape of
Good Hope and the Mauritius, by a species of Bistoma , which
he proposed to call Bistoma Capense, Dr. Cobbold observed
that no one for a moment could doubt that Dr. Harley5s
illustrations represented the ova of the so-called Bistoma
hcematolium ; in fact, all tended to show that this haematuria
of the Cape was identical with the well-known Egyptian
malady. He had also discovered this parasite in the portal blood
of an African monkey, and it was quite clear to him that
our fellow-men at the Cape, in the Mauritius, on the banks
of the Nile, and the monkeys, too, obtained it by swallow¬
ing the “ intermediate bearers55 of the Bilharzia. These
Cf bearers 55 or “ hosts 55 were small molluscs or aquatic
animals, inhabiting the African rivers. They contained the
higher larval states of this parasite, the larvae being intro¬
duced into the human body by drinking the African waters
unfiltered. Our readers will remember, in the “ Transla¬
tions 55 by Mr. Ernes, the interesting account given of
Bacteriums existing in the blood of animals affected with
splenic apoplexy.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

303

Causes of Fermentation. — M. Pasteur, in reference
to the interesting changes that obtain under the denomina¬
tion of fermentation, says that the vinous or spirituous
form, and also the acetic, are attributable to the growth of
certain vegetable productions, exceedingly minute, known
respectively as yeast and vinegar plants ; whereas the last
phase, the putrefactive or destructive, is referable to the
work of animalcules — vibriones — which can exist without
oxygen ; indeed, to them it becomes a poison, wrhile they
luxuriate in nitrogen.

Acetification. — M. Blondeau states that, if casein be
added to a saccharine solution, mycoderms are developed,
and acetic acid formed. Referring to M. Pasteur's state¬
ments respecting the acetifying action of certain mycoderms,
M. Blondeau remarks that his experiments show that the
plants perform this function only when they assume a
membranous form, and that the property of taking oxygen
from the air, and with it transforming alcohol into vinegar,
belongs to the membrane as such, and is not a physiological
action.

A new Alkaloid. — Messrs. T. and H. Smith, of Edin¬
burgh, in separating aconitina from Aconitum napellus , found
a crystalline substance, possessing alkalin eproperties, new
to them, and which they believe must be classed among the
natural organic alkalies. To it they have given the name of
aconella . It does not appear to possess any poisonous pro¬
perty, as they gave three decigrammes of it to a cat without
the animal experiencing any inconvenience. The characters
of aconella, they state, bear a great resemblance to narco¬
tine; indeed, they suppose these two alkaloids to be one
and the same, although obtained from plants belonging to
different natural orders.

A new Kind of Matico. — This drug has of late become
scarce, and of high price consequently, through the war that
is raging in America. As a substitute for it there has been
introduced into the market, so states Professor Bentley,
in a paper read by him at a meeting of the Pharmaceutical
Society, a plant of the order Piperacece , most probably a
species of the same genus as that which yields the officinal
matico. It has been found distributed throughout the
tropical regions of America and other places ; and in its
medicinal properties, when internally administered, its action .
is found to be nearly identical with the true matico ; but

304

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

when externally applied as a styptic, from its structure it
will not act mechanically to the same extent as it does.

New Speculations respecting Matter. — It is con¬
ceivable, says Professor Graham, that the various kinds of
matter now regarded as elementary substances may possess
one and the same molecules in different conditions of move¬
ment. The essential unity of matter is an hypothesis in
harmony with the uniform action of the gravity of bodies.
We may imagine one substance only to exist, viz., ponderable
matter, and that this is divisible into ultimate atoms, uniform
in size and weight ; if these atoms were at rest, the unifor¬
mity of matter would be perfect. But they always possess
more or less motion due to some original primordial impulse ;
this motion gives rise to volume, and the more rapid the motion
the greater the space occupied by the atom. Thus matter of
different density forms different substances that are usually
regarded as different incontrovertible elements ; and this
hypothesis may be pursued through the various phases of
combination, the different states of solid, liquid, and gas, and
the colloid and crystalline forms of matter.

A renewed attempt has been made to plant the Cinchona,
from which quinine is obtained, at Trinidad. It has been
planted at a height of 2800 feet above the level of the sea.
The soil is of the richest description.

Effects of New Oats. — From time immemorial (says
the Salut Public of Lyons) it has been generally admitted
that new oats are not given for food until two months in
store. This would be of no great importance if the previous
year’s oats were always to be had in sufficient quantity, but
when scarce there is a difficulty in finding food for horses.
Experiments just made by order of the Minister of War have
proved that new oats are not more dangerous to animals than
new hay ; both are, on the contrary, sweeter and more stimu¬
lant. It is for the latter reason alone, and to avoid indigestion
and irritation, that it is thought advisable to mix the new
corn with a moderate quantity of old.

305

THE VETERINARIAN, MAY 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE RECIPROCITY EXISTING BETWEEN THE DIVISIONS OF

MEDICAL SCIENCE ; THEIR VARIETY, ORIGIN, AND

PROGRESS.

It does not derogate from our position as a profession by
our borrowing from time to time from the older and more im¬
portant division of medical science, the human, as by so doing
we advance in common with it. Moreover, all that in it
appertains in reference to the higher creature, man, in
degree applies to those animals that are placed lower in the
scale of creation than he is; both being subject to the influ¬
ence of the same physical laws, and similar effects being pro¬
duced on both by the operation of certain causes. Of course,
such positions as these will be accepted with limitations,
as they are general in their application. To give an
illustration : — a medicinal agent that is productive of a
certain effect in one animal may not excite the same action
in another, because there are modifying circumstances that
alter its influence : the structures may also differ — as, for
instance, the stomach — and likewise their susceptibility of
being acted upon.

It is this knowledge which principally makes the dif¬
ference in the practice of human and veterinary medicine.
This, too, renders the last named often far more complicated
and perplexing than the former, since the so-called medical
man receives far greater and more numerous aids in his in¬
vestigations than the veterinary surgeon is able to obtain in
his. On the other hand, the comparative value of the two
classes of animals must be taken into account — if so be a
money value can be put upon the first-named animal, man,
which we much more than doubt — as well as the fact
that, “ a dead horse tells* no tales.” Nevertheless, “ a
merciful man is merciful to his beast,” and selfishness, if

306

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS,

no higher motive moves mankind, will always cause them to
minister to the wants and diseases of their animals, the
treatment of which is not so very dissimilar to that resorted
to for themselves; that is, if they are wise in seeking out a
fit administrator. Here it is where the community too
often fail. They can hardly be brought to believe that the
same laws obtain among the lower animals as among them¬
selves ; that the same principles of therapeutics must be
brought to bear on the one as on the other ; or that science
need ever be called into requisition in the treatment of their
diseases. Those, however, who have made either division
of medicine their study know to the contrary. Moreover,
as science always is and ever will be progressive, for we
shall never arrive at the ultimatum of knowledge, so it is
that changes are constantly occurring ; hence the theory of
to-day may be the subject of ridicule to-morrow. In the
practice of physic this is markedly seen, and this is the
reason why so many subdivisions exist among us at the
present day, each having its advocates, while it is to be
feared that too many run to extremes in their views in all,
forgetting that the medium is always the safer course to
pursue :

“Medo tutissimus ibis.”

But it was just the same in days of old, as appears from
the following article in the Revue des Deux Mondes.

“ Antiquity has had its critics — either bitter and brutal, or satirical
and polished. Heraclites hated physicians; he, was wont to say that
they would be the most silly of men if grammarians were not there to
dispute the position with them. But this morose philosopher had his
own system of medicine, and a peculiar practice founded upon his theories
of nature. He made such good use of it, indeed, that he at last died
through it. Empedocles — jealous of the physician Acron, illustrious by
his writings and experience — gave himself out as a messenger from
heaven, charged with the mission of exterminating diseases and other
destructive scourges; he journeyed from town to town, carried in a
splendid chariot, clothed in magnificent garments, and received adorations
and sacrifices like a god. We know how he died, victim of his vanity or
scientific curiosity. Plato, again, did not spare the doctors ; he mocked
with pleasure at their incapacity ; but he, nevertheless, had a system of
his own, which he had picked up from every quarter, as was his habit.
From this we may conclude that from* the earliest days there has been a
rivalry between doctors find philosophers, and that the last were jealous
of the first.

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

307

“ The Greeks confined themselves to epigrams ; but it was otherwise
with the Romans. Physicians came at a late date into Rome, and had a
difficulty in keeping their ground there. The elder Cato hated them,
and prevented his son consulting them. And yet the rude censor prac¬
tised medicine in his own fashion ; he possessed infallible secrets and effica¬
cious panaceas. His method was simple enough, and, absolute master of
his house, he treated man and beast alike. Pliny gives us these details,
and Pliny, we know, was not favorable to doctors. In Martial’s epigrams,
to say nothing of other Latin poets, the doctors are ill-treated enough,
and, we must admit, not without justice. The profession was in the
hands of slaves, and degraded by venal souls, easy instruments, and too
often accomplices of corruption, debauchery, immorality, and crime.
Decay had then invaded everything.

“Next came the barbarians and universal confusion; and we lose
sight of medicine during the first centuries of the middle ages. To the
Arabs we are indebted for a sort of Renaissance ; but it was in the first
universities that the practice of medicine took the direction and the
proper character which it bears still to this day. Now appeared the true
physician, and by his side an adversary far more formidable than his
opponent of antiquity.

“ Before the middle age, the art of medicine was decaying fast; and
as it passed through this long period it still continued in decay. The
traditions of the Greeks were gradually lost ; the exercise of the art fell
into the hands of monks and clergy, for the most part very ignorant, and
hence superstitious practices and absurd proceedings — the supernatural
and marvellous being put in the place of experience and good sense. It
was a time of miracles and prodigies — the sorcerers rivalling the saints ;
and while the plague and the lepra committed ravages among the people,
the resources of medicine were useless to arrest the scourges. The Jews
at this time were hated and persecuted ; but yet they were run after for
their medical knowledge, and for the drugs obtained by them from the
East through traffic with the Arabs.

“ The Renaissance awakened a spirit of inquiry. The records of an¬
tiquity, once again opened, were discoveries as of a new world. And
then began the general strife against orthodoxy. Heretics and Pro¬
testants were to be found elsewhere besides in the Church. Aristotle
and Galen were treated like the Pope, and so commenced the long quarrel
between ancients and moderns.

“ This struggle, also, medicine has passed through ; but it gained an
infinite number of enemies ; and chiefly the charlatans. At an early
hour these industrious gentry seized upon medicine, which offered so
vast a field for the exercise of their ingenuitv. Prom Montaigne down
to Rosseau — not to mount higher or go down later — we find a concert of
invectives against medicine, the noise of them being still audible, though
weak. Infinite variations were played continually on the same strain.
It has taken three centuries to reduce the pretensions of physicians to
their true proportions. Chemistry, which appeared at the first dawn of
the Renaissance , explained all the phenomena of the animal economy by
the principles of a gross chemistry — seeing there nothing but fermenta¬
tion, distillation, and effervescence of humours at work in the living
laboratory. Then later, after the discoveries of Galileo and Newton,
mechanics, with its levers and instruments, explained the forces ; and
after Harvey, hydraulics. Thus arose the sub-sects — iatro-chemists,
iatro-mechanicians, and iatro-mathematicians. These were materialists,
who soon found their opponents, the spiritualists. Truth was with neither
sect ; but the spiritualists have rendered most service to medicine, Stahl

308

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

produced Barthez and Bordeu, and Bordeu produced Bichat. Still, even
at the present day — but how enfeebled ! — the two parties are face to
face. Gradually they are disappearing, leaving in history the re¬
membrance of their long and ardent struggles — prolonged for three
centuries and a half — from the end of the middle ages to the commence¬
ment of the French revolution.

“ Two sects — either through indifference or through calculation, kept
clear of the struggle — the empirics and the sceptics. At the head of the
empirics was Sydenham. Their business was to watch attentively the
origin and progress of phenomena, noting with scrupulous care the effects
of remedies and the fruit of observation — leaving aside all useless specu¬
lations.

“ Scepticism glided into medicine, thanks to the demi-savans. The
title of sceptic belongs to those narrowed and pretentious soul; , who,
contented with a superficial view, seize only the surface of things,
losing sight of the links which unite them, and boldly denying the
existence of whatever escapes them, affirming in this absolute negative
their incapacity and deficiency. Lower still in the scale of systems we
find the eclectics — physicians who, following certain metaphysicians,
think to find a perfect system in taking what is good out of every system.
Their appearance on the stage announces the end of systems. In the
scientific as in the social order, end means transition, a new phasis, com¬
mencement of a new order. Medicine, which has undergone so many
vicissitudes, is thus at present traversing a period of transition ; it is in
the way of organization, in a provisionary state.”

From all this we are induced to ask the questions — Are
the many diversities which now exist anything new ? Are
they anything more than revivals of what once has been ?
It has been thought that man’s doings, like storms, move
in circles, and therefore a periodical recurrence of events
takes place. Our present inventions and discoveries seem
to have been before known, although perhaps, never so
practically applied as now. A writer on this subject states
that—

“ The history of the dawning of great inventions shows us that nearly
all our most important discoveries have been subject to repeated revivals
and extinctions before they attained a character of permanence. Indeed,
one author, M. Fournier, to whom we are indebted for much valuable
information, asserts, in his recently published work, ‘ Le Vieux-neuf/
that no industrial or scientific discovery can escape that common law of
alternate decadence and revival which clings to all human invention, and
frequently interposes many centuries of neglect between its birth and its
fully developed vitality. We need not wonder, then, to meet in remote
antiquity with the use and practice of many things whose origin we
commonly refer to modern times ; for, notwithstanding the presumed
superiority of the present over previous ages, we may still exclaim, as
Solomon did three thousand years ago. ‘ There is nothing new under the
sun, for the thing that hath been is that which shall be, and that which is
done that which shall be done.’

“ Thus, for instance, the Chinese, who seem to have hovered on the

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

309

confines of innumerable discoveries, from the earliest period of their
history, were familiar, even in ante-Christian ages, with modes of treat¬
ment and remedial agents which have only found their way into
European practice within the last thirty years. Acupuncture, which
was not known in Europe till towards the close of the last century, is
described in the ancient medical works of China as an established mode
of treatment among them ; while in India and Japan it has long ranked
as one of the ordinary surgical applications, and is effected by means of
very slender and sharply pointed gold or silver needles, specially adapted
for the purpose. The word moxa., which is now sufficiently familiar to British
surgeons as a species of actual cautery, is the Chinese name of the plant
whose dried leaves were originally employed by them in this process. It
would appear, however, from Herodotus, that a similar mode of treat¬
ment was also, practised among the nomadic tribes of ancient Libya, who
had the habit of applying greasy wool to the heads or temples of their
young children, and burning holes into the flesh, under the idea that the
process was specially well adapted to prevent colds in the head, and to
induce general vigour of body.

“ In regard to anaesthetics, the ancients knew far more than was known
to modern nations till within the last quarter of a century, for the
Egyptians and Greeks were acquainted with several substances which
had the property of inducing insensibility to pain, by plunging those who
partook of them into a lethargic sleep.

“The mandragora , which is now banished from the materia medica , was
used by the old Greek and Roman physicians ; and Galen, Aretseus,
Celsus, and others, ascribe to it strong soporific properties ; while other
writers, as Dioscorides and Pliny, state that those drinking a sufficient dose
of it are rendered insensible to the pain of the surgeon’s knife and the
cautery. The Crusaders brought back from the east a knowledge of the
hachisch; and in the middle ages an infusion of mandragora was given
to patients who were to undergo painful operations, in the same manner
as it had been administered by the ancients, the effect being to produce
a deep sleep, which rendered the patient wholly insensible to pain.
Boccaccio, who wrote in the middle of the fourteenth century, relates
that a celebrated surgeon of the faculty of Salerno, named Mazet, em¬
ployed a soporific, obtained by distillation, to deaden the pain of opera¬
tions ; while the confraternity of thieves and highwaymen of that age
were said to be acquainted with a secret means of rendering themselves
insensible to the torture of the rack ; according to the account given of
it in Le Brun’s ‘Civil and Criminal Processes,’ published in 1647, soap
was the agent employed, this substance having, as was asserted, the
property of ‘ stupyfying the nerves.’

“ If we pass to other presumed novelties in medicine, whose beneficial
effects, unlike those of anesthetics, are mere matters of individual opinion,
we still find older claimants to the title of inventors than those to whom
we commonly ascribe the merit. Thus, for instance, we are assured by
M. B. de Xivrey, that Paracelsus forestalled Hahnemann’s system, by
teaching that ‘ like should be treated by like, since like attracts like.’
Avicenna, too, was in advance of the German doctor in another funda¬
mental principle of homoeopathy, for he treated diseases by administering
infinitesimal doses of the deadliest poisons. According to some authorities,
the great Descartes killed himself from too rigid an adherence to the
homoeopathic doctrine that a disease should be treated by those agents
which will produce analogous symptoms, for when he was attacked by a
raging fever he insisted upon taking large and repeated doses of alcohol —
a mode of treatment which brought on violent hiccoughing, and speedily
terminated in death.

“ The kindred system of hydropathy must necessarily, in its simpler

310

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

forms, have been coeval, if not antecedent, to all other modes of treating
disease ; but even in the more complex modifications of it, which
Preisnitz has brought into such vogue in our own day, it may claim an
ante- Christian antiquity. Musa Antonius, the freedman and physician
of Augustus, had the distinguished merit of curing his imperial master of
a dangerous disease by prescribing the use of the cold bath. He was
munificently rewarded for the cure he had wrought, and honoured with a
brazen statue, which, by order of the Roman senate, was to be placed
near that of iEsculapius. The grateful emperor, moreover, exempted
him from all taxes, and, as we may presume, vaunted his skill, and re¬
commended him to his imperial household as the only physician to be
trusted ; at any rate, he was called upon to treat the emperor’s nephew
and son-in-law, Marcellus,‘who had been publicly proclaimed his successor.
Here, unfortunately for the patient and the system, hydropathy killed,
and did not cure ; the poor youth, who was only eighteen, died, chilled
to death by the cold-water douches administered to him by Musa ; and
with him died the system, which M. Fournier remarks it has taken twenty
centuries to revive and restore to its former prestige. The cold-water
cure, had, however, a short-lived notoriety in Nero’s time, when the
Marseille physician Charmis douched and drenched his patients most suc¬
cessfully with cold water, and in other respects prescribed medicines and
modes of treatment not in use among his contemporaries.”

Even clairvoyance, table-turning, spirit-rapping, and
other absurdities of the present day., appear to have been
known in olden time, and practised by the artful and
designing; exciting, too, the same wonder and belief then
as now.

We have been desirous to write on this subject — although
it may be that our extracts have been somewhat too long —
lest an expression made by us in our last leader should
have been misunderstood. We there said, “ As a compact
body, we must resolve in our own strength to c go on.’ ”
From this some might have inferred that we seek no
assistance or co-operation. Ear from it, we are no friends
whatever to isolation ; indeed, we believe, fully believe, in
the advantages derivable from union. Moreover, the sciences
have a co-relation — the one aids the other. It would be,
therefore, just as consistent to hope to maintain the in¬
tegrity of a chain by the removal of one of its connecting
links, as for any division of science to make advancement
by insulation. All the inventions of physical science are
united together, and by their nature tend to bring mankind
into alliance with one another. We have been likewise told
not to bury our talent in a napkin, nor burn our lamp in a
sepulchre, like the old Bosicrusians.

Again, when we spoke of “ our own strength,” we meant it

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

311

only in reference to that with which we are endowed, for
we are not ignorant from whom all power emanates. It is
the strength imparted we desire to employ, knowing what
the result must be if this be rightly done. The duty is
ours — the consequences we must he content to leave.

‘c Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate :

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labour and to wait.”

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE CROONIAN LECTURE ON THE COAGULATION OE THE
BLOOD, DELIVERED BEEORE THE ROYAL SOCIETY,
JUNE 11, 1863.

By Joseph Lister, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.C.S.

[Continued from vol. xxxvi,j!?. 758.)

It may, perhaps, be argued that the drop of blood employed
being a small drop, and this small drop having been drawn
up by suction into the tube, it might have parted with its
ammonia before it got into the tube ; but then (and now
comes the bearing of the experiment on the effect of tem¬
perature) I found, if I placed a similar tube filled in the
same w7ay in a vessel of snow, so as not to freeze it, but to
keep it ice-cold, the blood in it remained fluid as long as I
chose to keep it there. Now, if all the ammonia had left the
blood before it was introduced into the tube, cold ought,
according to the ammonia theory, to have had no effect in
retarding its coagulation ; for, according to that theory, cold
operates by retaining the ammonia. On the other hand,
if we take the other alternative, and suppose that any
ammonia which the blood might have contained was still in
these tubes, the former experiment proves clearly that the
retention of ammonia has no effect in producing fluidity —
no effect in preventing coagulation ; and if the retention of
ammonia has no effect in preventing coagulation, then cold
certainly cannot prevent coagulation by retaining the am¬
monia, because, even if retained, it would not influence the
result. In whatever way we look at them, therefore, these

312

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

simple experiments prove conclusively that cold maintains
the fluidity of the blood in some manner unconnected with
any influence it may exert upon ammonia.

Then, again, I varied the experiment in this way. I placed
such little tubes of blood in baths of liquor ammoniae at
different temperatures. By careful management, guarding
against the volatilization of ammonia, and consequent reduc¬
tion of temperature, I succeeded in employing satisfactorily
a bath of liquor ammoniae at 100° Fahr., the blood being in the
bath within a few seconds of its leaving the vessels of my
finger, and I found that the high temperature, though under
such circumstances it could not possibly dissipate any
ammonia from the blood, yet accelerated its coagulation in
precisely the same way as when it was applied to blood in
watch-glasses exposed to the air.

It is clear, then, that the promotion of the solidification of
fibrin by heat is as independent of the evolution of ammonia
as the coagulation of albumen under the same agency.
Indeed, it seems probable that the two cases are analogous,
except that a higher temperature is required in the one than
in the other.

When fine tubes containing blood were placed in liquor
ammoniae, the alkali acted only upon those parts which were
close to the ends of the tubes ; a very small portion was
rendered brown by it, and beyond that a little was kept
permanently fluid, but the chief length of the blood in the
tube was unaffected. Having thus ascertained that ammonia
travels so slowly along tubes of this capillary fineness, I
thought I might have an opportunity of giving the ammonia
theory a fair test by tying such a tube as has been above
described into the jugular vein of a rabbit, and filling it
directly from the vessel, and then ascertaining whether there
was any evidence of retardation of coagulation in the blood
thus imprisoned. But I could discover no such evidence,
although I sought for it in confirmation of a view I then
.held. To this, however, there is one special exception to be
made — viz., in the case of asphyxia. I found that if two
such tubes were filled from the same blood-vessel of a crea¬
ture, and under normal circumstances, and the other after
asphyxia had been induced, there was a most remarkable
difference between the rates of coagulation of the blood in
the two tubes, the asphyxial blood coagulating very much
more slowly than the ordinary blood ; but when the asphyxial
blood was shed into a wratch-glass, and air was blown through
it, it coagulated rapidly, showing that in the state of a-
sphyxia there must be some volatile element in the blood
which has an effect in retarding coagulation.

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

313

Supposing at first that this volatile element must be
ammonia, I hoped to be able by chemical means to find
evidence of its accumulation in asphyxia, and thus add a
fact of great interest to physiology. Imitating experiments
previously made by Dr. Richardson, I passed air successively
through blood and through hydrochloric acid, and then
estimated the amount of ammonia acquired by the latter by
means of bichloride of platinum. In order to prevent the
possibility of the loss of any ammonia, I directed blood from
the carotid artery of a calf fairly into a Woulfe’s bottle by
means of a vulcanized india-rubber tube tied into the vessel,
and then drew a certain volume of air through it by means
of an aspirating jar, the experiment being performed first
before and then during asphyxia. The same procedure
was adopted with a second calf, the animal being in each
case under the influence of chloroform, which does not
interfere with the development during asphyxia of the pecu¬
liarity in the blood above alluded to ; but I could not find
satisfactory evidence of accumulation of ammonia ; and,
without going further into the question at present, I may
say that it seems much more probable that the effect is due
to carbonic acid, which is known to have a retarding influ¬
ence on coagulation, and which probably accumulates greatly
in asphyxial blood.

But in justice to the author of the ammonia theory, and
to myself too, who at one time expressed a qualified belief
in it, it is but fair to say that this theory is extremely plau¬
sible. It has been well shown by Dr. Richardson that
ammonia is a substance well fitted to keep the blood fluid if
it be present in a sufficient quantity. An experiment of my
own illustrates very well the same point. I drew out a tube
about a quarter of an inch in calibre, so that while for two
inches at one end it retained its original width, the rest
(some ten inches) was pretty narrow, though far from having
the capillary fineness of those before described. Into the
thick part 1 introduced a drop of strong liquor ammoniae,
and then securely corked that end of the tube. The object
of this was that there should be a strong ammoniacal atmo¬
sphere in the narrow part of the tube. I then opened a
branch of a vein in the neck of a sheep, introduced the
narrow end of the tube into the vessel, and pushing it in so
that its orifice should be in the current of the main trunk of
the vein, tied it in securely. I then removed the cork and
made pressure on the vein at the cardiac side, causing the
vessel to swell and blood to pass into the fine part of the
tube ; and before the blood had reached the part of the glass
VOL. xxvii. 21

314

coagulation of the blood.

moistened by the ammonia, I put in the cork again and
withdrew the tube. In a short time, on introducing a hook
of fine wire into the extremity of the tube, I found the
blood already coagulated ; but on filling off a small portion of
the tube, I found the blood there fluid. The portion of
blood thus exposed soon coagulated, when, a second small
piece of the tube being removed by the file, fluid blood was
again disclosed, which again soon coagulated ; and this
proceeding was repeated with the same results time after
time, till, near the thick part of the tube, the ammonia in the
blood was so strong as to prevent coagulation altogether.

This experiment illustrates how fitted the ammonia is to
maintain the fluidity of blood, and also how apt it is, when
present in the blood, to fly speedily off from it, leaving it
unimpaired in its coagulating properties; and it must be
confessed that the end of the tube sealed with a small clot
resembled most deceptively the extremity of a divided artery
similarly closed. But although the experiment seems in so
far to favour the ammonia theory, it will tell differently when
1 mention the object with which it was performed. It ap¬
peared to me that, if the cause of the fluidity of the blood
was free ammonia, then, if I provided an ammoniacal atmo¬
sphere in the tube, and introduced blood by pressure directly
from the vein into this ammoniacal atmosphere, this blood,
lying between the strong ammoniacal atmosphere on the one
side and the ammonia naturally present in the blood, within the
vein on the other side, ought to remain fluid ; and if it did re¬
main fluid, this would tend to confirm the ammonia theory, by
making it appear that the volatile materialwas the same at both
ends of the tube. But, to my disappointment, I invariably
found that if I drew away the tube after a few minutes only
had elapsed, there was already a clot in its extremity ; in other
words, the ammonia had diffused from the end of the tube
into the blood within the vein as into a non-ammoniacal
atmosphere. This experiment alone, if duly considered,
would, I think, suffice to show that the blood does not con¬
tain enough ammonia to account for its fluidity.

One more experiment, however, may be adduced with the
same object. I mounted a short but wide glass tube, open
at both ends, upon the end of a piece of strong wire, and
connected with the latter a coil of fine silver wire, so that it
hung freely in the tube. I then opened the carotid artery
of a horse, and through the wound instantly thrust in the
apparatus so far that I was sure the tube lay in the common
carotid, which in veterinary language means the enormous
trunk common to both sides of the neck of the animal. The

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

315

tube, being open at both ends, and slightly funnel-shaped at
that end which was directed towards the heart, had thus a
full current of arterial blood streaming through it. Having
ascertained how long the arterial blood took to show the first
appearance of coagulation in a watch-glass, I very soon after
removed the apparatus, and, on taking out the coil of silver
wire, found that it was already crusted over with coagulum.
Yet here assuredly there had been no opportunity for the
escape of ammonia.

From this experiment it is obvious that there is a very
great difference between ordinary solid matter and the living
vessels in their relation to the blood. But the same conclu¬
sion may be drawn much more simply from experiments
which 1 had the opportunity of performing after making
an observation which it seems strange should have been left
for me to make, and which, I may say, was made by myself
purely accidentally; and this is, that the blood of mammalia,
though it coagulates soon after death in the heart and the
principal arterial and venous trunks, remains fluid for an
indefinite period in the small vessels. If, therefore, a liga¬
ture be tied round the foot of a living sheep a little below the
joint which is divided by the butcher, the foot being removed
and taken home with the blood retained in the veins by the
ligature, we have a ready opportunity of investigating the
subject of coagulation, and of making observations as satis¬
factory as they are simple. Here are two feet provided in
the way I have alluded to. A superficial vein in each foot
has been exposed. The veins, I see, have contracted very
much since I reflected the skin from them before our meet¬
ing ; and I may remark that such contraction, dependent on
muscular action, may occur days after amputation, indicating
the persistence of vital properties in the veins. Now, as I
cut across this vein blood flows out, fluid but coagulable.
Into the vein of this other foot has been introduced a piece
of fine silver wire, and when I slit up the vein you will see
the effect it has produced. Exactly as far as the silver wire
extends, so far is there a clot in this vessel. Now, this expe¬
riment, very simple as it is, is of itself sufficient to prove
the vital theory in the sense that the living vessels differ en¬
tirely from ordinary solids in their relation to the blood. It
is perfectly clear that by introducing a clean piece of silver
wire (and platinum or glass or any other substance chemi¬
cally inert would have had the same effect), I do not add any
chemical material or facilitate the escape of any, and yet
coagulation occurs round about the foreign solid.

Again, if a blood-vessel be injured at any part, coagulation

316

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

will occur at the seat of injury. As a good illustration of
this, and also as bearing upon the ammonia theory, I may
mention the following experiment. Having squeezed the
blood out of a limited portion of one of the veins of a sheep’s
foot, and prevented its return by appropriate means, I
treated the empty portion with caustic ammonia, the neigh¬
bouring parts of the vein being protected from the irritating
vapour by lint steeped in olive oil. After the smell of am¬
monia had passed off, I let the blood flow back again, and
left it undisturbed for a while, when I found on examination
a cylindrical clot in the part that had been treated with
ammonia, while in the adjacent parts of the same vessel the
blood remained fluid. I repeated this experiment several
times, and always with the same result — where the ammonia
had acted there was a clot. The chemical agent used here
was one which, so long as any of it remained, would keep
the blood fluid ; yet its ultimate effect was to induce coagula¬
tion, the vital properties of the vein havingbeen destroyed by it.

If a needle or a piece of silver wire is introduced for a
short time into one of the veins of the sheep’s foot, it is
found on withdrawal to be covered over with a very thin
crust of fibrin ; whereas the wall of the vessel itself is never
found to have fibrin or coagulum adhering to it, unless it has
been injured. Now, this seems to imply that the ordinary
solid is the active agent with reference to coagulation ; that
it is not that the blood is maintained fluid by any action of
the living vessels, but that it' is induced to coagulate by an
attractive agency on the part of the foreign solid. We see,
at any rate, that the foreign solid has an attraction for fibrin
which the wall of the vessel has not.

And yet I own I was at first inclined to think that the
blood-vessels must in some way actively prevent coagulation.
There were two considerations that led to this view : one was
that the blood remained fluid in the small vessels after death,
but coagulated in the large. Now, why should that be ? It
seemed only susceptible of explanation from there being
some connection between the size of the vessel and the
circumstance of coagulation. It looked as if in the small
veins the action of the wall of the vessel was able to control
the blood and keep it fluid, but that the large mass in the
principal trunks could notbe so kept under control. The other
circumstance wras the rapid coagulation of a large quantity
of blood shed into a basin. Why should this occur unless
there was some spontaneous tendency in the blood to coagu¬
late ? It seemed scarcely credible that it was the result of
contact with the surface of the basin.

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

317

Both these notions, however, have since been swept away.
In the first place, I have observed recently that it is by no
means only in small vessels that the blood remains fluid after
death. If blood be retained within the jugular vein of a
horse or ox by the application of ligatures, either before or
after the animal has been struck with the poleaxe, it will
often continue fluid, but coagulable, in that vessel, which is
upwards of an inch in diameter, for twenty-four or even
forty-eight hours after it has been removed from the body.
I say often, but not always. The jugular vein seems to be
in that intermediate condition, between the heart and the
small vessels, in which it is uncertain whether it will retain
its vital properties for many hours, or will lose them in the
course of one hour or so. Unfortunately for my present
purpose, it happens that in this jugular vein, removed from
an ox six hours ago, coagulation has already commenced, as
I can ascertain by squeezing the vessel between my fingers.
But now that I lay open the vessel, you observe that the
chief mass of its contained blood is still fluid, and we shall
at all events have an opportunity of seeing that what is now
fluid will in a short time be coagulated. It is an interesting
circumstance, with reference to the question which we are
now considering, that the coagulation always begins in con¬
tact with the vein, indicating that it is not the wall of the
vessel that keeps the blood fluid, but that, on the contrary,
the wall of the vessel, when deprived of vital properties,
makes the blood coagulate.

The observation of the persistent fluidity of the blood in
these large vessels furnished the opportunity of making a
very satisfactory experiment which I hoped to have exhibited
before the society, but as there was some clot in the vein I
did not think fit to run the risk of failure. The experiment
is performed in the following way. A piece of steel wire is
wound spirally round one of the veins in its turgid condition,
and with a needle and thread the coats of the vessel are
stitched here and there to the wire, care being taken to avoid
puncturing the lining membrane, and thus the vessel is
converted into a rigid cup. Two such cups being prepared,
and the lining membrane of the vein being everted at the
orifice of each, so as to avoid contact of the blood with any
injured tissue, 1 found that, after pouring blood to and fro
through the air in a small stream from one venous receptacle
into the other half a dozen times, and closing the orifice of
the receptacle to prevent drying, the blood was still more or
less completely fluid after the lapse of eight or ten hours.
On the other hand, if a fine sewing-needle is pushed through

318

ACCLIMATIZATION.

the wall of an unopened vessel so that its ends may lie in the
blood, it is found on examination, after a certain time has
elapsed, that the needle is surrounded with an encrusting
clot. It is scarcely necessary to point out how entirely the
ammonia theory and the oxygen theory, as well as that of
rest, fail to account for facts like these.

While the blood may remain fluid for forty-eight hours in
the jugular vein of a horse or an ox, it coagulates soon after
death in the heart of very small animals, such as mice ; so
that it is obvious that the continuance of the fluidity in
small vessels is not due to their small size.

[To be continued .)

ACCLIMATIZATION.

We continue our promised condensation of Mr. J. Ince’s
papers in the Pharmaceutical Journal , in which he thus
describes the Garden of Acclimatization of Paris :

“ A garden of acclimatization differs essentially from
either the zoological or the botanical garden, nor is it the
result of the two combined; for whereas both these latter
are meant to be the living text-books of the subjects to which
they are specially devoted, and are just so far perfect as they
contain accumulated illustrations of their respective studies,
a garden of acclimatization, having no technical boundary
line of science, selects from all living objects whatever of
either use or beauty may be deemed worthy of home intro¬
duction. Its range is from the yak to the silkworm, and
from the lama to the sponge; to quote its own announce¬
ment, ‘ its great object is to acclimatize, to multiply and to
distribute to the public, animal or vegetable species which
are or may be hereafter newly introduced into France, and
may seem worthy of interest from their usefulness or
ornament/

“ For France read Europe, and then wre shall clearly
understand the scheme. In the remarks about to follow, I
have been painfully hampered by the difficulty of compressing
discursive details into journal space ; the w7hole zoological
section has been necessarily omitted, w7hile at the same
time many of the topics here barely mentioned form the
basis of successive lengthy papers in the official ‘Transactions’
of the society. Enough, however, is brought forward to
guide the steps of future students, and possibly to stimulate
their interest; and if all, the hidden gold has not been dug

ACCLIMATIZATION. 319

up ready for the market, at least a good plain sign-post has
been erected to indicate the mine.

“The Society of the Garden of Acclimatization is thus
constituted. Its duration is restricted to forty-two years.
Capital a million francs (£40,000), in 4000 shares of 250
francs (£10) each. Each share gives a right to an equal
and proportional allotment of effects, and constitutes a per¬
petual free ticket of admission. Part of the capital is to be
so invested as that at the end of forty-two years the share¬
holders shall receive back the amount of their original
contribution.

“ Previous to the actual establishment of the garden, the
committee visited and studied the gardens (Zoological and
Botanical) of London, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Amsterdam,
and Marseilles. The nature of the receipts is twofold : —
1st, The sale of animals, eggs, plants, and seeds; 2nd, the
payment of visitors. The council consists of forty mem¬
bers, each of whom must have not less than five shares.
After payment of necessary expenses, a reserve fund is
created of 150,000 francs (£6000); the surplus beyond this
is thus divided: — Five per cent, on shares at interest; five
per cent, as a sinking fund ; and of the remainder, half is to
be given to the shareholders as dividend and half to the
City of Paris as indemnity. Whilst we are on business
topics, I may add that that the Imperial Society took a
hundred shares, the banker is M. Rothschild, and the office
of the garden is at present No. 19, Rue de Lille, Paris.

“ The garden is situated in the Bois de Boulogne, just
beyond the fashionable promenade; a broad pathway runs
right round it. The first building that strikes the eye is the
establishment for silkworms, where, from May to October,
are made the various experiments on the cultivation and
introduction of silk. By the side of the different silkworms
feeding on the mulberry, from France, Italy, Spain, Asia
Minor, India, China, and Japan, are seen the new species
that have been introduced into Europe by means of the
society, namely, the Bombyx Mylitta (silkworm feeding on
the oak), Bombyx Arrindia (silkworm of the castor-oil plant),
and the celebrated Ailanthus (Vers a soie de l’Ailante), the
Bombyx Cynthia vera , about which so much has been written,
and from which so much is expected.

“Next in order comes the great collection of birds — not
the mere gathering of a zoological garden, but the specimens
only of such as are recommended either by their beauty or
their use. Behind this building are two rows of cages, one
used as a sort of waiting-room when regular accommodation

320

acclimatization.

is deficient, the other arranged as a hospital for sick birds.
I must not stop to mention the curious fowl-yard, the pride
of the genuine acclimatist, but I may just remind the reader
that the most useful fowl we have in England is due to the
prescient acclimatist who first introduced to Europe the
domestic cock and hen.

“ Further on, we find the space reserved for the annual
exhibitions; and continuing our route, the paddocks of the
larger animals, such as the yaks, oxen, sheep, and goats,
every specimen of which is there to work out the problem
indicated by the donor. Coming back, the beehives meet
our view. In the summer, lessons are regularly given upon
bee-training and cultivation, properly called apiculture.

ce The aquarium is now no novelty ; the one here pre¬
sented is wonderful in its details and arrangement. We are
apt (led by experience) to consider an aquarium as a reposi¬
tory of weird-looking shapes, which we were content to
know mostly resided at the bottom of the sea, and we were
sometimes tempted to consider their abode appropriate ;
certain it is that scientific children have done their utmost
to bring this useful institution into pardonable disgust.
Here, however, the salmon, trout, carp, and eel, may be
studied in a tolerably correct imitation of their actual homes ;
whilst in another compartment sundry sea-water groups, and,
in regular succession of time, the eight thousand species
which constitute the class called fish, may be carefully exam¬
ined. This alone may give some idea upon what a scale this
practical scheme of education has been devised.

“ Leaving the aquarium, we gain perhaps the most inter¬
esting spot in the whole garden, the c Garden of Experi¬
ment/ where the different plants, grains, and seeds that have
been received from time to time by the society are in process
of cultivation, and on which should be inscribed the motto,
‘Failures constitute success.’ Such of our members who
are so nervously timid about the establishment on their own
premises of a museum of practical experiment and apparatus,
would do well to witness the rapid progress lately made in
applied zoology and botany in the field-laboratory' of the
Garden of Acclimatization, a progress that will not be slow
in bearing a direct influence on pharmacy itself.

“ Here are presented, under different modes of cultivation,
and flourishing with every imaginable variation of success,
more than four hundred species of plants, destined to serve
for food, for medicinal purposes, or else capable of industrial
application.”

To some of these Mr. I nee gives a special notice, after

ACCLIMATIZATION.

321

which he seeks the retirement of the little reading-room,
where, he says, we shall find books, treatises, and periodicals,
bearing on acclimatization, and in there, sheltered from the
glare of the sun without, we may glean something of the
private history of a few great acclimatists, of whom a brief
account is given by him; and he concludes his observa¬
tions as follows:

“Such is a general outline of the Societe du Jardin
d’ Acclimatization. Thoughtful men of all nations have been
keen observers of nature, and in the charmed circle of other
thoughtful men they have received the full homage of
respect ; yet too often the result of their labours has been
a new ponderous folio, or a learned abstract, destined to be
decently interred in the annals of some privileged society.
Books do not teach everybody — there is a class of mind (in
itself both highly cultivated and intelligent) to which printed
sentences are literally a dead letter. Many a man of great
energy, passionately fond of enterprise, daring and successful
in commercial speculation, is in himself a walking encyclo¬
paedia of general knowledge, and is yet incapable of clothing
a single thought in appropriate written language, and hates
the printer’s devil as orthodox Christians do the father of
all evil. Shall we call him uneducated, and ignore his real
practical learning ? Let us be more sensible, and at the
same time more just — his literature is action. Now, a garden,
such as the one described, appeals directly to sympathies
like these. Here is a book in nature-printing, the type of
which is never worn, and whose truths present the strange
anomaly that they are both ever-changing and everlasting
— a book wherein the most contemplative philosopher and
the busiest mortal may delight to read ; and it is certainly
worth while offering a fair field of study to meet the craving
eagerness of many an adventurous spirit, who, though he
may scarcely distinguish between an Elzevir and the printing
of this journal, feels himself aggrieved because his merit is
sometimes unfavorably contrasted with that of the man who
can merely round a period or construct a phrase.

“ Should it, moreover, be the fortune (good or ill) of any
reader of these lines to be engaged on foreign service, he
will assuredly thank the writer for having introduced the
subject of acclimatization to his notice. 1 had a near and
dear relative, of most companionable habits, stationed in the
Havannah. Often have I listened to his sad recital of the
blank routine monotony of that least enviable life. No
wonder that in all that colony of disheartened Englishmen
there was but one thought — to make money and retire.

322

NATURE OF MATERIES MORBI.

How would each homesick resident have welcomed the
genial inspiration of the Saint-Hilaires, and have expanded
under the grateful influence of a study which brought them
once more within the pale of European sympathies !

“ 4 Thoughts perish/ says the eternal record ; well is it,
therefore, for the natural philosopher of the present day *
that his deepest theories may be translated into living and
palpable realities; and that while men stumble over books
and sentences, he may not only realise his speculations, but
present them in a language intelligible to humanity in
common.

“ In I860 M. E. Roehn thought that the alpaca* was
destined to be of essential service ; he sent over and acclima¬
tized the animal, and it is now writing it own history
(practical and scientific) in the garden at Paris, in the indus¬
trial produce of Australia, in the fabrics of the North of
England, in the covering of my umbrella, and in my last
tailor’s bill. May I commend this great subject specially to
pharmaceutists ? May I offer them, even though but as a
relaxation from their severer studies, a theme so rich in
associations and so fertile in results?

“ Haply a stray, sight-worn English tourist, tired of the
theatre and sickened with the glare and glitter of Mabille,
may be glad to seek refuge on some quiet autumn morning
in the more placid, though not less pleasurable, scenes of the
Jardin d’Acclimatation.”

NATURE OF « MATERIES MORBI,” AND THE ACTION OF
PERMANGANATE OF POTASH THEREON.

By H. B. Condy.

This term is applied to the emanations from the bodies
and intestinal discharges of persons suffering from contagious
diseases, whose only ascertained property is that of gene¬
rating in other individuals, predisposed for their develop¬
ment, definite affections, in the course of which matter
possessing the same power is reproduced. There is no evi¬
dence to show that these substances are of a gaseous or even
truly vaporous nature. The fact that those contagious mat¬
ters which are accessible, such as the virus of cow-pox and

* “ This paper is of course written from a French point of view. I am not
ignorant of the English claim to the introduction of the alpaca, nor of the
admirable acclimatization experiments of Messrs. Ledger, Wilson, and
others. Let us hope that some competent authority will give an account
of recent Australian success.”

NATURE OF MATERIES MO RBI.

323

of syphilis, may be dried in the air without exhibiting any
signs of volatility, tends to the contrary conclusion. If the
matters of contagious diseases were of a volatile nature, they
would evidently, by the law of gaseous diffusion, be liable to
pervade the entire mass of the atmosphere in a form of
extreme attenuation, not at all admissible from what we
know of their effects. Volatility, moreover, wrhich implies
simplicity of constitution and a limited number of atoms in
the integrant particles of matter, would be incompatible with
the organic character of such substances. We know that mere
gases of the kind principally exhaled from persons suffering
from fevers and other similar contagious affections, as ammo¬
nia, sulphide of ammonium, and such like, are of themselves
insufficient to cause special disease wThen breathed admixed
with air. But as the vapours of volatile liquids carry with
them sensible quantities of all the solids which are held in
solution by them, the gases and exhalations given off from
fever patients and their excreta are well suited for becoming
the vehicles of non-volatile contagious matters, in the shape
of consistent particles of complex matter analogous to the
polybasic combinations of the organic kingdoms.* Being
derived from the blood, these bodies may be presumed to
exist in a peculiar state of active transformation, capable of
communicating itself to the circulating fluid of other indi¬
viduals of the same species, when so circumstanced as to be
unable to conduct their metamorphosis into simpler and
more permanent forms. As they are clearly susceptible of
increasing in activity and of propagating their condition,
according to the circumstances in which they may be placed,
they must also be capable of diminishing in morbid force,
and of suffering resolution into a state of inertia by conver¬
sion into the last products of transformation. The progress
of such matters will be regulated entirely by the opportuni¬
ties afforded them of meeting with active oxygen, which,
whether in the process of combustion continually kept up
within the body by the respired air, or in that which is as
unceasingly in operation without, is the great means em¬
ployed by nature for the extinction of abnormal influences
and the maintenance of sound sanitary conditions in the
organic creation.

if they do not consist merely of the usual organic sub¬
stances contained in bodily exhalations, brought into a
peculiar catalytic state, those morbific matters at all events
cannot be supposed to differ in constitution, in any material

Graham’s ‘ Elements of Chemistry,’ p. 282 (1842).

324

NATURE OF MATERIES MORBI.

respect, from ordinary animal bodies. They are probably
complex organic products, possessing a quaternary arrange¬
ment of elements, like the generality of animal matters.
Their morbid power resides in their peculiar dynamic con¬
dition, which is capable of maintaining itself so long as no
elementary change occurs to alter their state. In this respect
these substances, in their intimate nature, may justly be
compared with those poisonous products which, under cer¬
tain circumstances, are developed in some kinds of sausages,
and occasionally in the human body after death. As it has
been found impossible to extract any special virus from such
putrid substances, so it is easy to understand why we are
unable to recognise any tangibly poisonous material in the
emanations of persons struck down by contagious diseases.
In both cases every known method of investigation has
failed to reveal any peculiar morbid compound, and the pre¬
sence of the morbific force is only rendered cognizable to
the senses by the train of symptoms excited in the system
of those brought within its influence, which will be more or
less felt according to the greater or less degree of intensity
of the state of metamorphosis in which the poison happens
to be at the moment of its reception, the nature of the
medium through which it finds admission to the living body,
and the presence in the system of materials capable of
entering into the same state.* The facility with which
those matters communicate their peculiar condition to the
blood of individuals predisposed to receive such impressions
may be easily comprehended by calling to mind the ex¬
tremely complex nature of the circulating fluid, its constant
state of transformation, the manner in which it is dispersed
throughout the entire body and permeates every tissue from
the lungs and bowels within to the skin without, and, above
all, the circumstance that such morbific matters are them¬
selves blood products, and consequently composed of con¬
stituents most favorably circumstanced for the diffusion of
their peculiar state of mobility in the circulating mass.

It is a law of catalytic metamorphosis, that a body in the
act of decomposing, on being added to a fluid in which its
own constituents are present, is itself reproduced, exactly as
new yeast is formed by the addition of that substance to
saccharine liquids containing gluten, and that the only
limits to this process of reproduction are the amount of
matter present which is capable of ‘undergoing such altera¬
tion, or the supervention of some counteracting influence.

* Dr. Budd, of Clifton, on “ The Propagation of Typhoid Bever
‘ Lancet,’ Dec. 12, 1856.

NATURE OF MATERIES MORBI.

325

This change takes place with more certainty when the fluid
acted upon contains among its constituents the substance
from whose transformation the body suffering decomposition
was formed.* We have a familiar instance of the action in
question in the “ turning ” of milk, when placed in dishes
not scrupulously clean, and to which some particles of older
milk in a sour state have been allowed to adhere, or when
intentionally soured, as in the preparing of the yaonrt of the
Turks and other pastoral people, by the addition of a re¬
served leaven of coagulum. Although milk is a homo¬
geneous fluid in a state of quiescence, as compared with the
warm blood of the body, which, to use the beautifully com¬
prehensive expression of Liebig, is “ the sum of all the
organs and tissues in the act of formation/'’ the extreme
sensitiveness it displays to fermentive influences affords an
instructive subject for reflection.

Of the oxidizable impurities which are found in the atmo¬
sphere, few are so disposed to combine with active oxygen
as the decomposing effluvia which proceed from the morbid
and putrefying bodies, and the effete excretions of men and
other animals. When in a condition for combination, their
elements form with that substance compounds of a most
permanent nature. Assuming those matters to resemble in
constitution nitrogenized animal bodies, their behaviour in
the presence of permanganate of potash may be represented
by the following equation :

H04C7N2 4- 7(Mn207 + ICO) =

* animal permanganate of

effluvia. potash.

HO + 7C02 + 2N05 + 1 4Mn02 + 7KO

water. carbonic nitric acid, binoxide of potash,
acid. manganese.

Every particle of such substances which thus undergoes
oxidation represents so much unwholesome matter reduced
to an inert and innoxious condition, and the quantity of
permanganate decomposed will correspond exactly to the
amount of impurities destroyed. Were it possible to bring
the organic matter, as it exists, for instance, in offensive ex¬
halations, into rapid and intimate contact with the perman¬
ganate, the process of purification would be instantaneous
and complete. This, however, is perhaps scarcely attain¬
able. The destruction and withdrawal of such impurities as
obtain contact must, nevertheless, have the effect of lessen-

* Liebig’s ‘Chemistry of Agriculture,’ by Playfair, 4th ed., p. 382.

326 ACTION OF OZONE ON SOME ORGANIC MATTERS.

ing the total amount present, and of improving the average
purity of the air operated on. In the atmosphere of con¬
fined spaces, or of places where the source of impurity is
limited, as in a room containing but one or few cases of some
contagious disease, this result is speedily obtained. The mere
exposure of an extended surface of permanganate solution will,
in general, suffice to destroy as great an amount of impurity as
that which is continually being imparted to the atmosphere.

THE ACTION OE OZONE ON SOME ORGANIC MATTERS.

By M. Besanez.

M. Besanez has found that on the following substances
ozone has no action : — urea, hippuric acid, allantoin, alloxan,
creatine, leucine, fibrine, gelatine, starch, sugar, inosite,
amygdaline, and salicine.

Cyanide of potassium rapidly absorbs ozone, and is
changed into the cyanate. Uric acid diluted with water,
and agitated with ozonized air, is dissolved and changed into
allantoin and urea.

Creatinine is moderately acted on, the products being
creatine and an acid, the nature of which the author will
describe hereafter.

The action of ozone on albumen is very curious. M.
Besanez hoped to find urea among the protein bodies; but
although he directed his attention particularly to this point,
he was disappointed. Not an atom of the compound was
produced, and the author does not believe in the transforma¬
tion of albumen into urea by oxidation with hypermanganate
of potash.

In contact with ozonized air, albumen becomes slightly
coloured, and then forms a coagulum somewhat analogous
to fibrine, but insoluble in a solution of nitrate of potash.
After some time this coagulum liquefies, and when the
liquid ceases to absorb ozone it is no longer coagulated by
heat nor precipitated by mineral salts, always excepting the
tribasic acetate of lead. By evaporation in a water bath it
leaves a brownish residue, which is partially soluble in
alcohol. The principal result of this experiment, accord¬
ing to M. Besanez, consists in the formation of a compound
similar to that produced when albumen is acted on by gastric
juice.

The action of ozonized air on casein resembles the action

TRANSFORMATION OF ARSENIC INTO A SOLID HYDRIDE- 32 7

on albumen. When milk is operated on, the casein is first
modified, the fatty matters resist longer, and the lactine is
not at all affected.

Amylic alcohol acted on by ozone gives first valerol and
then valerianic acid.

Oil of cinnamon condenses a large proportion of ozone
without being oxidized, but yields it up to substances more
easily affected. In this way ozonized oil of cinnamon rapidly
decolorises solutions of indigo.

Purified bile is not acted on by ozone ; but fresh bile is
quickly decolorised, the action being limited to the destruc¬
tion of the colouring matter, and perhaps also the mucus.

Among the organic substances most eager for ozone is
tannic acid. The author has not studied this reaction
deeply ; but he is certain that oxalic acid is formed, and a
body which quickly reduces the cupro-ammoniacal liquid.

M. Besanez, as regards ozone, confirms a fact remarked
by M. Chevreul, viz., that the presence of an alkali singu¬
larly hastens the oxidation of organic matters. The author
also quotes an observation by M. His, who remarked that
blood is so completely burnt by ozone that the residue is
composed of scarcely anything but mineral substances. M.
Erdmann has observed that ozone transforms indigo into
isatine. — Repertoire de Rharmacie.

ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF ARSENIC INTO A SOLID

HYDRIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NITRIC ACID.

By Dr. Blondlot.

It is well known that when more or less diluted acids
disengage the hydrogen of water in the presence of zinc or
iron, the nascent gas, if in contact with a soluble compound
of arsenic, forms with the latter a gaseous hydride having
the formula AsH3. But to this general fact there is one
exception, which I believe to be unique, and to which I
desire to call attention, inasmuch as it may have great im¬
portance in toxicological researches. Nitric acid and its
derivatives, under the conditions mentioned, only produce a
solid hydride, having the formula As2H, which is precipi¬
tated upon the zinc in the form of brown flocculi.

This characteristic reaction is evidently due to the forma¬
tion of a certain quantity of ammonia, and is produced even

328 TRANSFORMATION OF ARSENIC INTO A SOLID HYDRIDE.

when the nitric acid is mixed in very minute proportions
with other acids, so that we may avail ourselves of the re¬
action to detect the least trace of a nitrous compound in
sulphuric, hydrochloric, or other acids. When once formed,
however, the solid hydride of arsenic is insoluble in the cold,
in sulphuric and hydrochloric acid, whether concentrated or
diluted, and therefore gives no trace of the gaseous hydride
in Marsh’s apparatus. Of this fact I have repeatedly
assured myself by placing in the apparatus strips of zinc
previously coated with the hydride in question.

For the production of this solid hydride to take place,
however, the author states that the absence of all other
metals from the solution is necessary. And not only this ;
the presence in the liquid of certain organic matters, such as
sugar, gum, gelatine, alcohol, ether, even in small propor¬
tion, prevents the formation of the hydride. Nevertheless,
he adds, the property possessed by arsenic of depositing
itself on zinc as a hydride in the presence of nitrous com¬
pounds affords us the means, if not of isolating, at least of
characterising it. If arseniuretted hydrogen is passed into
nitrate of silver, as in Lassaigne’s test, and the excess of
silver is precipitated by chloride of sodium, the clear liquor
obtained by filtration, acidulated with a few drops of nitric
acid, will quickly deposit the hydride on a strip of pure zinc.
The author affirms that this reaction is second to none in
sensibility.

Hitherto sulphuric and hydrochloric acids have been con¬
sidered sufficiently pure for toxicological researches when
proved to be free from arsenic ; but the author’s results show
that it is equally important to have these acids free from
nitrous compounds. Another source of error exists when
animal matters suspected to contain arsenic are carbonized
by a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids. If the whole of
the nitric acid is not got rid of, there is the danger that
when the liquid obtained is tested by Marsh’s method the
whole of the arsenic may pass into the solid hydride and
remain undetected. — Condensed from Annales de Chimie et de
Physique .

329

ON TRICHINA SPIRALIS.

By W. Muller, M.D., Homburg.

Bor many years past the trichina spiralis (class Nema¬
todes) have been found in the muscles of hogs, wound up in a
spiral form, and enclosed in chalky capsules; and Dr. Owen
discovered and described them in the muscles of men. Pro¬
fessor Zenker, of Dresden, was the first who proved, by a
full and exact statement of a case, and a careful and minute
post-mortem examination, that the development and wan¬
dering of the trichinae in the human body produce violent
symptoms similar to those of typhus fever, and cause, most
probably, in many cases, the death of the individual.

Experiments made by Professor Virchow,* of Berlin, and
Professor Leuckart, of Giessen, by feeding animals with
pork in which were trichinae, proved the same as Professor
Zenker’s observations in the above-mentioned case, namely,
that the trichinae, when taken into the stomach, commence
almost immediately their development, male and female, and
innumerable embryons. The young worms, perforating the
intestines, enter the muscles, and, wandering in them, pro¬
duce the violent symptoms of the disease above mentioned,
until they become incapsulated in the muscles, in which state
they are innocuous.

In Hettstaedt, a small town in Prussia, containing about
5000 or 6000 inhabitants, a veritable epidemical propagation
of trichinae commenced in the middle of October last, in
consequence of the infected persons having eaten a kind of
sausage (not thoroughly cooked) made of pork in which were
trichinae.

In some cases small portions of muscles were taken by
Middeldorpf’s harpoon from the persons infected, and whilst
suffering with the disease ; and by submitting those por¬
tions to microscopical examination trichinae, were discovered
in them.

In the evening of the 9th of November last I was sum¬
moned by a telegram from the physician of Hettstaedt, in¬
forming me that a relation of mine was suffering from the
trichina disease ; that he had also a pneumonic affection, and
was very ill. On my arrival on the following day I found
the patient — who previous to the attack was a strong and very
healthy man, twenty-three years of age — perfectly conscious,

* Vide Virchow’s ‘Archiv,’ vol. xviii, p. 561.

vol, xxxvii. 22

330

TRICHINA SPIRALIS.

and with a slight oedematous swelling of the face. . On ex¬
amination of the chest, a dull sound over about an inch and
a half of the lowest part of the lower lobe of the left lung
was produced by percussion ; crepitating rattles were audible,
but there was no bronchial breathing, thus showing the
beginning of resolution of the pneumonia ; at the lowest part
emitting the dull sound there was a slight pleuritic rubbing.
The pulse was 140; respirations 48 ; and the temperature
of the body 39° Centigrade.

The symptoms of the disease commenced on the 16th of
October with loss of appetite and diarrhoea, followed by a
sensation of painful weakness in the limbs and difficulty in
moving the tongue ; the pulse being above 100. The patient
was not confined to his bed during the daytime until the
6'th of November, when the pneumonic symptoms com¬
menced.

The day after my arrival (November 11th) the pneumonic
symptoms were unaltered, with the exception of the pleuritic
rubbing, which had moved a little higher up. The whole of
the pleuro -pneumonic affection was so very trifling that it
certainly did not account for a pulse of from 140 to 130, and
for the violent oppression, or rather, as the patient explained
it himself, “ the weakness in drawing his breath.”

The following day the frequency of respiration varied be¬
tween SO and 60; the pulse was more than 200, and very
weak ; the temperature had fallen to 38° 6' Centigrade ; and
the body was covered with a profuse clammy perspiration.
The other physical symptoms were the same as before, and
the pleuritis had not extended higher. The complaint of
weakness in breathing, or, as the patient called it, “the im¬
possibility of drawing a sufficient quantity of air into the
lungs,” was increased ; but he remained conscious and re¬
signed, so much so that he several times asked me at what
hour I expected he would die.

At seven o’clock on the evening of the 12th of November
he died.

The post-mortem examination, performed on the 13th,
proved an infiltration of a part of the lower lobe of the left
lung, extending upwards about an inch and a half from the
lower margin of the lung, and about three or four ounces of
liquid exudation in the pleural cavity of the same side. When
examining the chest and intercostal muscles, I found, in every
small piece of the muscle placed under the microscope,
trichinae partly wound up, but not capsulated, partly forming
a single sling, and partly extended. In the examined parts
of the heart and diaphragm no trichinae were discovered.

TRICHINA SPIRALIS.

331

On the day previous to the above-mentioned post-mortem
examination I examined with the microscope several small
pieces of muscles which had been taken from the bodies of
persons who had died of the disease, and were given to me by
the physician of Hettstaedt, Dr. Rupprecht, and I found a
considerable number of trichinae in them.

Previous to my departure from Hettstaedt eighteen to
twenty persons had died of the trichina disease, and more than
eighty persons were at that period afflicted with the same
malady, produced by the same canse.

According to the information I obtained on the spot, the
disease begins a few days after eating the meat in which there
were trichinae, with loss of appetite, and almost without ex¬
ception with diarrhoea and fever ; oedema of the eyelids ; also
pain, or at least painful sensation of weakness, in the limbs;
oedema of the joints; difficulty in moving the tongue; pro¬
fuse clammy perspiration ; and those patients who do not
become convalescent die either unconscious, with symptoms
of typhus fever, or, in a few cases, remain conscious to the
end, complaining of inability to breathe freely.

The only important symptom of typhus absent in the disease
is the enlargement of the spleen, and it is very probable that
some of the so-called epidemics of typhus fever in former
days were caused by the propagation of trichinae in the human
body.

Since the disease has been known (about three years ago) a
great many cases have been observed in Germany.

The vitality of the trichinae is not destroyed unless the meat
or other substances in which they are located be subjected to
the temperature of boiling water for a sufficient time to ensure
that every particle has been acted upon by that degree of heat.
Salting and smoking trichinous meat, as is usually done, does
not appear to be sufficient to destroy the worms in all parts
of the meat.

Picric acid ( Acidum Piero Nitricum) was tried with the hope
that it might be administered with success to the patient, but
it failed.

In trichinous pork of a pig killed with picrin acid the
worms were found alive. — Lancet .

332

THE DANGERS OE SLAUGHTERING.

Our own pages, along with those of numerous contem¬
poraries, have for some time told the public what no doubt
they are by this time, in more senses than one, “ sick of
hearing ” — viz., that disease has been rife amongst cattle,
and that the flesh of diseased cattle has been rife amongst
the butchers. The exact nature of the disease prevalent
amongst stock has been differently regarded ; but a sort of
typhoid pneumonia has been held to be the chief cattle
plague in this country, while “ splenic apoplexy” has pre¬
vailed upon the Continent. According to some recent in¬
teresting and laborious inquiries by Dr. Edwards Crisp, it
would appear that splenic apoplexy occurs more frequently
in this country than has hitherto been supposed, particularly
amongst the stock of marshy and malarious districts.
Amongst the more important of the results arrived at by
the above-mentioned indefatigable naturalist, is the proof
he adduces of the deleterious influences produced upon man
and the lower animals by the spleen and other viscera of the
beasts affected. Dr. Budd, of Clifton, as our readers well
know, has for some time maintained the inoculability of a
virus from diseased cattle to human beings. Dr. Crisp has
worked out the problem, and shows that it cannot be too
generally known among agriculturists that persons who flay
animals dying of splenic apoplexy should be careful to avoid
scratches, cuts, and punctures, and on all occasions to wash
their hands well immediately after they have finished. If a
cut be received, Dr. Crisp recommends the immediate applica¬
tion of salt or spirits of turpentine to the part injured. Mr*
Hamilton, one of the Commissioners for New South Wales
at the late Exhibition, informed Dr. Crisp that when the
disease in question was prevalent in that country the men
were so disabled from punctures and the imbibition of the
poison when flaying the sheep, that they refused to slaughter
any more unless they received an amount of pay adequate to
the risk. One man nearly lost his arm. M. Garreau, of
Chateauneuf, punctured his hand when dissecting a sheep
that had splenic apoplexy, and a malignant pustule appeared
after four days, and lasted a long time. Dr. Cherreau men¬
tions the case of a shepherd who, in bleeding a sheep that
was affected with this disease, received some drops of blood
in the eye, which he neglected to wash, and death took place
in three days. Four men who flayed some stall-fed oxen so

ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA.

333

diseased suffered more or less from sores on the hands,
which were a long- time before they healed, and two of them
had much constitutional disturbance.

According to Dr. Crisp, the effects of eating the spleen or
other viscera are still more extraordinary. Mr. Edward
Cooper, of Great Oakley, Essex, lost seven fat hogs from
their eating the paunch of an ox that had splenic apoplexy ;
and a man in the same village lost last August thirteen
ferrets from a like cause. Many analogous instances are
cited to put the agriculturist on his guard, and to convince
him of the necessity of burying at once the bodies of all
creatures dying from this strange disease. The evidence
adduced respecting the death of many animals from eating
the uncooked flesh, blood, and viscera of oxen dying from it
would be, perhaps, sufficient to convince some persons of its
injurious effects upon man. M. Garreau maintains that a
volatile poison is connected with the malady, and that,
judging from inoculation, the virus loses its virulence after a
certain time. Dr. Crisp has not been able himself to procure
reliable evidence to show that the cooked flesh is injurious;
but it must be remembered that most of the animals that die
of splenic apoplexy are sent to London or some large town,
and the meat distributed in various directions, so that it is
very difficult to ascertain its effects. This investigator hopes
to settle the question, however, by a series of experiments
that he purposes undertaking as soon as he can obtain
the bodies of animals which have died from the disorder. —
Lancet,

THE ORIGIN OE INFUSORIA.

In a recent address on physiology, delivered before the
British Medical Association, Dr. Sharpey said, te In the phy¬
siology of reproduction, the old question of spontaneous
generation has been lately revived and submitted to further
discussion; but, as I think, has been satisfactorily answered
in the negative,*' and especially through the admirable
researches of M. Pasteur. That most able and accomplished
inquirer has not only proved the non-appearance of infusorial
organisms when adequate means are taken to exclude their
germs, but he has succeeded in actually demonstrating the
presence of such germinal spores in the atmosphere. Air
was made to pass through a tube filled with gun-cotton
taken from a sample proved to be free from foreign admixture.
The cotton wras then dissolved in ether or chloroform, and the

334

ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA.

sporules of algae and other small organisms which had been
entangled in their passage were fcund in the liquid/’ In a
former article, on the (£ Conditions of Infusorial Life,” we gave
a faithful account of the real state of this singular controversy,
which is decidedly misrepresented by Dr. Sharpey’s remarks.
In the first place, it is not fair to M. Pouchet, the leader of the
heterogenists, whose opinions we by no means espouse, to
treat the contest which is eagerly pursued in France, and
which has extended to America, as merely a revival of the old
dispute about <f spontaneous generation.” The details of M.
Pouchet’s views will be found in his own work, 1 Hetero¬
genic,’ or in the article to which we have referred, and we do
not intend to re-examine them now; suffice it to say that he
reduces all generation to one principle, and conceives repro¬
duction by eggs ( orthogenesis ) and reproduction without eggs
( 'heterogenesis ) to be the result of the same laws operating
under different conditions. “ If,” says M. Pouchet, ££ a
Supreme Being, whose unity is revealed in every part of the
globe, has presided eternally and universally over all the
phenomena that have been exhibited on its surface, and if it
has pleased him to people the earth with tribes of animals
and of plants that have succeeded one another, why not
repeat to-day what has occurred in former epochs, for, as P.
Gorini observes, spontaneous generation is not a greater
marvel than normal reproduction.” M. Pouchet affirms in
another passage that the same (i Creative Will” which origin¬
ally caused physical matter to assume living form without
the previous intervention of sexual elements operates still.
Thus both physiologically and theologically the modern con¬
troversy differs from the old, and it is only represented other¬
wise by those who would rather smother it under evil asso¬
ciations than patiently wait for a result that can only be
reached by much labour and thought.

As we stated in a former paper, the simplicity of the appa¬
ratus employed by M. Pasteur gives great value to his
experiments, for it must be extremely difficult to shut out all
sources of error when a series of vessels with numerous
joints are employed, but some of his opponents deserve equal
credit for the method they have adopted. Practically, the
question to be first decided is, whether any vital organisms
can appear in infusions in which existing germs have been de¬
stroyed, and to which the access of fresh germs is rigorously
prevented. It has been assumed that boiling an infusion
destroys any life or germ of life that it contains, and that
when air is made to traverse a red-hot tube a similar result
takes place. Now, it cannot be said that, in adopting these

ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA.

335

methods, M. Pasteur has “proved” the necessary non-appear¬
ance of infusorial organisms, as Dr. Sharpey asserts, because
opposite results have been obtained by other able experi-
mentors who have made analogous trials. In France Messrs.
Pouchet, Joly, and Musset, and in America Professor
Wyman, adduce experiments that flatly contradict those of
M. Pasteur. We gave some account of Mr. Wyman’s
experiments in No. 9, p. 229, and they will be found in
detail in Silliman’ s Journal , or in the Chemical News of August
30th. Several of these trials were made as described in the
following extract : — “ Two flasks each of 550 c.c. capacity,
and each containing about 20 c.c. of beef juice and urine,
were hermetically sealed at the temperature of the room,
wrapped in cloth, and exposed for two hours in boiling water.
The film formed on the fourth day. One of them was opened
on the fifth and the other on the eleventh, and both found
to contain Bacteriums.” In experiment 35, pieces of mutton
in an hermetically sealed flask were boiled for ten minutes in
a Papin’s digester, under the pressure of five atmospheres.
“No film was formed. The flask was opened on the forty-
first day. Monads and vibrios were found, some of the latter
moving across the field. No putrefaction ; the solution had
an alkaline taste.” In four instances out of thirty-three no
organisms appeared, but the balance of the results was dis¬
cordant with those of M. Pasteur, Professor Asa Gray being
present at the opening of some of the flasks. In experiment
12, the juice of an ounce of beef, to which was added 10 c.c.
of urine and 40 c.c. of water, was boiled twenty minutes in
a bolt-head and hermetically sealed. A film formed on the
fourth, and the flask was opened on the eleventh day, when
there was a distinct rush of air outwards. Large numbers of
Bacteriums were found, also small spherical bodies with
ciliary motions and oval bodies like kolpods, containing what
appeared to be Bacteriums. One of these kolpod-like bodies
moved with cilia.

After these experiments, it is obvious that there is some¬
thing else to be done than simply to acquiesce in the results
of M. Pasteur, notwithstanding his scientific eminence and
skill. Nor is it true, as Dr. Sharpey appears to conceive,
that the presence of germinal spores in the atmosphere suffi¬
cient to account for the appearance of infusoria in solutions
has been ascertained. M. Pasteur certainly discovered some
spore-like bodies, but we believe he never identified any of
them as eggs of infusorial animals. Professor Wyman states,
as the result of many examinations of dust deposited in attics,
and of the particles floating in air and collected on glass

336

ORIGIN or INFUSORIA.

plates covered with glycerine, that, like Pouch et, he found
grains of starch and spores of cryptogams, and much less
frequently what appeared to be eggs of invertebrate animals,
but that “ both eggs and spores may be to be said of rare occur¬
rence.” It will, however, be asked whether the eggs of infu¬
soria could be discovered by the methods employed. M.
Balbiani gives a table (which will be found at the close of
this article) of the number and dimensions of the ova pro¬
duced by various animalcules, and, as will be seen on refer¬
ence to our account of his remarks in No. 6, p. 468, he
describes them as so transparent that their form can only be
made out by employing dilute acetic acid to augment their
cohesion and refractive power. It would probably be impos¬
sible, especially without the employment of reagents, to see
those bodies after they had been caught in a film of glycerine,
or, still worse, in one of olive oil, which MM. Joly and Musset
employed, and we should certainly not be warranted in
assuming the non-existence of infusorial ova in consequence
of the failure of a comparatively clumsy means of investi¬
gation.

With reference to the appearance of Bacteriums or similar
objects in infusions apparently free from living germs of any
kind, we may observe that scarcely anything is known con¬
cerning these minute organisms. Ehrenberg placed them
among the animals, and inferred their possession of a plurality
of stomachs ! Other investigators regard them as vegetables,
and Mr. H. J. Clark, of Cambridge, U.S., claims some of
them as nothing more than portions of decomposed muscular
fibre or tissue. Probably these objects, which assume the
form of exceedingly minute chains, more or less flexible and
movable, differ widely in their real nature, and some of them
may not be alive at all.

M. Pouchet now deposits with the French Academy a
fresh batch of printed and MS. matter on heterogenesis, to
compete for the Alhumbert prize, and MM. Joly and Musset
send in for the same purpose their c Nouvelles Etudes sur
PHeterogenie/ a brief account of which is given in ‘ Compte
Rendus/ September 22, from which we select the most inte¬
resting facts. They took a series of flasks holding one litre,
and containing forty grammes of the same decoction, together
with air that had been passed through red-hot tubes (air
calcine ). Then, following the method of M. Pasteur, they
caused a little tube containing gun-cotton, charged with dust
from the air, and “ subjected to the action of burnt air,” to
fall into flask A. The neck of the flask, also filled with the
burnt air, was sealed in a lamp. In flask B, prepared in the

ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA.

337

same wa}r, they placed a piece of gun-cotton, selected from
the middle of a considerable mass of that material which had
been kept in a closed bottle, and was as free as possible from
atmospheric dust-particles. In C they placed the same de¬
coction, with calcined air, and no cotton, while D was sub¬
jected, like the preceding, to a second ebullition, but was
allowed to remain open. A fifth, E, was closed during the
second boiling. After five days A was opened, and found to
contain long Bacteriums, and a clot of a branching and en¬
tangled mycelium. This was the result obtained by M. Pas¬
teur. B was opened two days later, and contained what the
writers call dead Bacteriums reduced to granulations, and on
a portion of the gun-cotton which extended beyond the tube
there was a fine mycelium, identical with that in A. C was
opened on the same day with A, and exhibited Bacteriums,
but rather fewer than A, and no mycelium. “This result/'
say MM. Joly and Musset, “confirms once more those which
we obtained last year, in repeating the experiment of Schwann,
and it proves, contradicting the assertions of M. Pasteur, that
air heated and then cooled does not leave intact the juice of
meat which has been exposed to ebullition. On the sixth
day D, which had remained open, exhibited no infusoria,
but two days later swarmed with long and active Bacteriums.
Eight days later E exhibited no infusorial life. Another set
of experiments showed that distilled water containing a tuft
of gun-cotton charged with atmospheric dust produced few
organisms, and sometimes none; that similar water, to which
a considerable quantity of dust was added, yielded Bacteriums
and monads; that if aster leaves, carefully washed in pure
water, were placed in distilled water, ciliated infusoria appeared.
Distilled water used to wash a large quantity of mercury
from a pneumatic trough “remained unfertile, although one
of the enemies of heterogeny affirmed that a single globule of
mercury was enough to people any infusion."

Following M. Pouchet, MM. Joly and Musset placed a
considerable quantity of a filtered infusion of chopped hay in
one vessel, and then floated in it a smaller vessel containing
some of the same infusion. In the large vessel they obtained
ciliated infusoria, and only Bacteriums and monads in the
little one. It is not stated how long they kept these vessels
to see what they would yield.

It is possible that after a greater lapse of time ciliated in¬
fusoria might have appeared in the smaller vessel, as they
can certainly be obtained with very small quantities of fer¬
menting hay;* but if not, it does not follow, as these gentle-

* Mr. Slack tells us that he has obtained kolpods and other ciliated in-

338

ORIGIN OF INFUSORIA,

men consider, that the existence of germs in the atmosphere
is disproved, as the small quantity of filtered infusion may
not have contained enough of some particular substance to
facilitate the development of any germs which might have
fallen into it.

It is evident that controversies of this kind tend to clear
up obscure points in the history of infusoria, and it is a pity
that in England, as on the Continent, they cannot be regarded
from a purely scientific point of view. It is not honest to
take no account of facts that contradict our own notions, to
cite Pasteur, and omit Pouchet or Wyman. As the matter
really stands, there are discrepancies which have to be
explained, and the vast assemblage of objects grouped to¬
gether as “ infusoria” differ so widely in structure as to coun¬
tenance the idea that their mode of origin may not be the
same. We may mention that the French Academy has
appointed a commission, composed of MM. Milne-Edwrards,
Flourens, Brongniart, and Coste, to report upon the papers
on spontaneous generation sent in to compete for the Al-
humbert prize.

The Eggs op Infusoria (Bctlbiani).

Name of Species.

Trachelius ovum

Number of
Eggs.

2

Diameter of Eggs
in fractions of a
millimetre.*

0-120

Amphileptus gigas (?)

20—25

0-018

,, anas .

2

0-008

Loxophyllum meleagris .

12—15

0-015

Loxodes rostrum .

15—20

0-015

Chilodon cucullus .

1 0-005—0020

Bursaria truncatella

. 4

0-057

Ophryoglena flava .

4

0-018

Spirostomum teres .

2—3

0-018

„ ambiguum .

20—50

.0-014

Stentor cseruleus .

8—15

0-021

Euplotes patella

2

0014

Stylonichia mytilus

4

0-018

„ pustulata

4

o-oio

Urostyla (undetermined)

100 or more

0-007

Paramecium aurelia

4

0-018

„ bursaria . .

2—4

0-014

„ (undetermined)

20—25

0-007

— Intellectual Observer.

fusoria in vessels containing half a grain of chopped hay and two drachms
of distilled water.

* The millimetre is equal to 0‘0394 of an inch.

339

NOTE ON THE DETECTION OE ARSENIC IN COPPER.

By W. Odling, M.B., F.R.S.

As even in the most satisfactory performance of Reinsch’s
test for arsenic — the deservedly favorite test of English
toxicologists — there is always some, although but an extremely
small quantity, of the copper wire, foil, or gauze, dissolved,
and as commercial copper is rarely quite free from arsenic,
and sometimes contains a very notable proportion thereof, it
is important that the copper to be used in medico-legal re¬
searches as a precipitant for arsenic should be specially
tested as to its purity.* But as in the ordinary mode of
experimenting by ReinsclFs process the amount of metal
dissolved is scarcely appreciable, it is quite unnecessary to
submit any considerable quantity of it to examination. If a
solution of four or five grains of the copper does not yield any
evidence of arsenic, it is quite pure enough for the purpose,
even though a little arsenic should be recognised in the solu¬
tion of a larger quantity.

As a means of detecting traces of arsenic in copper, the
author believes that the following process is superior to any
hitherto proposed in conjoint delicacy and rapidity of ope¬
ration :

A few grains of the copper cut into fine pieces are placed
in a small tube-retort, with an excess of hydrochloric acid,
and so much ferric hydrate or chloride as contains a quantity
of iron about double the weight of the copper to be acted
upon. The mixture is then distilled to dryness, some care
being taken at the last to prevent spurting.

The whole of the copper is in this way quickly dissolved,
and any arsenic originally contained in it carried over in the
form of chloride of arsenic, which may be condensed in a
little water with the excess of aqueous hydrochloric acid.
The resulting distillate is then tested for the presence of
arsenic, by treating it with sulphuretted hydrogen, or pre¬
ferably by boiling in it a fresh piece of clean copper foil or
gauze. In some cases the residue left in the retort may be
treated with a little fresh hydrochloric acid, again distilled to
dryness, and the distillate collected and tested along with that
first produced.

Most oxygenants other than ferric chloride are objection-

* Taylor, ‘Guy’s Hospital Reports,’ [3], vi, 201. Abel and Field,
* Journal of Chemical Society,’ xiv, 291,

340

CAROB BEAN, OR LOCUST.

able, as by their reaction with hydrochloric acid they give
rise to free chlorine, which passes over with the distillate, and
renders it unfit for being immediately tested, either with sul-
phuretted hydrogen or fresh copper. Cupric oxide or chlo¬
ride, on the other hand, is scarcely active enough for the
purpose, while the dissolution of copper in hydrochloric acid,
brought about by mere exposure to the air, is extremely
tedious.

It may be as well to add that ferric chloride is rendered
quite free from arsenic by evaporating it once or twice to
dryness with excess of hydrochloric acid. — Journal of Chemical
Society.

THE CAROB BEAN, OR LOCUST.

This famous plant, the Ceratonia Siliqua of botanists,
though known for the nutritious properties of its pods more
than 2000 years ago, is only just coming into general use as
food for cattle. The carob tree is a remarkable plant,
growing to the height of about fifteen feet, and is found wild
in the countries skirting the Mediterranean, especially the
Levant. At Malta it is almost the only tree that grows,
relieving the monotonous appearance of the white stone
inclosures by its dark-green foliage. It belongs to the
natural order of the Leguminosae, amongst which it is sin¬
gular for the very unusual circumstance of its flowers having
no petals. The pods contain a sweet nutritious pulp, and
have lately become common in the fruit shops ; they are a
common article of food in the countries where the tree grows
wild ; and at the present day are sent from Palestine to
Alexandria in shiploads, and from thence across the Medi¬
terranean, as far as Constantinople, where they are sold in
all the shops. The pulp resembles manna in taste and con¬
sistence, and it is sometimes used as sugar to preserve other
substances. But the circumstance, of all others, which has
rendered it famous, is the celebrated controversy as to
whether it w7as not the real food of St. John in the wil¬
derness ; be this as it may, it certainly goes by the name
of “ St. John’s Bread ” in the wilderness of Palestine to
this day, where it grows in great abundance, and where its
produce is commonly used as food. It is also, by some,
thought to be the plant alluded to by our Saviour in the
parable of the Prodigal Son, as “ the husks that the swine

341

CAllOB BEAN, OR LOCUST.

did eat.” It is called by the Arabs “Kharood.” In
Spain it is known by the name of “ The Algaroba Bean,3’
where it is generally used as food for horses, and during
the Peninsular war it formed the principal food of the
horses of our cavalry. Its seeds are about the weight of
a carat, and have been thought to have been the origin of
the ancient money weight. Strange it is that a plant pos¬
sessing the nutritive properties of the locust bean should
have remained for 2000 years before coming into general
use ! It is one of the many instances which prove how slow
is the march of agricultural improvement when unaided by
the light of science.

We do not know to whom the credit is due for having been
the first to introduce the carob bean to the notice of the British
agriculturist, but, be he whom he may, he has done much to
promote the science of cattle-feeding, by the introduction of
a plant possessing fattening properties greater than any
other species of the Legutninosae, and which only requires
to be skilfully prepared and mixed with other compounds
to supersede oil-cake altogether, by producing a larger quan¬
tity of meat at a smaller cost.

Of its fattening properties there can be no doubt, seeing
that in fat-forming constituents it is richer than any other
known plant. As will be seen from the following analysis
by Professor Anderson, in the f Transactions of the Highland
Agricultural Society,’ 1855, the carob (locust) bean, 100
parts, contains —

Water

Albuminous compounds
Sugar

Gum and starch
Woody fibre .

Oil .

Ash .

Seeds

12-57

311

49-68

12-83

7-00

0-41

2-80

11-16

100-90

Here, then, is a substance containing no less than 65-62
per cent, of fat- and flesh-forming properties, to say nothing
of its seeds. And upon these I have made one or two expe¬
riments,' in order to ascertain whether they possess any
feeding value. I find on incineration they leave just 11 per
cent, ash, 7 per cent, of which is soluble, giving *82 of phos¬
phoric acid and P15 of nitrogen. Though extremely hard in
themselves, they become soft by boiling, and are nearly
altogether soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, yielding gum,
sugar, and legume; the only waste, 4 per cent., in the husk,

342

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

as before stated. If ground up altogether, and carefully
mixed with other compounds, such as Indian corn and lin¬
seed meal, I am clearly of opinion that a feeding compound
could be produced possessing fattening and flesh-forming
properties far beyond any possessed by oil-cake. And, what
is of immense advantage to the farmer, he would then be
sure of having a genuine instead of an adulterated article.

— Agricultural Gleaner

THE PROGRESS OE ZOOLOGY.

By Shirley Hibberd.

Zoology may be considered one of the most fortunate of
sciences. Like a well-spread table, it has something to tempt
every taste — milk for babes, and strong meat for men. Its
subjects are so varied, many of them so familiar, and all them
have so direct a reference to life, that its very theories are
romantic, and its facts oftentimes rise to the level of poetry.
The affection of a dove for her nestlings, or the persistent
faithfulness of a dog, following the corpse of his master to
the grave, that he also may die there, are matters that scarcely
come within the domain of the science to which the modern
term of “ Biology” has been applied, but they represent the
sentiment which has been, and still is, the corner-stone of
zoological science. The animals that are more immediately
associated with man in his enterprises are those in which the
most notable variations of form and colour occur; and the
economy of civilization has required a more than casual
investigation of the circumstances which influence their wel¬
fare, as well as of their relations to each other. The two
most natural of all sciences — if such a term may be allowed
— are zoology and botany ; they deal with the material
necessities of human life, with the best adornments of the
world, and, above all, with organization. It is the possession
of Life that renders a waving blade of grass or a chirping
sparrow more attractive than an impassive stone. If there
were no stone there would, perhaps, be no sparrow — they are
both essential to the oneness of the world ; but the sparrow
has consciousness ; it exhibits the working of mysterious
instincts ; it moves by volition per se , and it utters in its
chirpings somewhat of an idea. It may be that we are
searching after the Principle of Life as if it were a material
substance or mathematical entity, forgetful of Stahl's defini-

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

343

tion, putredini contrarium ; but any way we do search, and
not in vain, for at every step some discovery is made which
affords encouragements for perseverance. But we may adopt
the term “natural/* as applicable to zoology and botany, in
an especial sense, not because they treat of natural objects,
for all sciences do that, but because their subjects are almost
wholly contemporaneous, and those that are not so may be made
so by the aid of analogy ; so that even palaeontology may
be studied at the Zoological Gardens, and recent species
among the models of extinct forms in the Crystal Palace.
What Margaret Fuller expected of the sculptor may be as
well expected also of the zoologist :

“ If he already sees what he must do.

Well may he shade his eyes from the far-seeing view.”

Student and professor are alike concerned in one effort,
and that is the separation of the natural from the artificial,
and the proven from the conjectural, in all inquiries and all
accumulations of facts. At the very threshold of zoology
we perceive that there are many stumbling-blocks, and if we
escape those without damage, we next perceive that there is
a sort of antagonism between man and nature, the one
insisting on creating, if he cannot find, a system, the other
insisting that every fact shall stand for itself, and every
creature enjoy an independent sovereignty. No doubt the
plants and animals that redeem the world from stony dead¬
ness are so many members of a system as truly mathematical
as the law which governs the relationships of the planets, but
man has not yet discovered what that system is; and until
he has mastered the last little item of organography, he must
perforce rely upon invention, and classify his knowledge by
artificial rules. It is a wonderful testimony to man’s power
of perception and analysis that since the second edition of
Cuvier’s liegne Animal there have been scarcely any contribu¬
tions to the classification of animated nature of a character
to influence deeply the aspects of the science. Even those
of Professor Owen, who, pursuing the indications of analogy
with the instinct of a poet, has only been able to rectify in
some few particulars the deficiencies of Cuvier’s magnificent
scheme. In fact it is no easier for Owen than it was for
Cuvier or Linnaeus to define on what grounds a class, order,
or genus, shall be formed. Nature has no classes, no orders,
no genera ; she fashions creatures to lead a certain life, and
places them in the conditions requisite to their well-being,
and with a defiant nonchalance says, 6C Group them as you
please and all that we can do is to define apparent relation-

344

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

ships, and make a sort of artificial memory out of the signs
presented to us. The acquisitions of anatomy and physiology
have favoured the study of zoology in connection with
the homologies of internal structure, and rendered zo¬
ology more recondite in the exact proportion in which
its tests and comparisons have been removed from
popular eyesight; but it has yet to be proved that structure
and function are alone sufficient to afford satisfactory evidence
of relationship for the purpose of grouping the subjects of
the science into families and classes. There is a tendency
in the modern school of zoologists to consider form as
an accident of life, and as very remotely connected with
organisation, whereas, though it be very objective, it is
certainly the true key to structure and function. The
botanists have the best of it in a choice between two systems;
they are neither tied to Linnaeus nor Jussien : and while the
system of the first is a mere aid to memory, and as such
invaluable, the other is self-expounding, and conveys infor¬
mation in its very terms, yet becomes entirely artificial
under false pretences, when its assumed “natural” prin¬
ciple fails in the application.

It has never been attempted yet to establish a parallel
between Bacon and Linnaeus, and show how the inductive
method so differently dealt with by such became the sub¬
stantial basis on which their successors in the several
departments of physics and natural history have built up
the edifice of modern science. The Novum Organon and the
Sy sterna Natures are the two great pillars which sustain the
portico of the temple for the completion and embellishment
of which so many energies have been evoked, and so many
splendid abilities combined. When we compare the classi¬
fication now generally adopted with the scheme of the
mammalia which Linnaeus so patiently elaborated, we are
astonished at the few departures from it which have been
found necessary in modern times. Cuvier found ready to
his hand a magnificient framework, and he did well in
boldly clothing it, to hold in reverence the genius of his
Swedish predecessor, who had determined the true elements
of zoology so accurately, and had invented a language so
well adapted to a compehensive natural system, that the
supply of deficiencies was almost all that remained to be done.
But the deficiencies were many, and in none of the groups
has rectification been more necessary than in the section to
which Linnaeus assigned the opossums, in the order Feroe,
placing them between the bears, badgers, and racoons.
Cuvier had the advantage of knowing most of the mar-

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

345

supials of Australia, and he arranged them in an order
between the Carnassiers and Rodents, making the one great
peculiarity in their mode of reproduction the basis of the
order Marsupiata. This, as regards the Mammalia, was the
distinguishing feature of Cuvier’s scheme, and it is the one
most likely soon to undergo a complete revolution. It is
in the classification of the tribes below the Mammalia, and
especially the invertebrates, that Cuvier shines ; as, on
the other hand, it was amongst those that Linnaeus lost
himself, as witness his class u Vermes,” into which he flung
all the animals that refused to take positions among verte¬
brates or insects. To form a fair estimate of the progress of
zoology in the classification of the orders in the vast stretch
between Batrachians and Zoophytes, the &y sterna Natures must
be explored, and its method of dealing with these compared
with the labours of Cuvier and his successors. Still, the
principles of classification have remained nearly the same, at
least since Cuvier, proving how truly he seized upon the
characteristics really indicative of structural and physiologi¬
cal relationships. The most important proposal for a redis¬
tribution is that of Professor Owen for the division of the
Mammalia into two great groups, the designations of which
are self-explanatory. Under Placentalia he ranges all the
higher mammalian forms in the same order as in Cuvier's
scheme, but the marsupiates and monotremes are separated
to form another grand division called A-placentalia, in which
the monotremes are ranged to correspond to the edentates in
the first division, and as their counterparts with a less perfect
mode of reproduction. But this, though based on obvious
and important distinctions, appears to have found little favour
with zoologists, and, like the labours of Grant and Blainville
on the nervous system, is valued more for the prominence
it gives to certain physiological facts than for its adaptability
to the purposes of classification in the present transition state
of zoological science. These things are, however, the proper
fruit of the labours in philosophical zoology which have been
conducted with such ardour in Europe during the past half
century, and we seem now to be waiting for a second Cuvier
who shall boldly grasp the distinctive features of the animal
kingdom, and arrest for a time the growing tendency to trifle
with zoological landmarks by a revision of all boundary lines,
and fitting into their proper places all that is true and
durable in the various systems that have been of late pro¬
pounded.

The frequent varying of the basis of classification, though
inevitable, is not the less destructive to harmony and that

xxxvii. 23

346

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

correspondence of mutual relationships which a system
professes to unfold. That homologies of structure are
to be regarded as of the first importance in the deter¬
mination of the place an animal is to occupy in a natural
system is self-evident; but it is worth asking, whether a
purely artificial system would not serve as useful a purpose
in zoology as it has done in botany, because it could be framed
once for all, and serve for comparison at any future time with
a progressive natural system, which of necessity can never
be perfect. Pliny excites the laughter of the young
naturalist when he describes the cat as the only bird that
suckles its young ; but a strictly homomorphic system
would have its value, and the wonder is that no one has
ventured hitherto to propose a scheme of the kind. Bats,
squirrels, and marsupiates claim relationship with birds in
their faculty of flight; the quadrumanes might as well con¬
tribute the marmosets to the family of squirrels, and the
Douroucouli to the cats, as retain them for the doubtful
character of their hands. The armadillo, Dasypus apar , is
more like a turtle than a mammal ; the Aard-wolf, Proteles
Lalandii , is a hyena in its external aspects; the Cetacea are
fishes, to all intents and purposes, in their habits of life
as well as in general form. Perhaps the difficulty of classing
the marsupiates might be got over at once by homomorphism,
for as at present regarded they threaten the boundaries of
Rodentia, Carnivora, Cheiroptera, and Testudinata, and
a classification resting on external configuration wrould
serve all the purposes of an index to species, without im¬
peding inquiry into physiological and anatomical details.
As it is, the natural system affords only a few faint indi¬
cations of character, and the fault of all natural systems
is that as soon as they cease to indicate correctly they lead
the student astray, for after a few of the most characteristic
groups have been defined — as in botany the Coniferae, the
Cupuliferae, and the Ranunculaceae, and in zoology the
Quadrumana, the Carnivora, and the Rodentia — there are
innumerable other subjects that refuse to conform to distinct
positions by reason of their combining the characteristics of
many. No system can suffice to indicate the place, for
instance, of that curious vertebrate, Amphioxus lanceolatus ,
which, emulating the chameleon, has a life on one side
which has no necessary conformity on the other. The
chameleon may sleep on the left side while the right side
is aw^ake, and in the Amphioxus the bronchial aperture, the
olfactory organ, and the eye, are all situated on the left side.
The Chamcelonidce are, however, a well-defined group of

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

34 7

saurians, but the Branchiostoma is as indefinable for scientific
purposes as any of the cattle of fairyland. There is cer¬
tainly room for an artificial system of zoology of a com¬
prehensive kind for the tabulation of the entire animal
kingdom.

Looking at the several departments of zoology in their
present aspects, it is evident that the most satisfactory pro¬
gress has of late years been in the study and classification of
the lower forms of life. The aquarium and the microscope
have given an impetus to the study of the Invertebrata, and
such immense additions have been made to the knowledge of
this great section that the mere weight of facts threatens to
separate it from the hitherto recognised connection with the
vertebrates, and so to constitute in zoology two distinct
sciences, the future paths of which will be separate though
•parallel. It is in this section that we have most striking
evidence of the abundance of life in every region of the
globe. Dr. Wallich and Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys have, by their
researches on the subject of deep-sea life, enlarged immensely
the geographical limits and the physical conditions known to
be favorable to the production of animal life. In that still
lower department of the Infusoria, the magnificent work of
Pritchard offers another example of the splitting up of old
divisional arrangements through the accumulation of facts
indicative of distinctive characteristics. The publication of
a fourth edition of this work, combining the labours of
Arlidge, Archer, Ralfs, Williamson, and Pritchard, with the
magical delineations bv Mr. Tuffen West,* is a sufficient
proof that natural history flourishes in Britain, and that the
objects least attractive to the popular eye are acquiring a
popularity such as to assure us that the cultivation of
science is almost universally shared in by the intelligent
classes of this country. But when we get among desmids
and diatoms we have almost done with zoology, and we may
take advantage of this extremity to offer a few remarks on
the higher forms of the vertebrata.

If we are astonished at the abundance of life on the globe,
and can sympathise with Dr. Livingstone’s remark, that it
“ seems like a mantle of happy existence encircling the world,”
it is also pretty certain that some of its forms are fast pass¬
ing away from us, and that not very far in the future the
zoologist will pay as much attention to mammals recently
extinct as we do to certain fossil forms, because they fill up

* i A History of Infusoria, including the Desmidiacese and Diatomacese.*
By Andrew Pritchard. London : Whittaker and Co.

348

PROGRESS OP ZOOLOGY.

gaps in our classified system of transitions. That the dodo
is utterly extinct there can be no reasonable doubt, for the
region it inhabited has not only been thoroughly explored,
but is now densely populated. The kiwi or apteryx is fast
going in the same direction, and as the interior of New
Zealand becomes a home for the white man that and other
ferae must of necessity disappear. The last dinornis has
probably long since perished, yet it could not be long since
there were at least eight species of dinornis, varying in size
from that of the bustard upwards, D. giganteus being vastly
superior to the ostrich in magnitude. The great quadru-
mana will probably be the next to disappear, for civilisation
will not tolerate the existence of anthropoid apes, and the
mere savagery of what is called “ sport” will extinguish
them. The gorilla evidently occupies but a limited range of
country, and that near the coast, and the tendency of civili¬
sation is to people the coasts everywhere with colonies of
Anglo-Saxons, French, and Portuguese, respecting whom it
is not easy to say which are the most active in the destruc¬
tion of indigenous fauna. The beaver still holds a few
secluded weirs in the North of Europe, but no one can say
when it became extinct in Britain. The otter is so scarce in
this country that the sport of hunting it is almost obsolete,
yet it is only thirty years since the finest otter ever seen
in Britain was shot at Walthamstow, on the borders of
Epping Forest, where it may still be seen in a very fair
state of preservation. Of the Falconiclce there are few living
examples left in these islands, and the eyrie of an eagle is
as rare in England as the nest of a thrush in France, where
the most melodious of songsters is valued only for its flavour
in a pasty by a people who make great pretensions to the
culture of the sentimental. The noble blackcock and the
ignoble black rat appear to have vanished almost simultane¬
ously from the British fauna, and the fox is probably following
the wolf in full conviction that its mission is accomplished.
Indeed, the fiercest war maintained by man against animal
races is waged against the carnivora and the raptorial
birds.

(To be continued .)

349

Translations and Reviews of Continental
Veterinary Journals.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Annates de Medecine Veterinaire,

RESEARCHES ON THE INFUSORIA OF THE BLOOD IN THE

MALADY KNOWN AS APOPLEXY OF THE SPLEEN (SANG

DE RATE).

By M. C. Davaine. (Sitting of the Academy, 27th of July, 1863.)

(Continued front p. 242.)

The longest duration of life after inoculation has
been seventy-six hours from all experiments. It is not
necessary, I think, to dwell on these facts of the exist¬
ence of the Bacteria in the blood in splenic apoplexy, as
no one in the present state of science will seek for any
other agents as the cause of contagion than these corpus-
cules*— agents mysterious and unseizable, which develop
and destroy themselves under the same conditions and are
possessed of the same physiological properties as the Bacteria.
This agent is visible and palpable; it is an organized being,
endowed with life, propagating in the same manner as other
beings. By their presence and their rapid multiplication in
the blood, they bring into its constitution certain modifica¬
tions, no doubt acting in the manner of ferments, which
speedily kill the infected animal. The study of splenic apo¬
plexy raises other questions which have also been the object
of my researches, but the results are not so exact as to enable
me to lay them before the Academy.

The Academy, at its sitting on the 27th of J uly, received a
very interesting communication from M. Davaine, on the
frequency of Bacteria being found in the blood of sheep
attacked with splenic apoplexy (sang de rate), and on inocu¬
lations made for the purpose of experiment on different ani¬
mals. It is for the completion, as much as lies in my power,
of this communication, that I have the honour to submit
for your consideration a few observations which I have col¬
lected on the same subject.

These singular productions were observed for the first time
by Facks in 1848, by Bravell, of Dorpat, and by Pallender,

350 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

and have been made known to the veterinary profession by
M. Delafond in the Bulletin des Seances de la Societe des
Veterinaires, 1860. M. Delafond had ascertained the pre¬
sence of Bacteria only in the blood of animals affected with
charbon. It is probable that if he had been able to continue
his researches he would, like me, have ascertained their pre¬
sence in some other maladies of the horse. I have, in fact,
found them many times in the maladies of this animal of a
typhoid diathesis, influenza, &e. &c., of which the mode of
manifestation is very different. Thus it has happened to me
frequently to meet with them in animals which had sunk under
the thoracic or the abdominal form of this malady. Also in
horses that had died consequent on those forms which are
characterised by the raptus haemorrhagic, and moreover in
those which had sunk under the paraplegic form, which is
one of the most ordinary modes of expression; for it is most
remarkable that notwithstanding the diversity of the organs
affected, the histologic study permits us to aver, under these cir¬
cumstances, so different in appearance, the existence of analo¬
gous lesions, from which we are logically authorised to presume
the identity of their nature. I have also found them in the blood
of an animal which had died consequent on gangrene provoked
by traumatic reaction. I will briefly relate the case : — 17th
of November, 1861, the horse, number 9814 of the Pantheon
establishment, was being clipped by one of the grooms. The
man, in an excess of brutality, struck the animal with the
point of the scissors at the superior and posterior part of the
scapula. This was immediately followed by an abundant
subcutaneous hsemorrhage, and the limb became the seat of
an extended and painful tumefaction. On the 22nd emphy¬
sema appeared, and the horse died on the 23rd from gan¬
grene. At the autopsy, the usual lesions of this affection
were found, and the presence in great numbers of Bacteria in
the blood was also ascertained. All these observations
were made immediately, or a short time after death, in a
space of time varying from one to six hours. Once only I
have been able to ascertain the presence of these little bodies
during the life of the animal. But it is necessary to notify
that they were much smaller than those I have ordinarily
found, and likewise less numerous. The blood of this animal
was preserved for several days, and it was impossible to per¬
ceive any change in the number or size of these productions.
I have several times introduced the blood thus altered into
young sheep, and twice these inoculations have been fol¬
lowed by death. The first case is reported in the Bulletin
de la Societe Veterinaire, page 667, 12th of April,

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 351

1860. The second inoculation, followed by death, was on
the 1st of December, 1861, at 2 o’clock p.m., and the
animal died on the 4th, at 2 p.m., after having been rather
dull, and losing its appetite. The body was emphysematous,
and, on parting the wool, the skin was seen to be of a dark-
violet colour. On taking off the skin, blood-tumours were
found in the subjacent cellular tissue, occupying principally
the neighbourhood of the ganglions, at the entrance of the
thorax and the groins ; the abdomen contained a little bloody
serosity ; the volume of the spleen was somewhat increased ;
the parenchyma was black and tarry, and contained Bacteria in
abundance, as did the blood, and all the other parts of the
body. These are not the only lesions met with in this affec-
tion. Globules of a particular form are sometimes found ;
they are regularly rounded off, and larger than the normal
white globules, of which they have the appearance. They
are united in small clusters, in great abundance, and are
composed of an outer cell of a bulbous appearance, reflecting,
in some, a violet tint. In the centre of this cell there are
found several nuclei, the double outline of which is well
marked. In some these nuclei have degenerated into the
sandy or granulous form particular to the nuclei, which are
produced by scissian, so that evidently we have under our eye
an alteration of the elements which are in a fair way of mul¬
tiplication. This, moreover, will explain the rapid march of
these affections. The blood usually presents this remarkable
character, that if you examine it after death the globules
have often disappeared, and crystals of different forms have
taken their place, the result of their dissolution, the most
abundant of which have a great analogy with the crystals of
the cholesterine. The cells of the liver in the midst of adipose
globules are almost invisible. The muscular fibres also con¬
tain adipose globules in abundance, and their elegant striated
appearance has almost totally disappeared. This pheno¬
menon is above all most remarkable in the psoas muscles in
the paralysis which I have described above. The presence
of adipose matter is in great abundance in all the tissues,
and fluids of the economy. The existence of Bacteria
analogous, according to M. Davaine, to the products which
are developed in the butyric fermentation, lead us to suspect
that the presence of the adipose element plays a great part in
the appearance of this affection, particularly if we notice that
it is always the fattest animals which are attacked by the
malady.

In resuming this notice, which it was necessary to make as
brief as possible, I will say, — First. That the Bacteria are not

352

REVIEW.

peculiar to animals attacked by splenic apoplexy, as is proved
by the pre-cited observations.

Second. That the blood which contains them is inoculable,
and that they are again found in the blood of animals inocu¬
lated of Bacteria, in great abundance.

Third, That the presence of fat in the tissues and fluids of
the economy, and the state of obesity of the animals who are
the victims of the affection, with the similitude signalised by
M.Davaine between the Bacteriaand the product of the butyric
fermentation, permit us to presume the part that fat plays in
the production of this malady. There is no doubt that this
conclusion wants a vigorous demonstration, and which I have
merely indicated here.

Review.

Quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non. — Hor.

British Pharmacopoeia. Published under the Direction of
the General Council of Medical Education and Regis¬
tration of the United Kingdom. London : 1864,
8vo, pp. 444.

On the present occasion we intend acquainting our
readers with the chief objects and leading features of the
new or f British Pharmacopoeia/ by laying before them
extracts from the preface of this book, with short comments
thereon, reserving for a future opportunity our more com¬
plete criticisms upon the work.

The authority for publishing the f British Pharmacopoeia 9
was obtained by the passing of the Medical Act in 1858 ;
and by the Act 25 and 26 Viet., cap. 91, in addition to
many other things, it was enacted that “ The f British Phar¬
macopoeia/ when published, shall for all purposes be deemed
to be substituted throughout Great Britain and Ireland for
the several above-mentioned Pharmacopoeias (i. e. those of
London, Edinburgh, and Dublin), “ and any Act of Parlia¬
ment, Order in Council, or custom relating to any such
last-mentioned Pharmacopoeias, shall be deemed, after the

REVIEW

353

publication of the ‘ British Pharmacopoeia/ to refer to such
Pharmacopoeia.” We see, then, by the perusal of this
section of the Act referred to, that it was the laudable
desire of the Medical Council to get rid of the absurdity,
inconvenience, and even danger, of British medical practice
being encumbered with three more or less distinct codes for
the preparation and prescribing of remedial agents. Not¬
withstanding, however, the great praise which is due to
those who have endeavoured to effect a change so important
and desirable, we are compelled at once to state that the
f British Pharmacopoeia 9 will have to undergo a searching
revision and very considerable alteration before it can dis¬
place and supersede its three predecessors. This is an
opinion which is enjoyed, not only by ourselves, but also by
the majority of prescribers and dispensers of medicine
throughout the kingdom.

The f British Pharmaoopoeia 3 is divided into two parts and
two appendices. The First Part consists of the Materia
Medica, and the Second of the Preparations and Com¬
pounds. The Appendix A contains the Articles employed
in the Preparation of Medicines, and the Appendix B
Articles employed in Chemical Analysis. The nature of the
appendices are sufficiently explained by their titles, but we
shall now quote portions of the preface in explanation of
the peculiarities of the two principal divisions of the book.

“ The Materia Medica contains, in its simplest phar¬
maceutic form, every definite medicinal substance, whether
obtainable in ordinary trade, or prepared by the chemical
processes in the Second Part, wdiich the Committee of the
Council found, on careful inquiry, to be so far approved in
practice as to be entitled to a place in the f National Phar¬
macopoeia/ Under each article are given, — “ 1 . A Latin
pharmaceutic name, by which it may be prescribed ” (the
entire matter of the work, with this sole exception, is briefly
rendered in the simplest possible English ); “ and an

English name for use in describing the processes in the
Second Part. 2. Its definition, together with its chemical
symbol, if it be a substance of definite composition ; its
botanical name if it be a plant ; and also in most cases, a
reference to a correct figure of the plant, and a statement

354

REVIEW.

of the quarter whence the article is obtained. 3. The
characters by which it may be distinguished from all other
articles of the Materia Medica. 4. The tests by which it
may be ascertained to be of due strength, and free from
known impurities or adulterations. And 5. The preparations
of which it is an active ingredient.”

“ The Second Part comprises processes for the forms in
which medicines may be used in extemporaneous prescrip¬
tions, and for articles in the Materia Medica obtained by
chemical operations.” Why the sources, properties, &c., of
chemicals and drugs should be described in one part of the
book and their preparation in another part we cannot
understand, and we feel convinced that this division of such
kindred subjects will be attended with much inconvenience
to those for whom the ‘ National Pharmacopoeia/ has been
compiled.

In very many instances the names of preparations hitherto
employed in the Pharmacopoeias of London, Edinburgh, and
Dublin, have undergone either considerable alteration or
have been totally changed. Many articles which had long
existed in the old codices have been omitted, while several
new ones have found places in the f British Pharmacopoeia/

“ The alterations which have occasioned most anxiety to
the Council are those which affect the strength, and there¬
fore the doses, of dangerous medicines. Three measures
have been adopted for securing the public against the risks
which might arise from such changes. In the first place,
important changes in the strength of dangerous preparations
have been carefully noted. Secondly, when change was
inevitable, the weaker form has been preferred to the
stronger. Thirdly, an attempt has been made to assimilate
the strength of preparations of the same pharmaceutic form,
in order that they may be prescribed in similar doses.
* * * * Thus, among tinctures, those made with

dangerous ingredients are, with few exceptions, brought to
one standard of strength, so that an ordinary dose is from
fifteen to twenty-five minims ; while all tinctures made with
substances of no great activity are left, as formerly, uniform
in strength, so that an ordinary dose is from one to two
fluid drachms.” These doses, of course, are those which

REVIEW.

355

are administered in the practice of human medicine. In
the f British Pharmacopoeia * no mention is made of the
doses or therapeutic action and uses of medicines. The
subject of weights and measures is one to which the Council
gave long and patient attention, and the results of their
deliberation is that “ The weights and measures of the
‘ British Pharmacopoeia/ with their symbols, will now stand

as follow :

WEIGHTS.

1 Pound

. . lb. = 16 ounces =

7000 grains.

1 Ounce

• • OZ. ■■■■ • •

437-5 „

1 Grain

•

•

II

fcb

•

•

1 „

. MEASURES.

1 Gallon .

. C =8 pints

. O. viij.

1 Pint

. 0 =20 fluid ounces

. fl. OZ. XX.

1 Fluid ounce

. fl. oz. = 8 fluid drachms

. fl. dr. viij

1 Fluid drachm

. fl. dr. = 60 minims .

. min. lx.

1 Minim .

. min. = 1 minim.

. min. j.

All liquids are ordered by measure unless it is stated
otherwise/* *****

“ In conclusion, the Council warn all apothecaries and
pharmaceutic chemists that, on the publication of the
‘ British Pharmacopoeia/ it will be necessary, in order to
discharge safely their duties to the public, that they should
duly alter or destroy all pharmaceutic preparations made
according to previous and now altered formulae/* We will
conclude the present notice of the f British Pharmacopoeia ’
by again stating our belief that the work, in its present
form, containing, as it undoubtedly does, innumerable imper¬
fections, cannot completely supersede the Pharmacopoeias
already in use in Great Britain and her colonies, but that
until a more perfect edition is published it will be used con¬
temporaneously with those works, and we would therefore
advise veterinary surgeons, in purchasing preparations of
the wholesale druggist, and in writing prescriptions which
may be dispensed by a chemist and druggist, to invariably
take the precaution of adding to their written directions.

356 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

when necessary, the abbreviations Ph. Br., Ph. L., Ph. E.,
Ph. D., to the names of the articles indicated, accordingly as
they are to be prepared or dispensed as directed by the
British, London, Edinburgh or Dublin Pharmacopoeia.

THE YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

SOCIETY.

(official report.)

The above society held its quarterly meeting at the St.
George's Hall, Bradford, on Monday, the 11th inst. The
following gentlemen were present : — The President, Mr.
E. C. Dray, Leeds; Messrs. Seeker, Knaresborough ; Fallding,
Wakefield; Anderton, Skipton ; Broughton, Leeds; Cuth-
bert, Leeds ; Carter, Bradford ; Smith, Barnsley ; McTaggart,
Halifax; Lord, Halifax; Kay, Pontefract; Ball, Otley ; Nay¬
lor, Wakefield; Paterson, Dewsbury; Howell, Rochdale;
Greaves, Manchester (President of the Lancashire Veterinary
Medical Society) ; Horne, Barnsley ; and the Secretary.

Four new members were elected, viz., Messrs. Howell,
Rochdale; Smith, Barnsley ; Sampson Wood, Moor Town,
Leeds ; and Austin, Huddersfield.

After the preliminary business was concluded, Mr. Seeker
read an excellent paper on laminitis. He prefaced his essay
by paying a high compliment to the members on the in¬
auguration of the society, hoping that their labours would
be crowned with success, and promising that he would do
his utmost towards that end. He said that laminitis was a
disease to w hich the horse, as an animal of speed and weight,
was most liable, considering the concussion to which the feet
are subjected by the application of iron shoes, and the abuse of
the drawring-knife. Referring to the disease in other animals,
Mr. Bell, of Lancaster, stated that he had seen it in cattle ;
he had likewise found that w^ell-bred horses, having strong,
upright feet, were oftener affected than others. Mr. Seeker
divided the disease into three forms, and described the acute
as the most painful ailment that affects the horse. After
minutely describing the symptoms, he wrent on to the causes,
and, in doing so, stated that, although what is termed me¬
tastasis wTas sometimes a cause, he believed that many cases
ascribed to it have been laminitis from the commencement.

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 357

As one of the terminations, he said that he had seen mor¬
tification in two or three instances. The treatment recom¬
mended by him consisted in the use of bleeding, cathartics,
alkaline carbonates, a certain deobstruent, applying poultices
to the feet, and attention to the general comforts of the
animal.

In the discussion the Secretary observed he could not un¬
derstand the term metastasis as such, and thought that all
cases ascribed to this cause were due, not to a transference
of the seat of disease, but to irritation of the mucous mem¬
brane, extended through the medium of the skin to the
laminae of the feet, they being folds of the derma confined
within the horny box. In support of his views he called the
attention of the members to the irritable condition of the
skin in laminitis, and believed the irritation to be general, and
to exist throughout the mucous membrane primarily affected,
the skin and laminae. He objected to the employment of
drastic cathartics, bnt was in favour of giving mild laxatives,
alkaline carbonates, &c.

Mr. Greaves , having objected to the giving of large doses of
cathartic medicine and to warm applications to the feet,
brought before the notice of the members thirty-one morbid
specimens of diseased pedal bones, kindly sent to him by
Professor Gamgee, expressly for the Bradford meeting.
There was an animated discussion for and against the
Messrs. Gamgee's views on the pathology of diseases of the
feet, which, in all probability, will be laid before the pro¬
fession in extenso , as Mr. Greaves has proposed to the Secre¬
tary, since the meeting, that they should discuss this matter
in a series of friendly letters.

Mr. Naylor said that, in his practice, he found that horses
with weak feet and heels were the most susceptible to this
disease, and he had been very successful in the treatment of
horses having good, strong feet. He had seen the disease as
a sequel to parturition, and condemned the use of setons in
the active stage.

Mr. Carter allowed that in those cases said to be due to
metastasis there was great irritation of the skin, and recom¬
mended the employment of slings w^hen the animal will not
lie down.

Mr. McTaggart applied poultices containing arnica, and
recommended homoeopathic remedies.

Mr. Cuthbert advocated cold poultices and bleeding, but
did not approve of strong carthartics ; he also recommended
blisters after the acute symptoms had subsided.

358 YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Broughton and Mr, Lord agreed in their method of
treatment.

Mr. Howell said that most cases of laminitis arose from
indiscretion in feeding, more particularly from feeding on
wheat; and in such cases he gives cathartics combined with
carminatives, and bleeds largely from both brachial veins.

Mr. Seeker then replied, and maintained his opinion as to
the administration of strong cathartics, and that strong feet
were most liable to the disease ; that weak feet are more
yielding, and consequently more easily affected by warm
poultices, which he prefers to cold ; he likewise spoke at
some length, commenting on some of the views of the
members who had spoken.

The President , in closing the discussion, said that rasping
of the hoof was often a cause of the disease, the hoof con-
. sisting, microscopically, of tubes hermetically sealed. He
approved of topical bleeding, but not from the toe ; and con¬
demned the use of cathartics; upheld the theory of meta¬
stasis as generally understood, and agreed with the essayist
that the strong hoof and horses of high action are most liable
to the disease. He objected to frog-setons, and recommended
the treatment generally adopted by the essayist, with the
exception of strong cathartics, to the serious considera¬
tion of the members, well knowing that Mr. Seeker was a
gentleman eminently successful in his treatment, and that he
had arrived at his conclusions after well-matured study, great
experience, and careful thought. The President concluded
his remarks by proposing a vote of thanks to the essayist ;
this was seconded by Mr. Naylor, and carried with applause.

The unanimous thanks of the society were accorded to
Professor Gamgee, for his kindness in sending the specimens
above referred to.

The next meeting of the society will be held at Harrogate,
on Monday, 11th of July, at 1*30 p.m., when Mr. Naylor, of
Wakefield, will read a paper.

W. Williams, Bradford,

Hon. Sec.

359

WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

The quarterly meeting of the West of Scotland Veterinary
Medical Association was held in the Glasgow Institution
Rooms, on Wednesday, 6th April.

Mr. Robinson, President, in the chair.

The minutes of the former meeting were read and
approved.

The Bills now before Parliament, called the “ Cattle Im¬
portation Bill/* and u Cattle Diseased Meat Bill/* were
moved for discussion by the Chairman , who said. — In the
time allowed for the discussion of particular cases, before the .
reading of the paper specially prepared for this day’s pro¬
ceedings, I should like to hear the opinions of the members of
this society on the Bill now before Parliament regarding the
sale of diseased cattle and meat ; and before entering upon
the discussion of this question I will merely throw out a few
ideas for your consideration, which I trust will be the means
of evoking an unbiassed opinion from each of you as to the
necessity of coming to a right conclusion on this matter, at
the present time, I may say, one of vast importance.

The subject may be generally stated as referring to the
alleged nature of and extent to which the sale of diseased
animal food, and also the traffic in the milk of unhealthy cows,
is carried on in large communities, involving, as it does, to
such an extent, the health and lives of the people. The
question is not only of the most vital public importance, but
is peculiarly applicable for investigation by this association.

A great deal has been said and published regarding it, and
in some cases individuals have been indicated with as much
precision as if named who are said to have, directly or in¬
directly, connived at the introduction of diseased cattle and
carcasses into our markets and slaughter-houses. In appeal¬
ing, however, to your collective experience, I hope that the
whole bearings of the case will be elicited, and the public
confidence restored, either by proving the utter groundless¬
ness of the allegations thus made, or by protecting the public
from the risk of even occasionally a carcass being exposed in
w hich the taint of disease can be detected by the most skilful
as w7ell as most vigilant inspection.

I do not presume to dictate the precise means by which
these objects are to be obtained, or to cast the slightest ini-

360 WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

putation on any of the gentlemen at present holding office as
inspectors of markets or slaughter-houses ; but I may at
least indicate one way by which they might be satisfactorily
accomplished, although, in my opinion, the present market
and slaughter-house regulations, if carried out, are sufficiently
stringent for all practical purposes. Let professionally
educated men be appointed as inspectors of these places —
men qualified by their veterinary and scientific knowledge
and experience to give an authoritative opinion as to what
animals are or are not suitable for human food — men of
known abilities and unimpeached integrity, who would per¬
form their duties without fear or favour. Let the light of
science be brought to our aid, and the public would then
have a guarantee that they would be effectually protected
against any deleterious animal food emanating from the public
shambles.

To anatomise the subject of diseased animal food thoroughly,
the scalpel must be used with a firm and unflinching hand,
and this pestilential sore in our social economy laid open,
and, when discovered, the application of the remedy must be
short, sharp, and decisive.

Perhaps, after all, however, it may be a wind-ball which the
probe of investigation may cause to collapse, or it may be
found to arise from the morbid action of the spleen in those
whose cacoethes scribendi has raised the whirlwind of nau¬
seating alarm now agitating the public mind ; or, on the
other hand, it may be of the very utmost importance that
certain gentlemen have lifted their pen to disclose a practice
the prevention of which would be a lasting security to the
community against unwholesome meat ever appearing on
their tables.

Indirectly, the integrity of this association is assailed; and
were this question to remain without being thoroughly dis¬
cussed, it might lay us open to a charge of complicity in the
nefarious traffic, by our neglecting to institute those inquiries
which the extensive professional practice of its members
enable them so easily and so accurately to answer. The
reputation of stock-holders and dealers, cow-feeders and
dairymen, agents and butchers, is intimately concerned in
the settlement of this question. The public anxiety demands
either a refutation of the published statements, or that they
be established as facts, and producer and customer are equally
interested in having a careful, free, and candid discussion to
ventilate the wrhole matter.

Gentlemen, in considering this subject I have every con-

WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 361

tidence that you will do so dispassionately, without party
feeling, and with the single end in view of promoting the
public good.

Mr. Anderson took especial notice of the V Disease Cattle
Prevention Bill,"” and called the attention of the members to
the Veterinarian for April, which contained a summary account
of a few points under the head of “ Diseased Cattle.”

These points he considered too stringent, and if allowed to
come into effect, would tend considerably to the dealer's dis¬
advantage, without lessening the evils they were intended to
remove ; not to speak of the very great amount of care that
would be necessary for the best-informed inspector to say,
often at one examination, whether the animal was possessed
of what is called an infectious disease or not.

To place such powers in the hands of one inspector, or
even two, would also be unwise, as it placed him too far
beyond the owner, and under the control of no one. A com¬
mittee ought to be formed to consider all questions affecting
immediately the trade in markets, so that no delay might be
caused, and as little injury done to the stock-owner as
possible.

He hoped that those various points would be well con¬
sidered when the Bill passed through committee, and
altered so that the trader in cattle should not be punished
for an act he has no control over, and was often ignorant of
his cattle being diseased.

Mr. McBryde thought that this Bill had an important
object in view, and although not perfect in all its parts, con¬
sidered that the points referred to by Mr. Anderson might
be modified in committee, but could not, in his opinion, be
materially altered. The fact was well known that many
farmers had lost almost all their stock by purchasing a
diseased cow in the market ; so to prevent parties exposing
even those supposed to be affected, heavy penalties were
necessary.

It was also necessary to place the inspector as distant from
the control of the owner as possible, in order that he might
not be swayed or deterred from duty by threats. Although
the Bill contained some things difficult to execute and very
stringent on the dealer, he would hail it as a useful measure
if it lessened the amount of the diseased meat sold, but
more especially if it prevented those infectious diseases which
scourge the country and bring many to ruin.

Mr. Pottie was very much of the same opinion as Mr.
Anderson, and thought we should not leave unconsidered
the interest of the agriculturist or dealer, seeing our profes-

xxxvii. 24

362 WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

sion so much depended on them, but assist them in what
might be deemed an oppressive measure. Penalties were
easily put down on paper, but one of £20 was not so easily
paid, especially when in some instances the inspector might
err. Then there is not only the fine, but the owner would
obtain a public name which was not easily borne, and all for
nothing, bearing out what Mr, Anderson has said regarding
the difficulty of arriving at sound conclusions as to infectious
diseases.

Much had lately been said about the increase or decrease
of pleuro-pueumonia in this country; and as Mr. McCall, of
this city, had published a letter last week stating that it was
on the increase in the west of Scotland, he should like to
hear the opinion of the members present on this point. As
to the district around Renfrew, he could only say that not a
case of it was known there at present. Some attempt has been
made to induce belief as to its increase in the London dairies,
but Professor Simonds’ letter, published in this month's
Veterinarian , entirely puts it beyond a doubt that such is not
so.

Professor Dick, of Edinburgh, has also mentioned that it is
on the decrease in the east of Scotland, so that from such
authority, and our own experience, we can arrive at a pretty
fair idea of its present condition.

Mr. Dobie could bear out the opinion that, compared with
former years, in the Irvine district it was not known at present,
so that he could not understand how Mr. McCall was able
to maintain his point. As to the points of the Bill discussed,
he was inclined to view them as hurtful measures to cattle-
dealers, and would prove ruinous to parties who had a stock
of cattle where disease existed, as we often find that parts of
the stock might be to all appearance sound, and the owner,
anxious to part with it to prevent further loss, sends it off to the
market. Would it not, then, be ruinous if such were not per¬
mitted to be sold ? Then, if we take into consideration the diffi¬
culty of minutely inspecting animals in the markets, you must
say with me that it would be impossible. Therefore, granting
that one or two were affected, if infectious, as some so
strongly hold, the presence of such animals was sufficient to
contaminate a whole market. No doubt the inspector might
do a great amount of good amongst bad cases, and deter many
from sending such to the public markets; yet when all diffi¬
culties are considered, such punishment should not be put
upon those who were so situated as to be unable in a great
measure to control circumstances.

Messrs. Ferguson, Blackie, Mitchell, Robb, Walker, and

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

363

Pollock, all took part in the discussion, and were of opinion
that the whole Bill required very careful consideration and
alteration.

The President then called on Mr. Blackie to read his
paper on grass staggers. It awakened some discussion, and
for it he received the thanks of the members.

The Secretary stated that Professor Gamgee was next on the
roll, and would deliver an address at the next quarterly
meeting. Alex. Pottie,

Secretary .

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

QUARTERLY MEETING OE COUNCIL, held April 6, 1864.

Present : — The President, Professors Simonds and Gamgee,
Messrs. Braby, Broad, Dickens, Ellis, Harrison, Hunt,
Lawson, Moon, Seeker, Silvester, Wilkinson, Withers,
and the Secretary.

i

The President in the Chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and con¬
firmed.

Letters were read from Professor Brande and Dr. Struthers,
relative to the meeting of the Court of Examiners.

It was moved by Mr. Braby} and seconded by Mr.

Silvester —

“That the London examinations should take place on
April 21st, 22nd, 25th, and 26th.” — Carried.

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, and seconded by Mr.
Dickens —

“ That the Scotch examinations should commence April
26th, and be continued on following days.”- — Carried.

Letters were read from E. Holland, Esq., M.P., relative to
the Veterinary Medical Bill.

The Cattle Diseases Prevention Bill was next read.

A long discussion ensued relative to the appointment of
Veterinary Surgeons as Inspectors, and a wish was expressed
that the Council should watch the course of the Bill before
the Committee of the House.

It was moved by Professor Gamgee , and seconded by Mr.
Harrison —

“That a Committee of the Council be appointed tore-
present to Government the importance of modifying Part IY
of the Diseased Cattle Act, to secure that the Cattle In-

364

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

spectors should be persons having the advantage of a regular
veterinary education/5 — Carried.

It was moved by Mr. Silvester , and seconded by Mr.

Braby —

“ That the Committee consist of the President, Messrs.
Field, Mavor, Wilkinson, and the Secretary, with power to
add to their number/5 — Carried.

The Finance Committee reported that they had examined
the vouchers and receipts of payment during the preceding
quarter, which were found to be correct. The Committee
also submitted the Quarterly Balance Sheet of the Treasurer’s
Account, from which it appeared that the liabilities for the
quarter ending April 1st amounted to £71 65, 9d., which
they recommend should be discharged.

It was moved by Professor Gamgee , and seconded by Mr.
Becker —

“That the report from the Finance Committee be received
and adopted/5

On the report of the Committee appointed for the altera¬
tion of Bye-law 21, it was resolved that the following notice
of motion be suspended in the Board Room for three
months :

“ Each section of the Court of Examiners shall have a
Chairman and a Secretary. The Chairman of each division
of the Court shall be elected by and from amongst
its members. The Secretaries shall be appointed by the
Council.55

The Council also gave instructions that the two new
Bye-laws which had been confirmed should be now duly
signed and sealed, in accordance with the provisions of the
Charter.

Copies of the Bye-laws were also ordered to be printed.

The arrangements for the forthcoming annual meeting
were considered, when

It was moved by Professor Simonds , and seconded by Mr.

Lawson —

“That the same gentlemen constitute the Committee for
preparing the Annual Report as last year, viz., the President,
Messrs. Wilkinson, Harpley, Braby, and the Secretary.55 —
Carried.

It was moved by Professor Sinonds , and seconded by
Mr. Hunt —

“That Mr. Jas. Broad and Mr. J. R. Cox be appointed
Auditors/5 — Carried.

A discussion next ensued relative to the anniversary
dinner.

365

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

It was moved by Mr. Silvester , and seconded by Professor
Gamgee —

“ That the London Tavern be selected.” — Carried.

It was also moved by Mr. Hunt , and seconded by Mr.

Broad —

fc That the Medical Examiners be invited to attend.” —
Carried.

It was farther moved by Professor Simonds, and seconded
by Professor Gamgee —

“ That the incidental expenses of invitation to the Medical
Examiners be paid out of the funds of the College.” —
Carried.

The following gentlemen agreed to constitute the Dinner
Committee: — the President, Messrs. Braby, Harpley, Moon,
Silvester, Wilkinson, W ithers, and the Secretary.

Cheques were ordered to be drawn for the current
expenses.

By order of the Council,

William Henry Coates,

Secretary.

SPECIAL MEETING OP THE COUNCIL, held April 20, 1864.

Present: The President, Professor Spooner, Messrs.
Braby, Harrison, Moon, Pritchard, Wilkinson, Withers,
and the Secretary.

The President in the Chair.

•

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from the Medical Examiners regretting
their inability to attend at the Anniversary Dinner.

The Dinner Committee reported to the following effect,
viz. — That arrangements had been made for the Dinner to
take place at the London Tavern precisely at 6 o'clock, p.m.
Tickets £3. D. each, including Wine, &c.

A letter was read from Mr. Parsons, of Launceston, a
practitioner of several years standing, who was desirous of
becoming a candidate for the Diploma of the College, asking
whether he could present himself for a practical examination
only.

It was moved by Mr. Pritchard , and seconded by Mr.

366

NEW MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION.

“That the Secretary be instructed to write to Mr. Par¬
sons, and inform him that Bye-laws No. 27 and 29 requiring
the production of a certificate from one of the Schools could
not be departed from.” — Carried.

A letter received from Mr. Jex, tendering his resignation
as a Member of the Council, was next read.

It was moved by Mr. Moon , and seconded by Mr. Braby.

“That the Secretary be instructed to inform Mr. Jex that
his resignation was accepted with much regret.” — Carried.

A letter was read which had been received from Mr.
Holland, M.P., asking to be informed of the period of atten¬
dance which is required as constituting a regular Veterinary
education, before a diploma is granted by the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons, in order to the naming of such
persons in the Bill now before Parliament for the prevention
of diseases among cattle, as being only eligible as Inspectors
at fairs and markets.

The Secretary informed the Council that he had supplied
the information required.

A further discussion took place relative to the Bill now in
Committee of the House on Cattle Diseases, when the
Secretary was desired to obtain information from Professor
Simonds with regard to the proceedings of the Committee,
so as to provide for a deputation to wait upon Sir G. Grey
or Mr. Bruce.

The Balance Sheet of the receipts and expenditure during
the past year, as audited, was laid on the table ; also the
Annual Report of the Council, as prepared by the Com¬
mittee.

The Report being amended, it was moved by the Presi¬
dent —

“ That it be received and adopted.” — Carried.

By order of the Council,

W. H. Coates,

NEW MEMBERS OE THE PROFESSION.

At the several meetings of the Court of Examiners of the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons the following gentle¬
men passed their examinations, and were admitted members
of the body corporate.

NEW MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION.

367

STUDENTS OF THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE, LONDON.

April 2 1 st.

Mr. W. F. H. Chattell .

— Charles F. Phillips .

— James M. Broad.

— Frederick C. Boulter

— Peter Ellis. . .

— Francis H. Ridler .

— Robert S. Blee .

— Arthur New . . .

— John Milnes .

— John A. Rostron.

— Richard Poyser .

— Bower Talbot. .

London.

London.

Bath.

Plumstead, Kent.
Liverpool.

London.

Truro, Cornwall.

London.

Gloucester.

Bolton, Lancashire.
Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
Whatton, Notts.

April Q&nd,

— Henry Llewellyn . .

— Walter Thurston. .

— H enry Hogben . .

— Edward Creswell . .

— John Simpson, jun..

— Thomas Tilsley .

— Thomas P. Hounsell .

— William Colbeck. . .

— Robert Lineker .

— James Taylor. . . .

Tredegar, Monmouthshire.
Fressingfield, Suffolk.
Lyminge, Kent.

Hanbury, Bromsgrove.
Liverpool.

Berriew, Montgomeryshire.
London.

Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Balderton, Newark.

Wix, Essex.

April Q5t7i.

Charles M. Rawlings .
Christopher Williamson
John A. Polding. . .

George Bourdass . .

Henry Hills ....
Charles E. Borman . .

William B. Edmonds .
Thomas Rickaby. .
William H. A. Verney.
William Walker .
Walter F. Russell .
George F. Bolton
Henry K.. Shaw .
Matthew Clarke .

John P. Berry . . .

Wells, Somersetshire.
Beaconsfield, Bucks.

Bury, Lancashire.
Bridlington.

Cambridge.

Tetney, Lincolnshire.
Hounslow.

Hungerford, Berks.
Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucester
King's Lynn.

Princes, Risboro.

Paris, Canada West.
Sydenham, Kent.

Thorpe Market, Norfolk.
Northampton.

368

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

REDRUTH COUNTY COURT.— Tuesday.

Before C. D. Bevan, Esq.

A WARRANTY CASE.

The following case was heard before a jury of five.

THOMAS V. ABRAHAM.

Mr. Pauli (Pauli and Linton) for plaintiff; Mr. H. Rogers for de¬
fendant.

The case opened for the plaintiff was that on the 8th of December, at
Camborne, the plaintiff, a well-known horse-dealer, agreed to buy of the
defendant, a farmer of Camborne, two horses for £40 ; the defendant
warranting both to be sound and good workers, and the plaintiff paying
£5 on account. The horses, though sold together, were separately priced
at £23 and £l7. About the hock of the lower-priced horse the plaintiff
observed an appearance which he did not like, and specially called the
defendant’s attention to it, on which the defendant assured him it was all
right — that the swollen appearance was only the result of a kick from
another horse, and that he would warrant the leg to be sound. The
horses were not delivered at the time of purchase, but remained in the
possession of a Mr. Jewell until the completion of the transaction. Sub¬
sequently the defendant bought back the £23 horse (a mare) at that
price, and the other horse was finally sold to plaintiff for £17 on the
warranty stated, the plaintiff' paying the balance of £12. The horse re¬
ceived by plaintiff was kept in his stables a few days, and then sold with
a warranty to a Mr. Gundry, for a Mrs. Nicholls, for £20 certain and
£2 extra in a month if the horse should turn out well. But the next
day Gundry brought back the horse, and returned it in consequence of
its being lame and unfit for use. Plaintiff then called in a veterinary
surgeon, who examined the horse, and found that on the lame leg the cap
of the hock had been knocked out of place. Plaintiff then sent back the
horse to defendant, but defendant refused to take it back, and, thereupon,
plaintiff had the horse sold by auction at Redruth, where it realised £9.
The plaintiff now brought his action for the recovery of £8 difference,
and £l for keep of the horse.

There were examined in support of the plaintiff’s case — the plaintiff
himself; Mr. Bennett, a farmer, of Illogan ; John Prout, a farmer, of
Camborne; George Bray; Charles Gundry; and Mr. John Lewis, a
veterinary surgeon.

Mr. Lewis stated that when requested to examine the horse he found it
had an enlargement of the windpipe and a nasty cough ; this was, how¬
ever, only a temporary affection, though it might possibly become chronic
and lead to unsoundness. He found the cap of the hock off, and beneath
it there was inflammation, which interfered with the horse’s action, .and
might cause lameness; and this latter ailment he should call unsound¬
ness. The appearance of this ailment was such as he should say must
have been observable to any horse-dealer or other person accustomed to
horses. The detachment of the cap was not a cause of lameness ; the

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 3G9

cause of lameness was the inflammation of the muscles underneath the
cap.

In cross-examination, the witness said the injury to the hock might
have been caused by a kick or by a twist of the leg, and might have
been produced within a few days. It was not what he should call a
chronic disease. The horse was in good condition, barring the cough.

Re-examined: From the appearance of the leg, he should say that
the injury, which he considered unsoundness, had existed a week or
fortnight.

The sale of the horse at Redruth for £9 was admitted.

Mr. Rogers , for the defence, addressed the jury, submitting that the
plaintiff must fail even on his own case. There were four questions for
their consideration: — 1st, Was the horse unsound ? 2nd, If so, was the
unsoundness present at the time of the purchase? 3rd, Was there any
warranty given in respect of this particular horse ? 4th, Had there been
any breach of warranty so as to justify the plaintiff in seeking to recover
damages? Now, as a lawyer, he was prepared to contend that, even ad¬
mitting the injury spoken of, the horse was not in point of law unsound ;
because it was laid down by Chief Justice Eyre that a merely temporary
defect did not constitute unsoundness. To justify the charge of un¬
soundness there must be proof of chronic disease. The evidence of the
veterinary surgeon showed that the swelling spoken to by Thomas might
have been produced by a kick, and that the horse was not labouring
under any unsoundness arising from any chronic disease or permanent
injury. But if the jury should think the horse was unsound now, they
must further be satisfied that it was unsound at the time of the purchase
by Thomas ; because between that date and the 4th of January, after
which time the horse was first seen by Mr. Lewis, the horse might have
received injury from various causes. And they had evidence only from
Thomas that the horse was unsound at the time of purchase. But even
admitting that the horse was unsound at the time of purchase, then he
contended that Thomas knew of that unsoundness, and acted on that
knowledge in making his bargain ; and it had been laid down in Margett-
son v. Wright that if there was any defect to which the attention of a
purchaser was called at the time of bargain, a general warranty of sound¬
ness could not be deemed to extend to that part. On the fourth point,
Mr. Rogers stated that he should distinctly prove, by several respectable
witnesses, that no warranty was given in respect to this horse, and that if
any warranty at all was given by Abraham it applied only to the mare,
which was sold to Thomas for £23, and afterwards repurchased at the
same price by Abraham.

The witnesses adduced for the defence were — Thomas Abraham, the
defendant; Thomas Eva and William Eva, butchers, of Camborne; and
Thomas Holman.

The evidence on the two sides was of a very conflicting nature, espe¬
cially on the question of warranty or no warranty.

In his reply, Mr. Raull said his learned friend’s legal authority in sup¬
port of his opinion that temporary lameness was not unsoundness was
doubtless very good at the time when it was published ; but in a book of
undoubted authority he (Mr. Pauli) found it laid down by Lord Ellen-
borough — “ That an infirmity, as a temporary lameness, which renders a
horse less fit for present use or convenience, though not of a permanent
nature, and though removed after an action brought, is an unsoundness.”
It was also ruled that a cough, though not permanent, was an unsound¬
ness. The learned advocate then addressed himself to the facts in
evidence, contending that, as well from the probabilities of the case as
from comparison of the witnesses, the jury must find for the plaintiff.

370

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

The learned Judge , in summing up, remarked on the seeming conflict
in the quoted opinions of two eminent judges as to what constitutes
unsoundness ; and in the difficulty of deciding between such opinions, he
advised the jury that it would be safe to rely on the general principle of
law, that soundness in horses must be taken to imply the absence of such
disease or seeds of disease as would impair the usefulness of an animal.
Keeping that general principle in mind, he thought, would afford means
of reconciling the apparent conflict in opinion between the two eminent
judges cited. Because it might be that a horse might be afflicted by a
complaint which might be only temporary, but which still would render
it useless to the purchaser at the time of purchase ; and it. might be
fairly said that if a horse were thus useless for months it might be con¬
sidered as unsound. But, on the other hand, if a horse, sound in other
respects, had received a kick, bite, or blow, the results of which were
apparent, and which might be cured in a few days, or a week or two, the
animal might be deemed sound. And the decision of this point, as
affecting the present case, must be left to the practical common sense of
the jury. The learned Judge carefully went through the evidence;
after which

The Jury immediately returned a verdict for the defendant.

CHARD COUNTY COURT.

Town Hall, Wednesday, March 23rd, 1864.

Before His Honour C. Saunders, Esq., Judge, and a Jury.

SCAB IN SHEEP. - IMPORTANT CASE.

grabham v. o’borne.

Damages £50 for breach of warranty of twenty lambs bought by the
plaintiff of the defendant, on the 17th of June last.

Both the plaintiff* and the defendant are highly respectable farmers,
residing in the neighbourhood of Ilminster, and the case excited great
interest among the sheep-grazing farmers. The Court was crowded all
the day, the case lasting from 11.30 until 1.20 on the following morning,
at which late hour the Court was as full as it well could be.

Mr. Pauli, of Ilminster, appeared for the plaintiff*; Mr. Langworthy
for the defendant.

Without commenting further, we lay before our readers the whole of
the evidence in this important case.

Mr. Pauli , after his opening speech to the jury, called

The plaintiff, George Grabham , who said : 1 live at Ashford Farm. On
the 17th of June last I attended Taunton fair, and bought of defendant’s
bailiff twenty lambs at 2 5s. a head. There were two pens, twenty in
each ; I bought the best lot, warranted sound. Defendant came up
afterwards, and I told him I had bought a score of the lambs, and that
they were not fat enough to kill. I bought them for store. We parted,
and soon after met again. I asked defendant whom I should pay, and he
said I could pay him, but must be quick, as he was off to Bristol. We
went into Clark’s Hotel, and I there drew a cheque for £25, payable to
his order. I said, “ These lambs are sound, Mr. O’Borne ?” He replied,
“ Oh, yes, they are all right.” I said, “ Then of course you won’t object
to sign the cheque ; I never buy without a warrant.” I had written the

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 371

words “ warranted sound ” on the back. The defendant said that when
he commenced business he made it a rule never to warrant anything. I
said, “ Then I shan’t have the lambs, that’s certain.” I closed up the
cheque-book. “Well,” he said, “you have bought the lambs;” and I
replied, “ I know I have ; but I bought them with a warranty, and I’ll
have them with a warranty.” He said, “ They are sound enough ; and
as they are lambs I don’t mind warranting them.” “ Yery well, that’s
enough,” I said. I paid the defendant the cheque. After I had written
it I wrote on the back “ twenty lambs, warranted sound,” and put it
towards him, and it remained a minute on the table. I told him if he
would not take the cheque with those words upon it I would not have
the lambs. The defendant took the cheque and folded it, and put it in
his pocket, and went away. He did not indorse the cheque or obliterate
the writing on the back in my presence. He did not take a pen in his
hand at all. I went out to find some person to drive them home, and in
consequence of something I heard I went in quest of Mr. O’Borne. I
found him talking to Mr. Webber, and I put my hand on his shoulder
and said, “ I have heard you have had the scab, Mr. O’Borne, among
your flock.” He replied, “ Oh, my dear fellow, I assure you it’s nothing
of the sort.” “Well,” I said, “ if you have, I would not have the lambs
home for £50.” He said, “ Oh, I don’t know it’s the scab : but they tell
me it is. Mear has dressed a few of them, and I think it has caught one
sheep a second time.” He then added, in Mr. Webber’s presence, “I
warrant them sound and all right, and I’ll make them sound and clean.”
He said, “ Come and ask my man and I went towards the pen to him.
Before I had time to speak he said, “ Oh, Hill, Mr. Grabham has heard
we have had the scab.” Hill replied, “I don’t know we have had the
scab there.” I said, “ I don’t know what to do about it, Mr. O’Borne ;
this is a very serious case.” He said, “ I have never had the scab in my
life that I know of, and I tell you again they are all right, and I’ll
warrant them sound and clean.” I then took the lambs home, and I
kept them separately for some time ; but afterwards they got mixed up
with the rest of the flock. There were then ninety-eight altogether.
During the fall I gave them corn up to November. In consequence of
what my boy said to me in the latter part of November, I examined the
lambs, and found something the matter. I did not know what it was. I
had never seen the scab before, but I concluded it was that because it
was one of Mr. O’Borne’s lambs that was very bad. I at once sent for a
veterinary surgeon, who sent me some dressing. In a few days, more
became affected, and I then went to defendant and told him about it, and
asked him what he was going to do. He said if I had let him know
before, he would have taken them back and paid me for the keep. At
last he agreed to come and see them. I said, “ I must place the matter in
the hands of my solicitor.” The defendant did not come, and the next
week, at the London Inn, Taunton, he said he had not had time. I saw
him again in December, at Ilminster; he then said he should have
nothing to do with it. I then consulted Mr. Pauli. I caused the twenty
lambs to be sold — they realised £30. They were so diseased they could
not walk. I consider 25s. each was a sound price for them.

The witness then went into an explanation of the particulars of his
claim, and declared that no unnecessary charge had been made, and that
if he established his claim he would be a very great loser.

Mr. Langworthy cross-examined the witness at great length, but his
testimony was not shaken.

Charles Plowman called : I am cashier at Stuckey’s Bank, at Ilminster.
Plaintiff keeps an account there. I produce this cheque. The words

372

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

“ for twenty lambs warranted sound ” are in much paler ink than the
signature and obliteration.

Hull Webber , farmer, called : I was at Taunton fair on the 17th of June
last. I was in conversation with the defendant. The plaintiff came up ;
he said, “ Oh dear, Mr. O’Borne, I understand that your sheep have had
the scab.” The defendant said, “ Well, I know there has been something
the matter with them, but did not know it was the scab, or what it was,
but they are all sound now.” He said also that he had bought some
sheep in, and they had brought something among his flock, but they were
quite cured and sound now, and that he would make them all right.
Plaintiff said he would not have them on his farm for £50, if they had
any scab about them. The plaintiff had asked me to let them go home
with my sheep, but I refused, because I had heard that they had the scab.

Cross-examined : I do not recollect Mure’s name being mentioned.
Defendant said he had had a man to dress them. This was before dinner.
No one has suggested to me what happened. I perfectly recollect it.

By the Court : I walked away, and left plaintiff and defendant talking.
Plaintiff had asked me to let the lambs go with mine before he came up
to Mr. O’Borne and myself.

Samuel Cr abb, farmer, said: I was at Taunton fair on the 17th June
last. I asked defendant’s bailiff to take back my sheep as far as Ashley.
I had defendant’s permission. I saw plaintiff and defendant together.
I had heard plaintiff say something before I saw him put his hand upon
defendant’s shoulder. I heard plaintiff say, “ If there is anything of that
sort, I would not have the sheep upon any consideration.” Defendant
said, “ You need not be afraid of that, my dear fellow ; I’ll warrant the
sheep perfectly sound and clean.”

John Hill , farmer, said : I was near the last witness, and heard Mr.
O’Borne warrant the sheep. I heard the words, “ I warrant them sound
and clean.”

Cross-examined : Mr. O’Borne was walking away from the pen. The
plaintiff put his hand upon his shoulder and said, “ If there is anything
about these sheep, I shall not have them and defendant replied, *‘My
dear fellow, I’ll warrant the sheep sound and clean.” I understood that
my brother had previously sold the sheep. I saw the plaintiff and de¬
fendant at the pen together.

Frederick Bond, farmer, said : I keep a large flock of sheep. On the
25th of January last I was called upon to examine some sheep at
plaintiff’s. About eighty or ninety seemed to be suffering from scab,
more or less. Mr. James Pauli accompanied me, for the purpose of
assessing the damage sustained. The charge of 4 d. per head is a fair
charge for ordinary keep ; 2s. per head for dressing and attendance is a
very small charge. I consider the loss of wool to be 2s. 6d. a head ; 5s.
per bushel for peas and vetches is a fair charge. The remaining sum of
£12 7s. 2d. charged in the particulars would not compensate for other loss.

Cross-examined: The lambs would be worth 37 s. or 385. in January,
if they had been free from disease. They ought to be worth 45s. per
head by this time.

James Ware Fault , yeoman : I estimated the loss upon the eighty or
ninety sheep in consequence of the disease, and consider it is much under
the mark.

Cross-examined : The sheep ought to be worth 505. a-piece, supposing
they were free from scab. I examined the sheep in company with Mr.
Bond and the plaintiff. We were about two hour§ engaged. I reckon
that the loss of wool was fully 25. Qd. a head. I should say some had lost
three pounds, and were nearly naked.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

373

John Hellier said : Last spring I was in defendant’s house, and I looked
through his flock with him. I told Mr. O’Borne his sheep had the scab.
He said he was not aware of it ; some of them had “ the worms," and
some stuff had been put about them to cure them. I told him then it
was the scab, and recommended him a man to cure it. I said I would
send him a man, and did so at his request. I remember having 300 ewes
affected with the scab one year ; in January and in February they lambed
down. The lambs did not break out till six months afterwards. If the
ewes suffer from disease, the lambs must have it. I should think the loss
was 15,?. a head.

Cross-examined : We supposed the ewes cured before they lambed.
The disease is in the system, and the lamb inherits it from the mother.
There were only three bad at the time I saw them, and I recommended
the defendant to put one by itself — it was almost naked.

Re-examined : It is in the blood, not derived from sucking the mother.

Edward Mear , dealer and jobber : I have cured the scab in sheep. Last
spring I went to the defendant’s house. Mr. Hellier sent me. I ex¬
amined defendant’s sheep. I found they had the scab very badly.
About eighty were so affected. They had then about ten lambs. I
dressed the sheep for six weeks or more. Just before Taunton fair I
went there, and defendant was picking out the lambs to show them to
Mr. Brown, the butcher. He said he was going to sell them as fat lambs.
I told him that they had some spots of scab upon them. I caught one
and showed it him. I recommended him to sell them as fat lambs, as the
meat would not be fit for food if I dressed them. There was a little rig
sheep which I dressed, and I afterwards dressed the same sheep at the
plaintiff’s. In December I was sent for to dress some sheep for the
plaintiff. I agreed to cure them at Is. a head. The other score lambs
sold to Mr. Perrin appear to have been dressed.

Cross-examined : It was just before the lambs went to Taunton fair
that I dressed the little rig sheep in defendant’s presence, and when I
saw it in December it was all over spots.

William Emms , veterinary surgeon, proved being sent for on the 1st of
December by the plaintiff, and dressing some scabbed sheep. The disease
is contagious, but does not come in a lamb from having been dropped
from a diseased ewe. The cause may exist in June , and not appear until
December. It is quite necessary to have all gates and farm material
washed and cleansed after having affected sheep upon it.

Charles William Blake, veterinary surgeon, said : I obtained a prize at
the Royal Veterinary College for a work on cutaneous diseases. Scab is
both unsoundness and uncleanness. It is highly contagious. The disease
is caused by mites in the skin. The mites may be in the animal in the month
of May , and the disease not appear until December. One dressing is not
sufficient to cure. You may kill the insect, but not destroy its ova by
one dressing.

John Jeffery, farmer, proved buying some sheep in May, and their
having the scab break out in October.

William Goodland, butcher, proved buying seven lambs of defendant in
July last, and re-selling the same to Mr. House, of Stoke St. Gregory.
They had scab in them, and I was threatened with an action, and made it
up by paying Mr. House £5. I shall ask defendant for its repayment.

Mr. Francis Jennings proved selling the plaintiff, during the past year,
twenty-four lambs ; Mr. Matthew Lang, fifty ; Mr. Christopher Born,
twenty-four ; Mr. David Symes, thirty-two ; and William Harris, two.

All these gentlemen deposed to their being sound, and added they had
never had the scab upon their farms.

374

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

Mr. Langworthy , in addressing the jury for the defence, contended,
first, that there was no warranty ; secondly, that there was no disease at
the time of sale.

Benjamin Norton , farmer and dealer, said: I bought twenty-seven lambs
of defendant on the 27th of May last. I had no warranty. I saw
another pen of twenty or thirty more. I sold them to a butcher a day
or two afterwards. Never heard they had anything the matter with
them. I did not notice any disease.

Cross-examined : I would not swear that they had been dressed for scab.

Simeon Hill, the defendant’s bailiff, said : Last Taunton fair I took forty
lambs there for sale. Before I got them out of the waggon the plaintiff
came up. He bid me money for them before I had them penned. They
were afterwards put into two separate pens. I gave him a price for the
lambs — 27 s. a head. He offered 24s., and I sold them to him for 2 5s. I
gave him no warranty, and he did not ask me for one. We both went
into the fair. The plaintiff bid me money for the other twenty, but I
refused his bid. We went into the inn and had a glass of beer each.
When we came out my master was standing against the pen. The
plaintiff came and asked me if there was any doubt about the lambs. I
told him I did not know. He then said if there was he would keep them
by themselves, and I said that would be the best plan. Mr. O’Borne
said nothing. After that, plaintiff came back and looked at the lambs,
and went into the pen, and he then said he would take them back with
him in the same waggon they came in. I heard my master say he might
go in and look at the lambs, and take or leave them as he liked. I was
not present when the lambs were paid for. Nothing was said about a
cheque in my presence, and master and plaintiff went away. In about a
quarter of an hour plaintiff came back and told me to take the lambs up
and carry them back. The other twenty were sold to Mr. Perring. I
have heard nothing of them since. I went to live with my master- in
June. The ewes and lambs were there then, and I never saw a spot or
blemish about them. I told Mr. Grabham so at the fair. He offered to
pay me for them, and I said, “ Mr. O’Borne is here, and you can pay him.”
It was some time after the sheep were sold that there was a talk about
the scab, and after the offer to pay me.

Cross-examined by Mr. Pauli : I saw Mr. Mear at the fair, but had no
talk with him. Never said to him that I only warranted their livers
sound. He did not say to me that it was a shame to take in a neighbour
so. I was at the auction at Taunton where the sheep were sold. They
were bought by Mr. Brown and my master.

This witness gave evidence in a very confused manner, and his state¬
ments and contradictions caused much laughter. He seemed to be the
worse for liquor, and no one could understand anything he said.

Harry Charles O’Borne , the defendant, sworn, said: On the 17th June
I sent forty lambs to Taunton fair. I found Hill there with them when
I got there, and in about ten minutes I saw the plaintiff. I asked my
bailiff' if he had sold the lambs, and he said, “ Yes, sir.” He told me he
had sold the twenty fat lambs to the plaintiff, whereupon Mr. Grabham
smiled and said, “ 1 have bought them much too dear.” He then walked
away, and in about ten minutes came back and asked if I had sold those
in the other pen. I said, “ No.” He offered me a guinea a head, and I
told him Mr. Bradley had offered 22 s. for them. He replied, “You had
better let Bradley have the lambs ; he has offered you a good price.”
Mr. Perring then bought them for 22s. Qd. I afterwards saw the plaintiff
and my bailiff. They seemed to be in serious consideration. Mr. Grab¬
ham said, “Oh, dear, this is a bad job. I hear you have the scab up

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

375

there.” I said, “ Yes, more or less; but they have all been dressed, and
Mear has warranted them cured.” He then asked me if the lambs had
had it, and I told him no. I called to my bailitF and told him to tell Mr.
Grabham all he knew about the lambs. Hill told him that they had no
spot about them, and had not been dressed for the scab. Mr. Grabham
said, “ Well, I don’t know what to do about the lambs ; it is a serious
thing; I should not like to take them if I thought they had the scab.”
I told him he had better get over and examine them for himself, and he
did so, and then came to me and said he would risk them. He said,
“ Whom shall I pay ?” and I replied he could pay me, but that he must
be quick, as I wanted to catch the express to Bristol. We then went
into the Castle Hotel. He took out his cheque-book and handed me this
cheque, and I observed the words “ warranted sound.” I said, “ What
does this mean ?” and he replied, “ It is usual to write ‘ warranted sound’
when buying sheep.” I said, “ Then I must strike it out, as I do not
warrant everything ; I never do,” turning to Mr. Baker, who was in the
room. Mr. Baker smiled, and said, “That is the right way.” I then
folded up the cheque, and put it in my pocket. Prior to folding it I
struck out the words “ warranted sound.” Grabham was sitting close by
and smiling all the time. He then made some kind of grimace, shrugged
his shoulders, and we parted. There were two bottles in one inkstand ;
I cannot say which I dipped in, or whether there were wafers in one. I
indorsed the cheque at the same time ; I believe I wrote with a steel pen.
I had seventy-six ewes, and did not know there was anything the matter
with them until Mr. Hellier told me in February. Mear came a day or
two after and dressed them. He did not dress any lambs for me, to my
knowledge. I sheared my ewes in June, and found they were all right.
I remember the plaintiff coming to my house about the lambs early in
December, and was surprised to hear that the lambs had the scab. I told
him he must have bought other sheep, and thus infected his flock. He
wished me to come and see them, and I said I was too busy then, but
would call in the course of a few days. He said, “Very well; I do not
wish to go to law; I shall be glad to see you.” I saw him twice after
that, and the last time was in January, when I told him I should have
nothing to do with the lambs, and he said he was prepared to spend a
large sum about it, and I said I was equally prepared.

Cross-examined: I do not recollect if Mr. Webber was talking to me
at Taunton fair when Mr. Grabham came up and said, “ Oh ! here’s a
pretty job about this scab.” I will swear that I did not say that I had
had something the matter with my flock. I said I had had the scab. I
did not say as Mr. Webber has sworn. I deny what Mr. Crabbe has
sworn, and also what Hill has sworn. I never warranted them. I
obliterated the words “warranted sound” on the cheque, and wrote my
name in Mr. Grabham’s presence.

George Grabham , the defendant’s carter, said : I assisted to take the
lambs to Taunton. The plaintiff came up and looked over the lambs at
the pen, and helped to get them out. I saw him get into the pen and
handle the lambs, and after he got out he said, “ I’ll take them.”

James Mead, stable-boy, said : I remember going to Taunton fair, and
seeing my master and Mr. Grabham at the pen. I remember the plaintiff
asking master if the lambs had the scab. Master said the lambs might
not have it if the ewes had. I saw defendant get into the pen, and when
he got out he said, “ I’ll take them and risk them.”

JFilliam Baker, farmer, said : I remember being at Taunton fair, and
seeing the plaintiff and defendant at Clarke’s Hotel, in the Market-room.

376

OBITUARY.

I heard Mr. O’Borne say he did not warrant anything. He turned round
to me and added, “ I never did.5’

In cross-examination this witness admitted buying some ewes of Mr.
O’Borne about last apple-fall, and, hearing they had the scab, sold them,
after dipping them. «

Re-examined : Defendant told me they had the scab.

Thomas Howard, farmer, said: I went to the plaintiff’s on the 10th
February last, and looked over his flock. Seven or eight had lost wool.
I have been accustomed to treat sheep having the scab. I should not
think the loss of wool would be Is. a head. I would have attended them
and cured them for Is. a head. The extra food charged would be proper
for common feeding. The sheep would be thrown back about 2s. per
head for having the scab. I have known it not much injury to them
when properly treated. I should think that the seventy-five or seventy-
six I looked at are worth two guineas a head now.

Richard Coleman , farmer, Cricket Malherbie, said : I keep a large flock
of sheep, and have had the scab among them. It is easily cured. I
cured the whole flock once in a month. Some of the ewes we kept, and
lambed them, and nothing was the matter with them afterwards. I went
with the last witness to Mr. Grabhams’, and examined the sheep in ques¬
tion. Some of them have lost wool. I should say about 1 lb. average.
One shilling a head would be a fair allowance for loss of wool. I never
knew an instance of scab lying dormant for three months. I have seen
the twenty bought at the sale, and have dipped and cured them. I had
some conversation with Mr. Grabham about the cheque paid, and he
said, “If Mr. O’Borne struck out the words, I did not see him.” I
asked him about the £7 12s. 2d ., and he said it was to make up the £50.
He did not expect to get it all.

James Collis, dealer and auctioneer, corroborated the previous witnesses
as to loss of wool and deterioration in value of the sheep, and added that
“ he would be glad to buy any number of scabbed sheep at 2s. a head
less than market price ; he could cure them for about 17s. per 100.

Thomas Cymes and Joseph Redwood, veterinary surgeons, were then
called, and said that scab was easily cured. Neither of them agreed with
Mr. Emms and Mr. Blake , that the disease of scab could be dormant for so
long a time, as stated by the plaintiff' s witnesses.

Mr. Langworthy now addressed the jury upon the whole of the evidence,
and submitted that his client was entitled to their verdict.

Mr. Pauli replied.

His Honour s summing up was rather elaborate, occupying more than
one hour.

The jury then retired, and after a few minutes’ absence returned into
Court with a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £40. — Sherborne Journal.

OBITUARY.

Mr. Philip Hempson, May Fair, London. His diploma
bears date May 24th, 1855.

THE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 438.

JUNE, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 114.

Communications and Cases,

FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONES OF THE
OFF FORE-LEG OF A HORSE WITH LUXA¬
TION OF THE FETLOCK JOINT.

By Professor Varnell.

In the month of April, 1864, I had sent to me a specimen
of fracture of the sesamoid bones of the off fore-leg of an aged
thorough-bred horse, complicated with luxation of the fetlock
joint. Two cases only of this description have before come
under my notice, and I am inclined to think, without
making especial reference to our various veterinary authors,
that very few instances of the kind have been recorded.
For this reason I am the more indebted to Mr. Blakeway for
the trouble he has taken in sending the specimen, and also
for the history of the case as contained in the following letter.

Stourbridge, April 21 st, 1864.

Dear Sir, — I met with, to me, rather a rare case this week, which
I will relate, and then you will judge for yourself. On Tuesday last I
was sent for to our race-course, about one mile from town, to see an aged
thorough-bred gelding that had “ broken down ” while taking a gallop, he
having to run at Kidderminster steeple-chase on the following Tuesday.
I found he had dislocated the off fore fetlock joint. The condyloid ex¬
tremity of the large metacarpal bone appeared to be resting on the sesa¬
moid bones. I advised that he should be destroyed, which was done
immediately. Upon examining the legflit my leisure, I found the sus¬
pensory ligament completely rupturedW'-A small portion also of the
superior part of both sesamoid bones was broken off. The ligaments
of the joint were completely torn asunder, and the large metacarpal bone

xxxvii. 25

378 FRACTURE OF THE SESAMOID BONES OF OFF FORE-LEG,

was resting against the flexor tendons and on the broken surface of the
sesamoid bones. There was a good deal of extravasated blood around
the joint.

I may add that the horse was galloping on a perfectly level course, and
nothing could be seen as being likely to have caused the accident. He
had been previously fired on both fore legs, and during the last season
he had gone a little stale on them.

I send the bones, &c., for your examination.

I am, &c.,

F. Blakewat.

To G. W. Varnell, Esq.

I found the bones to be fractured in a transverse direction,
a little above their middle; and, in addition, I noticed that
the upper part of the inner one was broken into three or four
pieces. The capsular ligament was much torn, and the
outer branch of the superior sesamoidal ligament was also
lacerated. The inner branch, however, had not suffered from
recent injury, but was much thickened from previous disease
evidently of long standing. In attempting to elucidate the
most prominent features of this case, it will be necessary to
discuss two or three points. In the first place it may be
asked, what was the immediate cause of the fracture? Did it
take place from over-tension, or from a blow produced by the
hind foot during the act of progression? Upon reflection, I
think the former was the most probable cause. The flexor
tendons and common integument would prevent, to some
extent, sufficient force being applied to the bones in question
to cause fracture. If, then, it occurred, as I think it did, from
over-tension, it may again be asked, if there were any predis¬
posing causes favorable to such a lesion ? I am inclined to think
there were, as the fractured bones did not appear to be so com¬
pact as these bones are usually found — their structure seemed
more spongy and fragile — at least such was my impression.
This being the case, I think wTe may fairly admit that they
were incapable of resisting the same amount of force which
they would have done had their structure been of normal den¬
sity and toughness. Bones are tough, by virtue of the animal
matter they contain ; and hard, through the earthy material
in their composition. Let there be a deficiency of either of
these normal constituents, and they become liable to be in¬
jured, through the common physical forces they are exposed
to. I may next observe, that the superior sesamoidal liga¬
ment was diseased to a great extent. The outer branch was
partially torn through, while the inner was much thickened
from disease of long standing. This ligament, in its normal
condition, yields more than ordinary ligamentous tissue when
weight is thrown upon it, and it contains in its structure a

FIBRO-VASCULAR TUMOUR IN THE BLADDER.

381

ference to the history of the case, and received the following
reply : —

Market Drayton ; April 26, 1864.

My dear Sir, — Having made further inquiries into the
case of the cow, I regret to say I am unable to add anything
of importance to the particulars wffiich you are already in
possession of. Her owner, Mr. Minor, has, since my last
communication to you, informed me that he bought her at
the public auction mart in this town last year, and that she
was then in fair condition, and had a calf by her side. She
did not make red water until two weeks after the purchase.
She milked well all the season.

Mr. M. is unable to say whose property the cow was
before coming into his possession, which is very unfortunate,
as I cannot, in the absence of this information, trace her
previous history. From the fact of her having brought a
living calf — supposing the one she had sucking her to be her
genuine offspring — I should infer that her parturition had not
been very difficult or attended with violence, and I am
strengthened in this supposition by the circumstance of her
being exposed for sale at public auction within a short period
— say a fortnight — after this event had occurred.

She was of the breed common to this and the adjoining
counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire, i. e.} a crossed short¬
horn. In some dairies you will find nearly pure shorthorns,
while in others you have only a third or fourth strain.

I am sorry the whole history of the case is so meagre and
unsatisfactory, more especially as the case possesses features
of no uncommon interest. 1 feel gratified that I may have
contributed in a degree, however slight, to the pleasure I
know you always take in these investigations.

Yours, &c.

OBSERVATIONS BY PROFESSOR VARNELL.

I may premise my remarks by stating that I examined the
parts referred to with more than usual interest, as I felt that
the details of the case had an important bearing, whether
considered medically or legally.

The case v/as supposed to have been one of <e red water ”
by those who had the charge of the cow previous to Mr.
Kettle seeing her, simply from the fact of her urine being of
a reddish colour. This gentleman, however, as will be seen,

382 FIBRO-VASCULAR TUMOUR IN THE BLADDER.

was of a different opinion ; and believed the altered character
of the urine to be due to organic disease of the bladder,
which, upon the post-mortem examination, proved to be the
case.

Two of the symptoms presented in this case are espe¬
cially worthy of consideration in studying its pathology, viz.,
the capability of the fluid which imparted the red colour to
the * urine to coagulate, showing clearly it was unspoilt
blood ; and secondly, the very small quantity of urine which
was passed at a time, especially during the later stages of the
disease. The last-named symptom would indicate that a
mechanical impediment to the passage of the urine through
the urethral canal probably existed, and such an obstruction
was found to exist. In a practical point of view, the case is
therefore especially valuable to the junior practitioner, as it
shows that in all instances in which the urine is of a reddish
colour the malady is not of necessity ordinary “ red water ,”
or to borrow a more scientific term, “ Heemo- albuminuria”
To the physiologist also, as well as to the pathologist, the case
is interesting, for we see that the cow had shown symptoms
indicative of organic disease for a period of no less than
twelve months; and yet during this time she had a calf and
yielded a fair quantity of milk. These facts prove that the
cause of the urine being high-coloured, whatever it might be,
was at any rate not incompatible with conception, gestation,
and lactation ; and they may also be considered as addi¬
tional reasons for believing the case was not one of common
“red water.”

In a legal point of view, as I have before stated, the
case has its significance. That the cow was sound at the
time she was sold to her last owner admits of great doubt, as
it is said that she passed red-coloured urine a short time
after she was purchased by him. This abnormal state of
things I think very likely depended upon some lesion pro¬
duced at the time she gave birth to her first calf, which led
to the formation of the tumour described by Mr. Kettle, and
from which blood, varying in quantity, passed into the
bladder, and thereby coloured the urine.

I do not make these statements with a view to induce the
late owner of the cow to seek for damages, or to lead him to
suppose that he would be right in doing so, but rather to
show that the case has a legal bearing, and that if the cow
had been represented as a sound one a claim could have been
made for damages. These brief suggestions may strike the
mind of the junior practitioner as being of some importance.
He will see that in a practical point of view it is necessary to

FIB RO- VASCULAR TUMOUR IN THE BLADDER. 383

ascertain the true character of the urine when called upon to
treat similar cases. Such a procedure will materially aid
him, not only in forming a correct diagnosis and prognosis, but
also to speak with some degree of confidence should he be
called into the witness-box to give evidence, or have to take
part in arbitrations on such matters. The province of the
veterinary surgeon is wider than many suppose it to be, and
it might be, with great advantage to the public, much more
extended.

I will now describe the morbid changes that had taken
place in the organs sent by Mr. Kettle, which consisted
of the bladder with the urethra, the ureters, kidneys, and
a portion of the vagina, together with a large mass of ab¬
normal deposit situated between the upper surface of the
urethra and neck of the bladder, and the under surface of a
portion of the vagina, and more or less encircling the whole
of these parts. This adventitious growth, which was a little
flattened on its upper and under surfaces, formed a tumour
of the size of a small child’s head. The bladder was greatly
increased in size, its coats w7ere thickened, and like the
tumour it was of a dirty purple colour, which probably de¬
pended upon the tissue being stained by effused blood. On
laying the bladder open from one end to the other, exit was
given to a large quantity of thick blood-coloured urine and
clots of coagulated blood. This fluid was carefully examined,
as was also the surface of the much thickened mucous mem¬
brane, with a view to ascertain if any calcareous deposit
existed, but I could not discover a trace of any. The
mucous membrane itself was of a dark colour, approaching
to black, especially towards the neck of the organ, into
which the tumour projected for a considerable distance.
Here the surface of the tumour was uneven, the blood¬
vessels were enlarged, and many of them had given way,
thus allowing the blood to escape into the bladder.

A section was next made through the tumour, in a line
with the urethral canal, so as to expose the whole of its
structure. The centre of the mass was composed of dense
fibrous tissue ; the outer part was less dense, and seemed to
be made up partly of the same material, but to a larger ex¬
tent of blood-vessels, fibrelized lymph, and coagulated blood.
The central part was likewise of a dirty white colour,
gradually approaching to a darker hue towards the outer
surface, particularly at that part which was wdthin the
bladder itself. I examined different parts of the diseased
mass with the microscope, but was unable to discover that it
was composed of anything more than a simple fibro-vascular

384

CASE OF OPEN HOCK-JOINT.

tissue. The walls of the urethral canal were very much
thickened, and its interior almost closed, which will account
for the gradual diminution of the quantity of urine passed
at a time during the latter stages of the disease.

Such is a brief outline of the examination made by me of
the morbid parts, and taking a retrospective view of the
case, I am inclined to think, as before stated, that the injury
done to the bladder, which eventually gave rise to the
tumour, took place during the act of parturition with her
first calf, and although the nature of the disease did not
prevent a second conception, nor interfere with gestation,
still it gradually impaired her health to an extent to render
it necessary for her to be destroyed. It is probable that
during the second calving , which took place about two weeks
before Mr. Kettle was called in to see her, additional exciting
causes came into operation, which resulted in a rapid increase
in the size of the tumour. The hsemorrhage was now greater,
and the urethral canal became very nearly closed — changes
which will account for the symptoms observed in the latter
period of the animaPs life. The kidneys and ureters were
free from structural disease.

CASE OF OPEN HOCK- JOINT.

By E. C. Dray, M.R.C.V.S., President of the
Yorkshire Y. M. A., Leeds.

A roan draught gelding, belonging to a railway company,
whilst shunting, was thrown dowrn on the rails, and severely
injured the near hock, on the inner side. At my first
examination I was afraid there was a fracture of some of the
bones; the limb was pendulous, and a quantity of blood,
mingled with synovia, flowed from a small wound. I
directed the hock to be constantly fomented with warm water
during the day, and a linseed meal poultice to be applied at
night, until the inflammation and tumefaction of the injured
parts had subsided. The animal was then put in slings, for •
he could not place his foot to the ground. The discharge
of synovia was excessive.

The managers of the company wished the horse to be
destroyed, but I begged permission to try what further and
bolder treatment might effect. This being granted, the Tin.
Ferri Mur. wras injected into the wound twice a day, and to

fibro- vascular tumour in the bladder. 379

variable amount of contractile tissue, which is not the case
with articular ligaments. The two functions possessed by
this ligament, although very slight, yet if destroyed even to
a small extent by disease, would predispose to such lesions as
were observed in the bones above alluded to. And such may
have been the predisposing or remote causes.

We have next to take into consideration the immediate
cause, or even causes — for I can suppose there may have been
more than one — in operation. At any rate, one cause is ob¬
vious enough, and cannot be questioned, viz., the exertion
the horse was put to. Added to this, and which is decidedly
more direct, is the probability of his having made what is
sometimes termed “ a false step/5 or an unconscious move¬
ment, whereby the whole weight would be suddenly thrown
upon the bones and ligaments, which, if impaired by disease,
would under such circumstances be very likely to give way.
Such seems to me to be an explanation, imperfect though it
is, of the cause of the fracture of the sesamoid bones in this
particular instance.

CASE OF FIBRO- VASCULAR TUMOUR IN THE

BLADDER OF A COW.

By Bamfield Kettle, M.R.C.V.S., Market Drayton.

Believing that you take a strong interest in morbid
anatomy, I forwarded to you by train, a day or two since,
the kidneys and bladder of a cowr, promising that very
shortly l would furnish you with the history of the case.
This I now do, but I fear you will find it too brief and im¬
perfect.

The cow in question was the property of Mr. G. Minor, of
Morton Hall, four miles from this town. My pupil, Mr. E.
Meek, saw her for the first time on Friday, the 19th March,
when her owner informed him that she had been bad from
the time she came into his possession, twelve months since,
and that during this somewhat protracted period she had
been constantly passing “ red water” and that, believing
her to be suffering from this disease, he had exhausted
his medical knowledge in attempting to arrest its progress
by trying everything he himself knew, or had heard recom¬
mended, without, however, succeeding. She had calved
about a fortnight prior to the visit of my pupil, and up to

380 FIBRO-VASCULAR TUMOUR IN THE BLADDER.

that time her appetite had been good. He found her ex¬
hibiting the following symptoms : pulse very feeble and
quick, mucous membranes blanched, appetite lost, eyes
sunken, and breathing accelerated. At times she would
stretch herself as if in pain; she was also very much ema¬
ciated. My pupil prescribed two doses of tonic laxative
medicine, and ordered plenty of gruel to be given her.

22nd March. — On visiting the animal to-day, I found
that the symptoms were much aggravated. She is now
nearly pulseless, and in addition her back is arched, and she
is almost constantly straining and passing a small quantity —
fifteen or twenty drops — of pale, blood-coloured urine, which
stains the straw as it falls. Her breath is foetid ; respi¬
ration is accompanied with a grunt, and she is so feeble as
scarcely to be able to stand. From the hopeless state of
the case, I ordered her to be slaughtered. — Diagnosis, chronic
disease of the bladder.

March 23. — Autopsy. On opening the chest I found the
lungs emphysematous and much enlarged, with here and
there deep-seated spots of sub-acute inflammation. The
right lung was adherent to the ribs. On opening the abdo¬
men the liver was found to be pale, hard, and tough, with
here and there large, irregular patches of a dirty yellow
colour, even harder and tougher than the other portions of
the organ. The bladder was enormously diseased and dis¬
tended with urine, and fearing it might rupture and thus
cause the loss of the fluid, I punctured the fundus, as you
will perceive, in order to send you some of its contents.

There is, you will discover, an enormous substance near
the neck of the bladder, at its inferior portion, from the inner
surface of which the blood, I conceive, must have escaped.
It appears to me, from the imperfect glimpse I could get from
the hole in the fundus, that the tumour was coated with a
thin layer of calcareous deposit. For fear of lessening, how¬
ever, your interest in this somewhat unusual specimen of
disease, I have not cut into the bladder, and am therefore not
in a position to do more than hazard an opinion that the
tumour may prove to be of a cancerous nature. The fluid
sent represents rather the sediment of the urine, so to speak,
than that which was voided when the animal was alive, which
at that period was of a sero-sanguineous character.

I am, &c..

To Professor Varnell.

On receipt of the above letter, I wrote to Mr. Kettle to
ask him if he could get any additional information in re-

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 389

mon fairness, such an animal should have a very distinct
specification of the nature of his malady sent with him,
rather than the general one of his unsoundness. Many
horses examined at the present would prove to be whistlers,
and perhaps very decided ones, that in a fortnight’s time
would bear the severest tests satisfactorily ; and the two
certificates from different examiners would relate opposite
stories. It is a question for the profession to consider,
whether the neglect of proper precaution ; the too rigid ad¬
herence to the mere certification of unsoundness does not
often lead to a difference in expression of opinion that should
not and would not exist if the two opposing examiners were
both present at each examination.

It is commonly advanced as a reproach to the profession,
that a horse may be sent to one qualified man and returned
unsound, as a roarer ; and shortly afterwards certified by
another, equally capable, to be perfectly free from such
defect. Each man will vigorously defend his own opinion,
and solace himself with the belief that his opponent has made
a mistake, accepting the triumph of his case as a compliment
to his superior sagacity, forgetting that he loses, as a member
of the profession, more than he gains as an individual. Such
discrepancies are most unfortunate in their effects upon the
public. Instead of dogmatically adhering to his own opinion,
founded upon evidence presented at one time, it would better
become each member to reflect that the opposite view might
be equally inevitable upon evidence present at another period,
and the public would not be so far justified as they are now
in the assertion, so often uttered, that if six men are found
to swear to a horse’s unsoundness, there is no difficulty in
finding six more to solemnly aver that he is free from every
defect.

Recent disease may lead to permanent deposits in the re¬
spiratory organs, and occasion confirmed roaring or whistling,
unfortunately very often consequent upon attacks of catarrh,
bronchitis, and pneumonia in young horses. While the
symptoms indicate that the disease is still acute, there is a
possibility of successful treatment, and it cannot, under such
circumstances, be proper to give an opinion implying perma¬
nent unsoundness, when it may happen that the defect will
altogether have ceased to exist in a few days’ time.

It is not contended that any doubt can be raised as to the
present unsoundness, only that there should be some distinc¬
tion made between cases that certainly differ in some very
essential particulars.

(To be continued .)

300

THE SHOEING OE OUR CAVALRY HORSES.

By George Fleming, F.R.G.S., F.A.S.L., and V.S. King’s

Own Hussars.

I, and I am nearly certain, all the army veterinary sur¬
geons would esteem it a great boon if you would, with your
usual courtesy, give insertion to the following remarks, which
have reference to a matter of great importance, not only as
affecting their professional reputation in this country and on
the continent, but as seriously implicating their ability and
desire — as it is their duty — to maintain the welfare and effi¬
ciency of the British army, so far as the very responsible
charge imposed upon them is concerned.

In what is intended to be a popular work, now pub¬
lishing in shilling parts, and entitled ‘ Our Domestic
Animals in Health and Disease/ the author while treating
on the art of shoeing, has felt himself impelled — no doubt
with the best motives, and with a patriotic desire to be the
exposer of what he may consider a national calamity — to use
the following remarkable expressions. In criticising the late
Professor Coleman’s ideas about the foot of the horse, arid
the baneful effects of his system of shoeing, he goes on to
decry the influence by wUich that gentleman managed to in¬
troduce all his suggestions into the army, and says : “Effects
followed causes. The good part of Mr. Coleman’s teaching
stood the test of time, and now7, when it can be shown that
the health of our cavalry horses is greatly improved, compared
to old times, lameness prevails undiminished, so much so,
that we never witness a sale of cast-off military horses that
is not composed, to the extent of about two thirds of the
whole number, of lame horses, mostly preventible cases, and
many of them curable by the simple application of a better
system of shoeing than now7 prevails in the service.”

“The army affords the best means for training men up to
the highest standard that distinguishes individuals, but in
horse-shoeing the reverse has been the case ; it has actually
afforded a field in which inexperienced men have tried their
hands, set at nought whatever was sound of old, and brought
their pernicious schemes to bear their fruits.”

Now it is difficult to make oneself believe that the man
wdio writes in these terms of a most important department of
our army can be really sincere. Certainly, to those who
know how7 this most essential division of the army veterinary

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

385

the surface was frequently applied a powder consisting of
Lapis Caliminaris, Resina Flav. et Bol Armen., until the
synovia became thickened and less profuse. I then substi¬
tuted Sol. Zinci Fort, for the Tine. Ferri Mur.; and I am
happy to say my efforts were at last crowned with suc¬
cess. The horse is now removed from the slings, the
escape of synovia has ceased, and he can not only bear his
whole weight upon the injured leg, but walks very little lame.
I have no doubt, after the application of an iodine blister, the
usefulness of the animal will be unimpaired.

ON SOME OF THE DISEASES OF THE RESPI¬
RATORY ORGANS OF THE HORSE AND
OTHER ANIMALS.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., London.

[Continued from p. 216.)

THE VARIOUS NOISES PRODUCED DURING RESPIRATION
UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

No attempt has ever been made to convey by words an
idea of the sounds naturally resulting from the inhalation
and exhalation of the air while the respiratory organs are in
a healthy condition. That a certain sound accompanies the
act, and that during respiration under exertion that sound
amounts to a very decided noise, is a fact perfectly familiar
to every one, but the absence of any artificial sound of a like
character with which to compare it, renders it impossible to
employ a term which would indicate it with any approach
to exactness.

Alterations in the character of the respiratory sounds
resulting from disease are no sooner apparent, than we are
at once in a position to designate the tone produced in a
manner calculated to convey to the mind a very positive idea
of its nature; thus, “grunting,” “whistling,” and “roaring,”
three most common expressions among horsemen, are so
absolutely descriptive of actual sounds, that any one would
comprehend their force, without knowing or thinking any¬
thing of their application.

Other expressions of a less definite signification are used
to indicate peculiar modifications of sound — as high-blowing,
piping, and fluttering. None of the terms are remarkable

386 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

for their elegance, some of them the professional man would
hardly care to introduce in writing his certificate, but, un¬
fortunately, there is no remedy. A general expression,
signifying unnatural noise in breathing, might be com¬
pounded from the classics, and would have the advantage of
a sonorous victory over the vulgar words whose places it
would usurp, but it is much to be feared that the public
would not be satisfied with the innovation. To state to the
expectant owner of the horse under examination that the
respiration was cacophonous might excite in his mind grave
apprehensions for his animal’s life, or even originate a doubt
of the examiner’s sanity at the time, according to the mental
calibre of the individual who sought the opinion, but it
certainly would not suggest to him whether the horse was a
whistler or roarer.

With some members of the profession it has been a ques¬
tion whether the employment of one term — for example,
“ roaring” — as the least objectionable of any, would not suffice
to indicate an unhealthy sound, without further specification.
Practically, this would not succeed, because every one pos¬
sessing an animal so affected is anxious to know the exact
degree of the noise produced, whether whistling or roaring,
and, above all, whether the horse “ grunts.” In spite, there¬
fore, of the technical objections to the use of the ordinary
terms, it is impossible to substitute for them others which
might better suit the educated taste ; the words are appre¬
ciated by the people to whom, in the nature of things, they
are most commonly addressed, and the attempt to banish
them would only lead to hopeless confusion.

Difference of opinion, so frequent among scientific men
upon all questions, would seem hardly possible in a case of
roaring or whistling, or any of the unnatural noises occa¬
sioned by certain conditions of the breathing organs ; but as
if to prove beyond all doubt the truth of the adage, “ doctors
differ/'’ we meet with instances of competent judges arriving
at different conclusions, not only respecting the nature of the
noise, but as to its existence. When the sound is very slight,
it is easy to understand how a very delicate ear may detect
what may altogether escape a less sensitive one. Again, the
noise may be audible only when the animal is moving at a
certain rate ; its cause may be temporary, and hence, although
distinguishable at one time, it may not exist at all at another.
A careful consideration of the peculiarities observed in par¬
ticular cases may suggest a reasonable explanation of the
differences of opinion that undoubtedly exist, and, at the

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 387

same time, show the necessity of extreme caution in arriving
at a decided conclusion.

The tubes of the respiratory organs, during the passage of
the air to and from them, are precisely in the position of the
pipes of an organ, through which wind is driven by a certain
mechanical arrangement; the sounds produced depend upon
the calibre of the tubes, and also upon the character of the
internal surface, any irregularity or flaw leading to an altera¬
tion in the tone. In whatever part of the length of the pipe
the sound is originally produced, it always seems to occur at
the point of exit; so in the case of a roarer or whistler, the
noise is apparently in the nostrils, even though its origin
should be in the bronchial tubes; this circumstance renders
it impossible to decide upon the situation of the disturbing
cause, even when the noise is most apparent, and prevents
the application of remedies which might be effective in many
cases could the exact situation of the disease be discovered.

Numerous causes may at various times operate in the pro¬
duction of roaring or whistling. Anything interfering with
the size of the tubes, any disturbance of the position of the
cartilages of the larynx or trachea, deposits upon the mucous
membrane in any part of its course, pressure from accidental
tumours in any part from the commencement of the trachea
to its termination, will, by modifying the vibrations of the
atmosphere in the tube, alter the character of the sounds
produced.

In one case of an ox, a tumour in the pharynx pressing
upon the side of the larynx occasioned the breathing to be
carried on with a loud noise, which seemed to result from
obstruction in the nostrils. Sometimes the breathing sud¬
denly becomes difficult, even to the extent of threatened
suffocation, from which the animal is saved in a short time
by the application of a powerful counter-irritant to the throat.
Such instances are probably caused by partial closure of the
glottal opening from spasmodic muscular action ; this view is
strengthened by the fact of the distressing symptoms being
intermittent in some cases, while in others they suddenly
cease altogether. Cases have recently occurred, in which the
symptoms were so urgent that the performance of tracheotomy
seemed to be the only plan for preserving the animals, but
where counter-irritation proved so effective that the breathing
became perfectly tranquil in a few hours.

Organic disease of the muscles of the larynx, or constric¬
tion of any part of the cartilaginous structure, will of neces¬
sity produce permanent derangement of the respiratory
function; recent disease will cause, probably, a temporary

388

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

disturbance, while a third condition, that cannot be defined,
will lead to the production of occasional noises or sounds
made only under peculiar circumstances ; to these may be
added certain other sounds, which are the result of habit, or
under the influence of the animaFs will.

Under the comprehensive classification of cc abnormal
sounds in respiration,” we have, therefore, to notice four
distinct divisions, which will include — 1, animals suffering
from recent disease of the respiratory organs, causing certain
sounds during respiration under exertion ; 2, animals whose
breathing is attended with unnatural noise only upon occa¬
sions or under certain conditions; 3, animals whose respi¬
ration under exertion is invariably attended with abnormal
sounds, consequent upon permanent organic derangement;
and, 4, animals that make certain noises in respiration as
the result of habit, or in the exercise of their volition. These
divisions will probably include all the peculiarities of sound
met with in the examination of the respiratory capabilities of
the horse, in reference to which the most rigid scrutiny is
usually required. The separate consideration of each section
may assist in the establishment of what is much needed — a
uniform method of examination and classification.

TEMPORARY NOISES RESULTING FROM RECENT DISEASE.

Depending upon the extent of the attack and its acuteness,
will be the nature of the sound emitted during respiration.
We shall, at different times, observe all possible variations,
from the crowing respiration, resulting from laryngeal ob¬
struction, down to the slight whistle observed commonly when
the horse is exerted while affected with a simple cold.

So long as any decided noise is made in the act of breathing
while the animal is at rest, it is evident enough that an acute
cause is present, and any question of soundness does not
occur; but in numerous instances, where the breathing at
rest is perfectly natural, the slightest exertion will be followed
by the occurrence of abnormal sound, either whistling or
roaring, but most frequently the former. Sometimes it will
be apparent in the trot, sometimes a canter will be necessary
to elicit it, and even it may be a sharp gallop. During the
exertion the animal may cough, or the subsequent examina¬
tion may detect soreness of throat, and at once afford an
explanation of the unsoundness. Technically, it certainly is
important to distinguish between such a case and one where
the absence of all evidence of recent disease renders it
probable that the animal is permanently unsound. In com-

SHOEING OF OUR CAVALRY HORSES. 391

surgeon’s duty is executed, it may appear as no more than a
joke thoughtlessly got up to tickle the mental palates of
those excitable patrons who are always haunted by some
public disaster, or one of those characteristic, sensational,
wide-sw’eeping, and haphazard assertions made without suf¬
ficient care or data, and quite independent of facts. But to
the many who crowd beyond this enlightened circle, it must,
indeed, appear a most lamentable and reprehensible state of
affairs, and one so productive of great public loss, as to call
for instant investigation. And not only will it wear this
aspect, but it will also tend to the belief, that while the
veterinary art has been advancing in the civil world, in the
military it has, in this respect, remained stationary since
the infancy of our noble and humane profession.

Let me assure those, however, that such is not the case ;
that these alarming assertions are quite without foundation ;
that the principles which are published, and which guide
and give uniformity to the system of army horse-shoeing are
as perfect as the present state of the art w ill admit, and if
they owe their introduction to the talented pioneer of British
veterinary surgery, they prove that he does not merit such
obloquy or utter condemnation, and that he was not a whit
behind those who now so severely do honour to his labours.

The number of horses rendered unserviceable from shoeing
in the army is, 1 have every reason for asserting, infinitely
small, and to my certain knowledge fewr, if any of the cases are
either preventible or curable by the better system of shoeing
which the writer inculcates. The regimental veterinary
surgeon is responsible for the shoeing of the horses entrusted
to his care, and though an adherence to the established regu¬
lations is strictly enjoined for the sake of uniformity, and to
guard against the pet vagaries of the inexperienced , yet a lame
horse is a medical case, and can be treated as such. So that
to preserve efficiency and avert loss, when horses require a
particular description of shoe, or a modification in the method
of applying it, the veterinary surgeon is permitted to exercise
his judgment either in the prevention or cure of lameness,
and that within no prescribed limit. From month’s end to
month’s end I have not a single case of lameness caused by
shoeing, in a corps of nearly four hundred horses, and many
of the animals have been twelve and fourteen years in the
ranks, and yet have beautiful feet. In regard to this, I should
not like to consider my regiment at all an exceptional one.

But I trust I have written enough on this subject to call
attention to the injustice that may be inflicted on a class of
men, or on a system, by random assertions, which will not

392 STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION.

for a moment bear investigation, but which might be credited
by those who have not opportunities for getting at the truth ;
more especially might these statements be received as well
founded by our continental brethren, and it is to them espe¬
cially that I would desire this more favorable side of the
picture to be shown.

THE STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE
VETERINARY PROFESSION.

By T. Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., President of the Lancashire
Veterinary Medical Association, Manchester.

Gentlemen, — I have been induced to forward you the
following communication, and ask you to give it a place in
your forthcoming number, in consequence of some remarks
which were made, at the annual dinner of the profession, on
the necessity of co-operation. Provincial Associations, and
the education of the pupils at our Veterinary Schools.

It having been my lot to have had a good deal to do with
Provincial Veterinary Medical Associations, I beg to bear
my testimony to their thoroughly practical utility. I believe
them to be sound in principle, and that their prospects are
very encouraging indeed. Such associations have brought
me into contact with very many members of our profession,
gentlemen who have been for a great number of years dili¬
gently and unobtrusively pursuing their scientific calling.
It may indeed be said that ever since they graduated at
the Veterinary College they have gone on acquiring and
storing up much valuable knowledge, and have thus be¬
come eminent practitioners ; but I find that many of them
object in the most strenuous manner to the notion or system
of making the knowledge they have acquired common pro¬
perty. They will neither record their views in the Veteri¬
narian, nor will they place them by a viva voce description
before our associations. The reason assigned for this is that
their knowledge will fall into the hands of the common
farrier, the groom, and the uneducated blacksmith, to employ
it to their own advantage.

Thus the profession is deprived of means which, being
derived from accumulated knowledge and experience
no one can doubt, would greatly enrich veterinarv
science. Press these gentlemen, and they will say “no”
a thousand times over. Whatever knowledge I may

STATE AND PROSPECTS OP THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 393

possess — each will say — having acquired much of it by my own
application and industry, it shall sooner go down to the grave
with me than it shall be handed over gratuitously to the unedu¬
cated man, who will by its use do all he can, in his own un-
courteous, bigoted, ignorant manner, to take the very bread
out of my mouth ; and moreover who is by law permitted to
call himself a veterinary surgeon, and thus claims to stand
upon an equality with myself. Abolish this very censurable
state of things, and then all the knowledge I may possess I
will freely make known to my veterinary brethren.

Now I would respectfully ask, Is not this feeling very
generally expressed in the provinces ? How much our pro¬
fession suffers from it none can tell. This spirit of itself
tends to check all interchange of acquired knowledge. It is
a universal clog upon the onward progress of our profession*
It is a state of things which certainly ought not to be per¬
mitted to exist. We are not faithful to ourselves- — to our
common profession — or even to society, if we do not become
more in earnest in this matter, and not rest until we
obtain all the powers that are necessary to secure the full
benefit of our own individually acquired or developed know¬
ledge.

I cannot find words sufficiently strong to convey my
warmest thanks to our late President for his great and valu¬
able services towards the attainment of this object. I fear,
however, there is at present too much apathy in the profession,
and even in the Council; but if they have been slow to un¬
derstand their own interests, 1 trust they will not permit his
exertions to be barren of results, but prosecute the Bill
— which I fully believe to be a wise, just, and beneficial
measure — to a successful issue.

Much also has been said upon the subject of education,
and although it is the custom to say the Council has nothing
to do with the education of the student, I am of opinion that
time has demonstrated the fallacy of this, as it has proved the
error of the prophecy that education would tend to ruin the
labouring classes. Is it not a matter of fact that education
does not make the labouring classes above their place ?
Education gives dignity to labour, enlightening the labourer
and making him a more apt, skilled, and useful, and conse¬
quently a more valuable member of society. As such he is
worthy of a higher rate of pay than the uneducated and un¬
skilled man. Let me here point out the rapid and gigantic
strides education is making, and has made of late years
among the masses of society. The agriculturist is now
an educated man. There is scarcely to be found one who,
xxxvii. 26

391 STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION.

like the true “ clodhopper 99 of old, is unable to distinguish
between ignorance and knowledge in our profession, or
between the presumptive man groping in the dark and the
enlightened practitioner. I entertain some strong opinions
upon this point ; I view it in its broad and common bearing
upon mankind generally. The relation in which our own
profession stands to society is unmistakably a peculiar
one. This fact has been confirmed by many a w7riter and
speaker. The good results of our labours as a body, or as
individuals, are valuable and useful only in proportion as we
are successful in practice, and this again depends almost
entirely upon the soundness of our knowledge of disease.

I come now to another subject. I fully agree with much
that has been said upon the question of a preliminary exami¬
nation of the students. I feel I cannot too highly applaud the
sentiments of some of our teachers, who have expressed
themselves in favour of a preliminary examination; not one
to test the pupil's knowledge of Latin and Greek, but
into the soundness and the extent of his English
education. In this sense I believe the Council and the
profession generally will agree, and be unanimously in
favour of such a preliminary examination of the student.
The conviction in my mind is, that to keep a youth at school
until he is nearly twenty years of age, for the purpose of
making him acquire a knowledge of all the higher branches of
a classical education , and then sending him to a veterinary
College, is in many cases a mistake. I believe that at least
some part of such an education actually tends to unfit him to
become a plodding and useful veterinary surgeon. Much of the
time thus spent would be more profitably employed in his
obtaining a practical knowledge of the profession he is to
follow. It is a fact that many of our best and most success¬
ful practitioners, highly respected and even educated as they
may now be, were previous to their having obtained their
diploma men of limited education. Whatever difference there
may be among us on this point, there is one at least on which
we are all unanimous, and that is, that the time spent at
college as the sole means of acquiring veterinary instruction
is absurdly and ridiculously short. To remedy this I would
strongly urge the necessity of a previous apprenticeship,
and even to this I would add an extended period of college
instruction.

In respect to veterinary empiricism, I would remark that
whatever be the amount of practical knowdedge an empiric
may have acquired, it is oftentimes used erroneously. In
every such case he is a dangerous man, and what is more he

INTUS-SUSCEPTION OF THE CASCUM.

395

will continue such so long as he is kept in ignorance and
grovelling in the dark. Society is all the time sustaining an
unknown amount of injury from a cause of this kind. Now
if this evil be admitted, and I believe no one will deny it, then I
say it is plainly our bounden duty to devise a remedy. These
very sentiments I urged upon the attention of the profession
in a paper in the Veterinarian , twenty-two years ago, and now
being more confirmed in their soundness, I would say if the
veterinary empiric is to be allowed to practice at all, if he
really is irrepressible and must be tolerated — a conclusion I
for one can by no means agree in — then in that case make
him as useful a member of society as you can. Allow
him free access to sound views and correct principles. It has
not been yet proved to me that the empiric by obtaining a
diploma becomes either a less useful or valuable member of
society. Indeed the fixed impression on my mind is, that
unless all men intending to commence practice should choose
to embrace the opportunities thus placed within their reach,
they should be by law prohibited from practising altogether.

I am, &c.

To the 'Editors of the ‘ Veterinarian /

INTUS-SUSCEPTION OE THE C^CUM IN A

HORSE.

By Charles Dayus, M.R.C.V.S., Longnor, Salop.

At midnight on Monday, the 28th of March last, I was
requested to visit an aged cart-horse, seven miles from this
place, said to be suffering from “ gripes/5 On my arrival I
learned that the animal had been ill since the previous day,
Sunday, and that some antispasmodic medicine had been
given at intervals during Monday. The symptoms had not
appeared of a very acute nature, which I suppose accounted
for the owner’s comparative little anxiety about him. On
my arrival I found the horse standing ; pulse a little in¬
creased in frequency ; visible mucous membranes slightly
reddened ; breathing undisturbed, and the extremities rather
cold. He turned an anxious look at times to his side,
which, with a shuffling of his feet from place to place, indicated
some abdominal pain. Believing at the time that the
case was one of indigestion only, I gave a stimulant com¬
bined with a fair dose of aloes in solution, threw up an
enema, and had the abdomen rubbed with mustard. After a

398

INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE CAECUM.

short time I left, giving directions for the enema to be repeated
at intervals, and promising to attend again the next da}r.

29th, 4 o’clock, afternoon. — My patient since I last saw
him had been lying down a good deal, apparently suffering
more pain ; otherwise the symptoms varied but little from
those observed the previous night. As no action of the
bowels had taken place, and as the pain seemed rather more
acute, I gave —

Liq. Am moil., ^iij ;

Spt. Ether. Nit., sjiss ;

Tinct. Opii, sj ;

01. Croton., gtt. xv. Et. haust.

I also gave instructions for the enemata to be continued,
and the mustard cataplasm to be repeated. As I believed
that my chance of success depended upon an evacuation of
the bowels, I also left a draught similar to the last, with
the exception of the croton oil, to be given if the pain
increased before I saw him next day. I did not consider it
necessary to exhibit any quantity of medicine .from time to
time, but to wait patiently for the effect of that which had
been given.

30th, 3 in afternoon. — Bowels acting very freely, extremities
cold, pulse 80, and scarcely to be felt, breathing accelerated,
and the visible mucous membranes of a pallid hue. I should
remark that since the attack the animal had only eaten a
very little bran mash, but would drink rather freely. I
thought that some of the symptoms observed to-day might
depend upon the action of the medicine, which was rather
violent. I ordered the extremities to be hand rubbed, the
surface of the body kept as warm as possible, the enemas to be
discontinued, and a little warm gruel given occasionally.

31st, 10 a.m. — Purging not so violent; abdominal pain
less, and altogether the animal appeared better, but he takes
no food. Continue giving gruel.

From this time to Monday, April 4th, the acute symptoms
seemed to abate, the pain especially not being so great, but
as there was no disposition to partake of any food, and the
pulse had not assumed a natural tone, I gave a guarded
opinion as to the result.

April 3th. — The animal is to-day in more pain, his bowels
are acting, and he lies down a good deal, which he has not
done since Friday. Gave in draught — -

Tinct. Opii, 3J' ;

Liq. Ammon., ^iij ;

01. Terebinth., §j. J

INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE CAECUM.

397

A blister was also applied to the abdomen.

I now gave a decided opinion that there existed some
organic lesion, the precise nature of which it was difficult to
determine, and that there was but little hope of his ultimate
recovery.

6th. — The symptoms are about the same. He lies quietly
stretched out at full length, with extended limbs, but now
and then raising his head and casting an anxious look at his
side.

8th. — Little or no alteration. The bowels not having re¬
sponded since the 6th, I gave 01. Lini Oj.

10th. — I was informed that he continued in the same state
throughout yesterday, lying down nearly all the time. He
drinks a little gruel at times. His bowels are moved and he
urinates freely.

11th. — On my visit I found a marked difference in my
patient. The pulse numbers 72, and is tremulous, the visible
mucous membranes are of a leaden hue, the extremities
cold, and the breathing much quickened. On pressing the
abdomen he experienced pain, as shown by the deep groans
which he gave. It was evident that dissolution was near
at hand, therefore on leaving I requested to be informed of
his death. He died next day.

With much interest I proceeded to make a post-mortem ex¬
amination, when I found that the caecum was inverted and had
passed as far as possible into the colon. Its coats were very
much thickened, and quite black in colour. The peritoneal
surface was coated with a thick layer of lymph, undergoing
purulent degeneration, and the interior of the viscus, as in¬
verted, contained a large quantity of whey-coloured fluid.
The part of the colon into which the caecum had passed was
considerably thickened and inflamed ; but the other portions
of the intestines as well as the stomach presented no marked
abnormal appearances. Both kidneys were somewhat en¬
larged, and the left contained a small quantity of a muco¬
purulent fluid. An old adhesion existed on the left side of
the chest.

This case will probably be interesting to your readers. To
me the fact of an animal living so long— eighteen days — with
such an important lesion, is both novel and instructive. The
circumstance of the bowels responding to medicine would
show that the opening of the ileum into the caecum could not
have been much obstructed, and therefore that the caecum itself
only caused a partial filling of the colon at this part.

A question suggests itself to the effect of the possibility of
a recovery in a case of inversion of the caecum. If an animal

398 INDIAN ARMY AND ITS VETERINARY SURGEONS.

can bear up for so long a time as this one did, may not the
caecum under such circumstances slough and life be pre¬
served?

I should be glad of any remarks from the members of our
profession upon this case, which they may be disposed to
make.

THE INDIAN ARMY AND ITS VETERINARY

SURGEONS.

Bv “Argus.”

4/

The veterinary surgeons of the Indian army have at last
unexpectedly been called upon to elect for general or local
service. Those who choose the former will become an
integral part of the British army, and be gazetted to Her
Majesty’s new line regiments of cavalry and brigades of
Royal Artillery; but the men who prefer remaining “locals,”
will not be employed with English troops. What then will
be done with them ? There are only five stud appointments,
the governor general’s body guard (natives), and the Lahore
light horse (half-castes), to afford employment to local service
men. I imagine about one third of the Indian veterinary
surgeons will volunteer for general service, and two thirds
remain as they are now. Why should not the latter be
posted to corps of Bengal (native) cavalry ? There are nine¬
teen of these regiments in the Bengal presidency alone, also
five regiments of Punjaub cavalry, and two of Central India
horse. Each corps numbers 500 rank and file, and all are
very well mounted. There is a “ salvatri,” or native vete¬
rinary surgeon to every regiment. These men are generally,
in fact invariably, old native farrier majors and farriers of the
now extinct Bengal light cavalry, who have been taught what
they know by the veterinary surgeons of the old Company’s
army. If the government deem it necessary to post an
assistant surgeon to each native corps, why should they not
give a veterinary surgeon also ? The subject has been
broached more than once, but, like many other improvements
necessary in our department in India, it has fallen to the
ground, because there has been no person to push it. I have
often heard people express their surprise that corps of
Bengal cavalry had no veterinary surgeons posted to them.
Should the principal veterinary surgeon at home assume the
control of the department in India, I feel certain that before

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 399

long we shall see men of our profession posted to these
irregular corps as assistant surgeons are now and have been
for many years. These twenty-six new appointments on this
side of India, and about twenty-four others in -Madras and
Bombay, would give employment to fifty additional veterinary
surgeons in the Queen's service, and materially increase the
importance of the army veterinary department. In the Royal
Artillery in India a large number of field batteries are with¬
out the services of a veterinary surgeon. I could at this
moment name twelve stations, at each of which there is a
battery of Royal Artillery without a veterinary surgeon,
either of their own or of any other service ! Surely this is
not as it should be ; if professional assistance be necessary
for one battery, it should be equally so for all. I hope the
veterinary surgeon general will ere long assume the reins of
our department out here and thoroughly reorganize it I am
certain he would soon rectify the above state of things if it
were officially brought to his notice.

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

By “ Mentor."

[Continued from p. 299.)

PROTRUSION OF THE RECTUM IN YOUNG PIGS.

During the months of December, 1855, and January and
February, 1856, protrusion of the rectum, particularly among
young pigs, prevailed, in the district in which I reside, to an
extent which would sanction the belief that the affection was
epizootic in its character.

The accompanying symptoms were severe cough and
feverish state of the system ; represented by a quick pulse
and respiration, partial, but in most cases total loss of appe¬
tite, and obstinate constipation. These symptoms were
associated with severe tenesmus, from which the inversion
seemed to arise.

In several instances the gut was gnawed by the companions
of the sty, so that death speedily took place. One case defied
all attempts to return the intestine, from excessive swelling.
Two large pigs were similarly affected, the protrusion, how¬
ever, only taking place during the paroxysm of cough.

The treatment consisted in returning the intestine as

400

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

speedily as possible, and passing a suture through the edges

oi‘ the sphincter ani.

The food, which had consisted of a fair proportion of
barley meal, was changed for a laxative and less nutritious
diet. Plenty of warm litter and comfortable housing was
enjoined. A dose of magnesia sulphas, with pulv. zingib.
was administered to each, and enemas of tepid water thrown
up, the rectum being cleared in the first instance. A free ery¬
thema appeared in the majority of the animals. When the
bowels responded to the medicine, and the appetite had re¬
turned, nitre, sulphur, and antimony were given in the food,
and all recovered.

In the most severe cases there appeared great soreness
of the body, which was increased by the cough. Pres¬
sure over the abdominal region gave intense pain ; and to
mitigate the effects consequent upon the paroxysms of cough¬
ing, the suffering creatures would lie at full length, with the
legs stretched out to allow of the abdomen being brought in
contact with the ground.

INVERSION OF THE VAGINA IN A SOW.

A young sow had completed the process of parturition,
when the owner found a “ large ball” as he termed it, behind
the animal, and judging it to be the ({ pig bed my attendance
was requested.

Before I could arrive at the place, distant about six miles,
the sow had rubbed and pressed the hind parts against the
brick walls of the loose box in which she had been placed,
thereby injuring the organ very much. In addition to
this, a stupid fellow had moved her from her pigs and placed
her with another animal about her own size, which took oc¬
casion to chase the poor creature round the sty, and lay hold
of the protruded organ, to the further increase of the injury.

On examination, the vagina was found to be swollen, fear¬
fully lacerated, blackened, and cold. The intestines were
constipated, and therefore purgative medicines with aromatic
stimulants were given. The injured parts were well fomented
with warm water for some time, and afterwards sponged with
some spirits of camphor and tincture of opium. The hind
legs were then raised, and by careful manipulation the vagina
was returned in a few minutes.

A large bandage was next put on. Deriving its poin of
attachment from a collar round the neck, it extended over
the back to the perinaeum ; thence between the hind legs,
where, being divided into two portions, one was brought

RETROSPECTS OP VETERINARY PRACTICE.

401

up on each side, and firmly secured over the dorsal region.
A hole was cut in the bandage to admit the tail, and
also to allow of the evacuation of the bowels. The patient
assumed under the confined position the greatest composure.

I saw the animal twice during the two following days,
when all was going on well. The bowels were responding
to the action of the medicine, and. there being no signs of
re-inversion of the vagina, or of much systemic disturbance,
the bandage vras removed. Tinct. Arnica Montana dilut. was
left as an injection. The parts healed with rapidity.

In due course the young pigs were taken from her and
weaned, but she never showed signs of oestrum, and conse¬
quently was fatted and slaughtered about eighteen months
afterwards.

Pigs are generally considered very awkward animals to
have anything to do with, especially when the administration
of medicine is necessary. As fluids are always preferred for
the purpose, I have found the exhibition of them most easily
performed as follows : —

If the animal is a small one, let a person raise him by
means of the ears, to the extent of six inches from the
ground, holding the shoulders between his legs. If he is too
heavy for this, then secure him by the snout with a strong
cord having a slip knot, and draw him up to a strong post.

The medicine, being accessible, should be placed into the
mouth with an iron spoon, such as is used for culinary pur¬
poses, raising the head slightly at the time with the cord in
the left hand, the operator standing on the right side of the
beast. He will thus swallow each spoonful almost as fast as
it is given. I find the operation sufficiently expeditious
without giving too much, that is, more than two spoonfuls
at once. Holding the head too high, and giving medicines
in large quantities and too quickly, especially when the
animal is screaming and resisting all efforts, are fertile
sources of choking.

Attention to these simple facts has been the means of
saving the pig of many a poor cottager, whose thanks and
gratitude for the recovery of his “ live stock 39 have been
testified in a hundred ways, far more tangible than actual
payment.

LACERATION OF THE RECTUM AND VAGINA OF A MARE,
AT THE TIME OF PARTURITION.

A valuable bay cart-mare, upwards of sixteen hands high,
six years old, had given birth, during the night of the 1 1th,

402

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE.

or morning of the 12th April, 1859, to a fine colt, which was
found by the attendant dead, from being strangulated by the
cord and placenta becoming twisted round its neck. My
attendance was requested, to report on the unnaturally
swollen state of the external genital organs and rectum,
accompanied by extreme difficulty in voiding either faeces or
urine. The circulation was considerably increased, accompa¬
nied with other symptoms of a febrile character, loss of appe¬
tite, &c. Immediately the parts were touched the mare com¬
menced to strain violently, during which she groaned severely.
The vagina was inflamed and tender; and being nearly
closed by the swelling, rendered an examination of a difficult
nature. Upon the hand approaching the meatus urinarius,
a small quantity of scalding, high-coloured urine escaped,
but the bladder could not be thoroughly evacuated without
having recourse to the catheter. The haemorrhage had been
considerable, as the bedding was greatly stained, and large
clots of blood were found in the manger and elsewhere. Large
clots also escaped, with renewed haemorrhage, on exploration
of the passage, which showed that the roof of the vagina was
torn in a longitudinal direction to the extent of three or
four inches. The rectum immediately above the rent con¬
tained a large quantity of hardened pellets of faecal matter,
which appeared only separated from the hand, as it were,
by a thin stratum of tissue. With great care the pellets
were removed in the usual manner, when the floor of the
intestine also proved to be ruptured, but in an irregular
manner, the long axis of the wound being across the gut.
Not having witnessed such a case before, from the swelling,
extreme febrile excitement, and uneasiness of the animal,
with periodical straining and haemorrhage, my apprehensions
were of a very unfavorable character, and much more so on
the account that I could see little benefit was likely to result
from any particular mode of treatment, setting aside the
probability of an opening being established between the two
passages.

The treatment consisted in the administration of laxative
and sedative medicine, allowing a cooling diet. Enemas of
tepid water were regularly used to reduce the matter in the
bowels to a pultaceous state, and facilitate its expulsion. Tinct.
Arnica Mont, was applied to the parts.

Healthy suppuration commenced, and everything went on
satisfactorily, without even an untoward symptom of any
kind. The animal gradually recovered the power of evacu¬
ating the rectum. She was put to work in about a month.

It is necessary to state that the process of parturition had

RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 403

commenced six weeks sooner than was expected. The foetus
being unusually large, and the pelvis not sufficiently relaxed,
will probably account for the rupture of the organs named.
No signs of oestrum afterwards returned, and as the owner
particularly wanted her for the purpose of breeding, on
account of her good qualities, he disposed of her by sale about
twelve months afterwards.

FATAL EFFECTS OF TWIN IMPREGNATION AND HYDRO-

METRA IN A MARE.

The subject was an aged mare, whose racing career had
terminated, she having won golden honours. She was now
snugly located at (C The Paddocks’5 under special care, and
great expectations existed respecting her produce, she having
been served by “ Orlando” at Hampton Court.

As the time drew near for her delivery, her noble owner
requested my frequent attendance, in order that everything
both by way of assistance and precaution should be supplied
in case of need. Her extreme size was a subject of apprehen¬
sion as well as joyful anticipation, for whilst the existence
of two foals was supposed from an examination, still the
presence of a large quantity of fluid within the womb was
dreaded.

Her full time at length arrived without there being any
signs of secretion of milk, or relaxation of the pelvis.
From day to day a visible increase in her size had taken
place, which on measurement was now ascertained to have
reached to thirteen feet round the centre of the back and ab¬
domen. Symptoms of uneasiness resembling slight colic at
length came on, which were not relieved by medicine. The
abdomen grew so tense and hard, and in places pitted, that
I feared a giving way of the muscular parietes, and strong-
bandages were therefore placed around the body. These
being drawn too tight, the animal fell as stiff and rigid as in
death. She, however, recovered, and was assisted to rise.
After a time her sufferings appeared to be greatly miti¬
gated, as shown by calmness, absence of pains, and her
resuming the taking of food and drink.

She was left for the night, but early next morning I was
called to her, when an extensive rent was found to have
taken place in the right iliac region, from which the small
intestines escaped. The poor creature was fast sinking, and
as a humane procedure the carotid artery was opened.
Shortly after death a postmortem examination was made.
Upon opening the abdomen the uterus, excepting some

404

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

portion of the small intestines, was the only organ visible,
being of extreme dimensions, and very pale and flaccid ; it
was opened, when about twelve gallons of serous fluid
escaped, exposing Uvo colt foals thoroughly developed, but
dead, of course. Judging from their size, I should doubt,
even if hydrometra had not been present, whether parturition
would have been safely got over.

The tears of a good man flowed for his favorite ; others
have since flowed for him, and hearts have been rendered sad
at his loss.

✓

Facts and Observations.

Fatality among Ewes and Lambs. — We are informed
that the past lambing season has proved a very destructive
one to both ewes and lambs in many parts of the Lincoln¬
shire wolds. One correspondent writes that many farmers
have lost from 80 to 100 ewes out of flocks of 500, and that
several of them will not have more than 150 lambs from
this number of ewes.

The Lincoln and Stamford Mercury , alluding to the
subject, says that “the losses in parturition in a particular
district on the wolds, including Sw7allow, Croxby, Stainton,
Kirmond, &c., have been enormous. One farmer, we under¬
stand, from 400 ewes will not rear above 60 or 70 iambs,
and a collector of carcases at Swinhope, which is situated
nearly in the centre of the fatal neighbourhood, has had
brought in 40 to 50 dead ewes in a day. Fie has had
several hundreds of carcases pared for tallow.

Preventing Scab. — Australia. — We learn from the
Sydney Times that “ a bill to prevent the spread of scab has
been passed through both Houses, and will, it is expected, in
a few days become law. The colony is to be divided into
scab districts. In each district the sheepowners are to
appoint five of their number as directors ; these will appoint
inspectors, who will act in subordination to an inspector-
general of scab. The compensation for sheep destroyed is
not to exceed six shillings a head. To provide the means for
this compensation there is to be an annual assessment of £\
per thousand sheep.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

405

Number of Cattle in the United Kingdom. — As
far as can be ascertained, there are in the United Kingdom
nearly 8,000,000 head of cattle, thus distributed : — In
England there are something over 3,500,000; in Ireland,
2,250,000, and in Scotland there are about 1,000,000.
The total number of sheep is about 40,000,000; and the
total number of pigs, 4,300,000. The aggregate value
of that property, reckoning the cattle worth £10 a-head,
the sheep at £l each, and the pigs also at £l, was no less
than £121,800,000.

Exportation of Horses. — The number of horses
exported last year was 5,235, against 4,288 in 1862, and
2,954 in 1861. The export of horses to France seems
steadily extending, 2,178 horseshaving been shipped thither in
1863, against 8,985 in 1862, and 1,429 in 1861. The value
of the horse stock exported last year was £271*380, against
£267,956 in 1862, and £237,813 in 1861.

Statistics of Domestic Animals in France.— It
appears from official returns that there are, in round num¬
bers, 3,000,000 horses in the 89 departments of France,
400,000 asses, 330,000 mules, 10,200,000 horned cattle, of
which 300,000 are bulls, 2,000,000 oxen, 5,800,000 cows,
2,100,000 yearlings, 4,000,000 calves, 35,000,000 sheep and
lambs, of which 26,000,000 are merinos or half-bred; goats
and kids, 1,400,000; hogs above one year old, 1,400,000;
sucking pigs, 3,900,000.

Supposed Origin of the Petroleum in the Springs
of America. — Dr. A. Gesner believes the hydro-carbon to
be a product of the chemical action by which ligneous matter
is transmuted into coal. In some instances, he suggests,
animal matter may also have been the source. It is stated to
be derived from Silurian, Devonian, and carboniferous rocks.
The borings for it pass through each class, and as soon as the
oil-stratum is reached, an escape of carburetted hydrogen
takes place, oftentimes with considerable violence ; after
which the oil rises.

Dr. Dawson has found numerous remains of land animals
in the coal measures of Nova Scotia, and also reptiles and
insects in a fossilized tree.

The Cinchona Plant in Jamaica. — The annual
report of the island botanist, presented to the Jamaica
House of Assembly, contains some interesting information
relative to the experiment of cultivating the cinchona plant

406

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

in that island. In the autumn of I860 a quantity of the
seeds of this valuable plant was received, and by the month
of October of the following year the island botanist had suc¬
ceeded in rearing over 400 healthy plants, quite ready for
planting out. This was in the low lands, where the climate
proved too warm for the cinchona, and one half of the plants
perished. Subsequently they were removed to the mountain
region, at an elevation of about 4000 feet above the level of
the sea, and placed under artificial treatment, with the
happiest results. “In 12 months after, a plant of the red
bark {Cinchona succirubra ) had attained to the height of 44
inches, with leaves measuring 13 J inches long, by 8| inches
broad. The same plant, now two years old, measures six
feet in height, with ten branches, having a circumference of
stem [at base of 4\ inches. The Cinchona micrantlia (grey
barks), being of more slender habit of growth, have not
made so rapid progress ; the highest has attained to five feet,
with three branches. The leaves, however, are larger, and
measure 14 inches by 10 inches/5 Thus far the experiment
had proved eminently successful, and, if only properly
followed up, will, no doubt, lead to important results for the
island, where there is an abundance of land possessing all
the conditions favorable to the growth of the cinchona.
— West India Letter .

Veterinary Examination at Agricultural Shows.
— We have the gratification of stating that Professor Varnell
has been appointed the examiner of horses at the forthcoming
show of the Suffolk Agricultural Society. The meeting will
take place at Saxmundham, on Friday, July 8th.

The Nervous System in the Lobster has been
minutely considered by Dr. M. S. Clouston, who recently
published an elaborate paper, with two engravings, in the
Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. He says, in conclusion, that
a careful consideration of the minute structure of the ner¬
vous system of any invertebrate animal, such as the lobster,
shows us that histologically and physiologically the vertebrate
and invertebrate animals are nearly allied. In every essen¬
tial point the ganglia and interganglionic cord of the lobster
correspond to the spinal cord of the vertebrate, while the
cephalic ganglion is analogous both in structure and function
to the brain. The tendency to segmentation seen in both
kingdoms is most marked in the nervous system of the
invertebrate, because in this division the nervous system does
not form the centre round which all the other parts are

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

407

developed, as is the case with the spinal axis of the verte¬
brate. Such an examination makes us esteem lightly such
generalisation of the mere external form of the nervous
system as that made by Audouin and Milne-Edwards in the
Crustacea, as being only a prelude to a more natural and
scientific classification.

The Phenomena of Attraction and Adhesion,
as exhibited in solid bodies, films, liquid globules, &c., have
been lately investigated by Mr. Richard Norris. Mr. Norris
observes that solid bodies floating on liquids modify the
figure of the surface of the liquid ; pieces of tinfoil or greased
bodies depress the liquid around them, whilst other bodies ele¬
vate it, giving rise to small mounds of liquid bounded by con¬
cave lines ; likes attract likes, and repel unlikes, & c. He states
that the following experiments are arranged to show that
these effects of attraction are not peculiar to floating bodies,
and that the only requirement is that the liquid should
be associated with the bodies in which the movement occurs.
1. Let two balls of sealing-wax, or other material of greater
specific gravity than water, be suspended by hairs in such a
manner that they will both be partially immersed in water to
an equal extent, the points of suspension being at a little
distance apart, and the suspending hairs consequently
parallel. When brought within the proper range they will
attract each other in the same manner as the floating bodies.
In doing so they necessarily describe a small arc of a circle,
of which the suspending hair is the radius, and have, therefore,
not simply moved towards each other in a horizontal line,
but have been raised to a higher level. 3. Suspend movably,
by means of a thread passing over a pulley and a counter¬
balancing weight, a horizontal cork disc, from the under sur¬
face of which a drop of water is hanging. On a support
beneath, formed by three upright pins, place a small piece of
paper or thin glass, on the surface of which there is also a
drop of water. On depressing the disc until the two drops
of water touch each other, the paper or plate will be instantly
drawn up to it ; or, if the plate at the bottom be heavier
than the disc, the latter will be drawn down. 6. When a
soap bubble is allowed to fall on an irregular surface, such
as a piece of lint or flannel, it maintains its spherical shape;
but if a smooth surface, such as a sheet of glass, be brought
into slight contact with it, the wall of the bubble will be im¬
mediately attracted and flattened out upon it. In like
manner, when two bubbles come in contact by their convex
surfaces and cohere, the cohering surfaces become flattened,
and the bubbles in a group cohere by plain surfaces.

•108

THE VETERINARIAN, JUNE 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

ANNUAL MELTING OE THE ROYAL COLLEGE OE
VETERINARY SURGEONS.

In consequence of the unusual length of the subjoined
report of the Annual Meeting of the profession, and the
heavy demands made on our space, we are obliged to content
ourselves this month by merely laying the details of the
meeting before our readers without note or comment.
Hereafter we hope to return to this subject, and freely to
express our opinions thereon.

It was gratifying to find that more members than usual
were in attendance, and that everything passed off in the
most satisfactory manner.

Among those present were the President, W. Ernes, Esq. ;
Professors Simonds, Gamgee. The principal veterinary
surgeon to the army, J. Wilkinson, Esq. ; Messrs. J. Allen,
Hugh Anderson, H. T. Batt, E. Braby, T. P. Boughton,
J. Broderick, G. T. Brown, W. Burley, Michael Byrne,

B. Cartledge, E. Charles, W. Cooper, W. Dale, P. S. Dollar,

C. Dickens, J. Darling, J. Ellis, P. Ellis, T. H. Ford, B. C. R.
Gardiner, T. Greaves, E. Harrison, H. Hussey, D. Hinge,
M. E. Healy, W. Helmore, R. L. Hunt, J. Lawson, G. A.
Lepper, W. D. Lines, C. Lowe, D. M'Clean, T. W. Mayer,
P. Moir, J. Moon, J. Moore, J. Moore, jun., R. Mackinder,
W. Partridge, R. Pritchard, W. Pritchard, J. A. Rostron,
A. Rushall, E. R. Silvester, F. Spratt, H. Stanley, C. Steel,
S. Tremlett, G. Walters, Walker Watson, W. Wilson, S. H.
Withers, H. Withers, J. Woodger, E. Woodger, J. Woodger,
jun., and the Secretary.

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

409

Report of the Meeting of the Royal College of

Veterinary Surgeons.

The Twenty-first General Meeting of the members of the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons was held at the rooms
of the College, 10 Red Lion Square, on Monday, the 2nd of
May, William Ernes, Esq., President, in the chair.

The advertisement convening the meeting, and the minutes
of the previous general meeting having been read, the
Secretary read the Annual Report of the Council as follows :

The Council have to report that at its first meeting for the
year the following gentlemen were elected as officers of the
College, viz. : — W. Ernes, Esq., President; Messrs. M. J.
Harpley, C. Dickens, W. G. Goodwin, W. Aitken, Edwin
Harrison, and B. C, R. Gardiner, Vice-Presidents; and Mr.
W. H. Coates, Secretary and Registrar.

At a subsequent meeting of the Council, the committee
appointed last year to inquire into the status of the veterinary
profession brought up its report, recommending that a Bill
to be laid before Parliament, having for its object the im¬
provement of the position of the veterinary surgeon, be pre¬
pared; ^whereupon the Council appointed a special committee
to carry out the recommendation. A draft of a Bill was
accordingly prepared, entitled ‘The Veterinary Medical
Act/ which, having been laid before the Council and duly
considered, was submitted to the opinion of Mr. Garrard,
the legal adviser of the College, and was returned by him to
the Council in the following form :

Whereas, her present Majesty, by Royal Charter beariug
date the 8th day of March, in the seventh year of her Reign,
did for herself,' her heirs and successors, grant unto Thomas
Turner, and to certain other persons therein named, together
with such others as then held Certificates of Qualification to
practise as Veterinary Surgeons, granted by the Royal Vete¬
rinary College of London or by the Veterinary College of
Edinburgh respectively, and such other persons as respectively
then were and might thereafter become Students of the Royal
Veterinary College of London, or of the Veterinary College of
Edinburgh, or of such other Veterinary College, corporate or
incorporate, as then was or thereafter should be established for
the purposes of education in Veterinary Surgery, whether in
London or elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and which Her
Majesty and her successors should under her or their sigu
xxxvii. 27

410

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

manual authorise in that behalf, and should pass such exami¬
nation as might be required by the orders, rules, and bye-laws
which should be framed and confirmed pursuant to that
Charter, should, by virtue thereof, be members of and form
one body politic and corporate by the name of “ The Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons,” by which name they should
have perpetual succession, and a Common Seal, with full power
and authority to alter, vary, break, and renew the same at their
discretion, and by the same name to sue and be sued, implead
and be impleaded, and answer and be answered unto in every
Court of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and be for
ever able and capable in the Law to purchase, receive, and
possess to them and their successors any goods and chattels or
other personal property whatsoever, and should have full
power and authority to sell and dispose of any goods and
chattels or other personal property so to be by them, acquired,
and to act and do in all things relating to the said body politic
and corporate as fully and effectually to all intents, effects,
constructions, and purposes whatsoever, as any other of Her
Majesty’s liege subjects, or any other body politic and corporate
in Her Majesty’s United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, not being under any disability, might do in their re¬
spective concerns ; and Her Majesty did further declare and
grant that the Veterinary Art, as practised by the members of
the said body politic and corporate, should be thenceforth
deemed and taken to be and recognised as a profession, and
that the members of the said body politic and corporate, solely
and exclusively of all other persons whomsoever, should be
deemed and taken and recognised to be members of the said
profession or professors of the said art, and should be indi¬
vidually known and distinguished by the name or title of
Veterinary Surgeons.

And in the said Charter were contained certain regulations
for the conduct and management of the affairs of the said
Corporation.

And whereas it is expedient that such of Her Majesty’s
subjects as may from time to time require Veterinary Medical
aid should be enabled to distinguish the Members of the Koyal
College of Veterinary Surgeons from others who have not
passed the examination requisite for entitling them to become
members of the said College, and who are not members
thereof :

Be it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty,
by and with the advice of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by
the authority of the same, as follows :

I. — This Act may, for all purposes, be cited as the Veterinary
Medical Act.

II. — This Act shall take effect from the Eirst day of Octo¬
ber, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

411

III. — Any person, not being a Member of tbe said Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons, who shall, after the time ap¬
pointed for this Act coming into operation, take or use the
name or title of Veterinary Surgeon, or who shall falsely
represent himself to be a Member of the said College, or who
shall use any other name or title with intent to lead, or whereby
the public may be led to believe that he is a Member of the
said Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, shall, upon a sum¬
mary conviction for any and every such offence, pay a sum not
exceeding Ten Pounds, nor less than Five Pounds.

IV. — Provided, nevertheless, that this Act shall not affect
any person who shall, prior to the First day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, have assumed the name
or title of Veterinary Surgeon, and at the period last mentioned
shall be actually in practice as such.

V. — Any penalty to which, under this Act, any person is
liable on summary conviction of any offence, may be recovered
as follows (that is to say) : in England, in the manner directed
by the Act of the Session holden in the eleventh and twelfth
years of Her Majesty, Chapter XLIII ; and in Ireland, in
manner directed by the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851;
or any other Act for the time being in force in England and
Ireland respectively for the like purposes. And any such
penalty may, in Scotland, be recovered by the Procurator-
Fiscal of the county, or by any other person, before the Sheriff
or two Justices, who may proceed in a summary way, and grant
warrant for bringing the party complained against before him,
or them, or issue an order requiring such party to appear on a
day, and at a time, and place, to be named in such order ; and
every such order shall be served on the party by delivering to
him in person, or by leaving at his usual place of abode, a copy
of such order and of the complaint whereupon the same has
proceeded ; and upon the appearance or default to appear of
the party, it shall be lawful for the Sheriff or Justices to pro¬
ceed to the hearing of the complaint, and upon proof or con¬
fession of the offence, the Sheriff or Justices shall, without any
written pleadings or records of evidence, commit the offender,
and decree him to pay the penalty named, as well as such ex¬
penses as the Sheriff or Justices shall think fit; and failing
payment, shall grant warrant for the recovery thereof by
pounding and imprisonment, such imprisonment to be for such
period as the discretion of the Sheriff or Justices may direct
(not exceeding three calendar months), and to cease on pay¬
ment of the penalty and expenses.

VI. — Any sum or sums of money arising from conviction,
and recovery of penalties as aforesaid, shall be paid to the
Secretary for the time being of the said Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons, for the use of the aforesaid College.

VII. — Any person, being a Member of the Royal College of

412

llEPOitT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

Veterinary Surgeons, actually practising, shall be exempt from
serving on all Juries and Inquests whatsoever.

The time which was necessarily occupied in giving this
subject mature consideration, and in obtaining legal opinions
thereon, made it too late to bring the measure forward in
Parliament as a Private Bill; and therefore, rather than
postpone proceedings for another year, it was deemed desirable
by the President to take steps to introduce it as a Public
Bill ; and, in accordance with that determination, notice was
given in the House of Commons by the Hon. Member for
Evesham. The grounds for introducing it as a Public Bill
are as follows :

Pirstly. The object of this Act is to protect the public from
a deception practised on it by certain parties assuming the name
and title of Veterinary Surgeon, to which they have not the
slightest right or claim. This, by misleading persons in quest
of Veterinary Medical aid, is calculated at times to cause great
losses to the owners of live stock. To the Veterinary pro¬
fession it is of great consequence, not only in a pecuniary
point of view, but also as affecting the reputation of the pro¬
fession generally.

Secondly. The name of Veterinary Surgeon is of comparative
recent date, it having been introduced simultaneously with the
establishment of the Veterinary College, and was first exclu¬
sively assumed by those who had graduated at that establish¬
ment ; and the title certainly does not belong to persons wTho
have neither devoted time nor money to the acquirement of
Veterinary science. Moreover, there is no hardship in pre¬
venting persons who have not graduated from using the title, for
the Act would not affect those in actual practice at the time it
would come into operation. It is simply prospective, and
its effect would he to cause all future eandiuaces of the Vete¬
rinary art to study at one or other of the Veterinary Schools,
of which there are now three, and the establishment of a
fourtli is in contemplation.

Thirdly. Though Veterinary Schools have now been founded
above sixty years, the number of Veterinary Surgeons is under
1000, while that of Veterinary empirics is more than three
times this amount, evidently showing that the present state of
the Veterinary profession, if not stationary, is certainly not in¬
creasing with the population, and that unless something is done
to check this abnormal state of things. Veterinary Schools will
be very much at a discount. Veterinary Surgeons are now'
principally located in large towns, few commencing practice
in rural districts, on account of the opposition they have
to encounter from numerous empirics. These persons are
generally the first to attend the maladies of domestic animals,

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

413

and if the Veterinary Surgeon "be sent for, the case is hut too
often at that time beyond all chance of recovery, it having
been so long tampered with by the empiric. If, under these
circumstances, the Veterinary Surgeon prescribes, he is sure to
get blame, for should the patient recover, the empiric will
spread about that his treatment, and not that of the Veterinary
Surgeon, effected the cure ; or if, on the contrary, the patient
dies, which probably in nine cases out of ten he will, the empiric
will then say “ the Veterinary Surgeon had killed him; and
that had the animal remained under his care he would have
recovered.” In support of this assertion, the empiric has
twenty cases to quote, which he has cured, and which, in his
opinion, were worse than this one. But even graduated
members located in large towns are not free from this annoy¬
ance, for almost every shoeing smith has — if not Veterinary
Surgeon, at least Veterinary forge written on his sign-board —
lie thus professing to undertake to shoe and doctor horses,
and dispense horse and cattle medicines. For the same reason,
a boot and shoe maker might be considered competent to
medically treat his customers — than which nothing can be
more ridiculous.

Fourthty. It may be asked whether epizootic maladies
would have prevailed to the extent they unfortunately have,
had the Veterinary profession been on a better footing, and
more numerous ? It may be safely asserted that wherever
Veterinary Surgeons have attended, they have always devised
means of preventing the extension and the fatality of epizootics,
by recommending sequestration, quarantine , &c., while the
unscientific practitioner is far too slow in diagnosing the
malady, and is ever ready with his means of curing it.
Another important question is the cruelty from which un¬
scientific practice can hardly ever be considered free. The
Act for Prevention of Cruelty justly punishes for ill-using
domestic animals, but the Veterinary empiric may bleed them
to death, nauseate them with the most filthy nostrums, and
perform the most barbarous and useless operations with
impunity. The very names by which lie recognises diseases
are a proof of ignorance, as for instance, the braxy, the
gid, black quarter, quarter evil, and stricken. Even murrain,
which with him is a general designation for all maladies of an
infectious type, is of ambiguous meaning, being simply derived
from the Latin mori, to die.

Fifthly. Almost every country possesses laws which are more
or less stringent against Veterinary empiricism. In Prance it
is illegal for any one not having obtained a diploma to assume
the name of Veterinary Surgeon; the penalties are heavy — •
damages and interest to the aggrieved parties. In Belgium,
where Veterinary Schools are little more than a quarter of a
century old, a law— passed in 1850 — prohibits any one from
practising the Veterinary art who has not a diploma. In

414

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

Holland a similar law is in force. In Saxony it is decreed
that only those who possess diplomas as Veterinary Surgeons
have the right to treat the maladies of domestic animals. In
Bavaria also, no person can practise the Veterinary art
unless provided with a diploma. In the Grand Duchy of
Baden there is a decree against empirics, the penalties being
heavy fines and imprisonment. All the small states of the
German Confederation have enactments more or less severe
against Veterinary empiricism.

A similar law would he a great advantage to this country,
which it is to be remembered possesses the finest breed of
horses, cattle, sheep, &c., in the world, while to the Veterinary
Surgeon it would give that status to which he has a just right.

In the last Annual Report reference was made to the
course which the Council had taken with a view of obtaining
exemptions from serving on juries, &c., and of giving
practical effect to the obvious meaning of that part of the
Royal Charter which states that the members of the College
have the exclusive right to the title of Veterinary Surgeon
— a right which the large obligatory expenditure in money
and time entailed by a College education gives to the graduate
a fair and just claim. And a right which the public is clearly
entitled to demand on its part, and should have secured to
it, by such a well-defined line of demarcation as would
distinguish the educated veterinary surgeon from the mere
pretender.

The Council, actuated with a sincere desire to fulfil its
obligations to the body corporate, has, during the past year,
continued its earnest and anxious endeavours to arrive at a
favorable accomplishment of the task it had before it ; and,
although it has not lost the hope of ultimate success, yet it
has found the affair beset with great difficulty. Parliament,
influenced by the vast advantages which Continental nations
have derived from, firstly, educating and then protecting
veterinary surgeons, will, it is hoped, afford encouragement
to the profession whilst struggling for a national object.

The Council would therefore suggest that each member of
the College should take an early opportunity of ascertaining
the feelings of the members of Parliament who represent his
county or borough, and, if possible, secure their support in
the House of Commons when the Bill is presented ; and
they would further suggest that when he has had an inter¬
view with such members, he should communicate the result
to the Secretary of the College.

The Council regrets to have to announce that two important
members of the Court of Examiners have, during the past

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

415

year, tendered their resignation, viz., Mr. Quain and Mr.
Field. The vacancies thus caused have been filled up by the
election of Professor Ellis, of the University College Hos¬
pital, and of Professor Morton, late of the Royal Veterinary
College.

On the f Cattle Diseases Prevention Bill ' being introduced
into Parliament, the Council lost no time in appointing a
committee to watch over the interests of the College, and in
the event of inspectors being appointed, to take such steps
as would ensure, if possible, their selection from amongst
the members of the veterinary profession.

The Council has found it necessary to make alterations in
some of the bye-laws, and which have been duly sealed and
entered in the College records in accordance with the pro¬
visions of the Charter.

Copies of the new register have been sent gratuitously to
masters of hounds in the United Kingdom, in order that
gentlemen seeking professional aid might be able to ascertain
those who are members of the body corporate.

The number of deaths that have occurred during the past
year are, according to the Registrar's report, thirteen. The
Council desires to notice that the veterinary profession has
sustained a great loss by the death of Professor Renault,
Inspector of the Imperial Veterinary Schools of France — a
fact the Council deems it right to allude to, although
M. Renault was in no way connected with our English
institutions.

During the year ninety pupils have obtained the diploma
of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The museum has received some very valuable contributions
in the anatomical preparations which have been presented by
Messrs. Goodwin and Jex.

The financial statement is annexed. The balance in hand,
after defraying the expenses of the year, being £420.

By order of the Council,

W. H. Coates,

Secretary.

416

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

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REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

417

Mr. Brown. — In proposing tlie adoption of the Keport I hope
I may he allowed to make a few observations to the meeting.

The President. — Will you move first of all the reception of
the Keport? It will then be open for discussion.

Mr. Brown. — Then I beg to move that the Report be
received.

Mr. Wilson. — I beg to second the motion.

The President. — It will not be adopted at present. It will
only be received as the Keport of the Council. Until it has
been received you have no right to discuss it.

The resolution that the Keport be received was then put
and carried.

Mr. Brown. — I was about to suggest to the meeting that
the Council deserve to be congratulated upon the efforts
which they have been making, not only to educate the
veterinary surgeon, but also to protect him. It is gratifying
to observe, although we have not succeeded as yet in ob¬
taining those immunities which, as a profession, we have a
perfect right to expect from the legislature, that those efforts
will not cease to be made until we have obtained a Protection
Bill, making it penal to practise the art and science of
veterinary surgery without a proper license previously
received. It is not necessary to say anything upon the evils
which result from the absence of such an Act of Parliament.
They are patent to every member of the profession ; one can
only wish that they were more patent to the public. If I
may be allowed to comment upon the grounds that are stated
for introducing a public Bill, I think some exception might be
taken to this remark in the third clause of the report : — For
the same reason a boot and shoemaker might be considered
competent to medically treat his customers, than which nothing
can be more ridiculous. ; 1 Where arguments are advanced, one
is naturally anxious that the}’ should be perfectly sound and
logical. Experience has shown that there are always a
sufficient number of men ready to oppose a Bill, for what
reason it is sometimes difficult to understand ; therefore it is
incumbent upon us not to advance arguments which they
can easily upset. Now, unhappily for the reasoning in that
clause, the majority of veterinary surgeons are in a sense
boot and shoemakers. The question naturally stands in this
shape. — If the veterinary surgeon shoes a horse, why should
the man who shoes a horse not act as a veterinary surgeon ?
The illustration to which I have taken exception seems to
me to cut with equal force both ways. That there is a
necessity for the two being combined, for primary reasons,
in the present state of our practice, I do not doubt ; and I

418

REPORT OP ANNUAL MEETING.

think it would be very difficult to separate the trade of farrier
from the profession of veterinary surgeon. I do not cease to
regret th£ objectionable nature of the union, but under
present circumstances it appears to me to be almost indis¬
pensable. If I might trespass a little further, I would say
that while the Council is working for the benefit of the
profession, there is yet a great deal to be done by the pro¬
fession itself. It seems a sort of reproach that, considering
the number of members we have in London, there should not
be something in the shape of a central society of veterinary
surgeons. In Leeds there is a society, and in several of the
large towns of the kingdom ; and I have seen a report from a
society in Glasgow, apparently in a flourishing state. I
remember a year or two ago this subject was discussed
among the veterinarians in London, and the matter was
taken up so warmly in Glasgow that they wrote to us for
our rules, and founded a society before we even thought of
founding one here. I hope before long we may be able to
congratulate the veterinary profession upon the existence of
a metropolitan veterinary society.

Professor Gamgee . — Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I quite
feel with Mr. Brown that the objection he makes to the sen¬
tence in the report is well founded. It struck me on reading
it that a word or two might have been introduced to modify
that which may shock the eyes and ears of some persons. My
object in rising is to draw attention to a matter of serious
moment. Several years since, I believe I was the first to
show that the number of veterinary surgeons in this country
was quite inadequate. I was constantly addressed by mem¬
bers of my own profession in different parts of the country
as to what would become of the many veterinarians qualified
every year. “ What are you going to do with them? Fifty
every year from London, fifty from Edinburgh — the country
will soon be overrun with veterinary surgeons.” Instead of
the country being overrun, we find that there are still wide
tracks of it without veterinary surgeons. What I showed
several years back has been demonstrated by the statistics
collected through this College, namely, that empiricism has
flourished to an extent that we could scarcely have expected,
considering the progress of veterinary education during the
last twenty or thirty years. It is my impression that one
great cause of this scantiness of veterinary surgeons over
the country is that in districts where they are really most
wanted, they cannot, for a number of reasons that I need
not at the present moment assign, obtain a proper livelihood.
The way undoubtedly to strengthen the position of the pro-

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

419

fession throughout the United Kingdom is to secure, not
only that we have admirable veterinarians, but also that we
have for them a competent living. I need scarcely tell you
that although many men speak of the necessity of curing
the souls and of curing the diseases of men apart from any
pecuniary considerations, it is found essential, in order to
support the dignity and advance the usefulness of the medical
profession, and the same with the clerical profession, to secure
to them a good and substantial income. The standing of
professional men rises in proportion to the emoluments which
they receive. It is one of the grandest impulses we have to
exertion in this country. It is necessary, especially when
we find people flourishing in art and trade, that we should
have the means of an independent existence in order that we
should assert our rights and position throughout the country.
I therefore think, if I take this Report as a guide, that the
number of veterinary surgeons annually brought up seems
rather to he decreasing than increasing. It is evident that
we must aim at making each individual veterinary surgeon
so far superior to any empiric, that he may force himself on
the attention of the public ; and, I have no doubt whatever,
that if we can demonstrate that we are worth pounds,
shillings, and pence, that the pounds, shillings, and pence
will come. If cotton is worth the money, it soon reaches
our ports. If butter is wanted, pay for it, and butter comes.
If you will only pay for good veterinary surgeons you will
get them, but if you do not pay for them you cannot have
them ; I really take this view of the matter — you will say,
perhaps, not a very exalted view. Nevertheless, I feel that
there is much truth in it. I observe, for example, this year
that there are 68 new members of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons as against 90 last year. I unhesi¬
tatingly affirm that instead of 68 we ought to have 168
annually brought forward. I will tell you why. Not
probably that the full number of 1 68 would in the long run
be required. I believe they would, but possibly that number
would not be required to fill the gaps, and to supply the
wants of the community generally over the country. But,
as I have always insisted, we cannot expect, should we get
168 gentlemen to enter the profession annually, that they
will all remain with us ; we cannot expect that they will all
attain to the position of practising veterinary surgeons. The
public will exercise its right of selection ; the best will win,
and the weak will fall back. But you must remember that
the United Kingdom has yet to be supplied. Disorders are
raging to a frightful extent, and we cannot really spare a

420

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

single man, much, more provide for the hundreds and
thousands who are actually needed in Canada, Australia,
India, and in many other parts, with the progressive deve¬
lopment of agriculture and industrial pursuits. On the
subject of veterinary education, it is necessary that some
few words should be said. I believe the Council of the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons would do well —

Professor Simonds. — Pardon me, I think you are somewhat
out of order. The Council has nothing to do with the
education of the veterinary pupil.

Professor Gamgee . — We have a great deal to do with the ex¬
amination of the veterinary pupil, and that is what I am
coming to.

Professor Simonds . — Yes, with the examination, not with the
education.

Professor Gamgee . — With the examination. That is what I
am specially coming to. I am obliged to pass through one
channel in order to reach the other. I wish simply to state
that the veterinary colleges in this country, now three in
number in active operation, and one in embryo, are to a
certain extent actuated by motives which are familiar to eacli
of the four individually, and I trust the whole four may be
actuated by motives which relate to the general good of the
profession. There are difficulties in the way of the veterinary
colleges combining so as to secure that the educational
standing shall be elevated pari passu with the social standing
of the veterinarian. I believe the veterinary students of the
present day are better than the veterinary students of twenty
years ago. I believe that the veterinary surgeons that are
made in the present day are decidedly in advance. We are
not going back; but, as in every other profession, we are
getting a better educated class of young men. Naturally,
with a better material we can make a better compound ; and
undoubtedly the veterinary profession is rising. But in our
own sphere of professional education, unfortunately, the ad¬
vance is not such as it would be desirable to obtain. If I
may suggest one way in which the Council of this College
can probably aid in inducing a development in the system of
veterinary education itself — I cannot say that these changes
can be effected suddenly — but it would be by adopting a
system which has lately attracted very much attention in
the medical world, of having examinations for the elementary
sciences at one period, and examinations of a practical kind
at another period. I think it is fair to the veterinary student
that by the time he has successfully crammed his anatomy,
his chemistry, and his physiology, he should then have the

REPORT OP ANNUAL MEETING.

421

opportunity of being thoroughly tested in his knowledge of
those sciences, and perhaps tested in a more complete manner
than he is at the present day. He can then be left perfectly
free during the after period to work at practical subjects, and
then this College can efficiently test him upon these points.
I think the time has arrived when the students in our schools
can afford to pay the former fee of ten guineas for examination.
It was reduced to seven. I believe our students would as
willingly pay the ten as the seven. Then there could be no
difficulty in having an examination at one period which should
cost five guineas, and another examination at another period
which should also cost five guineas. That arrangement, in¬
stead of interfering with the income of the College, would
largely augment it. And it is essential, I think, in order to
secure an increase in the number of our students, and in order
to increase the prosperity of the College itself, that certain
departments of study should be added, departments of study
which are partially gone over, but which it is impossible,
without some extension of the curriculum, to grasp. At the
present moment, fortunately, the whole country is turning
its attention to sanitary questions, in which the veterinary
profession must play a most important part. The veterinary
surgeon will be needed now where he was not needed before ;
the veterinary surgeon, indeed, will have to look at diseases
in the lower animals from a totally different point of view — as
a comparative pathologist. In this sense he will find occa¬
sions where he will be raised to the level of the members of
the sister profession, where he can largely assist them and
largely co-operate with them, and advise them in a very de¬
sirable manner. The section which must be added to the
curriculum, and concerning which the Council must take
some pains to consider whether it will not be desirable to add
it to their Examining Board, is the section of Natural
History. I hold that if we proceed for the next four or five
years without very materially considering the desirability of
testing the knowledge of the veterinary student on such sub¬
jects as zoology and botany, we shall fail in doing that which
we owe to the country, and that which, indeed, we owe to
the schools ; because the schools will flourish in proportion
as the students are accomplished veterinarians, and prove
themselves useful throughout the kingdom. If you will
allow me to go on, for we have only one opportunity in the
course of the year of meeting and talking to each other, I
will crave your indulgence for a few moments longer. I
speak because I feel the great importance of these matters,
and because I feel, as members of the same profession, that

422

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

we have not the opportunity we ought to have to open our
minds to one another, and to talk over our ideas. On this
point of natural history I hold it absolutely essential that
the veterinary surgeon should have a basis of knowledge in
zoology, botany, and geology; not to be treated by three
different professors, but to be treated by a professor of
natural history. I notice constantly that veterinary sur¬
geons are incapable of grasping certain of the fundamental
ideas with regard to the distribution of diseases, because they
have not understood the laws which govern the geographical
distribution of certain geological strata, and the geographical
distribution of animals and plants. Now, I certainly know
from experience, from travelling, and from investigation in
different parts of the country, that if I go to certain districts
in Ireland I can there find special diseases of animals, and if
I go to certain districts in Scotland I can there find special
diseases of animals, not found elsewhere. People might live
for a century in London and never hear of certain maladies
which attack the sheep and other animals in this country.
I lived two or three years in Edinburgh, and never heard of
the existence of such a disease as the cripple or fragility of
bone, which I have been in the habit of describing in my
lectures as constantly occurring in central Europe. I never
knew that I should find it within forty miles of Edinburgh,
or that I should find it in certain districts in Ireland.
Again, you have the periodic ophthalmia of horses, which is
confined to certain districts. Why should we not see it in
Edinburgh, but find it always in Liverpool, in Dublin, and
in London? It is the same with the distribution' of animals
themselves. We have the Natterjack Toad in County Kerry,
and we do not get it in any other part of the country.
Unless we have a good foundation of natural history we
cannot understand this and other phenomena of the same
kind. But the value of the study of natural history starts
out in a remarkable manner when we consider the subject of
helminthology, relating to the internal parasites concerning
which so much has been learned of late years, and of which
so little is yet known by both the medical and the vete¬
rinary profession combined. I do not wish to put you
behind the medical profession in this respect. I was speak¬
ing to a member of the medical profession this morning, a
most eminent man, and he told me he was recently at Wol¬
verhampton, where individual medical practitioners confess
to having from two to three hundred cases of tape-worm
every year under treatment, without knowing it came from
eating measly pork. We have between one and two per cent.

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

423

of flesli-worm or trichinous disease in man, and if it is so preva¬
lent in man it must be equally prevalent in the lower animals.
There are also many points in comparative pathology to be
known, without which it is impossible to understand many of
the diseases in the lower animals. I have drawn attention and
Professor Simonds has drawn attention to it — that it is abso¬
lutely essential that botany, geology, and zoology should be
studied in a course of natural history ; until we do that we can¬
not expect veterinary surgeons can hold, with credit to them¬
selves, the positions which I hope they will very soon hold, as
inspectors of stock and inspectors of provisions throughout the
kingdom — positions which I trust will give them large emolu¬
ments, and positions which I trust will, in course of time, tend
to raise them in the opinion of their countrymen. I will not
now enter at length into these points ; I only wish to impress
upon your minds that it is expedient, in the first place, that
we should assert the importance of our profession by our
education ; and, in the next, that we should insist upon the
importance of our profession by pulling together, and having
numerous opportunities for discussion. I think what is done
in the Medical Council should be done here; that at our
monthly meetings, when important discussions take place, we
should have reporters present. We should then, in course of
time, attain to something like a general understanding as to
what is desirable and what is not. As to the past, veterinary
colleges have worked in one way, and veterinary surgeons
have worked individually in another. There has not been
that union which is strength. There has been no practical
way of bringing it about ; and the only way in which it can
be brought about is by our combining together under the
banner of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Since
1844 we have made but little progress, but I think we may
now have a starting-point for something better, and some¬
thing more durable.

Mr. Mayer. — It is gratifying to me, as one who has been pre¬
vented from attending many of these annual meetings of late
years, to find that the ground originally mapped out, upon
which the foundations of this College were to be founded, is no
longer, as it were, to be kept fallow ; and that the Council have
taken a step in the proper direction, by seeking to secure to
the veterinary surgeon those privileges which the founders of
thisCollege contemplated, and which have been too long allowed
to remain dormant. I quite agree with many of the remarks
which have fallen from the previous speakers. It appears to me
essential, in order to get well-educated men into the profession,
that they should have those rights and immunities which are

424

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

claimed in the sister profession. I am sure, as soon as you
secure these, that a better class of men will enter our schools,
and that a larger number will be found to enter. I may venture
to make one or two remarks upon the Report which the Council
have laid before us to-dav. The first remark that occurs to
me is, how far it will be judicious to legalise so large a num¬
ber of practitioners as now style themselves veterinary sur¬
geons ? The Report says that there are something like 3000
of them. I think it is quite right that any Act of Parliament
we may obtain should be retrospective, up to the date of our
deed of Charter of Incorporation; but it is only fair to the
members of the profession generally that the Council should
well consider and discuss how far it will be fair to legalise men
who have assumed our title since the Charter was obtained ;
I do not mean the title of “ veterinary surgeon/’ but the
title of “ Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Sur¬
geons.” There are many men practising in the country call¬
ing themselves members of the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons who are not members. A man may call himself a
veterinary surgeon, and a man may call himself a surgeon,
and there is no Act to prevent his doing so.

The President,— -By a recent Act a man cannot call himself
a surgeon now.

Mr, Mayer. — Another remark I wish to make is, that I
think it would be judicious in future reports to state what
alterations have been made in the bye-lawTs. It is not pos¬
sible for every member to have an opportunity at all times to
see the alterations that occur, and I think it is very desirable
that this information should be communicated to the profes¬
sion in the annual reports of the Council. With these few
remarks I beg to express my gratification at the steps which
are now proposed to be taken for the attainment of the original
intentions of the founders of the institution.

Mr. Helmore. — After so much that has been said, I shall
not detain you long with any remarks of my own. Mr.
Brown has called attention to the third reason given by the
Council why they seek this Act of Parliament. I was in hopes
he wras going to say more upon the subject, because, for my
part, I think the reasons are not such as should emanate
from a body of men possessing a Charter of Incorpora¬
tion. I will illustrate what I mean by quoting an extract
from the report itself. It says — “ These persons are
generally the first to attend the maladies of domestic animals.”
I must say that I do not find it so ; my experience goes to show
the contrary; and that is one reason why! object to the remark.
Then it says — If the veterinary surgeon be sent for, the

REPORT OE ANNUAL MEETING.

425

case is but too often at that time beyond all chance of re¬
covery, it having been so long tampered with by the empiric.
If, under these circumstances, the veterinary surgeon pre¬
scribes, he is sure to get blame.” I do not find that to be the
case either. This statement does appear to me to be ridiculous,
as well as contrary to fact. I speak with all respect for the
committee who were appointed by the Council to investi¬
gate the matter, and to report upon it ; still, it is so contrary
to fact, and I believe my remarks will be endorsed by every
gentleman present who has had any experience, that I object
altogether to the insertion of these reasons in the Report.
Again, it says — “ If, on the contrary, the patient dies, which
probably in nine cases out of ten he will.” Whether this is
the fact I do not know, but there are a number of men who
have not graduated at the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons who are able to do a little better than that, and
who are more successful in their treatment than is repre¬
sented here. Then it goes on to say — “ The empiric will then
say the veterinary surgeon had killed him, and that had the
animal remained under his care he would have recovered.”
All this kind of reasoning appears to me to be too trivial and
of too abstract a nature to be put into the statement of a
legalised professional body, as a ground for seeking the privi¬
lege of an Act of Parliament.

The President . — That is one of the reasons brought forward
why the country should be provided with better veterinary
surgeons. When you say it is not the case that empirics act
in this manner, it may be that it is not the case in your neigh¬
bourhood. I know it is the case in the country generally. I
was the author of that statement, and I did not insert it
without a practical knowledge of the fact. I have been in¬
formed that in the far distant parts of the country, where
animals are attacked, the empiric is always the first to attend ;
that he keeps the animal in his hands two or three days ;
and after that, if the animal does not recover, the veteri¬
nary surgeon is sent for, and then the veterinary quack
runs from public-house to public-house, and from farm-yard
to farm-yard, and says, “ TheyTe sure to kill him, he is in
the hands of the vet.” I believe it is the case that if the
animal dies the blame is imputed to the veterinary surgeon ;
and if the animal recovers, the man says that it was through
his previous treatment.

Mr. Ilelmore. — If men are in that position they deserve our
warmest sympathy. Yet for all that, I do not think it is a
suitable reason, or that it is suitable language, with which to
approach the Government for an Act. It is one reason, it
xxxvii. 28

426

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

appears to me; why, as Professor Gamgee desires, the educa-
cation of the veterinary surgeon should be extended. By ex¬
tending the education of the veterinary surgeon, we shall
introduce into the profession a better class of men, who will
be able to contend with the empiric in the country. But so
long as the empiric, as he may he called, is thought by
gentlemen in the country who wish to employ the services
of a veterinary to be superior to any class whatever, so long
will empiricism flourish. The public will always have the op¬
portunity of selecting their own veterinary surgeons ; and by
raising the standard of education I think the end in view will
be accomplished. Before sitting down I should like to ask
one question — it is, whether gentlemen who come to the
Veterinary College, and do not pass their examinations,
are to be excluded from using the name of veterinary
surgeon ?

The President. — I can only give you this answer. In
France, without having any special law, a pupil may come up
to any of their schools for seven years; should he be rejected
on examination from year to year, and if at the end of the
seven years he fails to obtain a diploma, and should then
take the title of veterinary surgeon, the law is put in force
directly. He is not only punished for having assumed a title
to which he has no right, but he has also to pay damages to
the nearest veterinary surgeon who may think himself
aggrieved.

Mr. Helmore. — I might add that another reason why the
standard of education should be raised is because I believe
the proportion of successful candidates has been very great,
much greater than it was before, showing that the education
is making an advance upon the examination. I heard this
morning that thirty-seven out of thirty-nine candidates had
passed. That is certainly a proportion which did not obtain
in my days.

Mr. Mayer. — I believe there is no wish expressed that
persons should not call themselves veterinary surgeons, but
that they should not call themselves members of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The President. — That is the object of the Act. The style
and title of member of the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons is the one by which we go. It has been stated
just now that there are cases where people have assumed the
title of member of the College without having obtained a
diploma.

Mr. Brown. — May I mention an instance ? I have seen a
printed bill-head with a name which I am not going to

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

429

gentlemen have called attention. At all events, I hope we
shall soon be in a position as free and as secure as that of
the surgeon. I have much pleasure in moving the adoption
of the Report.

Mr. Moore. — If you read the Act exempting persons from
serving on juries, you will see it specifies the members of all
"chartered bodies.” When I was summoned some time
ago I pointed that out to the man, and I have never been
troubled about it since. Much has been said about the
education of the pupils. I think it is all beginning at the
wrong end. What would be the use of sending a lecturer to
savages? You find the farmer and other proprietors of stock
are not capable of distinguishing between the abilities of the
veterinary surgeon and the empiric. I say, first educate the
farmer so that he can understand the diseases of stock, and
then he will be able to distinguish between the veterinary
surgeon and the empiric. With this observation 1 beg to
second the motion.

Mr. Helmore. — Does Mr. Lines move that the Bill be pro¬
ceeded with ?

The President. — Allow me to say a word upon that subject.
The Committee gave themselves a vast deal of trouble, and
they laid their report before the Council. The Council at
first eagerly adopted it, and agreed to every clause in the
Bill, only making slight alterations. Then, for some reason,
I cannot tell what, the Council altered their opinion, and
seemed rather afraid of proceeding with the Bill. They said
they would have a legal opinion upon it, and that legal
opinion was obtained. But instead of proceeding with the
Bill, it was thought desirable to have another legal opinion,
which postponed the time for giving the Parliamentary
notices. I then took it upon myself to have it introduced as
a public Bill. There are reasons stated in the Report why it
should take the form of a public Bill ; but I do not expect it
will pass in that form. The notices should have been given,
and it should have gone in as a private Bill ; and if that had
been done we should have drawn up petitions, and have
pressed on the Bill as fast as we could, and then we should
have had a chance of success. But as a public Bill I do not
think the Government will take it up ; the reasons assigned
are not strong enough to induce them to adopt it as a public
Bill. As you are about to elect members of the Council in
the room of those who go out by rotation, I advise you to
elect gentlemen who will protect your interests. Unless
there is a little pressure from without upon the Council, I do
not think you will succeed in getting the Bill. Twenty

430

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

years have elapsed, and nothing has been done ; and if you
do not take the thing in hand and put your shoulders to the
wheel, nothing will be done for the next twenty years.
With respect to educating the veterinary surgeon, I would
remark that you will never have an educated class of veteri¬
nary surgeons until you secure them a respectable living.
You cannot expect a man with an education will attend your
Colleges and become a veterinary surgeon, to find, when he
goes into the country and has to contend with empirics, that
he cannot make more, perhaps, than £150 or £200 a year.
Now, this Bill is very moderate in its provisions; it interferes
with no one who is actually in practice ; but it says this — that
after the passing of this Bill, &c., thus a man having practised
without a diploma, the son cannot succeed him unless he shall
have obtained one. The restriction thus applied prospectively
would injure no one, and that is the Bill we ought to have
introduced, for I do not think the Legislature would have
the slightest objection to it.

The motion that the Report be adopted, was then put and
carried.

The President. — The next business is to elect the Council.

Mr. Wilkinson. — I have a word to say before you do that.
The way in which this part of the business is usually con¬
ducted is not satisfactory. I would suggest that you should
wait until all the names have been proposed, and then make
your selection.

Mr. Bale and Mr. Tremlett were appointed scrutineers.

The following was the result of the ballot :

Professor Yarnell .

. 35

Mr. R. Hunt

. 37

,, C. Dickens

. 28

,, T. Greaves

. 25

„ W. Pritchard .

. 23

,, E. Harrison .

. 11

„ W. Partridge .

. 5

Mr. J. Lawson

. 45

,, Geo. Brown .

. 28

,, J. Moon

. 27

,, J. Broad

. 24

„ W. Pield

. 18

,, R. C. Gardiner

. 9

The President declared the election to have fallen on Messrs.
J. Lawson, R. Hunt, Geo. Varnell, Geo. Brown, Charles
Dickens, Jas. Moon, and Thos. Greaves.

It was next decided by lot that Mr. Lawson take the place
of Mr. Jex, retired.

A vote of thanks to the President was carried by acclama¬
tion, for his kind and courteous conduct in the chair, after
which the meeting broke up.

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

431

The'annual dinner took place in the evening, at the London
Coffee House, Bishopsgate Street, the Presid ent in the chair.
The party was not so large as on some former occasions, but
it lacked no spirit of conviviality nor good feeling. The
festivities were kept up to a late hour, when all dispersed
much gratified with the occasion which had brought them
together.

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE CROONIAN LECTURE ON THE COAGULATION OF THE
BLOOD, DELIVERED BEFORE THE ROYAL SOCIETY,
JUNE 11, 1863.

By Joseph Lister, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.C.S.

( Continued from p. 318.)

It is a very curious question — What is the cause of the
blood remaining so much longer fluid in some vessels than in
others ? I believe that we must accept it simply as an ulti¬
mate fact, that just as the brain loses its vital properties
earlier than the ganglia of the heart, so the heart and princi¬
pal vascular trunks lose theirs sooner than the small vessels
of the viscera, or than more superficial vessels, be they large
or small. We can see a final cause for this, so to speak. So
long as the heart is acting, circulation will be sure to go on
in the heart and principal trunks ; whereas, on the contrary,
the more superficial parts are liable to temporary stagnation,
and occasionally to what amounts to practical severance from
vascular and nervous connection with the rest of the body ;
and it is, so to speak, of great importance that the blood
should not coagulate so speedily in the vessels of a limb thus
circumstanced as it does in the heart after it has ceased to
beat. Were it not for this provision, the surgeon would be
unable to apply a tourniquet without fear of coagulation
occurring in the vessels of the limb. As an illustration of
the importance of a knowledge of these facts, I may mention
a case that once occurred in my own practice. I was asked
by a surgeon in a country district to amputate an arm of
which he despaired. The brachial artery had been wounded,
as well as veins and nerves, and at last, being foiled with the
haemorrhage, he wound a long bandage round the limb at the

432

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

seat of the wound as tightly as he possibly could. It had
been in this condition with the bandage thus applied for
forty-eight hours when I reached the patient, and the limb
had all the appearance of being dead. It was perfectly cold,
and any colour which it had was of a livid tint. But
having been lately engaged in some of the experiments
which I have been describing, and having thus become much
impressed with the persistent vitality of the tissues and the
concomitant fluidity of the blood, I determined to give the
limb a chance by tying the brachial artery. Before I left the
patient’s house he had already a pulse at the wrist, and I
afterwards had the satisfaction of hearing that the arm had
proved a useful one.

One of the two arguments in favour of activity on the
part of the vessels as a cause of fluidity of the blood having
been completely disposed of, let us now consider the other
— viz., the rapid coagulation of blood shed into a basin,
appearing at first sight to imply a spontaneous tendency of
the blood to coagulate, such as would have to be counteracted
by the vessels. This, also, has proved fallacious.

In the first place, it appears that the coagulation, after all,
does not go on in a basin so suddenly as one would at first
sight suppose, but always commences in contact with the
foreign solid. When blood has been shed into a glass jar, if,
on the first appearance of a film at the surface, you introduce
a mounted needle, curved at the end, between the blood and
the side of the glass, and make a slight rotatory movement
of the handle, you see through the glass the point of the
needle detaching a layer of clot, whatever part you may
examine. The process of coagulation having thus com¬
menced in contact with the surface of the vessel into which
the blood is shed, may, under favorable circumstances, be
ascertained to travel inwards like advancing crystallization
towards the centre of the mass. It appears, however, that
this extension of the coagulating process would not take
place had not the blood been prepared for the change by
contact, during the process of shedding, with the injured
orifice of the blood-vessel and with the surface of the receptacle.
I have only very recently become acquainted with the remark¬
able subtlety of the influence exerted upon blood by ordinary
solids. I was long since struck with the fact, that if I intro¬
duced the point of an ordinary sewing-needle through the
wall of a vein in a sheep^s foot, and left it for twelve hours
undisturbed, the clot was still confined to a crust round the
point of the needle, implying that coagulum has only a very
limited power of extension. I thought, therefore, that by

REPORT OE ANNUAL MEETING.

427

mention, with “ Member of the Royal Veterinary College”
written underneath.

The President. — There may be an instance or two.

Mr. Brown. — It is the only one I have seen. It was so
exceedingly ingenious and so well done that I did not notice
it at first, although I had been in the habit of seeing the
print for some time. It did not state “ Member of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons,” but “ Member of the Royal
Veterinary College.”

The President. — I believe every student claims the right to
call himself a Member of the Veterinary College.

Mr. Brown. — Thatiswhat I want to ask Professor Simouds —
whether, on payment of an extra fee or anything of that kind,
persons are entitled to assume the title of Member of the
Veterinary College?

Professor Simonds. — A person entering as a pupil is not
entitled to call himself a member of- the College. The term
“ Member of the Veterinary College” was first adopted on the
occasion of a man passing the examination which theffiexisted
for the pupils of the school. Those persons who were incor¬
porated in the year 1844, as a whole, were either members of
the Veterinary College or members of the Scotch school.

Mr. Lines. — If we obtain an Act, may we not also claim
exemption from serving on parochial offices, which, I think, is
essential to the profession ?

The President. — In the first Bill which was prepared that
exemption was inserted.

Professor Gamgee. — The seventh clause is — “ Any person
being a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
actually practising, shall be exempt from serving on all juries
and inquests whatsoever.”

Mr. Lines. — That does not include parochial offices, such
as the office of overseer. It would be very inconvenient for
veterinary surgeons to have to attend to the duties of an
overseer.

The Secretary. — The clause in the original Bill was to this
affect : —

t( VII. — Any person who shall be a qualified veterinary
surgeon in accordance with the Charter, actually practising,
shall be exempt, if he shall so desire, from serving on all
juries and inquests whatsoever, and from serving all corpo¬
rate, parochial, ward, hundred, and township offices, and from
serving in the militia ; and the name of such person shall
not be returned in any list of persons liable to serve in the
militia, or in any such office as aforesaid.”

The President. — That was the original clause, but it was
altered by the Council.

428

REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING.

Mr. Helmore. — Unless some cause is assigned by the
solicitor, I think that clause had better be drawn in strict
accordance with the clause which regulates the College of
Surgeons and other bodies.

The President. — The solicitor did not strike it out. The
Bill is still before the body corporate, and the clauses are
still an open question. The Bill is not yet in the House,
and if it were in the House it might not pass. Therefore it
will come before the Council again next year, and any sug¬
gestions the body corporate may make will be considered.
There was also a clause put in exempting members of the pro¬
fession from the duty on horses, providing they had only one
horse in use. That clause, which is also in the Medical Bill,
was struck out by the Council. So far as the solicitor is con¬
cerned, he has only extended the preamble, and altered the
wording of the clauses, as they appeared in the original
Bill.

Mr. Helmore. — If the matter is still open to the considera¬
tion of the Council, I am quite willing to leave it in their
hands. There is only one more remark I would make — that
when this Bill comes on in the ensuing session of Parliament,
the Council should prepare a form of petition, which might
be sent to every veterinary surgeon for signature, and then
presented to the House in support of the Bill.

The President. — That would have been done in the present
session if the Bill had been proceeded with. The notice is in
the House, but I do not think the Bill will go on. It will now
be competent to any gentleman to move that the Report be
adopted.

Mr. Lichens. — In addition to copies of our new register
being sent to masters of hounds, I think they ought also to
be sent to the President of every known agricultural associa¬
tion in the kingdom. They are likely as anybody to be our
employers.

The President. — It was my opinion that the list should
be distributed gratis. It was printed for that purpose, but
unfortunately the intention was overruled by the Council.
I think the suggestion might come before the Council at a
future meeting.

Mr. Lines. — I rise to move the adoption of the Report, but
I cannot do so without saying that I have been anxiously
listening to hear some reasons given why this Bill should
not be proceeded with at once. I do trust the Council, if
they have the means at hand, will introduce it into the
House, and follow it up this year. We shall then be the
sooner relieved from those objectionable practices to which

NEW MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION.

437

The election of six Vice-Presidents was then proceeded
with.

The following gentlemen were proposed :

Mr. Helmore, by Mr. Lawson.

,, Robertson, by Professor Gamgee.

„ Pritchard, by Mr. Robinson.

,, Harrison, by Mr. Wilkinson.

,, Broderick, by Mr. Ernes.

„ Gardiner, by Mr. Ellis.

„ Burrell, by Mr. Withers.

„ Goodwin, by Mr. Moon.

„ J. R..Cox, by Mr. Silvester.

,, Thacker, by Mr. Wilkinson.

„ Harpley, by Mr. Burley.

,, Sparrow, by Professor Simonds.

The result of the ballot was for —

Mr. Goodwin, 16; Mr. Harpley, 12; Mr. Pritchard, 9;
Mr. Harrison, 9; Mr. Thacker, 8; Mr. Helmore, 8 ; Mr.
Cox, 7; Mr. Robertson, 7 ; Mr. Broderick, 6; Mr. Gardiner, 5;
Mr. Sparrow, 5; and Mr. Burrell, 1. Whereupon Messrs.
Goodwin, Harpley, Pritchard, Harrison, Thacker, and Hel¬
more, were declared duly elected.

It was moved by Professor Gamgee , and seconded by Mr.
Ellis—

“ That Mr. Coates be elected Secretary and Registrar for
the ensuing year/5

On the ballot being taken, Mr. Coates was declared unani¬
mously elected. By order of the Council,

W. H. Coates, Secretary .

NEW MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION.

STUDENTS OF THE EDINBURGH VETERINARY COLLEGE.

Mr. Peter Moir . .

— G. Webster Anderson

— Wm. C. Lawson.

— John Smith . . .

— John Henry Rhodes

— Thomas Stokoe . .

— Robert Hail . . .

— William Gould . .

— James Martin

— James Taylor . .

Edinburgh.

Rayne, Aberdeenshire.

Bolton, Lancashire.

Ulverston, Lancashire.
Manchester.

Hay, Breconshire.

Sedgefield, Durham.
Pendleton, Manchester.
Brookville, co. Meath, Ireland.
Co. Down, Ireland.

438

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

Mr. Hugh Jones , . . .

— Frederick Danby . .

— David Rowlands . . .

— Thomas Barker . . .

— David Maclachlan . .

STUDENTS OF THE NEW

Mr. William Douthwaite

— James Horsburgh . .

— Ralph Baillie ....

— Chas. J. Whitworth

— G. H. Pemberton . .

— Daniel Gibbon . . .

— Jonathan Kingrose . .

— Wm. Henry Brooks

— James Keane ....

— Robert Armstrong . .

— Geo. Francis Lamb . .

— William Edwin Litt

— William Fordie . . .

— D. Cuthbert Smail . .

— James Dunlop . . .

— Robert Brydon . . .

Llanllyfri, Caernarvon, Wales.
Holtby, Yorkshire.
Llanrhaiadr-yr-Mochant,
Wales.

Stokesley, Cleveland, Yorksh.
Paisley, Renfrewshire.

VETERINARY COLLEGE.

Beverley, Yorkshire.

Dalkeith.

Edgehead, Dalkeith.

Boston, Lincolnshire.

Sedgley, Staffordshire.
London.

Weaverthorpe, Yorkshire.
Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Charleville, co. Cork.

Annan, Dumfriesshire.
London.

Shrewsbury.

Glasgow7.

Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Dreghorn, Ayrshire.
Burncastle, Berwickshire.

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

AUSTRALIAN LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS WITH
REFERENCE TO PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

Supreme Court. — Sittings in Banco in Easter Term.

Monday, March 21st, 1864.

Before their Honours Chief Justice Stawell, Mr. Justice Barry, and

Mr. Justice Williams.)

STICK V. HUDSON.

An appeal stated under the Act No. 159, by magistrates in petty
sessions, at Cranbourne, John Stick was informed against under the
Pleuro-pneumonia Acts, for that, on the 16th December, 1863, he did
u take nine head of cattle into the district of Yallock, which had been
proclaimed a clean district, the said cattle not being at that time certified
to be free from disease by a commissioner appointed for that purpose,
contrary to the Act” No. 136. It appeared that there was not any
commissioner who could grant the certificate required by the Act
No. 136.

Mr. Fellows for the appellant; Mr. Harris for the respondent.

Mr. Fellows stated that the whole question was whether a conviction

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

433

proper management it might be possible to keep blood fluid
in a vessel of ordinary solid matter lined with clot. But
various attempts made with this object failed entirely, till I
lately adopted the following expedient: — Having opened
the distal end of an ox’s jugular vein containing blood and
held in the vertical position, taking care to avoid contact of
any of the blood w7ith the wTounded edge of the vessel, I
slipped steadily down into it a cylindrical tube of thin glass,
somewhat smaller in diameter than the veins, open at both
ends, and with the lower edge ground smooth in order that
it might pass readily over the lining membrane, and so
disturb the blood as little as possible by its introduction, and
influence only the circumferential parts of its contents.
The tube was then kept pressed down vertically upon the
bottom of the vein by a weight, in a room as free as possible
from vibration, and I found, on examining it at the end of
twelve hours, that the clot was a tubular one, consisting of
a crust about one eighth of an inch thick next the glass and
the part exposed to the air, but containing in its interior
fluid and rapidly coagulable blood. In another such experi¬
ment, continued for twenty-four hours, though the crust of
clot was thicker, the central part still furnished coagulable
blood.

But it may perhaps be argued by those who say that the
blood-vessels are active in maintaining fluidity that the small
portion of the vein covering the end of the tube was acting
upon the blood, wThich certainly was fluid where in contact
with it, the clot being in the form of a tube open at the lower
end. To guard against such an objection I made the follow7-
ing experiment : — I extended a tube like that above described
by means of thin sheet gutta percha, contriving that the
internal surface of the gutta percha should be perfectly con¬
tinuous wTith that of the glass tube. The lower part of the
gutta-percha tissue was strengthened by a ring of soft flexi¬
ble wire, such as is used by veterinary surgeons for sutures,
and the w7ire wras also extended upwards to the top of the
glass so as to maintain the rigidity of the gutta-percha portion
during its introduction into a vein, but at the same time,
from its softness, permit the gutta-percha part to be bent at
a right angle after it had been introduced, and so close the
orifice of the glass tube wTith ordinary solid matter. At the
same time I performed a comparative experiment, to which I
w7ould invite particular attention, although I am sorry at this
late hour to occupy the attention of the society so long. I
tied a thin piece of gutta-percha tissue over the lower end of
a similar glass tube, and simply poured blood into it from the

434

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

jugular vein of an ox. I wished to compare the condition
of blood which had been simply poured into a tube with
blood which had been introduced without any disturbance of
its central parts. But in order to make the experiment a
fair one, as it might be said that the blood poured from the
vein had been more exposed to the air than that into wffiich
the tube wTas slipped, I proceeded in the following way : — I
obtained a long vein containing plenty of blood, and having
first filled the second tube with the gutta-percha bottom by
simply pouring blood into it from the vein, I cut off a portion
of the vein which had been thus emptied, and having tied
one end and everted the lining membrane of the other end,
and having also everted the lining membrane of the orifice of
the remainder of the vessel wffiich was full, I poured the
blood from the full portion through the air into the empty
part. In doing this I had difficulty in getting blood enough,
and it passed through the air in slow drops, and that only
when the vein w7as squeezed by my warm hand. At last,
having introduced sufficient for the purpose, I slipt down
the compound tube and bent its gutta-percha portion, and
left both tubes for awffiile undisturbed. At the end of three
hours and a half I found that the blood which had been
simply poured in w7as a mass of clot, and fluid squeezed from
it yielded no threads of fibrin, coagulation being complete.
How long it had been so I do not know. I did not examine
the other blood until seven hours and three quarters had
expired, and then found that, just as in the cases where a
simple glass tube w7as introduced, the clot was tubular, and
the chief part of the blood was still fluid in its interior, the
only difference being that in this case the clot formed a com¬
plete capsule, being continued over the gutta percha instead
of being deficient below, as it was when the vein closed the
end of the tube. Now, if wre consider the twro parts of this
comparative experiment, we see that the receptacles in wffiich
the blood was ultimately contained were precisely similar in
the two cases — viz., glass tubes closed below wdth gutta
percha ; and that the blood which wTas simply poured into
the tube w7as much less exposed to the air than the other, and
also was not subjected, like it, to elevation of temperature, a
circumstance which promotes coagulation ; but yet this blood
became completely coagulated in a comparatively short time,
w hereas the other after a much longer time w7as coagulated
only in a layer in contact w7ith the foreign solid. But in the
latter case the blood had been so introduced as to avoid direct
action of ordinary matter on any but the circumferential
parts of it ; whereas in the former, though poured quickly.

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

435

it had run down the side of the glass, and, as a consequence
of this almost momentary contact with the foreign solid, the
central parts, like the circumferential, underwent the process
of coagulation.

Mysterious as this subtle agency of ordinary solids must
appear, its occurrence is thus matter of experimental demon¬
stration, and by it the coagulation of blood shed in a basin
is accounted for; while it is also exclusively shown from this
experiment that the blood, as it exists within the vessels, has
no spontaneous tendency to coagulate, and therefore that the
notion of any action on the part of the blood-vessels to pre¬
vent coagulation is entirely out of the question. The
peculiarity of the living vessels consists not in any such
action upon the blood, but in the circumstance (remarkable,
indeed, as it is) that their lining membrane, when in a state
of health, is entirely negative in its relation to coagulation,
and fails to cause that molecular disturbance, or, if we may
so speak, catalytic action, which is produced upon the blood
by all ordinary matter.

I afterwards found that the simplest method of maintain¬
ing blood fluid in a vessel composed entirely of ordinary
matter was to employ a glass tube similar to those above
described, except that its upper end was closed by a cork
perforated by a narrow tube terminating in a piece of
vulcanized india-rubber tubing that could be closed by a
clamp. This tube was slipped down into a vein till the blood,
having filled it completely, showed itself at the orifice of the
india-rubber tubing, to which the clamp was then applied.
The whole apparatus was now quickly inverted, and the vein
was drawn off from over the mouth of the tube, which was
then covered with gutta-percha tissue to prevent evaporation.
After the inverted tube had been kept undisturbed in the
vertical position for nineteen hours and three quarters,
coagulable blood was obtained from the interior of the clot.

We have seen that a clot has but very slight tendency to
induce coagulation in its vicinity unless the blood has been
acted on by an ordinary solid ; and it is probable that with
perfectly healthy blood it would be unable to produce such
an effect at all. This appears to me to be very interesting
physiologically, but especially so with reference to pathology.
I must not now go fully into the circumstances that led me
to it, but I may express the opinion I have formed — that
clot must be regarded as living tissuein its relation to the blood.
It is, no doubt, a very peculiar form of tissue in this respect,
that it is soft, easily lacerable, and easily impaired in its vital
properties. If disturbed, as in an aneurism, it will readily be

436 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

a

brought into that condition which leads to the deposition of
more clot ; but if undisturbed, it not only fails to induce
further coagulation, but seems to undergo spontaneous
organization. I have seen a clot in the right side of the
heart, and extending into the pulmonary artery and its
branches, unconnected with the lining membrane of auricle
or ventricle or with the pulmonary artery, except at one small
spot, where it had a slight adhesion, developed into per.ect
fibrous tissue, by virtue, it would appear, of its own inherent
properties. Another observation which I once made, and
which then completely puzzled me, now seems capable of
explanation. In laying open the blood-vessels of a dead body,
I observed in many of the veins a delicate white lace-like
tissue, which evidently must have been formed from a clot.
This I now believe to have had the same relation to the
coagulum as the flimsy cellular tissue of old adhesions has
to lymph.

(To be continued .)

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, held May 24, 1864.

Present: Professors Simonds and Gamgee, Messrs. Braby,
Brown, Burley, Ellis, Ernes, Greaves, Hunt, Lawson,
Moon, Robinson, Silvester, Wilkinson, Withers, and
the Secretary.

William Ernes, Esq., in the Chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and
confirmed.

The election of a President for the ensuing year wras then
proceeded with.

It was moved by Professor Gamgee , and seconded by Mr.

Lawson —

“ That Mr. Hunt be elected President for the ensuing year.”
On the ballot being taken, was declared duly elected.

Mr. Hunt having taken the chair, returned thanks for the
honour of his election.

It was moved by Mr. Silvester, and seconded by Mr. Seeker —
“ That a vote of thanks be given to the late President for
the energetic and able manner in which he had discharged
the duties of his office during the past year.” — Carried.

Mr. Ernes returned thanks, and at the same time handed
to the President the official key of the Royal Charter and Seal.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

439

under the second of the two Pleuro-pneumonia Acts (No. 136 and No.
123), could take place after the expiration of the first Act, which was
only temporary ; whether, in fact, the second Act was not a mere adjunct
to the first Act, and an adjunct which expired with the Act to which it
was adjoined. The first Act (No. 126) was passed 30th April, 1861, and
was to continue in force for one year, and thence until the end of the
then next session of Parliament. The second Act (No. 136, consisting
of but one section) was passed 14th May, 1862, when the first Act had
still sixteen months of further time to continue in force. The second
Act therefore operated for sixteen months, and then, with the first,
expired. M‘ William appellant v. Adams respondent , 1 Macqueen, 120 —
General statutes on the same subject matter are to be read as one statute.

Mr. Harris. — This second statute can well stand by itself. It goes
beyond the first. For a certain purpose, it continues the first, fix parte
Higinbotham , 1 D. P. Cases, 200; The Queen v. Stock , 8 Ad. & Ell. 405.

Mr. Justice Williams. — In that case the second Act (39 Geo. Ill, cap. 79)
was passed just as the other (36 Geo. Ill) was expiring; and the second
Act was workable without the first. Here the first had still sixteen
months to run, and the second is entirely unworkable without the first.

The Chief Justice. — It is a casus omissus. The second Act seems to have
been drawn hastily, and it seems to have been assumed that it would
have continued the first ; but it did not do so.

Appeal allowed, with costs.

In commenting on this case, the Argus says, “ The Supreme Court has
decided that no Pleuro-pneumonia Act is now in existence in this colony.
The question has been for some time a subject of considerable discussion
and some doubt. It was held, on the one hand, that the Act passed in
April, 1861, at the instance of Mr. Mollison, expired by effluxion of
time with the close of the session of Parliament in 1863; and on the
other, that the amending Act, which became law in May, 1862, was also
a continuing: Act, and therefore maintained the virtue of the original Act
after the date at which that Act of itself became inoperative. The doubt
has interfered considerably with the freedom of action of owners of cattle,
and has given an uncertainty to the proceedings of the inspectors
appointed under the bill, which has not operated for good in any direc¬
tion. It is well, therefore, that the question is settled. The object of
the first Pleuro-pneumonia Bill was, if possible, to stay the spread of a
disease which had made its appearance in the colony for the first time,
but the dangerous and fatal character of which was well known. It was
confessed by the authors of the measure, however, that the delays which
marked its progress through Parliament rendered it almost hopeless that
the operation of the bill would have the beneficial effect at first antici¬
pated from it. If the Act could have been made law with the haste the
urgency of the case required, pleuro-pneumonia might have been con¬
fined to the district in which it first appeared, by the passage of cattle
from that to other portions of the colony being strictly prohibited ; for
it is admitted that the disease is contagious, and has been widely spread
by the wanderings of infected animals. But Parliament was dilatory.
The opportunity was lost. Before the inspectors were armed with suffi¬
cient powers to attempt the arrest of the disease, the evil had spread far
and wide, with all the disastrous consequences that have since ensued to
trade, and losses to breeders and rearers of cattle. Since 1861 we have
seen pleuro-pneumonia assert its presence in almost every district of this
and the neighbouring colonies, and extend its ravages to both the north
and south islands of New Zealand. Happily it seems to have become

440

OBITUARY.

less deadly than when it first broke out. If we may confess to ourselves
now, that some months ago the meat of diseased cows and bullocks was
much too frequently exposed for sale in Melbourne, we have equally
good authority for the statement that at present the disease is either less
frequent or less fatal, and that infected animals seldom find their way
now to the abattoirs. As matters stand, it is perhaps fortunate that the
action of the pleuro-pneumonia inspectors was circumscribed by the
votes of the Assembly. If the discovery made by Dr. Thomson is the
true exposition of the nature of the disease, we must look for some more
scientific treatment of infected herds than was originally contemplated.
The quick destruction of the animals, and the burning of the carcass
were the rude preventive measures originally contemplated, but these
seem altogether barbarous and ineffectual in the light of the latest results
of inquiry. It may be prudent, therefore, to wait further investigation
before the Act now pronounced non-existent is revived by legislative
action. Mr. Howard has a bill on the subject before Parliament, but it
is far from being a comprehensive measure. Its scope scarcely goes
beyond the protection of the public from unconscious use of the flesh of
animals that were diseased. That object, no doubt, is highly laudable;
but it is unnecessary to stir the legislature into action for a purpose
which can be accomplished by ordinary police vigilance and care. We
are still, too, without the report of the commissioners specially appointed
to inquire into the nature and peculiarities of this disease in cattle.
Until we have full evidence before us from this source, seeing that no
legislative action can now stop the progress of the disease from district
to district, it will be wise to rest content with the decision given by the
Supreme Court yesterday, that no Pleuro-pneumonia Act now cumbers
the statute-book in this colony. In the mean time, though the prospects
as regards pleuro-pneumonia are thus reassuring, and the need for legis¬
lative protection is less urgent, we cannot dismiss the subject without
animadverting most strongly on that crassa ignorantia or that crassa neg -
ligentia on the part of the legislature, which has thus left the community
absolutely defenceless. As it is, the consideration suggests itself, how
far the public purse might have been rendered liable for damages
inflicted on herds under the authority of an Act that is now pronounced
not to have been in force.

OBITUARY.

We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Mavor, lately
the head of the firm of Mavor and Sons, of Park Street.

The impaired state of Mr. Mavor’ s health induced him a few
years since to retire from the active duties of his profession ;
and to recruit his strength, he sought recreation principally
in his favorite pursuit of yachting. It was hoped that under
such circumstances he would long be spared to his family
and friends, but the summons had gone forth, and about
three weeks since he was called from off this earthly scene to
that “ bourn whence no traveller returns.5'’ Few men stood
higher either among his professional brethren or the public
than our departed friend, during the time he was pursuing
the active duties of his profession. His diploma bears date
July 28th, 1829.

tiie

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 439.

JULY, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 115.

Communications and Cases,

CASE OF MALIGNANT SORE THROAT IN A

HORSE.

By J. C. Broad, M.R.C.Y.S., Paddington.

LETTER TO MR. VARNELL.

Dear Sir, — I beg to forward you a short history of the
case of the horse from which I took the tongue and other
parts sent for your inspection on the 4th ult., and shall feel
obliged if you will secure it a place in the Veterinarian for the
ensuing month. I shall look forward with much pleasure for
your remarks upon this case.

The animal was a very valuable black gelding, five years
old, belonging to Mr. Miller, horse-dealer, Upper George
Street, Portman Square.

My attention was called to him on the 20th of May,
when I found the following symptoms to be existing : —
Pulse 60 ; breathing short, quick, and painful ; mouth hot,
and the mucous membranes slightly injected.

The horse was immediately removed to our infirmary, and
placed in a loose box ; medicine was given, and a mustard
poultice applied to his sides and chest. On the following day it
was considered necessary to repeat the mustard to sides, &c.

22nd. — A slight improvement has taken place ; he will now
take a little green meat and damped hay, but refuses bran
or malt mashes. He has not yet lain down.

23rd. — No particular change.

xxxvii. 29

442

MALIGNANT SORE THROAT IN A HORSE.

24th. — Pulse 66 ; breathing quickened ; refuses all kinds of
food ; drinks a little water or thin gruel.

28th. — Pulse has gradually quickened and grown weaker
in character, and the respiration is painfully performed, as if
from an attack of acute laryngitis. He still refuses both food
and drink. A strong blister was applied to the throat.

29th. — Blister has taken effect, but there is no abatement in
the severity of the symptoms. He could not take any food,
and when he attempted to drink the fluid was immediately
returned by the nostrils.

30th. — Great prostration of strength. Respiration with
difficulty performed.

Tracheotomy was had recourse to, and was followed by the
desired effect, in so far as giving relief to the respiration, but
in no other way. From this period he could neither eat nor
drink, nor could medicine be administered.

31st. — No improvement. It was now clear (as I at once
stated to the owner) that the case would terminate fatally.
The symptoms continued to increase in severity, and the
animal to become gradually weaker, until the 3rd of June,
when death took place.

Post-mortem examination . — Abdomen. — Stomach empty, but
free from disease. The intestines contained no solid matter,
but, like the stomach, were healthy. Liver pale, but healthy.
Thorax. — The lungs partially hepatized, the near lobe espe¬
cially so. When cut into, a great number of tubercles were
observed in the lungs, many of which contained pus. The
heart was very soft and flabby.

The tongue, pharynx, and larynx, were extensively diseased.
These parts I send for your inspection.

REMARKS BY PROFESSOR VARNELL.

The disease in the horse’s throat alluded to in the pre¬
ceding communication was of a highly malignant character,
and as far as medical skill was concerned, it had very little,
if any, power 'over the rapidity of the progress it was
making. Vitality seemed to have so far ebbed that, although
air was admitted to the lungs by the aid of the operation of
tracheotomy — disease having closed the glottis — yet no
benefit was derived thereby, as the horse rapidly sank and
died. That the case was one of acute inflammation of the
fauces, involving in its ravages the adjacent organs and con¬
necting tissues, there cannot be a doubt. These parts, with
the tongue, a portion of the trachea and larynx, were sent for

MALIGNANT SORE THROAT IN A HORSE.

443

my inspection ; and I do not remember ever to have met with
an instance in which diseased action had so completely broken
up the structure of the parts involved as was the case in this
instance. What seemed remarkable, and to me more
especially worthy of note, was the well-defined boundary of
the disease. In its extent it reached as far forward as the
papillae circumvallatae, on the dorsum of the tongue, and as far
back as the posterior part of the pharynx, and in a line with
the posterior border of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx.
Between these points the mucous membrane was black, or
nearly so, and there was considerable loss of its structure,
more especially near the margin of the epiglottis and aryte¬
noid cartilages. The basement membrane was much thickened
from interstitial infiltration, and the free surface of the
mucous membrane was covered with a sanguineous, slimy
fluid. The velum palati , tonsils, submaxillary and lower
parts of the parotid glands, were much enlarged, and dark
in colour, and, in addition to these changes, the latter were
found to have small abscesses in their structure. The swollen
state of the mucous membrane at the entrance into the
larynx was so great as to render the passage for the air
through this part of the tube impervious, making it evident
that, had not the operation of tracheotomy been performed,
the horse must have died two or three days before he did.
Such is a brief outline of the ravages disease had made in the
tissues and organs forming the boundary of the fauces ; and
although the case may not be an isolated one, even as far as
its intensity is concerned, nevertheless it is valuable in more
than one point of view. It suggests to one’s mind that, if
any good is to be effected in such cases by treatment, it must
be energetically employed in the very early stages of the dis¬
ease ; and at the same time it as fully shows that, in diseases
of this type, science is often unable to combat the rapid
strides morbid action is making. Such was so in this instance,
and therefore the case is of great value to the pupil and
junior practitioner. It also suggests the importance of in¬
quiring into the cause and nature of such affections, whether
they are enzootic or epizootic, or contagious, and if so, to
what extent. There is another point, in considering this case,
which I think is important ; it is this : — The lungs are de¬
scribed as being e< hepatized, and on a section being made
through them numerous tubercles containing pus are said
to have been observed.” The former may have been of recent
date, but the latter, in all probability, were of long standing.
If this be so, it may be asked whether the existence of these
deposits (the “ tubercles”), or the previous condition of the

444

DEATH OF PIGS.

SLOOD DISEASE.

system, which led to their production, had anything to do in
establishing the disease in the throat, or in lessening the proba¬
bility of a cure being effected ? I incline to the opinion that it
had. In fact, I think there cannot be a doubt on this point.
Let the primary cause have been what it may, the power in
the system to resist the invasion of disease, or to throw it
off when fully established, would be materially diminished,
as compared with a constitution unimpaired by disease. And
again, the capability of medicine, and other therapeutic
agents, in assisting nature under such circumstances as the
one in question, would also be very much lessened. These
are important points for the practitioner to reflect upon
when forming his prognosis, and the case which Mr. Broad
has given us affords materials for this purpose.

DEATH OF PIGS.— ENTERIC DISEASE.

By J. D. Peech, M.R.C.V.S., Wentworth.

Reported by Professsor Yarn ell.

Yesterday (May 13th, 1864) I forwarded the bodies of
two pigs, addressed to you at the College, which I should
feel obliged by your examining and reporting to me upon.

The history of the malady is briefly this : — About seven
weeks ago, a boar pig, the property of R. J. Bentley, Esq., Old
Brewery, Rotherham, began to be unwell, and after a short
illness died. In the course of a few days, others began to be
affected and died also ; and from that time up to the present,
strong stores, young suckling pigs, and sows, have been dying
almost daily. I believe that some sixty or seventy are dead
altogether.

On Wednesday, the” 11th ult., I was requested to see the
remaining pigs, and make a post-mortem examination of two
that had died that day, but, having several engagements, I was
not able to attend until the next day, when the two to be ex¬
amined had been dead twenty-four hours. I found a large
amount of disease in the stomach and bowels, but I will
leave in your hands the description of the lesions. The
two forwarded presented all the appearances of the others,
therefore the description of these will suffice for the whole.

The first symptom observable is that the bowels become
slightly relaxed, which in the course of a few hours merges

DEATH OF PIGS. - BLOOD DISEASE.

445

into acute diarrhoea. During this stage the pigs are seen
to crouch and shiver, and portions of the integument to
change in colour — the tip of the ears being always the first
to alter in colour. These appearances are quickly succeeded
by a similar change in the extremities, abdomen, and along
the course of the spine. The discoloration appears at first in
irregular blotches, which enlarge as the malady advances,
and ripens into a deep purple ; it being at first of a pinkish
hue. Towards the close of the illness the eyes become
amaurotic, and the eyelids close involuntarily. The limbs
are partially paralysed, and the poor creatures stagger about
until death closes the scene. The diarrhoea continues the
whole of the time, the evacuations being of a light colour.

The mischief found in the stomach and bowels of the two
opened by me clearly manifested that some irritant had pro¬
duced considerable visceral disturbance, and which I strongly
suspect was in the food. This consisted of grains ; old wheat,
ground ; sharps, and a liquid called grout. This grout is the
settlings from the cooler where the liquor has been placed,
and consists chiefly of the finer portions of the malt which
pass through the strainer. The wheat meal was always either
boiled or scalded before being used, and I doubt not it has
sometimes been given whilst in a fermentative condition.
This, I believe, has been their diet for a very long time, conse¬
quently it is surprising that such serious effects should now
happen if the food be the real cause.

I saw several small pigs, all suckers, suffering on Thursday,
and from the state they were in I felt assured that their death
was certain, and very quickly too. I therefore did not apply
any medical treatment in such hopeless cases. I directed, how¬
ever, every portion of the food in the troughs to be removed,
and for them to be well washed. I also ordered a complete
change of diet, consisting of bean meal, fine sharps, and clear
water, and trusted to this change of food to alter the state of
affairs. I may observe that a gilt which came to be stinted,
being then perfectly healthy, remained there a few days ; and
after its return home she also died. While at the brewery
she lived on the same food as the other pigs.

On receipt of this note I wrote to Mr. Peech for further
particulars, and in due time received the following reply :

The food of the pigs affected at the Brewery consisted
of grains, sharps, grout, and wheat roughly ground. The
wheat was English, and was a little sprouted, but not to an

446

DEATH OF PIGS. - BLOOD DISEASE.

extent to materially interfere with its nutritive properties.
The pig-yard has a north-west aspect, and lies below the
turnpike road on the south-east side. It is bounded by the
river on the north-west, which is also much below the yard.
From this you will see that it lies on a slope from the south¬
east to north-west. On the upper or south-east end a deep
drain is dug, much below7 the level of the “ pigsties,” the
surface of the latter being pitched with bricks, and well
drained, rendering them perfectly dry and comfortable. There
is in the yard a “ small tank” for the drainage, or rather it is
intended as a trap for the solid matter, the surplus of which
flow's into twro larger tanks forty or fifty yards aw ay from the
trap. These two large tanks are regularly built with bricks,
arched, and furnished with large grates , so that the gases given
off escape through these grates are to north-west, and quite
awray from the yards, and several feet below them. Had it not
been for these outlets from the tanks, it might have been sup¬
posed that the gases had escaped up the drain-pipes, and
made their w7ay into the pig-yards ; but this arrangement
entirely does away with that idea. The grates are capable
of carrying aw7ay many thousand cubic feet of gas.

James Hodgson, Esq., whose yards have the same aspect,
and are situated on the other side of turnpike road, has suf¬
fered in proportion. The disease manifested itself here when
it had abated and almost disappeared from his neighbour.
During the last fortnight Mr. Hodgson has lost and had
destroyed about twrenty pigs.

I have examined four of his pigs, and in every animal, save
one, found extensive disease of the lungs. In three of them the
right lung wras hepatized, and more or less of effusion had
taken place into the cavities. Fibrinous adhesions also existed
betw een the pleura pulmonalis and costalis. In fact, acute
pleuro-pneumonia was present. In another case extensive
disease of the alimentary track wras excited, commencing in
the stomach and terminating in the colon. This case was
complicated wdtli mischief in the lungs, but to a less extent
than in some others.

The yard in w'hich the pigs are kept is on higher eleva¬
tion than the brewery-yard, and quite as w^eli drained and as
clean as these places are in ordinary. Mr. Hodgson is the
proprietor of Rotherham Mills, and has his pigs kept
different from the others, those of the brewery, as they
live chiefly on barley meal, coarse sharps, and mill
sweepings ; their food at all times being good and sound.
Sometimes it is given to them raw, at others it is
scalded. In this respect the pig-feeders have not been

BLOOD DISEASE.

DEATH OF PIGS. -

447

regular, and although not so, still I have not known these
pigs to suffer anything of this kind before.

I believe I stated in my first communication that Mr.
Bentley's pigs had at all times the meal first scalded, and then
allowed to stand and swell, or, in other words, slight fer¬
mentation generally was present when it was given to the
pigs.

A very strong sow died on Monday at Mr. Hodgson’s, and
several of her little ones, which she was suckling. She had
been ill, I should think, a fortnight. Besides those of her litter
which have died, I saw others on Friday last, which were
rapidly sinking. .

OBSERVATIONS.

Swine hold an important position in the list of domestic
animals, as they form no inconsiderable item in the nation's
wealth in supplying a large amount of food for the people.
Hence their well-being is a matter of national importance.
They do not, however, like the horse, dog, ox, and some other
animals, contribute during their life very much to the comfort
of man, but, rather on the contrary, very often to his discom¬
fort. It is, nevertheless, desirable, for the reasons above
stated, that the veterinary surgeon should know something
of their habits and idiosyncrasies, so as to be the better able to
understand the nature of the diseases they are subject to.
The hog, although wallowing in the filthiest mire, and some¬
times feeding upon the most disgusting kinds of food, both
animal and vegetable, and often when in a decomposed state,
does not always do so with impunity. I feel persuaded that
many animals of this class are annually lost from the effects
of improper food, or from living in an atmosphere surcharged
with poisonous effluvia, the product of animal or vegetable
decomposition ; and I think that the owners of pigs often
make great mistakes in not paying more attention to the
quality of their food and the condition of their lodgings.
Decomposing substances, both animal and vegetable, corn
thnt has undergone a change from long keeping or exposed
to damp, and which is loaded, perhaps, with the sporules of
poisonous fungi, the sweepings of warehouses, consisting
sometimes of agents of an injurious character, brine from the
meat tub, and salted brewer’s grains, these and other similar
substances are often given to pigs as food, and in several
instances have been known to cause very great losses. A

448

DEATH OF PIGS.

BLOOD DISEASE.

few years ago I recollect some valuable hogs being destroyed
by feeding upon the sweepings of warehouses in which a
quantity of saltpetre existed. These cases were, I believe,
published in this Journal. As a rule, I believe that old strong
hogs are not so easily affected by improper food as young
ones, and I have sometimes known sows to appear in perfect
health when suckling their pigs, but yet to have their milk
so altered in quality from the effects of bad food as to
destroy the pigs.

In cases like those alluded to in the above letter some¬
thing special must have been in operation to have destroyed
so many pigs. What, I would ask, is so likely to produce
death in the manner described by Mr. Peech as the food —
solid and liquid — which the animals partook of, or the air
they breathed ? Either of these would, when vitiated to a
great extent, produce a poisoned state of the blood. The
symptoms observed when the pigs were first taken ill, to¬
gether with the rapid course of the disease would lead to
the conclusion that blood poisoning was the immediate cause
of death. This opinion is also borne out by th q post-mortem
appearances.

I carefully examined the carcasses of the pigs, and the
lesions observed were quite consistent with this theory. In
two of the pigs the large intestines were extensively
diseased, the mucous membrane was much thickened, and
its basement structure was of a purplish-scarlet colour. In
some parts the intense red colour was arranged in transverse
streaks. On the free surface a layer of lymph, varying in
thickness, was deposited, resembling very much that which
is found on the mucous membrane of the throat in cases of
diphtheria, which affection it was suggested by a friend to be
analogous to, if not identical with, in character. A disease
of this kind, affecting the posterior part of the alimentary
canal, instead of the anterior, although very unusual, is
nevertheless within the range of possibility. For my own
part, by reflecting on the symptoms, death, and post-mortem
appearances, I have thought the disease might be designated
enteric fever , induced by a poisoned state of the blood.

In another pig the lungs were the chief organs affected, the
bowels being but slightly involved ; but the lesions in the latter
organs appeared to be the same in character as those affect¬
ing the intestines of the other two pigs. Both lungs were
partially hepatized, and some of the bronchi were filled with
a lympth-like deposit. I see no reason, physiologically or
pathologically, why the disease in these organs should not
have been produced by the same cause as that which af-

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS. 449

fected the intestines upon which the diphtheric deposit
existed.

These cases are very interesting to the comparative patho¬
logist, and 1 feel individually indebted to Mr. Peech for the
trouble he has taken in sending them for my inspection. I
am confident that if the diseases of pigs, and some other of
our domestic animals — but now little regarded — were more
fully considered by practising veterinary surgeons, our pro¬
fession would be more appreciated by the publie. I feel
also that it is as much our duty to suggest preventive
measures as it is to cure diseases when they occur. Much
that I have seen of late convinces me of the necessity of
more attention being paid to the quality of the food of
animals than hitherto has been done, and also to the nature
of their lodging, as well as the air they breathe.

[The disease of the intestines of pigs referred to in these
communications has been very rife in Berkshire and the
adjoining counties for upwards of a year. Numerous speci¬
mens of it have been sent to the Veterinary College.] — Eds.

OBSERVATIONS ON “SOUNDNESS.”

By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

( Continued from p. 283.)

The foot of the horse has been the theme of many an
author for a century or more. All who have attempted to
make known to the world their views have done so more or
less to their own and to other people’s satisfaction ; errors
(not a few) have thus found their way into books. The
plantar region of the horse is fraught with interest, more par¬
ticularly that belonging to the anterior extremity. If a person
were desirous of ascertaining which is the most important
structure in connection with the outward form of the horse,
he would be told that the foot deserved that place, and doubt¬
less it would not be far from the mark. Many popular
sayings have been handed down to us, one of which is, “No
foot, no horse,” which, I believe, was launched by Jeremiah
Bridges, who wrote, in 1752, on the ‘Anatomy of the Foot of
the Horse.’ This and other similar phrases are very expressive.
I have more than once asserted that many errors have been
handed down from time to time with reference to the phy-

450

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

siology of the foot. The more I see and read, and the more
I reflect upon the subject, the stronger is the fact impressed
upon me. I hope, however, that a new light has already
begun to shine upon this part of the structure of the horse.
It is needless to remind the merest tyro of the importance
to be attached to a careful inspection of the foot, nor is it
necessary I should more than hint that no two horses have
the same shaped feet, any more than two heads are precisely
alike : hence the difficulty in arriving at anything like a de¬
finite description of the outward form of the foot of a stalled
horse. One author writes one thing, while another describes
the shape and form of the foot according to his notions. The
former may be as correct as the latter, and the foot described
by the latter as healthy as that of the former. It is not
requisite that we should be able to state, upon mathematical
precision, what the exact shape of the foot ought to be ; I
think we may be satisfied to know that the foot we are looking
at in an examination has nothing to offend the eye. This is going
as far as there appears to me to be a necessity for doing.

The pathology of the foot will be more advantageously con -
sidered subsequent to a few remarks as to its anatomy and
physiology.

The foot, as it appears before us in its natural state resting
upon the ground, is nothing more than a portion of horn formed
into a cone. A man in total ignorance of the anatomical
structure of the horse would scarcely believe that the horny
part of the foot denominated “ hoof” contains such a variety
of structures within its walls. Taking it as a whole, it seems
to be well adapted for all uses, and one could hardly imagine
how the parts are so liable to derangement ; but when we
have ascertained, by a little reflection, how nature^s laws are
interfered with in our daily use of the horse, we shall no longer
feel surprise at the various diseases met with in the foot, but
give place to wonder that it is capable of resisting all the wear
and tear and hardship to which it is exposed.

Th Qform of the hoof in a foal is different to that of the
grown-up horse. In its after growth it not only alters in
size, but in shape also. The foaFs foot is said to be conoid,
and the adult almost circular. This will apply more imme¬
diately to those feet which have not had the assistance of the
farrier to change their shape. Soil, and the various kinds of
work which the young animal is called upon to perform, ex¬
ercise considerable influence in the growth of the foot. I
believe it is a received opinion that no particular form has
been of late assigned to the foot, and it is also a pretty well
ascertained fact that a foot is not contracted unless it can be

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

451

proved that it was once larger. The form of the hoof depends
upon the growth of structure within, and those internal parts
depend upon the functions they are called upon to perform.

From the above remarks it will be seen how varied is the
form of horses7 feet, and how cautious we ought to be in con¬
demning those feet which do not assume that shape we have
been in the habit of considering perfection as regards form
and size . If we examine the hoofs of a score of horses after
death, we shall find a material difference in shape, and so we
shall find the same difference of shape in the pedal bones.
This is readily accounted for, if we accept as a fact that the
external part of the foot, namely, the hoof, is depending
entirely upon the growth of structure, within as to the form
it assumes during the life of an animal.

Sainbel considered the foot as the “ segment of an oval,
opened at the back, and nearly round in front.77

B. Clark denies this assertion, and believes it (the foot) to
be “ cylindrical, very obliquely truncated upon its ground
surface.77 A note taken at Professor Spooner’s lecture is as
follows : — “ The form of the hoof is conoid in the foal ; it
may attain to any form with work, depending upon the func¬
tion the foot has to perform.77 Mr. Gamgee, sen., has
expressed himself in the following words : — It is quite true
the anatomist recognises some essential characters and forms
with wonderful constancy, which, however, is not inconsistent
with considerable secondary differences. Witness men7s
heads and hands, as well as horses7 hoofs. You never find
two precisely alike.77 These observations of the Professor I
can readily subscribe to ; we may, therefore, dismiss this
part of our subject as being of less moment than it has
hitherto been considered, and proceed with an inquiry into
the structure of the foot. The foot of the horse is made up
of a variety of textures, so arranged as to constitute at one
and the same time the most elaborate and beautiful specimen
of mechanism the mind of man can contemplate. We find
entering into its composition bones , synovial membranes , car¬
tilages , fibro-cartilage, elastic tissue , ligaments , terminal portions
of tendon , arteries , veins, nerves, absorbents, and horny fibre .
Each and every one of these structures has its own special
function to perform.

The Bones .

The os pedis is described as semilunar in its outline, ante¬
riorly and superiorly convex, posteriorly and interiorly con¬
cave. It is connected with the navicular and coronal bones,

452

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

and is characterised for its lightness, being extremely porous,
and forming an arch, which is so well adapted for the support
of weight. From its situation and connection with the horny
covering, it may be assumed that it remains almost in a passive
state under all circumstances, if not, its movements must of
necessity be extremely limited. It would appear that it more
particularly serves the purposes of support, maintaining
the form of the foot, and affording attachment to other as
well as to more movable structures, situated within the hoof.
The heels of this bone demand especial attention, as it is these
parts of the bone which have so much influence in the produc¬
tion of corn. My conviction is that, as a general rule , some
alteration must have taken place in the growth of the heels
of the bone before corn is manifest, or undue pressure, which
is so frequently observed, would cause the disease oftener than
it is met with in our patients. I am fully aware, however,
that th e first set of shoes placed upon a young animal is pro¬
ductive of extravasation of blood in the heel ; this is more
particularly the case when the subject is shod by a country
shoer, or other inexperienced workman. The navicular bone
is described as being something like a weaver’s shuttle ; it is
an irregular bone, divided into borders and extremities. It
enters into the composition of the coffin-joint, as well as into
that forming the important joint which gains its name from
the bone. It is viewed as a sesamoid bone. It is the
inferior surface of the bone, which more especially demands
our attention in the examination of a horse as to soundness.
I do not see that the coffm-joint is so entirely free from
disease as some persons are desirous of making us believe :
by some it is asserted that no such thing exists as lameness
in the coffin-joint. I have dissected some well-marked cases
of coffin-joint lameness, when I have found that the whole
synovial surface has been extensively diseased. When we
view the situation and position of the pedal and coronal bones,
together with the solidity of the latter, and the constant
pressure exerted upon the joint, we shall feel somewhat sur¬
prised (looking at it mechanically) that it so often escapes
injury. We must feel convinced that its power of resistance
resides in its vital properties chiefly.

The navicular joint is a name in the mouth of every pos¬
sessor of anything in the shape of a horse. It owes its
notoriety to the late Mr. James Turner, who, I believe,
directed the profession to navicul arthritis. The modern
Babylon and other similarly paved cities are doubtless
well supplied with cases of this sort. If concussion is
the cause of navicular disease, we should look for it

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

453

upon the hard pavement, rather than upon smooth and
well-cared for macadamized roads, although we do now and
then meet with high steppers and good goers who constantly
hammer their feet as they travel along the road. At the same
time it must be admitted that we do not hear so much of navi¬
cular disease now as we formerly did; whether it is because we
are more conversant with other affections of the feet, or
whether it is in consequence of the feet being more carefully
and properly shod, I am not prepared to state, but I am inclined
to the opinion that as our knowledge of the foot increases so
will the existence of navicular disease be considered less fre¬
quent in our diagnosis. Nature has made ample provision in
the foot to prevent the inroads of disease from wear and tear
consequent upon exertion. It is a question, however, whether
that provision is sufficient for the present requirements of the
animal. We must bear in mind that we are to consider the
foot as intended by the Allwise to be sufficiently perfect in all
its parts to serve the purposes in an artificial state as well
as during a state of nature.

The inferior and lateral cartilages are doing good service
in their several departments ; the movements of the former
are trivial when compared to the latter. The lateral car¬
tilages are called upon to do a vast amount of work, indeed
every motion of the foot is in some way or other exciting an
influence upon these cartilages, and this will in some measure
explain the reason why a transformation of their structure is so
frequently met with in our examinations. When we reflect
upon the functions which the lateral cartilages have to perform,
together with their peculiar conformation, we no longer
wonder that they are so liable to disease. The bond of union
existing between the horny covering and the sensitive parts
of the foot demand our especial attention, inasmuch as we
have of late been led to understand that the lamellated struc¬
tures are not so susceptible of injury as we were wont to
believe they were. Take, for example, the five hundred dovetailed
connections. If a mechanic were shown these structures and
adaptations, he would, I am sure, exclaim that there must of
necessity be great force exerted upon these different parts in
sustaining, not only the weight superimposed upon them, but
the weight produced by rapidity of motion, and that upon
all kinds of roads, not only hard ones, but uneven also. These
several things, I have no hesitation in asserting, must cause
derangements of the parts during a long course of work. Too
much cannot be said of this part of the foot in my humble
opinion. The connection between the os pedis and the sole
has of late brought out some remarks from the pen of Mr.

454

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

Gamgee, Sen., which are well worth the attention of every
student and practitioner of veterinary medicine.

The frog is a structure which has always come in for a share
of discussion when speaking of the foot. I remember having
heard that the frog caused expansion of the heels, & c., and this,
I dare say, even at the present time, is an opinion ac¬
cepted by numberless individuals. If expansion of the heels
was a fact , it may be received as the principal cause in
performing that function, but we have sufficient reason to
doubt that the feet have the expansive power attributed to
them by some members of the profession, therefore we shall
have to assign some other function to the frog. On looking at
the frog, and taking into account its component parts, as well
as its situation and connection with other tissues with which
it is in immediate contact, it will strike us that in the first
place it is intended to make up quantity. Secondly, it is to
prevent or ward off concussion ; to this I think we may give
all our attention. It is not too much to state that this is the
most it has to do, namely, give protection to the structures above
it. The same may be said of the elastic tissue. It is placed
there to make up quantity , in a similar manner as India rubber
would be employed where concussion is met with in in -
organized materials. Something has been said about the
movements of the foot during progression. I do not intend at
present to open up that question, but merely to state that
the movements of the foot are not universally understood,
with reference to the front foot more particularly. If we
look at the various structures, we shall find the elastic por¬
tions are susceptible of compression ; we know that there is
sufficient room within the hoof for a certain amount of
displacement to take place, if required, and it is required,
I have no doubt, under some circumstances. It has been
denied there is any downward movement at all of the bones of
the foot. If we will take a little trouble, we shall however clear
up this question in a short time. Smear some black oil upon
the hoofs and allow the horse to walk upon a dusty road, and
it will soon be found that the hair has wiped away a consider¬
able portion of the dust from the upper part of the hoof,
much below the situation of the hair when the foot is at
rest. This, I think, fully demonstrates the fact that there
must be downward movement ; and with reference to the long-
talked-of expansion, it will be found that the greatest expansion
is observable in connection with the lateral cartilages, and
not in the horny structures.

Nature seems to have provided the foot with those struc¬
tures which do not assume the state other soft parts of the

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

455

frame are known to do. If muscular fibre and other soft
structures found their way into the interior of the foot, an
attack of inflammation would so interfere with its capacities
that our patients could not endure the hardship required of
them. If Celsus was correct in the following sentence, “ Rubor
et tumor cum calore et clolor e,” we can appreciate the wisdom
of the great Architect of the universe in providing such
materials as are found within the hoof. Seat , redness , and
pain , we know are present in some .complaints of the feet,
but there cannot be much tumefaction in any case ; although
there is swelling to a certain extent cannot be denied. The
fact of such numberless blood-vessels entering into the struc¬
tures is a sufficient reason for believing such to be the case.
The peculiar formation of the os pedis gives to the arteries
and veins every facility to carry on their functions uninter¬
ruptedly ; if it were otherwise the animal would be more sus¬
ceptible than he is at present of sustaining injury during
work. How wise all these things are ordered !

Horn is found to differ in its texture in many animals, and
also in the same animal it will be found to differ.

The horn of the wall and that of the frog is very unlike,
and these again are different to the sole. The wall is produced
by the coronary substance ; any injury therefore to this part
of the foot will tend to interfere with its healthy function.

Would it be too much to suggest that we do not fix our
attention sufficiently to this part of the foot in our examina¬
tions? If the wall is produced at this part, and it is observed
the secretion of the gland is an unhealthy one, we may fairly
look to the producer of unhealthy horn and endeavour, if
possible, to ascertain its disease and find a remdy.

The bars are other structures which have been dilated upon
by most horse-keepers, but some persons attach little or no im¬
portance to these inflections. If they were not destined to
perform some special office they would not have been found
so prominently in their place. The cutting away of these
stays and opening the heels, as it is termed, are sources of
great evil to the well-doing of the foot. It is a well-
ascertained fact that the darker the horn, the better it is.

{To be continued .)

456

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

(Continued from p. 148.)

In my last communication in connection with this subject,
I brought briefly under notice the chief botanical characters
of the Aconitum napellus (monkshood). I may here state, in
passing, that my attention has since been called to a very in¬
teresting case in connection with the natural order Ranun-
cnlacece , by the death of three heifers, caused by the Ranun¬
culus ficaria, occurring in the practice of Mr. Flower, of
Derby, and to which I shall refer more particularly in another
paper. Before resuming the consideration of the medicinal
and poisonous properties of aconite, I will just allude to
another plant, which is commonly called winter aconite.
Several varieties of ranunculus, such as the R. bulhosus, the
R. ficaria , have, in different districts of the county, been
commonly termed winter aconite; but the true plant to which
this name has been given is the Exanthis hyemalis (winter
aconite). This plant was introduced into this country from
Italy, and is cultivated as an ornament to our flower gardens.
Its pale-yellow flower, appearing from January to March,
makes it a companion for the snowdrop, and the few other
flowers which can withstand the severities of our climate at
this season of the year. The consideration of an agent, the
effects of which are so powerful upon animal life, as the dif¬
ferent preparations of aconite, is well worthy of our most
careful attention, and should naturally lead us to some
definite conclusions as to its value as a medicine ; but perhaps
there is no agent employed by the veterinary surgeon at the
present day whose real properties are so little understood.
Having employed it but little, I am unable to give an opinion
as to its effect, but, judging from the interesting cases re¬
corded by others in which it has been used with success, it
is found that it exerts a powerful influence in a great variety
of diseases. Thus Mr. Parker, in the Veterinarian for April,
1861, speaks of it as a specific in cases of spasm in the
horse. He commences with doses of it\x of the Phar¬
macopoeia tincture of aconite in a pint of cold water. He
says, f£ The sedative effect on the system is almost instanta¬
neous; and in cases where the dose is given within an hour of
the first symptoms of uneasiness, the pain is relieved at

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE. 457

once. The first signs of the powerful effect of this drug are
grinding of the teeth, twisting of the jaws, and attempts to
vomit ; the force of the pulse is depressed, hut sometimes the heats
are more rapid. The horse generally lies down at full length,
and in a few minutes becomes in a comatose state.” He
also writes — “In enteritis, in its most acute form, aconite
is very beneficial in allaying the agony attending this
disease. In all cases, in fact, where a sedative is called for,
I think this agent would be found very useful.” Mr. Lewis,
in the same journal, for August, 1854, records its successful
administration to a pony suffering from bronchitis, giving,
as a first dose, 14V of Flemming’s tincture of aconite in ^iij
of water. The following is the description of its effects : —
“Within five minutes after giving the medicine, the pony
began to tremble violently, and its hind legs seemed to lose
all power of supporting the weight of the body. It lay down,
or rather dropped, was convulsed all over, frothed greatly at
the mouth, and seemed to be swallowing something very
quickly. These alarming symptoms continued for fifteen or
twenty minutes, and then began to abate.” He afterwards
remarks — “The pulse gradually lowered in frequency , while
it rose in force”

Professor Morton, in his f Materia Medica/ thus writes : —
“Mr. Brown informs me that, as a sedative, the tinc¬
ture of aconite is most effective in cases of constitutional
excitement from injury, in fever following severe wounds,
or that supervening on protracted or difficult parturi¬
tion. Professor Morton goes on to say — “Besides a general
sedative, it has been found of service in diseases of the heart,
paralysis, epilepsy, and gastric irritation.” By others it has
been used with success in the treatment of rheumatism and
pleuro-pneumonia in cattle ; while other eminent practitioners
consider it only as a dangerous poison, and unfit to be used
as a medicine at all. From the above it will be gathered that
aconite has been employed in the treatment of a variety of
diseases, the nature of which very materially differ. Much
in connection with the action of this powerful agent yet
remains to be investigated, and those who have employed it
would be doing the profession a great service by recording
their experience of its effects in the treatment of disease in
our domestic animals. As a poison, it acts most energetically
on man and all kinds of animals. The experiments of Drs.
Harvey and Sharpey “went to prove that aconite first acts
upon the nerves, and then on the muscles, killing by its
action on the heart.” Sir Benjamin Brodie found “ it acted
as a narcotic, and arrested respiration firstly.” Dr. Flemming

xxxvn. 30

458 BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

“considers that this poison may cause death — lst5 by pro¬
ducing a powerfully sedative impression on the nervous
system ; 2nd, by paralysing the muscles of respiration, and
causing asphyxia ; and 3rd, by producing syncope ; Dr.
Taylor adding that the last is the most common form of
death in man, when the case is protracted for some hours.
Many cases of death in the human subject by this agent are
recorded, several of which have been caused by the root of
aconite having been partaken of in mistake for horseradish,
an instance of which occurred at Dingwall, in Scotland, some
few years ago. Three persons partook of what was supposed
to be horseradish sauce with roast beef for dinner, but which
unfortunately proved to have been made with the root of
Aconitum napellus , and which resulted in the death of all three
persons within four hours. Such mistakes can only occur
through ignorance or carelessness, as the roots of the two
plants differ materially. As it may prove of some interest, I
have copied the following comparisons by Professor Bentley,
from 1 Pereira’s Materia Medica

Root of Aconite.

Form. — Conical in form, and
tapering perceptibly (and rapidly)
to a point.

Colour. — Externally, coffee - co¬
loured, or more or less of an earthy-
brown colour.

Odour.'— Merely earthy.

Taste. — At first bitter, but after¬
wards producing a disagreeable
tingling and numbness.

Root of Horseradish.

Form. — Slightly conical, at the
crown ; then cylindrical, or nearly
so, and almost of the same thickness
for many inches.

Colour. — Externally, white, or
with a yellow tinge.

Odour. — Especially developed [on
scraping, when it is very pungent
and irritating.

Taste. — Bitter or sweet, accord¬
ing to circumstances, and very pun¬
gent.

On man, according to Dr. Taylor, the following symptoms
generally follow a poisonous dose : — “ In from a few minutes
to an hour after the poison has been taken the patient com¬
plains of numbness and tingling in the mouth and throat,
which are parched ; there is giddiness, with numbness and
tingling in the limbs, a loss of power in the legs, frothing at
the mouth, severe pain in the abdomen, followed by vomiting
and purging. In some cases the patient is completely para¬
lysed, but retains his consciousness ; in others the giddiness
is followed by dimness of sight, delirium, and other cerebral
symptoms, but not amounting to the complete coma pro¬
duced by the cerebral or narcotic poisons. The pupils are
dilated, the pulse sinks, the skin is cold and livid, and the
breathing is difficult. Convulsions are not commonly

THOUGHTS ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN CATTLE. 459

observed in man, nor are they indicated by general tremors
or twitchings of the voluntary muscles. The poison pro¬
duces convulsions in animals.

Few cases are recorded of its fatal effects upon animals,
except such as have been produced by experiment, several of
which, on horses and other animals, at the Edinburgh
Veterinary College, are recorded in Mr. Finlay Dun’s work
on veterinary medicines : — “ A cat of average size got upvij
of Flemming’s tincture of aconite. In two minutes severe
retching came on, and in five minutes painful vomiting and
involuntary muscular contractions of a most active kind, with
perverted action of the voluntary muscles, causing the animal
to leap up the wall, and turn summersaults backwards. The
vomiting and muscular action continued to within two or
three minutes of death, which took place twenty minutes
after the administration of the poison.” Other experiments
on horses and dogs are also given at some length by the same
author. Its effects upon two greyhounds came under my
own observation a few years ago, and will be found recorded
by me in the Veterinarian for January, 1859* The poisonous
properties of the Aconitum napellus depend chiefly on an alka¬
loid named aconitina (aconitine) (C60H47NOT4), which is the
most virulent poison known. According to Dr. Headland,
C( 1 -300th of a grain will poison a mouse with characteristic
symptoms; l-100th, a small bird; l-1000th of a grain causes
tingling and numbness of the tip of the tongue; 1- 100th
dissolved in spirit, and rubbed into the skin, causes loss of
feeling for some time. This alkaloid is difficult to obtain
pure, and its price, 3 s. 6d. per grain , would prevent its use in
veterinary practice.

(To be continued .)

THOUGHTS ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN

CATTLE.

Suggested by a Discussion at the Lancashire Veterinary

Medical Association.

By T. Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., President.

I have listened attentively to the reading of a very excel¬
lent paper we have been favored with upon pleuro-pneumonia
in cattle, by Mr. W. Haycock, and also to two evenings’
most interesting and enlightened discussions which have fol¬
lowed. We have had a variety of practical opinions as to the

460 TliOtJGHTS ON tLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN CATTLE.

causes, nature, and treatment of the disease, some attributing
it to one cause, and others again to another; some advocating
one mode of treatment, and others another. From all this
1 have formed the following opinion, and come to the
conclusion that no known mode of management or plan of
ventilation is a full protection against it, and that inoculation,
as a preventive, is utterly useless. This is abundantly proved
in Professor Simonds* two elaborate and thoroughly scientific
reports upon the subject, made twelve years ago, and which he
now confirms as it being of no more use than a seton, and as
not having one scientific leg to stand upon as a preventive of
pleuroh The experience of inoculation in our Australian
dependencies are exactly the same. I am led also to the
conclusion that homoeopathy and hydropathy are of no avail ;
that bloodletting, counter-irritation, purgatives, sedatives, or
narcotic medicine, as a means of cure, have proved to have little
or no influence in combating this disease. We find some few
cases recover under the most opposite methods of treatment,
but I think the candid and enlightened mind will not arro¬
gate wholly to himself the cure, but would rather say as our
respected ex-president, Mr. Lawson, very modestly and, as I
thought, very wisely, said at our last meeting, “ To my utter as¬
tonishment, they every one of them got better, but whether it
was due to my treatment or not I am not prepared to say.” I
am come to the conclusion also that all our notions about
ventilation are at fault ; they are entirely inapplicable and,
utterly inefficient as a preventive of pleuro -pneumonia in
cattle. In respect to it being contagious, is a question not
yet clearly established. We see situated upon yonder high
land a dairy which no expense has been spared to render every¬
thing that is likely to contribute to and ensure health, and
where we consequently expect we must have an immunity from
disease. We see that the sweet fresh breath of Heaven plays
about it and sweeps freely through the place ; the ventilating
shaft with the ingress upon the ground surface, and the tem¬
perature, always scrupulously attended to. In this place
there are no drains, no “ grids,” nor manure-heaps, permitted
to accumulate, but in every department cleanliness, regularity,
and care, are diligently and rigorously persisted in, and yet
what are the results? The morbific influence, the fell destroyer,
has taken up its abode there, with only limited periods of
absence, and would appear to be perfectly irrepressible by any
and every known human agency. We see (it may be) at the
very next farm, where no pretensions whatever to care or clean¬
liness are observed, where the hovel is so low that you cannot
stand upright in it, and the walls and top of the building

THOUGHTS ON PLEUllO-PN liUMONIA IN CATTLE. 461

k . i - - • * 41

strangers to a brusli of any kind perhaps for thirty years, where
there is no ingress nor egress for a breath of air, and where
the manure heap is within one yard of the door, and only
removed at rare intervals of time ; where the green, fetid,
putrid, decomposing animal and vegetable matter is reeking
and disgusting to the senses ; yet, strange as it may appear, the
disease has never visited this loathsome place. From these facts
I conclude that the germs of the disease are not equally dis¬
seminated in the air, but subjected to drifts or to some law not
yet known to us. We have, I doubt not, each of us met with
instances of this kind. How can this phenomenon be accounted
for ? In the present state of our knowledge it is a mystery,
but I think the influence is fairly deducible that this disease
is not referable to any so-called nuisance, or any mephitic
emanations. It runs its complete course unattended by the
precise characteristics essential to true inflammation. But
whilst this perplexing problem has been taxing myt brain
there is one idea that has been fixing itself in my mind, and
I find the conviction is growing stronger and stronger (and
these discussions have only tended to incite my mind to more
deep thought and study) ; it is this, that the disease is the
direct action or effect of inhaling a special virus, an acrid
pestilential malaria, which exists in the atmosphere; but
whether it is a subtle geological elimination, an aerial poison
chemically developed by certain favorable conditions of the
atmosphere, or whether it be referable to the existence of some
germinal spore or infusoria of infinitesimal minuteness in the
air, are questions that science is not yet able to make known
to us ; we are only able to take cognizance of it by its effects.
This acrid irritant comes into actual contact with, and becomes
impacted upon the fine, delicate, sensitive membrane lining
the air-cells. Of this I am persuaded, that a certain tangible,
actual effect is produced upon it during the act of endosmosis
and exosmosis. That thus this delicate membrane becomes
impervious ; the effect being analogous to the action of some
powerful caustic upon it, and therefore this membrane is the
primary and special seat of the disease ; the interlobular struc¬
tures becoming implicated shortly afterwards. Occasionally
we find the disease limited to clusters of lobules, or even to
isolated lobules. If the atmosphere happens to be largely im¬
pregnated with this gas, or whatever else it may be, then the
effect is sudden, causing instant serous effusion or exudation,
and the whole substance of one or both lobes of the lungs
swelling at the same moment ; the symptoms become violent,
and in a few hours the most inveterate, malignant tumefaction
and induration is established, assuming very soon the gray or

462 THOUGHTS ON FLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN CATTLE.

marbled stage, a condition which I consider positively irre¬
vocable. But if the air is only feebly impregnated with this
gas, or whatever else it may be, at the time, then the effects
are feeble also, and probably in some cases only transient in
their duration ; these cases are curable . All other affections of
the chest would appear to have merged themselves into this
type of disease ; but I maintain that in no one case can pleuro¬
pneumonia be in existence many days without its effect be¬
coming apparent. This conviction has grown upon me still
more during this very interesting discussion, and through the
various conversations I have had with other experienced and
enlightened men. One of the most respectable and intelligent
butchers in Manchester told me the other day that for a great
number of years he has been in the habit of buying for
slaughtering twenty cows a week, and that he had found the
lungs affected with “ pleuro ” in only one instance where it
was not apparent when the animal wras alive.

Method of Prevention and Cure .

I trust my readers have not arrived at the conclusion that
no mode of prevention or cure can ever be effected. If it be
suggested that human science can give no solution to this
question, that men of extraordinary powers of mind cannot
lessen the difficulty, we occupy a most humiliating position
indeed. Such is, however, I believe, the generally received
opinion, but I also believe that no delusion can be more
common or more baseless. It can be shown by antecedent
progress that human beings, all but superhuman in their
natural powers, have conceived, exercised, and determined
great eventualities and discoveries. This, then, is a very proper
inquiry for science to press on, for to the man of energy
possibilities become probabilities, and probabilities certainties.
It would appear that powerful diffusible stimulants, in the
first stage, as medicaments, are most effectual. The sugges¬
tions I am about to make have been upon my mind for some
time. Thirty-three years ago all the scientific societies in
England were engaged in discussing the advantages of railway
trains having sharp ends like unto ships, but it was proved
that a train carried upon it and around it a certain load of at¬
mospheric air, and that the pressure was nearly the same under
all circumstances. I also remember that when the question
of consuming the dense, thick, black smoke of our chimneys
was under discussion at our town council, one of our ablest
chemists told them it was not that dense, black smoke, but
the thin invisible sulphurous smoke, that was so prejudicial
to health. Again, in the Valley of Death in Java, it is well

THOUGHTS ON PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN CATTLE. 463

known the subtle poison only floats in the lower stratum ; in
fact, in all confined places we find the foulest air and the
pestilence most malignant in the lowest strata, and that conse¬
quently those men or animals inhaling the lowest succumb the
soonest. You will, perhaps, be ready to reply to this, “ Yes, we
know this is the case ; it is the carbonic acid gas which is of
the greatest density but I think I need not tell you there
are other subtle invisible poisons in the air besides the gas
you name, and which our finest and most delicate instruments
have yet to disclose. The microscope has opened up to us
another world ; but wonderful as its powers are, I believe the
time is fast approaching when that instrument and the sepo-
meter will attain a far higher and greater state of perfection ;
when science, with the aid of such instruments, shall be able
to trace everything to the very bourn of nothingness. I do
not mean to say that man will ever be able to read the whole
arcana and secrets of nature, or solve all her problems, but
even now we have removed some of the mists and unveiled
many things that were unknown, nay, a mystery to us before.
We can even now contemplate the unmeasured amplitudes of
creation, and the mighty systems of things, as well as watch
the swarms of animated life that people a drop of water. But
as science advances we shall be enabled to see our now
invisible and dreaded enemy face to face plainly ; then the
constituent parts of the atmosphere will be seen and compre¬
hended, and every change in it be at once observed ; then
that will be no longer a mystery to us which is so now ;
then every pestilence will be called by its right name and
ascribable to its exact and legitimate source; we shall see
then whether it be infinitesimal infusoria, or geological elimi¬
nations drifting about over immense tracts of the earth's
surface, or whatever else it may be ; we shall also be able to
see clearly in what manner it impinges itself upon and
becomes impacted into the living tissues of man, animals, and
vegetables. But in the interim what is to be done ? Do you
say, send all the diseased cattle one after another to the
slaughterhouse ? — a course not to be reprobated, since it would
appear the flesh is not diseased nor unwholesome. Well, that
would seem to be the system nearly all men are now adopting,
and our debates these two nights have not brightened our pro¬
spects much. Well, but I have spoken already about subtle
poisons; I find that in times past the Will-o'-tlie-Wisp, or
ignis fatuus , was frequently seen in low marshy lands, and in
every well-authenticated instance that I can meet with, it
was always observed nearly upon the surface of the ground.
Now, it is a fact that when the disease first broke out its

464 PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE.

ravages were most fearful in tlie Rhenish Provinces, in Bel¬
gium, and Holland. The whole of these countries are flat,
marshy, and swampy. I find in Mungo Parke's travels in
the interior of Africa, and also in the works of that enlightened
and scientific explorer, Dr. Livingstone ; and Mr. Haycock
informs me that that eminent and distinguished explorer of
the Nile, Captain Speke, confirms their statements, viz., vast
tracks of country are infected with pestilential fevers, deso¬
lating whole districts ; and that the course adopted there was
to sleep in hammocks elevated fourteen feet above the surface
of the earth, where they found they enjoyed a perfect immu¬
nity from disease. It would appear there is a certain law regu¬
lating this subtle gas, or whatever else it may be, that
it cannot ascend beyond a given height, but is confined to
certain lower strata of air, resting upon the surface of the
earth ; and thus, if occupying the stratum above, you are
beyond its reach and influence. You are perhaps ready
to ask me, “ Is it your suggestion, then, to have my cow
( teagled up ' into an upper room, into the stratum above
that in which the poison floats ?” If I answer you it is, you
may possibly laugh at the bare idea ; but is it, I would ask,
irrational to surmise its value to our patient when we have
proof upon proof of its certain and intrinsic value in man,
and especially so when everything else has proved an utter
failure. If there is a truth in it, the method of doing it can
be readily accomplished, nearly as readily as removing her
into another shed ; and if it should prove a success, then I
feel persuaded the philanthropist will not laugh at it, and
science will then espouse it as one of her greatest and noblest
triumphs.

DOES THE PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CUL¬
TURE AFFECT THE PLANT, AND IF SO, ARE
THE INJURIOUS CONSEQUENCES IMPARTED
TO SHEEP?

By D. Gresswell, M.R.C.Y.S., Louth.

General experience admits the fact that the turnip
crop is not so certain as heretofore, which by some people is
thought to arise from the stock, or seed-growing, turnips not
being sown early enough for the root to reach a full and per¬
fect development before their growth is stopped by cold
weather; and that the seed, in consequence of being raised

PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE. 465

from a miniature root, partakes of the incomplete or stunted
growth of the plant. This, however, is not the case ; the
bulb is larger than ever, but more prone to disease, which is
attributable to the poisonous, acid, rotten, decomposing seed¬
bed adopted.

I am not going to argue against supplying the soil with all
the elements required for bringing the root crops to full and
perfect development, as undoubtedly a want of one or more
of the elements in sufficient quantity for the sustenance of
the plants frequently exists, and to such an extent as to
render them weak, diseased, and unprofitable; but to the
mode in which these fertilisers are used. The first point con¬
tended, is that an unhealthy seed-bed is formed from the
manures being in too concentrated and acidly soluble a form,
and that the young plant is injured by these concentrated
manures being in juxtaposition with the germinating seed,
which frequently receives more of these mineral salts than it
can appropriate, producing that efflorescence on the leaves the
forerunner of mildew; and secondly, supposing these manures
to contain either lead or arsenic, that the evil consequences
are still further augmented, as it is established by chemical
investigation that vegetables are capable of absorbing
poisonous salts from the soil and becoming themselves
poisonous in consequence. (Dr. Taylor ‘ On Poisons/ article,
“Lead.”) Hence it is of paramount importance thatthe chemi¬
cal manure manufacturer should supply these valuable and
indispensable fertilisers free from all poisonous contamination,
and guarantee their purity to his customers by the strictest
chemical investigation, or the consequences may become of the
deadliest character, not only to farm stock, but even to man
himself. Thirdly, the seed being sown upon decomposing
organic matter, or matter in a state of transition, that the
putrefactive fermentation possesses a power of producing or
transmitting its own action to any organic substance, and
thus imparts an aptitude in the root or bulb of the turnip
to undergo an unnatural and spontaneous decay, even before
it becomes fully matured, which so far weakens the plant
as to render it incapable of standing sudden changes of
temperature, and would, were it not for its biennial nature,
have made it as uncertain a crop as it has long since done
the potatoe. The wurzel has likewise been under the same
pernicious influences as the turnip ; the longer it has been
grown the more uncertain has the crop become. In fact,
these crops, managed according to the present system, have
within themselves the elements of decay to such an extent
that an extraordinarily severe winter would rot them all.

466

PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE.

Fourthly, there is another potent reason why organic
matters should be avoided as a seed-bed, namely, in the won¬
derful tendency they have at this season to become a mass of
life, the vitalising influence of the sun acting upon the hidden
germs of insects, which in favorable seasons rapidly produce
myriads of those forms that live and prey upon the roots and
leaves of the young and tender plant, frequently causing the
farmer to resow his land. These organic manures contain the
eggs or germs of insects, and act as hot-beds for the pro¬
duction of the fly, the smallest fly, & c., spreading all sorts of
filth to adjacent crops of beans, peas, tares, &c. Every
garden, every manure heap, every putrifactive mass, shows
and substantiates this fact.

To avoid these four causes of disease, and their host of
consequences, let the manurial seed-bed cease to be adopted.
Have the whole of the organic manures put on the land in
winter or early in the spring, and thus deprive the germs of
insects of life by cold, and afford decay a chance of comple¬
tion before the elements are required for vegetation. Pur¬
chase also only those mineral manures that are warranted free
from arsenical or lead contamination. These should be sown
broadcast in double the quantity a short time before the
turnips. Let them be well incorporated with the soil, and
you need not fear getting a good heavy crop of sound winter
food. But this manurial seed-bed, although it must in time
be given up or wonderfully modified, has many strong and
energetic advocates ; consequently it will be well to show how
it may be used least injuriously. Foremost stands the liquid
drill, where pure mineral substances are used. These chemical
salts, by the time they get into the soil, being diluted to over
one hundred times their bulk, the practical results are good
crops of sounder food. The water drill, however, is not ap¬
plicable to all situations, and the dry drill is not practicable
to dilute them to the required extent, but might be so con¬
structed if some mechanical appliances were adapted to mix
these substances thoroughly in the seed-bed with the soil as
they are deposited from the drill, three hundredweight of
these mineral salts to the acre requiring to be mixed with
about fifteen tons of soil to bring them to the like condition
of dilution afforded by the liquid drill. If these mineral
salts are not entirely divested of poisonous acid and organic
substances, and diluted to over one hundred times their bulk,
they had better be sown broadcast if we wish diseased turnips
to be the exception, not the rule, which is no slight consider¬
ation in the present day, when we consider their effects upon
sheep. The diseases of sheep have been increasing in a cor-

PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE,

467

responding degree with these so-called improvements in
turnip culture. Thousands upon thousands of lambs fall
victims to parasitic and other diseases in the autumn. These
worm diseases are caused by the sheep taking into their
system the eggs or germs of worms from the turnips, the
necessary products of an organic seed-bed before the weather
has been severe enough to deprive these germs of life. These
germs quickly propagate at a time when the vital action of
the system of the lambs is at its lowest ebb, from the un¬
kindly way in which they take to their new food. They shrink
rapidly, although generally unperceived, from the wool-cover¬
ing. They should either have a little artificial food or some
kale when first put on, so that they may be brought to eat this
new food without losing much condition, and thereby be ren¬
dered proof against parasitic or w?orm diseases. In fact,
lambs should be well cared for from the time they are weaned
until they get well hold of the turnips.

In the northern part of Lincolnshire, soon after the com¬
mencement of the present year and up to the full term of preg¬
nancy, thousands of ewes have aborted or slipped their lambs
in a state of decay, and hundreds of them have died. Here a
combination of causes have produced the results ; the ex¬
treme cold in the first week of January, the altitude of the
Wold Hills, and the rotten condition of the turnips, acted de¬
structively upon the breedling, especially of twins. In fact,
the action of the extreme cold in high bleak situations has been
too much for the heavily taxed breeding ewe to stand while
feeding upon badly organized food. The greatest losses have
been experienced where the turnips were nearly all in a state
of decay, and where artificial food was not early resorted to.
Some people think, because sheep will eat this fermenting food,
that it cannot be injurious ; but I would ask, how can it be
otherwise, when all the organic principles, such as the sugar,
starch, &c., are being resolved into the gaseous or unorgan¬
ized form? We may as well expect the living frame to elaborate
its own structures from earthy or gaseous elements. Patho¬
logical investigation shows that slow and gradual changes
have been secretly and slowly working out their fatal ends —
the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys of these ewes having lost
their natural firmness of structure, and one or all assumed
more or less a soft, pulpy, broken-down character ; besides
which, a general decay or decomposition had to all appear¬
ance set in even before death, so as to make you at times
doubt the statements of the shepherds, that such and such
animals had only been dead some two or three hours.
There has been another disease amongst breeding ewes,

468 PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE.

affecting those chiefly on grass land, which is evidently
the result of extreme cold alone, and is not inaptly termed
“storm-struck.” Here abortion was not the leading feature,
but a general and total paralysis seized all the voluntary
muscles, the brain becoming affected, and the poor animals
dying in from twelve to twenty- four hours, in a state of coma,
or in the milder cases slowly recovering, emaciated in form,
and perhaps ultimately aborting their young. This disease,
how’ever, has not existed to any great extent.

The highest altitudes of the Wold Hills have suffered most
by the ewes aborting. They are more freely supplied by a
manuriai seed-bed, the turnips are more generally unhealthy
and rot early, and the sheep likewise suffer more from nearly
all sorts of disease than in the lower-lying grounds.

The turnips that were affected with the smother fly last
summer, and stocked early in the autumn, produced a low
gastro-enteric fever in the hoggets, which killed them by
wholesale ; the deaths were, however, quickly stopped as soon
as a change to more healthy food took place. Not only is decay¬
ing matter capable of transmitting its action to young growing-
vegetables, but decaying vegetables will equally transmit that
action to the blood of animals, and thus render it incapable
of maintaining the wants of the system. There are other
weakening influences in action. The indiscriminate applica¬
tion of mercurial ointment on sheep cannot be too strongly
condemned. It is a delusion to think that it either adds to
the weight of the wool or improves the condition of the
animal, but, on the contrary, it diminishes the fleece, by weak¬
ening the constitution, and thus rendering the animal for
some time more prone to take on disease from slight causes.
It should never be used unless the sheep are really scabbed,
the washes in general use being cheap, and far more effectual,
when properly applied, in the destruction of filth. Neither
should common salt be given ad libitum ; it causes the
animals to take more fluid than is consistent with a due con¬
centration of the gastric fluid to properly digest the food,
hence results emaciation and a decreased power of resisting the
causes of disease. Rock salt may be allowed in the lump,
but not in a state of powder. The present forcing system of
bringing the animal in half the time to the stall of the butcher
has its influence in weakening the constitution by loading
the carcass with fat; but happily this system is not generally
adopted in breeding animals, or its positive tendency would
in the end be to annihilate the flock. To blindly look on,
and, with the multitude, ascribe disease to causes over which
we have no control, is at one fell swoop to paralyse effort. All

DEATH OF THREE HEIFERS.

469

effects are the result of causes: hidden they may be and as they
undoubtedly are in many cases, under heaps of blind customs.
These, however, only require to be looked into without
prejudice for truth to stand forth in all its beauty and sim¬
plicity. In drawing these few remarks to a close, my object
will be answered if I succeed in directing public attention to
a subject of so much importance, that a more extended
scientific investigation of it may be elicited, whereby error
and danger shall be averted.

DEATH OF THREE HEIFERS CAUSED BY THE
RANUNCULUS FICARIJE (LESSER CELANDINE.
PILE WORT).

By Henry Flower, M.R.C.V.S., Derby.

The following particulars respecting the death of three
heifers, from their partaking of a species of Ranunculus
(Ranunculus Jtcaria ), I have fonvarded to you, with a view
of their being brought under the notice of the profession
through’ the pages of the Veterinarian, I feel sure that, on
closer examination, in many of our pastures various plants
will be found which at certain seasons of the year are calcu¬
lated to produce injurious and not unfrequently fatal effects
upon animals. Hardly a spring has passed without a case
or two like the following having come under my notice ; and
although I have always had suspicion that death was in some
measure attributable to plants growing in the pasture, I have
hitherto been unable to trace it to its true source. Nor is
this to be wondered at, considering the opportunities afforded
us of obtaining a knowledge of that science, by the aid of
which alone investigations of this nature can be fully carried
out, viz. the science of botany. To all, more or less, but
to country practitioners especially, an acquaintance with this
science will be found of great practical utility^ and prove a
means of tracing to their true source many of those diseases
amongst animals which are at present but little understood.
Every day its value forces itself more fully upon our con¬
sideration, and I trust the time is not far distant when its
claims will so far be felt and acknowledged by its forming
an integral part of the professional education of the veterinary
surgeon.

On the 15th of April I was requested to attend a heifer, the

470

DEATH OF THREE HEIFERS.

property of W. Mundy, Esq., M.P., ofMarkeaton Hall, near
Derby, which wTas thought to be giving evidence of an attack
of the “ foot and mouth disease.” Upon my arrival I found
that the animal in question, writh four others, had been kept
in a good pasture during the winter ; and as they had been
liberally supplied with hay and turnips, they were all in
good condition. This heifer had, however, been noticed to
purge considerably the night before my visit, and was now
evidently very much out of health. That something more
than the ordinary 6< foot andjnouth disease ” was the cause of
her illness was at once apparent from the violent rigors and
spadmodic twitching of the muscles which existed. Besides
these, the following symptoms were present, viz., arched
back, staring coat, and a copious flow of saliva from the mouth.
She was also in a semi-comatose state, and when aroused
from it she vTould become very violent and rush against any¬
thing, or dash her head violently against the wall, occasionally
bellowing as if in great pain. From having previously met
with cases of the kind, I wras convinced that the animal was
labouring under a narcotico-irritant poison. This induced
me at once to go into the pasture to look at the remainder of
the animals, when I found two of them to be slightly affected
in the same manner. I commenced my treatment, although
with but little hope of success, by bleeding and administering
large doses of oil, combined with other purgatives. All how¬
ever proved of no avail, as the first heifer rapidly sank and
died the next morning. With the second heifer similar treat¬
ment was attempted, wThich, however, could be only partially
carried out, as she became so violent that the united strength
of five or six men could not hold her. During the night she
broke down the doors of the shed in which she was placed,
and rushed to the bottom of the field, where she fell and died.
The third case was similar in its progress, with the exception
that the symptoms were less violent, and that the animal
lived for three days. Such being the state of things, I of
course took care that the two remaining heifers were at once
removed from the field, and I also gave to each some purgative
medicine.

By the consent of Mr. Mundy, I requested Mr. Watson,
M.R.C.V.S., of Rugby — to whom the profession are so much
indebted for his valuable contributions on botany in the
Veterinarian — to come over and assist me in a post-mortem
examination of the last-named heifer, and examine the herbage,
&c., in the pasture. With his usual kindness, Mr. Watson
promptly attended, and for the great assistance he gave me
in the investigation it is only right that I should offer him

DEATH OF THREE HEIFERS.

471

my best thanks. After a careful examination he drew up the
annexed report, from which it will be seen that the deaths of
the animals resulted from their having partaken of con¬
siderable quantities of the Ranunculus fic aria (lesser celandine,
or pilewort) with their food.

The post-mortem examination revealed extensive disease of
the stomachs and bowels, particularly the rumen, the epithe¬
lium of which peeled off with the slightest touch, exposing
the mucous membrane in a highly congested condition,
amounting in many places to a state of ecchymosis. The
omasum was in a similar condition. The small intestines were
also much inflamed, and the brain congested.

The following is Mr. Watson’s report: — “ On Thursday,
April 21st, 1864, by the request of Mr. H. Flower,
M.R.C.V.S., I proceeeded to Derby, and, accompanied by
him, made an examination of the different plants growing in a
field near the residence of W. Mundy, Esq., M.P., about two
miles from Derby, my investigation having reference to the
death of three valuable heifers. The field in question was
about ten acres in extent, and in it five heifers had been kept
for some months previous to April 12th, all up to that time
being in apparent health. Between that date and April 20th
three of the heifers had died. The symptoms in each case, to¬
gether with the post-mortem appearances, indicated the presence
of an irritant poison. From inquiries, I ascertained that the
day previous to the animals being attacked some of them had
escaped from the field into a plantation, which formed the
boundary of a considerable portion of it. Here, however,
they only remained for a very short time before they were
discovered and brought back. This circumstance naturally
gave rise to a suspicion that the animals had partaken of
something growing in this plantation ; and, although several
plants, such as the Hyacinthus nonscriptus (wild hyacinth, or
hare-bell), the Arum maculatum (cuckoo-pint), and the Taxus
baccata (yew), all more or less of a poisonous nature, were
here found, and the former in considerable quantities, yet a
most careful examination failed to detect any indications of
these plants having been bitten, or otherwise interfered
with by the animals. On the banks of a small stream which
bounded another side of the field I found small quantities of
the Cicuta virosa (cowbane, or water hemlock), but this also
had not been interfered with. In the field itself, besides the
ordinary plants growing in good pasture, I found consider¬
able quantities of the Orobus tuberosus (bitter vetch), small
quantities of the Ranunculus acr is and bulbosus (crowfoot), and
an unusual large quantity of the Ranunculus ficaria (lesser

472

DEATH OF THREE HEIFERS.

celandine, or pilewort). No other plants likely to prove in¬
jurious to animals could be found.

“ Taking into consideration, therefore, the symptoms pre¬
sented by the animals, together with the post-mortem ap¬
pearances, and the unusual large quantities of the Ranunculus
ficaria found in the pasture, I have every reason to believe
that this plant was the cause of death in the animals in ques¬
tion. It may be asked why a similar circumstance has not
occurred before, when animals have been kept in this par¬
ticular field ? I think their escape may in a great degree be
accounted for, as the person who had attended to the stock
for many years informed me that these heifers had been kept
for a fortnight or three weeks longer in the pasture than any
others had been in former years, previously to its being
‘shut up' for mowing, and therefore they were there at the
time during which this plant attains its greatest luxuriance.

“To avoid accidents of this sort in future I would recommend
the animals to be removed from the pasture earlier in the
spring. I may also state that this plant, like many other of
the Ranunculus tribe loose their irritant properties when made
into hay."

[Sowerby, in his ‘English Botany,’ says that the specific
name — -ficaria — has reference to the shape of the roots of this
Ranunculus, which are somewhat like little figs. Its acrid pro¬
perty has led to its use as a stimulant plaster for some forms
of external humours ; hence one of its popular names. As
the celandine, its praises have been sung by modern poets.
Wordsworth has referred to it as “the little humble celandine."
The tiny tubers of the roots are often exposed to view by the
washing of contiguous streams, or by rain, and then they
look somewhat like grains of wheat; this appearance has
given rise to the assertion that it has “ rained wheat." The
young leaves of this plant are boiled by the common people
in some parts of Sweden, and eaten with safety. It appears
that the deleterious properties of the whole group may be
dissipated by the application ofheat. It is injurious to moist
grass land, but it is said to be effectually destroyed by a
dressing of coal or wood ashes. The flow'er loves the sun¬
shine and light. We generally find it closed from about five
in the evening until nine in the morning, and also during wet
or very gloomy weather. Its Celtic name, grian (the sun),
refers to this point in its history.]

473

‘ OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN HEALTH AND

disease:

Comments by “ Qilesitou.”

Gentlemen, — I was pleased to find, on reading this
month’s number of the Veterinarian , that your talented cor¬
respondent, Mr. Fleming, had called the attention of the
profession to a statement which he found in a work now pub¬
lishing, entitled * Our Domestic Animals in Health and
Disease,’ in which the author asserts that of the lame horses
cast as being no longer fit for military service two thirds are
preventable cases, and many of them even curable by the
simple application of a better system of shoeing than now
prevails in the service.

If our army veterinary surgeons will but give us a few
statistics, which they can easily do by looking through their
case-books, the correctness or otherwise of this statement
will soon be arrived at.

For myself individually, the question has a great interest,
as for some years I — in conjunction with some resident landed
proprietors-— have been trying to introduce the mode of
shoeing generally adopted in this country into Germany,
more especially Saxony, as being superior to that now in
use, both for military and general purposes, and, as we con¬
ceive, with highly satisfactory results.

This attempt at an innovation naturally caused a discus¬
sion ; and amongst others wLo have written upon the subject
is Veterinary Surgeon Erdt, of Coslin, who, in a paper sent
to an agricultural journal, published monthly at Berlin, says,
“ If we compare the two systems, the result is very un¬
favorable to the English. In the Prussian army scarcely
per cent, of the horses are cast on account of foot
lameness, whereas Miles himself, in his work, page 38, says,
(e and still there are more horses cast as unserviceable every
year from disabilities commencing in the foot than from ail
other causes combined. For that reason, according to the
testimony of well-informed Englishmen (Goodwin), the
shoeing is so faulty, that in no country are so many ruined
feet to be met with as in this, for its breed of horses so
famed a land.”

What inference are W'e to draw' from these statements ?
Mr. Erdt says that horses wearing shoes, specimens of
which lay on the table wrhilst I am writing, which

xx xvi i. 31

474

BREAK-DOWN.

((

}}

would be considered too inferior in make to put on the feet
of a London cab -horse (which is saying much), produce
but per cent, of the lamenesses for which horses
in the Prussian army are cast ; whereas the author of the
work on ( Domestic Animals/ &c., tells us that the shoe
considered by the authorities in this country to be the best
of its kind now in use produces upwards of 60 per cent.

I must say that my experience would lead me to expect
that Mr. Fleming, with the assistance of the army members
of our profession, will be able to prove that somebody has
made a mistake in their figures.

I am, & c.

To the Editors of c The Veterinarian

CASE OF “ BREAK-DOWN.”

By “ Argus.”

A few mornings ago (about the middle of April) an officer
rode up to my house to ask me to go and see a horse of his
that had met with a severe accident on the race-course, while
taking an ordinary training gallop. The impression on the
owner’s mind was that the horse had fractured both his fore
legs, but from his replies to questions I put to him I inferred
that it was a case of complete break-down, and told him so.
I also recommended him to shoot the animal at once, as I
was busy, and could not well spare the time to ride out some
three miles to see so evidently hopeless a case. He, however,
begged of me to go, as the horse, an old Arab, was a favorite
of his wife’s, and I might possibly see some chance of his
recovering sufficiently to become even an old pensioner. I
accordingly accompanied the owner, and found the case a
much more hopeless one than I had anticipated. The horse
was lying down when we got to the spot; he was in great
pain, and very restless, and covered with perspiration. On
his rising, the fetlocks of both fore legs came to the ground,
the pastern and foot of each being turned outwards , resting
horizontally along the ground. The lower end of the large
metacarpal bone of the near fore leg was protruding through
the skin and in contact with the ground. I advised the
instant destruction of the poor brute, and shot him myself
•at the request of the owner, who said he could not do it.

Dissection of the fore legs revealed a rupture of the
internal lateral ligaments of the fetlock-joints, also of the

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

475

internal inferior branches of the suspensory ligament, and
of the crucial ligament. There had been some thickening
about the fetlock-joints previous to the occurrence of the
accident, but not more than one frequently sees in old horses
that have done work. At the time of the mishap the horse
was going at a steady gallop, being held well in hand. He
was ridden by a native jockey, weighing about six stone
seven pounds ; the ground was good, soft, free from holes, and
quite level. "When the rupture of the ligaments took place
the animal went fCa complete cropper” falling on his rider,
but luckily not doing him any very serious injury. Accidents
of this kind are said to occur among race-horses at home
occasionally. Are they ever known to take place during the
ordinary gallops during training ? I send you an account of
this case, as I think it a peculiar one, and perhaps you may
deem it worthy of being placed upon record.

[In our last we recorded an analogous case to this, which
occurred in the practice of Mr. Blakeway ; and it is not a little
singular, taken in connection with these cases, that in the
race for the Oaks “ Saragossa/5 the property of the Earl
of Zetland, while going, as it is said, “ well within herself,”
was seen to fall, and on examination it was found that one of
her legs was broken.]

Facts and Observations.

Vivisections. — The Royal Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals have announced that they are about to
offer a premium of <£50 for an essay against vivisection, in
English, and 1000 francs for a similar one in the French
language, which they hope will continue the agitation against
that practice which they have instituted. — Medical Times.

Diseased Meat for the Navy. — An action was
brought in the Court of Queen’s Bench on the 7th ult.,
which proves that our sailors are at least as much exposed
to the dangers arising from eating diseased meat — whatever
they may be — as the rest of Her Majesty’s lieges. The action
was brought against two persons, named England and Curtis,
who are meat contractors for Deptford Dockyard. The
plaintiff Davies was foreman to Curtis, and was employed by
him in cutting up the carcasses of cattle alleged to be diseased.
One ground of the action was that the plaintiff had been in¬
fected by the disease of the cattle. The Court gave judgment

476

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

for the plaintiff, on the supposition that the defendants were
aware of the diseased condition of the animals.

Tincture of Aloes as an Application to Wounds.
— M. Delioux observes that, notwithstanding the great repute
of aloes as an external application in former times, it is now
seldom used, and that he was induced to give it a trial in
consequence of its great utility in veterinary practice. After
trying it in combination with other balsamic substances, he
has come to use it alone, finding a saturated tincture made
with one part of aloes and two of alcohol to be the best pre¬
paration. Suppurating wounds, when at all of an atonic
character, are to be dressed by means of charpie dipped in
the tincture, the application causing little or no pain. Old
and obstinate ulcers, and ulcers from decubitus in cachectic
subjects, are much benefited by it. It is useful also to bear
in mind its great cicatrizing power in wounds and ulcers
occurring in our domestic animals, especially the horse.
Erosures and gallings by its aid are prevented degenerating
into ulcers. — Bull . de Therap ., vol. lxvi, p. 28.

Horse-racing in China. — Races have been got up at
Pekin, and proved a decided success. They were held in
the dried-up bed of a lake, near one of the imperial palaces
outside the walls. A better spot could not have been chosen,
as the slightly elevated ground forming what were the edges
of the lake afforded good standing-ground to the thousands
of spectators who crowded to witness the sport. It is esti¬
mated that at least 50,000 Chinese attended, besides the
members of the several foreign legations, and several of the
Chinese foreign ministers. Between the third and fourth
races the drilled Manchu force, which was organized by
Captain Coney, marched on the ground, and performed a
series of manoeuvres, after which all the high officials, native
and foreign, entered a large tent and took luncheon. The
whole affair was most successful, and seems to have been
highly appreciated, both by the Chinese and European spec¬
tators.

Wholesale Destruction of Dogs. — A crusade for
the prevention of rabies has been entered against the Liver¬
pool dogs. It has been estimated that upwards of 1000
dogs have been destroyed during the past month — 700 by
the police, and 300 by private individuals, while endless
informations have been disposed of by the magistrates. On
Thursday one person was excused the fine, because the dog

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

4 77

was “ quite twelve years old, with scarcely a tooth in its
head ; of a harmless disposition, and had suckled at one and
the same time a pup, a kitten, and a rabbit.”

Veterinary Reports and Cattle Diseases. — Sir
J. C. Jervoise, in his place in the House of Commons,
has called attention to the charge for expenses connected with
the inspection of cattle and sheep to prevent the spread of
disease, and maintained that the statements in the blue-
book were calculated to create a panic among agriculturalists.
Every fifth animal, and by consequence every fifth mutton
chop, was stated to be diseased, while there was not only
death in the pot, but in the pail. The total loss by pre¬
ventive diseases in cattle was estimated at £6,000,000 yearly.
He wished to know who was to be held responsible for such
statements, inasmuch as the medical officer who had des¬
patched eminent veterinary surgeons on commissions of
inquiry, not only through this country, but abroad, discon¬
nected himself in a note at the end of his report from the
opinions put forward by them. The epidemic diseases were
attributed in the blue-book to contagion originally of foreign
origin, whereas the medical officer attached to the customs
department reported that not a single case of smallpox in
sheep had entered this country.

Mr. Bruce said the Secretary to the Treasury had
already explained from what source the cost of these in¬
quiries was defrayed. The hon. member seemed not to deny
the great ability and clearness of the reports, but apparently
objected to the manner in which they were compiled. The
subject of diseases in cattle was one upon which a great
variety of opinions existed, and it was now receiving the at¬
tention of a select committee.

A British Doctor of 1612 on Eggs. — “Eggesbeof
that kinde of meate which in a little quantitie nourish much,
as Aviceri writeth. Wherefore they are reckoned in Scho.
Sal., together with other nourishing things, as followeth :

‘ Ova recentia, vina rubentia, pinguia jura,

Cum simula pura, naturae sunt valitura.

That is to saie, new laied egges, chiefly the yolkes, red wine,
and potage or broth of good flesh, as of mutton, veale, capon,
or chicken, especially being made with fine flower or grated
bread ; these are very comfortable and restorative for man's
bo die, and these three would I wish to be much used of
students, for they most neede nourishing matter.”

478

THE VETERINARIAN, JULY 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

ON MEDICAL EDUCATION.

We had hoped to have been able to attempt the fulfilment
of a promise made by us in our last number, namely, “ freely
to express our opinions ” on the late annual meeting of the
profession. But the highly gratifying support we continue
to receive from our correspondents precludes our entering
upon the many points both of interest and importance which
present themselves. To one, and only one, can we now
allude. It may, however, be said to be the foundation on
which all the others rest, whilst it is also the crowning stone
of the edifice, and involves a question very difficult of solu¬
tion. It is, if the system of instruction generally adopted
at our medical schools is the best that can be devised ? May
it not be that the attendance upon lectures is too rapid,
time not being given to the mind of the student to digest
what he has heard on one subject before he is called upon
to listen to another ? Further, but little inquiry is after¬
wards instituted as to the impression made, or the amount
of information acquired. We have been very much struck
with some observations lately made by the Archbishop of
York on this subject, and think them weighty and well
deserving of consideration. After having stated that the
system of teaching in the University of Oxford was essen¬
tially a mixed system, he went on to say that —

“ The professors in their several lines were second to those
of no university ; but the staple education of the place
did not proceed from those professors. There were besides
a class of persons called tutors, upon whom, in reality,
devolved the real work of education. The professor took

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

479

under his charge a particular subject, carried his studies in
it as far as he could carry them, and lectured in it to all who
approached him. Being the standard of his particular sub¬
ject, tutors themselves were quite willing to come and sit at
the feet of the professor, and so keep up their own knowledge
of the subject. He had an impression — it might be quite
erroneous — that the system of teaching medicine was too
much professorial and too little tutorial. They would under¬
stand what he meant when he explained what the tutor did.
The professor took in hand a particular subject, while the
tutor looked after the education of the pupil. He assembled
round him a small number of men in a room, opened a text
book, and explanations out of that book were given ; but
from the very first questions to the pupils went hand in hand
with explanations from the tutor. In that particular thing
lay the point and essence of the whole system — in the par¬
ticular fact that the attention was what he would call active
attention, as distinguished from passive attention, from the
very first. No sooner had a man had half an hour’s instruction ,
than he was asked for some return in the shape of ansvoers to
questions. It might be that he was prejudiced in favour of
this method, that this kind of active attention was very
easily given on the part of the pupil, whereas the passive
attention, which received and gave nothing back, was very
difficult to maintain. He maintained the tutorial system as
against the professorial, not that he did not see great ad¬
vantages also in the latter, but because he thought, on the
whole, that for a place where subjects were to be taught'
to the average run of men, and where they considered the
men more than the subject, the tutorial system, in some
of its modifications, was the system most profitable to be
employed. He had heard that the lectures the students of
the hospitals are expected to attend varied from fourteen to
twenty-one in the week. He thought that an extraordinary
number. At Oxford, where the lectures were easier, they
thought twelve in the week a very good average, and even
with that number, towards the end of their time, when pre¬
paring for examination, students often come to their tutors to
be excused from attending lectures, and the request was
granted as a matter of course. There was clearly a great
difference between the hospital system and that of Oxford
with respect to the number of lectures. While confessing
his ignorance of the matter as regarded them, still, having
formed an impression of human nature,- he was disposed to
say a word in favour of mercy with regard to the number of
lectures. It seemed to him almost impossible that a man could

480

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

sit three or four hours , constantly receiving and giving nothing
hade, without wasting a considerable portion of that time. It was

possible, therefore, that a hint from the Oxford system might
profitably be taken by their excellent institution, and that
when it was known that the pupils were profitably employ¬
ing their time, they might with advantage be left more to
themselves in the pursuit of their studies. There were even
stronger reasons for doing so in the hospital than at Oxford.
At the university a man, when summoned to lectures, could
put a mark in the book he was studying, come back, take it
up, and nothing was changed ; but in the hospital, if a man
was engaged in chemistry, he could not leave his test-tubes
and retorts simmering and fizzing, go off to lectures, and
return without a certain interruption, loss of time and
material, and a certain fret and worry of his thoughts. The
same, he presumed, would be the case with regard to dissec¬
tion, and anything requiring time and the use of hands and
instruments. If students could be trusted to wrork, better
leave them to it than to tease and worry them to come away
for instruction.”

There is much in the above with which we heartily con-,
cur. Two sentences we have italicised, the one as being,
as we consider, worthy of adoption in our schools, and the
other being a great truth, although but little thought of. The
mind, like the body, is capable of receiving only a certain
amount of matter. Like it, too, it demands time to
assimilate what it has received ; and a system of instruction,
therefore, should be adopted which is best calculated to
ensure the end in view, or all the labour, both on the part
of the teacher and the taught, will be in vain.

The state of our pages, however, prevent for the present
any further prosecution of this inquiry. Hereafter we may
return to it, taking up some other points that have been
adverted to.

481

THE LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

OFFICIAL REPORT.

The members of the above association held their seventh
meeting at the Brunswick Hotel, Manchester, on the 1st of
June. The following members and visitors were present: —
The President, T. Greaves, Esq. ; Messrs. Gould, Irlam-
soth Height; Nuttall, Rawtenstall ; Brooks, Pilkington;
Greaves, Altrincham ; Harwell, Knutsford, Litt, Shrewsbury ;
Cartwright, Whitchurch; Dunn, Tarporley ; P. Taylor, Hay¬
cock, and Dixon, Manchester; Fleming, F.R.G.S., F.A.S.L.,
V.S. King's Own Hussars; A. Challinor and W. Challinor,
Pendlebury ; J. Taylor, Oldham ; Morgan, Liverpool ; R.
Hampson, Manchester; and T. Taylor, Hon. Secretary,
Manchester.

At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the association,
which included the election of new members and the nomina¬
tion of others, the further discussion of Mr. Haycock's paper
on pleuro-pneumonia was resumed. The discussion which
followed was very lengthy and interesting. Inoculation was
severely attacked by some of the members, and was ably
defended by Mr. Cartwright, of Whitchurch, and Mr. Dunn,
of Tarporley. These gentlemen, having used it repeatedly,
spoke in good terms of its beneficial results.

A great deal was said respecting the contagious nature of
the disease, and several different opinions given. Upon this
part of the discussion, Mr. Litt, of Shrewsbury, gave some
capital ideas. Mr. Fleming and Mr. P. Taylor also expressed
their opinions upon the point in an instructive manner. Upon
the whole, however, nothing positive resulted from this
portion of the discussion; one party contending that the
disease was contagious, and another that it was not. -

The treatment of the disease proved another stumbling-
block in the discussion, every practitioner having his own
particular fancy, and thinking that the treatment he adopted
was the best. All kinds of remedies were adduced as being
beneficial, but no decided success could be said to belong
to any.

The essayist, in replying to the different speakers, remarked
that he had treated the disease in all manner of ways, and with
all classes of medicine, but still alwavs with the same uncertain
result. His opinion was that the great secret lay in giving
good food and nourishment, and if this did not succeed, he
would have the animal destroved.

w

482 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

The discussion continued until past ten o’clock, when a
vote of thanks having been given to the essayist for his
valuable paper, the President announced that at the next
meeting Mr. Lawson, of Manchester, would read a paper on
64 Tetanus ”

Thos. Taylor, Hon . Secretary.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

HONORARY SECRETARY’S OFFICIAL REPORT.

The quarterly meeting of the above society was held on the
15th ult., at the Crown and Thistle Hotel, Great Market,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, when there were present Mr. C. Hunting,
President; Messrs. McGregor, Seaton Delavel; L. Scott,
Hetton ; T. Thompson, Sunderland ; T. Foreman, Shotley
Bridge; H. Hunter, Newcastle; C. Stephenson, Newcastle;
D. Dudgeon, Sunderland; J. Peele, Durham; A. Mann,
Senr., and A. Mann, Junr., Lambton ; and the Secretary.

Mr. J. Peele and Mr. J. C. Hubbick (Hubbick and Peele),
Durham, and Mr. A. Mann, Junr., Veterinary Student, were
admitted members of the society.

The usual preliminary business of the society being disposed
of, Mr. L. Thompson, Sunderland, read the following paper
on “ Tetanus

Mr. President, — Before proceeding immediately to the sub¬
ject of the paper which I have engaged to prepare, and
submit to your mature judgment and scientific knowledge
this evening, I would remark that I have nothing novel or
extraordinary to advance, either in a physiological, patho¬
logical, or therapeutical point of view ; but simply to provoke
free discussion, independent thought, and investigation.

Science is of little value to the general community unless
it can be brought to bear practically on the business of life,
therefore the responsibility of its proper application devolves
chiefly on the professional man.

The well- trained and educated veterinarian is a man of
enlightenment aud observation, having a thorough knowledge
of the animal economy in a state of health and disease, which
are essential requisites to the efficient fulfilment of his arduous
duties and avocations.

The word “ tetanus ” is derived from two Greek words,
signifying to stretch ; and is generally used to denote spasm

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 483

with rigidity. It is one of the most painful and melancholy
diseases which flesh is heir to ; common to the horse, occur¬
ring occasionally in the ox and sheep, but seldom in the dog.
The various forms are distinguished as acute, chronic, trau¬
matic, symptomatic, and idiopathic, which, however, are
various, according to the different class of muscles more or
less involved. When the maxillary and pharyngeal muscles
are rigidly affected, it is denominated “ trismus and
when all the voluntary muscles of the neck, spine, tail, and
extremities, are spasmodically affected, it is then designated
“ tetanus”

The idiopathic form of this disease in the horse is con- •
sidered by many “ veterinarians ” to be the most frequent ;
but, speaking from my own experience, I have had more cases
of the traumatic character.

This dreadful and often fatal disorder proceeds from various
causes ; a very fertile source is wet and exposure to cold, or
a sudden chill after severe exercise. It arises, also, from
local injuries such as punctures, incisions, lacerations, and
bruises ; or sometimes even spontaneously, as in hot climates.
I have known it to follow on firing, docking, castration, punc¬
tures of the feet, wounds in the joints of the extremities, in¬
juries to the spinous processes, scapular, nasal, and orbital bones.

When the disease has arisen in consequence of a puncture,
or any other external injury, the symptoms show themselves
generally from the sixth to the tenth day ; but when it pro¬
ceeds from exposure to cold, they appear frequently much
earlier ; in some instances, however, it comes on suddenly,
and with great violence ; but it more usually makes its attack
in a gradual manner, in which case a slight stiffness is at first
perceived in the neck; the muscles of the eye, especially the
retractor oculi, shows the earliest spasms.

The diagnosis of “ tetanus ” in the horse is, generally
speaking, very easy. On the first appearance of the disease the
patient appears to ail but little; he neighs when any one
enters the stable, and seems eager for food, which together
with saliva drops from his mouth ; his jaws are found to be
stiff, and the eye to squint. As the disease continues to advance
the affected muscles feel hard to the touch, and he moves as
if he were a single piece ; the motion is painful, and agitation
produces the greatest distress. During the whole course of
the disorder the abdominal muscles are violently affected with
spasm, so that the belly is strongly contracted and feels very
hard, whilst the most obstinate costiveness prevails ; and as
the disease extends over the voluntary muscles of the trunk
and extremities, the appearances are distressing in the ex¬
treme, whilst profuse perspiration bedews the whole frame.

484 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

The circulation is, in most instances, at first not much
disturbed ; but as the disease increases, the pulse quickens
and becomes tremulous and irregular; the respiration also
gradually becomes hurried and intermittent. In this state
the suffering animal may live a few days when, worn out by
irritation and inanition, he expires in convulsions.

Morbid anatomy has hitherto thrown very little light on
the pathology of tetanus. In some cases there have been
appearances of inflammation within the cerebral cavity and
spinal canal, also in the lungs, stomach, and intestines, as
well as other morbid phenonema, which seem to have been
merely effects or incidental accompaniments of the disease.
In many cases the injured nerve of a wound has been found
thickened and inflamed, whilst in others nothing of the kind
could be detected.

I have found the lungs, liver, and stomach, highly inflamed
in patches, and evidences of the same action having seized
the intestines. Worms have been found in different portions
of the alimentary canal, but they have also been found in
many other morbid cases besides that which we are now con¬
sidering.

Tetanus appears to be purely a nervous affection, involving
principally the motor, cerebral, and spinal, and subordinately
the ganglionic system. Upon taking a survey of the entire
nosology of hippopathology, I know of no disease where so
much discrepancy of opinion exists among veterinary prac¬
titioners ; nevertheless, in order to combat this most for¬
midable disorder, the treatment should be prompt, bold,
energetic, and continued.

Accumulated successful facts warrant the free use of the
lancet, strong cathartics, powerful sedatives, severe blistering
of the nervous centres, warm clothing, pure air, liberal sup¬
port, and quiet seclusion.

But, gentlemen, without enumerating in detail the various
agents which have been more or less successfully, or other¬
wise, adopted by veterinarians, I will confine myself to a brief
outline of the history of a few cases from amongst many others,
which I have had specially under my care and treatment.

1st. Of a traumatic character , in a gelding, three years old.
About the sixth day after being docked he was observed by his
owner to be somewhat stiff, and on the following, when
attempting to move him backwards in his stall, having lost
his balance, he fell. On the eighth day I was called, and on
entering the stable at once perceived that the well-marked
symptoms of tetanic rigors were in full play on the poor
suffering animal, the jaws being nearly closed.

The treatment pursued was first to amputate the tail afresh.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 485

excising about three inches and a half, two and a half of
which were already in a state of gangrene.

A strong purgative, combined with sedatives, was adminis¬
tered, the whole course of the spine blistered, a fluid nutritious
diet allowed, and the body plentifully clothed with warm
woollen rugs. The treatment was continued a little more than
a fortnight ; at the expiration of three weeks he was much
better, and in a month perfectly recovered.

2nd. Was one of an idiopathic nature . It occurred in a
powerful brown cart-mare, nine years of age ; apparently it
was a hopeless case, so much so that an aged practitioner
pronounced her to be in a dying state, and considered she
would not live fifteen minutes.

Symptoms — violent spasms, rapid and loud breathing, pro¬
fuse perspiration, the head protruded, tail erect and quivering,
legs wide apart, straddling, and fixed, jaws almost closed,
muscles rigid and hard, and intensely pained.

In this instance the patient was bled to the amount of
eight quarts. I gave strong doses of purgative and sedative
mixtures, with diffusible stimulants, and blistered over the jaws,
the nape of the neck, and on each side of the cervical vertebrse,
and course of the spine to the tail. Fresh sheep-skins were
applied to the back ; afterwards warm clothing ; a liberal and
nutritious fluid dietary, in the form of drinks and injections.
After three weeks of this treatment, a visible change for the
better was manifest, and a gradual recovery took place up to
the eighth wreek, when the animal was put to work, and
continued strong and healthy for several years.

3rd. A very severe case of traumatic tetanus , in a strong
and valuable cart-mare, five years old, belonging to a farmer
in the neighbourhood of Sunderland, arising from a puncture
in the off hind foot, caused by a nail picked up on the
road. The lameness wTas at first slight, and the mare was
kept at work for near three weeks , which is too often done in
similar cases. Although the owner noticed some peculiarity
in the movements of his animal, he attributed it to be
u grease flying about her.” At length, being sent for, I
found I had a bad case of locked-jaw to contend with ; the poor
creature was suffering dreadfully, and completely fixed to
the place where she stood. Having ascertained the cause,
which should never be overlooked by the “ veterinarian” at
any time} the farrier was at once sent for, the shoe re¬
moved, and foot well pared, which was done with extreme diffi¬
culty, as the suffering animal threatened every minute to fall on
the operator. The foot was then enveloped in a large poultice,
and blood freely extracted from the jugular ; strong cathartics,
with opiates, were administered, and repeated at regular in-

486 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

tervals ; the spine, neck, throat, and jaws, were severely
blistered, and fresh sheep-skins applied to the back every
third day for three weeks. Diet in a suitable form was not
neglected. In the fourth week a change for the better took
place in my patient, when warm rugs were substituted for
the sheep skins ; the treatment was continued for seven or
eight weeks, when, after a slow and gradual recovery occu¬
pying the space of three months, she became quite strong and
vigorous, and has continued as such to the present time.

As I expect there will be other interesting subjects, re¬
marks, and observations, brought before the meeting by our
respected secretary, and probably by other members, I will
only describe another case of traumatic tetanus, which took
place in a valuable half-bred mare, six years old, by “ Lance-
wood. ” It arose from a kick on the inside of the hock -joint
of the off hind leg, when at grass, during the past summer ;
the injury was comparatively trifling, lameness being scarcely
perceptible. She was taken up, placed ih a loose box, and
supplied with cut grass, and the wound healed slowly,
but gradually. About the fourth week, in walking, she
was observed to have a peculiar jerk with the affected
limb when turning round. At length the eyes showed the
unmistakable tetanic expression, with a shooting out of the
nose, and partial closing of the jaws ; in short, all the
tetanic convulsions were well marked over the frame of the
suffering patient. The treatment in this was similar to
that pursued in the previous cases (with this addition — a
severe blister being applied over the affected portions of the
hock -joint). The treatment was continued for one month,
and a gradual recovery took place.

The discussion which followed was of an unusually interest¬
ing character, and fully sustained by all members present,
the substance of which went to prove the indispensable use
of purgatives gradually, but persistently, applied. Upon the
subject of bleeding in tetanus, there appeared a difference
of opinion as to its real efficacy, several members being
inclined to believe that it should not be resorted to, unless
in the event of disease in important organs having com¬
menced, or suspected to supervene. Others relied on the ab¬
straction of blood, with the view of a temporary relaxation of
muscular spasm, which would enable the practitioner to
administer proper medicines.

It was deemed advisable not to bleed animals in low con¬
dition ; but admitted that, as a rule, in robust patients, much
good is obtained by the practice in a majority of instances.

Various opinions were expressed as to the unfavorable

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 487

results which invariably occurred when a tetanic patient
had lain or fallen down in the stable, especially when the
symptoms previously characterised a return towards health ;
and it was recommended that, as a preventive means, slings
not intended to take his weight from the ground, should be
adjusted, into which the animal might fall.

Mr. Hunting and Mr. Peele related instances in which the
animals, progressing favorably, had lain down during the night,
or in the absence of the attendant, by which injuries had re¬
sulted causing death.

Mr. Scott described a case where the animal dropped
several times during the attack, and by his having a set
of pulleys in readiness, the patient, a mare, was raised, and
ultimately recovered.

Mr. Hunting, Mr. Peele, Mr. Scott, and the Secretary,
agreed upon the extreme rarity of the disease among pit ani¬
mals, notwithstanding the innumerable cases of punctures
from nails, &c., which constantly occurred. It was suggested
that atmospheric influence was excited to a less degree below
ground ; or, in other words, animals predisposed to tetanus,
having received an injury calculated, under other circum¬
stances, to produce it, as a rule, were exempt in the pits,
arising probably from the generally uniform state of the atmo¬
sphere, which is thus deprived of its effects to a great extent.

At the close of the discussion the following paper, illus¬
trated by drawings, was read by the Honorary Secretary,
Mr. Armatage.

TUMOUR WITHIN THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BRAIN.

The case which forms the subject of the present paper,
occurred in the practice of Mr. Thos. Thompson, Sunder¬
land, a brief history of it is as follows : — The animal, a black
horse, nearly sixteen hands high, of compact form, and good
appearance, came into the possession of the owner about five
years ago, and, excepting the space of three months past,
had always appeared in perfect health, never having been
under treatment for the slightest ailment. He, however, was

of an EXCITABLE NATURE, AND A GREAT EATER.

About the time above mentioned, viz., in November last,
the symptoms of excitability increased from day to day,
exhibiting marked degrees of intensity, and varying in accord¬
ance with the circumstances under which the animal was
placed.

Being employed for carting purposes, it would appear that
his work added to the diseased condition of the brain, the
symptoms being more or less developed in proportion to the

488 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

demands made on his powers. The symptoms of excitability,
noticed in the first instance, will admit of being described, as
forming the premonitory indications of disease going on with¬
in an important organ, and as essentially differing from those
which characterise animals of innate nervous temperament.

The animal, as previously stated, was of the cart breed ;
thick-set, short-coupled, neatly- moulded, and of strong mus¬
cular proportion. His head was large ; eyes rather small ;
labial apparatus large and pendent; hirsute appendages
plentifully distributed, especially the mane and forelock ; in
fact, from an animal of his description, one would imagine
the work expected from him must, under circumstances apart
from disease, be exacted only by dint of merciless applications
of the whip, at least, if required to be done expeditiously. On
the contrary, however, the animal betrays an unusual amount
of sensibility to surrounding noises, &c., far beyond his ap¬
parent nature; passing objects are also observed with more
than ordinary attention. There is a tendency to carry the head
a little towards one side, the ear of the same side being
either drawn in an attitude of listening, or otherwise hang¬
ing for a time useless.

This attitude gives way to the habit of shaking the head a
little at first ; but as the disease advances more in propor¬
tion, until the act is so violently performed that the animal
goes through a paroxysm of convulsive throes, during which
the equilibrium is with difficulty maintained, rendering him
absolutely dangerous to those within his reach.

At other times the head is thrown upwards and back¬
wards, the muscles of the neck, back, and loins, with those
of the legs, being rendered instantly hard and tense by
forcible contraction, the principal weight of the body being
supported upon the hind legs, which are brought thoroughly
underneath. The hair protrudes over the eye, the tail is
outstretched, and altogether the sufferer presents a pitiable ap¬
pearance.

The drawing of a load up hill, when, perhaps, a tight
collar interrupts the passage of blood from the brain ; or sud¬
den fright or blows — particularly over the affected side — bring
about the aforenamed symptoms in all their hideous severity,
during which the animal is brought to a stand. Here
there is not usually a resemblance in the conduct of the
subject to that which occurs under an attack of megrims,
for no sooner is the paroxysm over than he looks round, as
it were, for the cause, and moves on as if nothing had occurred.

These symptoms are also equally produced by the inflic¬
tion of brutal treatment in the stable ; a peculiar sensibility
to harshness being always manifest.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 489

By degrees the marked suspicion with which all passing
objects are at first regarded grows less as the affection pro¬
ceeds ; the ears are brought more into requisition, and espe¬
cially is this to be observed in those instances where pressure
causes blindness of one eye only.

In the case before us blindness took place gradually, and
became complete in both organs shortly before professional
assistance was sought. For some time prior to the loss
of vision the peculiarity of the disease was manifested also
by a practice, which increased with it, of the animal violently
rubbing the right nostril against the nearest object, and
when doing so, being entirely oblivious to all that was
passing.

It was at the commencement of the present year that the
case was first introduced to the notice of Mr. Thompson,
when the symptoms were developed in their intensity. The
appetite was ravenous , other functions performed with regu¬
larity; the condition, as indicated by appearances, all that
could be desired.

As will be already supposed, the progress of such a case
would be the reverse of favorable, yet the owner pressed for
something to be done, and accordingly our friend placed a
smart blister to the poll, and administered cathartic medi¬
cine. Shortly afterwards consent was given for the destruc¬
tion of the creature, which was all but useless, from the
violence of the symptoms. The head being reserved for
examination, on Thursday, the 18th of February, Mr.
Thompson kindly forwarded me an invitation to be present ;
and from the state of the diseased parts as they were exhi¬
bited to view I have been enabled to put together these
few remarks, under the belief that at least the subject is of
an interesting nature, and calculated to form an integral
part of our Society's transactions.

EXAMINATION OF THE BRAIN.

The frontal and parietal bones were carefully removed,
when sufficient evidences existed of a turgid state of the cir¬
culatory system within and around the organ ; but as it was
finally removed from its well-adapted case, the larger and
important network of vessels at the base were fully filled, and
when necessarily divided by the scalpel, clots of blood rolled
out.

An incision was carried through the right hemisphere,
commencing over the corpus callosum, in the anterior lon¬
gitudinal fissure, dividing the lobe over the lateral ventricle,

xxxvii, 32

490 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

the objects in which — except in certain particulars hereafter
to be noticed — were observed to be in a normal condition.

The lateral ventricle of the left hemisphere was exposed in
a similar manner, when a mass of disease presented itself.
The cavity was filled with a thick matter not unlike curds in
consistence, semi-transparent, and of a blue-gray colour in
places, varying to an opaque, with shades of dark pigment
increasing to blackness, especially when viewed in the mass.

The medullary matter forming the roof of the natural
cavity was implicated, being softened and broken down, and,
in the centre, absolutely wanting.

The cortical portion was inky in appearance, and stained
the fingers. The space, being the part in area affected, nearly
corresponded to the size of the ventricle above, and was at the
central point not a quarter of an inch in thickness.

The only recognisable object contained in the left ventricle
was the choroid plexus, which was considerably enlarged,
congested, and lying, as it were, in a fissure or depression,
between two eminences of the opaque matter referred to. At
its origin within the ventricle, at the posterior or superior
cornu, it was covered, and, where it passes through the fora¬
men communis inferior in the healthy subject in the present
instance, possessed an unusually strong attachment to some
object occupying a position in the mesian line. Here it was
surrounded by a cloudy mass of the same kind of matter,
which was connected to, or continuous with that which occu¬
pied the space of the left ventricle, extending from the pillars
of the fornix posteriorly or superiorly, anteriorly, or interiorly
to the genu of the corpus callosum, and laterally within the
right hemisphere and ventricle to the inferior cornu and base of
the corpus striatum ; all of which , with the fifth ventricle and
septum lucidum, were obliterated.

The greater portion of matter being removed from the
surface of attachment of the choroid plexus, an irregular
ovoid mass presented itself, about the size of a pigeon's egg,
imbedded in the elastic mass with which it was surrounded,
as if in the process of accumulation. It was raised from its
position by the forceps, drawing with it a considerable
amount of matter and, being deprived of this it had all the
physical characters of a cartilaginous tumour. In length it
was about an inch, and in breadth about five eighths; the long
axis being across the mesian line, and greater portion within
the left ventricle.

I have endeavoured to illustrate this interesting subject
by means of drawings made from a horizontal and vertical
section of the lobes.

Here I would inquire, As blindness gradually succeeded

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 491

in accordance with the progress of the disease, would it be
produced by direct pressure from the diseased portion within,
over the decussating optic nerves, or is it more probable
that the tlialmus opticus, and other parts within the left
ventricle, being implicated in actual disease, such w'ould
develop the symptoms ?

MELANOSIS, AND SOFTENING OF THE MEDULLA OBLONGATA.

This also was a case which was bronght before the notice
of Mr. Thompson. The history is as follows : — The animal,
a gray cart-mare, about sixteen years old, the property of
Joseph Scott, Esq., South wick, near Sunderland, had been
in his possession since she was four years old. During this
time, and up to a period of twelve months ago, she had
always appeared in perfect health. About the time men¬
tioned the spine, particularly the dorsal portion, assumed a greater
curvature than natural, as indicated by the hollow back, falling
of the withers, &c.

Symptoms of vertigo gradually presented themselves, and
upon several occasions, after staggering a few paces, she fell,
with extreme helplessness, to the ground ; but almost as soon
rose, and resumed her walk as before. By degrees the
respiration was affected, and ultimately became difficult,
and during the attack stertorous.

Being an old favorite, the animal was allowed to go on
light work, the nature of the affection for some time, appa¬
rently, not needing medical assistance ; but the fits of vertigo
becoming more frequent, and their influences more powerful,
the animal was sent for examination, and, if a possibility of
good arising, for treatment. The age of the patient, coupled
with the following symptoms, induced Mr. Thompson to
advise her being destroyed, which was done on the 16th of
March last.

The head was held low, and carried in that position when
at work ; in the stable she would support it by resting the
under jaw upon the manger. The pulse was exceedingly
slow, wreak, and compressible, numbering not more than 18
beats per minute ; appetite good, and other functions appa¬
rently normal, except the respiration, which, as previously
stated, was heavy, and stertorous. There is a peculiar dis¬
regard to all that is passing around, the ears are motionless,
’ and harsh treatment produces no extraordinary excitement ;
all activity and energy is absent ; the sensitiveness of the
muscles over the dorsal thoracis and pectoral regions com¬
pletely gone ; and throughout the body there is a soft and flabby
sensation under the fingers.

492 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

There is a peculiar stepping short with the extremities, par¬
ticularly the fore — the limbs being put down with a heavy
thump as if a want of nervous power existed to direct the placing
of the feet. If the animal is brought suddenly to a stand
tremors commence, slight at first, but by degrees increasing in
intensity ; she staggers and falls as if shot, the whole of the
limbs being doubled underneath the body ; these symptoms
had increased during the few previous weeks to such an
extent that the poor creature would fall two or three times
a day.

A knotted and irregular fulness existed in both parotid
glands, particularly in the left : the nodules, varying in
size, were attached to the skin but unconnected with the
glandular structure as indicated by their mobility. The
salivary secretion was not known to be impeded.

Owing to circumstances of an uncontrollable character,
the head, together with the first, second, and third
cervical vertebra, were the only portions secured from the
ruthlessness of a knacker. These I have attempted to give
a brief description of.

When the parts were separated, about half an ounce of
serum escaped from the spinal cord, which was observed to
be altered in structure.

The brain was next carefully removed, when its entire sub¬
stance and meninges were found to be congested, the capil¬
laries being most beautifully delineated, and the larger
vessels stretched, thinned, and transparent. The general
substance of the cerebrum and cerebellum was found to be
healthy, the ventricles contained a very minute quantity of
fluid, and the choroid plexus of each was enlarged, congested,
and possessed an accumulation of calcareous matter as large
as a medium-sized hazel nut ; the smaller granules which
made up the whole being about the size of a lentil.

The medulla oblongata as it leaves the cerebellum ex¬
hibited signs of disorganisation; its internal structure was
softened, pulpy, and not unlike the medullary and corti¬
cal portions of the brain when mixed up with a spatula.
In fact, the integrity of the cord was so far destroyed, down
to the point where it was cut off at the third vertebra, that its
own weight was sufficient to destroy its form, and the mass
oozed from the membranes like curds.

When the parotid glands were exposed, melanotic tumours
presented themselves situated between the sulci of the gland¬
ular structure which was displaced ; those in the left were as
large as a walnut.

The tonsils were enlarged — the investing membrane
thickened, rough, and studded with numerous bodies not

NORTH OP ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

493

unlike grains of sago both in size and character ; they were
not injected, but, with adjacent parts, including the pituitary
membrane, the eyes and their appendages, &c., w'ere much
paler than natural.

REMARKS ON THE POREGOING CASES.

Amongst some half dozen or more cases which have
occurred in my practice where tumours have been found within
the brain, or its substance has been interfered with by the pro¬
cess of diseased action, in connection with, or independent of
abnormal growths, I have met with none where the organ
was so extensively disorganised as in the instance of the black
horse just related. Comparing these lesions, both with regard
to the outward and physical indications as well as their in¬
ward morbid condition, with others in which the various
parts have undergone extensive derangement, one cannot
but feel greatly surprised to witness the few symptoms which
mark the real amount of disease actually going on within
in the latter ; and the vast interference in such as the
former, with the natural habits of the animal and func¬
tional arrangements where symptoms are exceedingly violent,
and actual disease apparently trifling. We may be excused

somewhat in the want of accuracv which characterise our

*

diagnosis of these diseases, probably by the nature, habits,
and requirements of our patients, and the paucity of general
information on the subject; but I am inclined to believe that
by an attentive observation of the symptoms manifested during
life, especially if the patient has been known for a lengthened
period to the practitioner, with a careful examination of the
affected parts after death, a great deal will not only be
revealed thereby, but more will become of paramount im¬
portance. Certain morbid appearances will be seen to depend
upon some unusual indications and physical signs, which as
they reveal themselves under peculiar phases and conditions,
may at least render an estimate more decisive if not absolutely
perfect. In these particulars we must undoubtedly experience
the value of association. At our periodical meetings the
bringing forward of such accounts, which I have on this
occasion attempted with, I must say, neither the erudition
or the attainments which such subjects are known to require,
but with sincerity, must be valuable. Coupled with this, we
have valuable echoes which resound from the pages of our re¬
presentative journals, cheering us onwards as the career seems
blighted and cloudy, dispelling as it were the. mists of doubt
and uncertainty, and cordially assisting us by the publication

494 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

of our transactions and papers on various subjects. It is
thus that profit must become mutual in proportion to our
estimate of the worth, and as our ideas are made known and
commented upon by others. Only by close investigation,
comparison of facts, and carefully dealing with them, to¬
gether with the priceless assistance which is to be obtained in
fellowship, and the operations of minds determined on good,
can such results as are wished for be definitely obtained.

Professor Dick is well known to portray to his class a
succinct but lucid description of these affections as they have
occurred on almost an indefinite field of practice extending
over a lifetime, the value of which is too great to be forgotten.
Mr. Barlow, too, under whom I had the honour and likewise
the privilege to graduate, developed a priceless eloquence on
their nature and peculiarities. It was during the summer of
1851, when almost alone in Clyde Street, I experienced an
inexpressible delight in assisting him at dissection and draw¬
ings of diseased specimens, which are still fresh in my
memory, together with the profitable remarks which always
attended such pleasant occupations, and since have borne so
effectively on subsequent proceedings.

From cases which now and then occur a great deal might
be gathered, — and here I would suggest the urgent propriety
of chronicling faithfully the details, not merely in our private
case-hooks, but in our recognised periodicals , for the interest and
benefit of brethren at a distance. But I am digressing, and
to resume, would remark again how great a difference has
been found to exist in the character of some of the cases
not widely different in their real nature — as, for instance,
those in which softening, or “ ramollissement ” as preferred
by erudite authors, exists alone, and those wThere the prevailing
signs are dependent on the presence of atheromatous, fibrous,
or other tumours within the organ, separate or in conjunc¬
tion with softening.

A large black Hanoverian horse, which from his manner
was unapproachable, and pronounced by several to be
phrenitic, being destroyed in consequence, the brain came
into my possession, and fully occupying each lateral ven¬
tricle, attached by a pedicle to the choroid plexus, was a
pyriform tumour of a fibrous nature. Here the brain was
perfectly healthy in appearance, but pressure by increase of
size in the tumours causing the mischief had also produced
considerable absorption, and consequent obliteration of the
various objects usually described as forming the ventricles.

A bay cart-mare, whose peculiar exhibition of symptoms
had gained for her the title of et A Shiverer,” after death
showed softening of the brain and the presence of pulpy matter

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 495

in the ventricles, similar to the one described at commence¬
ment. Others might be adduced, hut sufficient has already
been cited to establish the fact of the existence of two kinds
of disease of the brain ; hut symptoms indicative of such are
by no means regular. Our first case is characterised by
violent actions under certain conditions, with a constant and
peculiarly excitable nature, blindness gradually but com¬
pletely setting in. The Cf Shiverer,” however, with a greater
amount of softening, displayed no symptoms of such a nature.
We should be apt to consider such an unerring indication
of disease involving the optic nerve, its commissure, origin,
or perhaps entirety, and in the absence of those impetuous
bursts of violence, might infer softening had taken place,
yet there is no paralysis, or loss of sensation in the body )
which so eminently characterises the second case, and how
the functions of respiration, digestion, &c., in this instance
was carried on is a matter of no little perplexity, without
naming the great dependence upon that wonderful object the
sympathetic nerve, which Sir Charles Bell has considered to
be a nervous system in itself.

There are other cases also which, being characterised by
sypiptoms of violence at periodical times during life, have
shown no indications of the presence of tumours within the
organ after death ; but ■when a termination has suddenly
resulted, an attempt has been made to account for it, from
the detection of sanguineous suggillations, which are regarded
as capillary haemorrhage within the softened portions, under
which circumstances the blood-vessels, probably containing a
material deficient in elaborating properties, themselves want¬
ing in integrity, in common with the surrounding parts,
are rendered more liable to the effects of an over- distended
stomach, tight collar, &c., and other causes by which the cir¬
culation within the brain is accelerated, and the quantity of
blood increased, whereby rupture takes place, producing re¬
sults of various degrees of importance.

We have the authority of Dr. It. B. Todd, F.R.S., for the
following statement in reference to softening of the brain :
ff Without waiting,” says he, “ to decide upon this point,” i. e.
whether the disease depends upon a depraved condition of
the brain-fibre, or brain-cell, or otherwise, or a presence of
atheromatous deposits within the minute vessels, “ we may,
then, lay it down that, whether in consequence of disease of
the blood-vessels, or otherwise, the nutrition of the brain
becomes impaired, and this shows itself mainly in an altered
consistence of the nervous matter. Its colour does not un¬
dergo any appreciable alteration ; and if you look at a portion
through the microscope, you will not detect any obvious

496 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

change ; the vesicles remain the same, and the fibres remain
unchanged ; but, as I said, the consistence is diminished ;
instead of being firm, the tissue of the organ has become soft
and pulpy, and in some cases almost diffluent, and of the
consistence of cream.

“ The diseased blood-vessels lie in the midst of this pulpy
mass for some time without undergoing any further change,
but, sooner or later, under some mental emotion, or during
some increased hearths action, depending either upon mental
emotion, upon derangement of the digestive organs, some
bodily exertion, or increased mental effort of any kind, the
blood is sent with undue force or in undue quantity into the
vessels, and in consequence the vascular canals in the pulpy
portion of the cerebral tissue being deprived of their usual
support give way, and blood is effused into the softened part
of the brain, which it breaks up, and the more readily in con¬
sequence of already diminished consistence.” (Braithwaite’s
4 Retrospect of Medicine/ vol. xxxi, 1855, p. 74.)

I cannot conclude these remarks without referring to the
report of a valuable paper on f Tumours in the Brain/ read
before the Imperial and Central Society of Veterinary Medi¬
cine in Paris, by M. Leblanc, and published in the Veterinarian ,
p. 162, for March, 1855, a perusal of which will not be
without interest.

A short discussion followed the reading of the paper, and a
vote of thanks proposed to the President and authors, re¬
spectively, was cordially agreed to.

Copies of the papers, with an abridgement of the trans¬
actions of the meeting, were ordered to be forwarded for pub¬
lication in the Veterinarian and Edinburgh Veterinary Revieiv .

A sub-committce, consisting of Messrs. Bunting, Scott,
Pairbairn, Armatage, Peele, and Thompson, w&s directed to
meet on Saturday, the 14th of May, at four o’clock, to arrange
business, and appoint a day for the quarterly meeting in

July-

Practitioners desirous of joining the association should
communicate with the Hon. Sec.

(Signed) George Armatage.

497

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

KNARESBRO’ COUNTY COURT.

Before Mr. Sergeant Dowling.

Thursday, May 12th, 1864.

BAIRSTOW V. WHIN CUP.

Chrontc Disease of Pleura, Liver, and Kidneys.

Mr. Peter Bairstow, horse dealer, of Buttersliaw, near Bradford,
sued Mr. William Whincup, of Greenhammerton, for £50, being
damages incurred by breach of a warranty of a horse.

Mr. Bruce, barrister (instructed by Messrs. Terry and Watson,
solicitors, Bradford), appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Palev,
solicitor, York, for the defendant.

The case was tried by a jury, consisting of Messrs. I. T. Shutt,
T. Gascoigne, Thomas Terry, W. Walker, and William Whittaker.

Mr. Bruce , in opening the case, said that the plaintiff and de¬
fendant were together at Northallerton fair on the 10th of February
last, and the plaintiff there bought of defendant a gray draught
horse for £43, and received with the animal a warranty of sound¬
ness. The horse was taken to Bradford the same day in a horse¬
box, the plaintiff travelling with it. On the 13th of February,
plaintiff sold the horse to Mr. Crosslev, of Elland, for £48. On
the 15th of February the animal did about half a day’s work ; on
the 16th it was ill; and in spite of the efforts of a veterinary
surgeon it died on the 29th February. Mr. Crossley informed the
plaintiff of the facts, and plaintiff engaged three experienced veteri¬
nary surgeons, viz., Mr. E. C. Dray, of Leeds ; Mr. Joseph Carter,
Bradford, and Mr. W. Williams, Bradford, to attend a post-inortem
examination, which Mr. Crossley had directed his own veterinary
surgeon (Mr. McTaggart, Halifax) to make of the animal, for the
purpose of ascertaining the cause of death. That examination was
made on the 2nd of March. The whole of the veterinary surgeons
agreed that death had arisen from pleurisy, associated with disease
of the liver, amounting to what is sometimes called a rotten liver,
and fatty degeneration of the kidneys, which had gone on to such
an extent, that they could not properly perform their functions.
Having given Mr. Crossley a warranty, and having been assured
by the whole of the veterinary surgeons that these diseases must
have existed for more than two months, he felt bound in honour to
return to Mr. Crossley the purchase-money of the horse, and
accordingly did so. He then applied to the defendant for the
money which he had paid for the horse ; but the defendant never
took the slightest notice of his application. Hence the present
action was brought to recover the purchase-money and costs, to
which he (Mr. Bairstow) had been put under the warranty.

Mr. Paley, in reply to his Honour, said he was prepared to admit

498

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

the warrant)', and the death of the horse. The only question to
try was whether the horse was unsound on the day Mr. Bairstow
bought it, namely, on the 10th of February.

Mr. Bruce then called Mr. McTaggart , veterinary surgeon, who
proved attending the horse on the 1 0th of February, when the
animal was suffering from pleuritis of so severe a form, that he was
doubtful of the issue, and it died on the 29th of February. Upon
a post-mortem examination, made on the 2nd of March, he found a
firm adhesion of the lungs, which must have existed for many
months ; disorganization and fatty degeneration of the kidneys, so
that they could not properly perform their function, which must
have been going on for not less than four months. The liver was
also completely broken up from disease.

Mr. Edward Coleman Dray , veterinary surgeon, who assisted in
the post-mortem examination, described the state of the animal ; and
said that disease of the liver, lungs, and the kidneys must have
existed three or four months before death. In cross-examination,
he said that a horse might be suffering to a certain extent, from
the complication of diseases which he had described, and yet exhibit
no symptoms that would attract the attention of non-professional
persons. It might eat its food regularly, do its work pretty well,
even up to a few hours of its death, without showing outward signs
of disease to an inexperienced eye. In the present instance he
thought the horse would display no symptoms of disease until it
was put to work, when the sudden exertion, coupled with the
diseased state of the organs, would bring about its death.

Mr. Carter and Mr. Williams gave corroborative testimony ; and
all agreed that the disease must have existed upwards of two months
before the animal’s death.

Mr. Bairstow and Mr. Crossley were called to prove the purchase
and death of the horse ; and then

Mr. Paley addressed the jury for the defence, contending that
there was no disease about the horse when it was sold to plaintiff ;
that it caught cold on the railway, was attacked with pleurisy, and
died of that disease. He ridiculed the evidence of the veterinary
surgeons, and said he would prove by a number of witnesses that,
up to the moment the horse left Mr. Whincup’s hands, it was in
perfect health, and had always been so. He contended that the
horse was not suffering from disease on the 10th of February; and,
that being so, the defendant was entitled to their verdict.

Mr. Whincup, the defendant ; Mr. Henry Outhwaite , who sold
the horse to the defendant ; Mr. George Turner ; Mr. John Dunston ;
Mr. Willis Goodbarn ; and Mr. S. Ramsdeny veterinary surgeon,
Ouseburn, were called, and proved that the horse had always eaten
well, worked well, and shown no symptoms wrhatever of disease.

Mr. Bruce replied ; and

His Honour summed up, remarking that there was a single issue
to try, and it was very satisfactory to know that there was no im¬
putation of fraud or dishonorable motives imputed on either side.
If the jury were of opinion that the horse was on the 10th of Feb¬
ruary suffering under any of the diseases described by the veterinary

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

499

surgeons, then the plaintiff was entitled to their verdict, but if
they were of opinion that the diseases had all arisen after that date,
they would then give the defendant their verdict. To con¬
stitute unsoundness, it was not necessary that the animal should
be unfit for work ; and if there were the seeds of disease in the
animal when it was sold, then the plaintiff was entitled to recover
under the warranty.

The jury retired for about twenty minutes ; and on returning
into court gave a verdict for the defendant, evidently to the surprise
of the learned judge.

Mr. Bruce moved for a new trial,

The learned Judge certainly thought the plaintiff’ was entitled to it.

Mr. Paley objected to a new trial, unless the usual ten days’
notice were given.

His Honour said, after that objection, Mr. Bruce had better give
the usual notice ten days before next court day.

CRUELTY TO A HORSE. EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSIONAL

PROCEEDINGS.

[We extract the following from the Liverpool papers, and cannot
refrain from expressing our regret that, on the simple question as
to whether an act of cruelty had or had not been perpetrated, there
should have been any difference of opinion between veterinary
surgeons occupying so distinguished a position as those originally
concerned in this case. The veterinary surgeon, before all
others, ought to be distinguished for humanity towards the brute
creation. Few things tend more to place him in his right position
and to raise his calling in the estimation of the public. We hope
never again to see those antagonistic to each other who should act
in common to protect the lower animals from the cruelty too often
exercised upon them by men of degraded minds. Here at least
should be unity and concord. Although we have thus given free
expression to our thoughts, we nevertheless are of opinion that the
letter of the Hon. Secretary should have been penned in less
censorious terms. A good cause is too often damaged by hasty
expressions arising from excited feelings.]

Charge of Cruelty to a Horse.

Edward Connell was charged with having cruelly ill-treated a horse,
by working it when it was in an unfit state.

Police-officer No. 184 stated that his attention had been drawn
to a horse and car which were being driven by the defendant. On
examining the horse he found a sore as large as a half-crown on
its back, and several smaller wounds on other parts of the body.

Mr.R. Lathbury , the Honorary Secretary to the Society for the Pre¬
vention of Cruelty to Animals, said the horse was in a shocking state,
there being six or seven raw wounds on different parts of the body.

Mr. Ellis, veterinary surgeon, said he had examined the horse,
and on the near fore leg he found an enlargement as large as the

500

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

leg itself, extending from the knee to the fetlock, and in the centre
of it was a sore produced by the repeated contact of the fore shoe.
The horse was very poor and lame, and quite unfit for work. In
answer to Mr. Charles Pemberton, who appeared for the defendant,
Mr. Ellis said every care had been taken to keep the harness from
chafing the sores, but the horse required rest.

Mr. Simpson gave corroborative evidence as to the unfitness of
the horse for work.

Mr. Pemberton said he should call a gentleman of equal repute to
that of Mr. Ellis, who would positively state that the horse was in
a working condition, and it then would be for his. worship to judge
between the two statements.

Mr. Briscoe , veterinary surgeon, said he examined the horse on
Thursday evening, and there was then no raw wound to be seen on
the surface. The lameness of the animal arose from its shoeing.
If it was properly shod the horse would be perfectly right. He
did not consider the enlargement of the fetlock as being worthy of
notice.

Mr. Ellis repeated that the animal suffered from the wound on
the near fetlock, and from an abscess which was forming, and had
since been formed, in the leg.

Mr. Baffles remarked that so great a difference between the
opinions of two practical gentlemen such as Mr. Ellis and Mr.
Briscoe rendered the case very difficult for him to decide, and he
must give the defendant the benefit of the doubt.

Mr. Briscoe expressed his opinion that the society by which the
proceedings against the defendant had been instituted were “ draw¬
ing the strings rather too tight. ”

Mr. Baffles remarked that he thought the society did a great
deal of good.

Mr. Pemberton : I don’t know whether it is true, sir, but the
defendant says you belong to the society.

Mr. Baffles : It is true that I am on the committee, blit I never
attend the meetings. I think the society is doing a great deal of
good.

Mr. Briscoe : In some cases it does ; but it wants a little dis¬
crimination.

Mr. Lathbury reminded Mr. Briscoe of some observations which
were made by Mr. Melly the last time Mr. Briscoe gave evidence in
a case of a similar nature.

Mr. Briscoe was about to reply, when Mr. Raffles interposed and
closed the case, remarking again that the society was productive of
much good in the town.

The Horrible Horse Case.

To the Editors of the ‘ Liverpool Mercury .’

Gentlemen, — In your police news of this day, Mr. Briscoe,
veterinary surgeon, is reported to have sworn that on his examination,
of the gray mare on Thursday last that there were no raw wounds. It

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

501

is, indeed, too true. He also swore that the mare’s lameness was
solely attributable to bad shoeing. This part of the evidence
was rather amusing ; the forge at Islington, I presume, would be
the right place. However, the public will be the best to judge of
the value of Mr. Briscoe’s opinion from a perusal of the following
letters, and more can be added if necessary. It is one of the worst
cases of cruelty to a poor horse on record, and yet this very humane
veterinary surgeon thinks “ the society is drawing the strings too
tight.” Perhaps so. However, we can afford to treat Mr. Briscoe’s
remarks with the contempt they so well deserve, and I fervently
hope that our excellent association will continue to flourish long
after he has passed away. We will now leave him, and — audi
alteram partem. — Yours, &c.,

Robert Lathbury,

Hon. Sec. to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Animals.

40, Castle-street, May 23, 1864.

At the request of Robert Lathbury, Esq., on behalf of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, I have this day examined
an aged gray mare (at Garner’s stables), the property of Mr. Edward
Curran.

I find an extensive enlargement* on the inside of her near fore
leg, reaching from the knee down to the fetlock joint, the result of
her continually hitting it with the off fore foot when at work ; in the
centre and on the part where the blows are more particularly re¬
ceived a large abscess is forming, causing very great pain and lame¬
ness when she is forced to move the limb.

I find a suppurating wound on the front of each fore fetlock
joint; a wound on the top of her chine, and several smaller wounds
about her chine and neck, from the pressure of her harness. The
off hind fetlock is extensively diseased and thickened. She is very
thin and weak from pain and work, and is, in my opinion, now
totally unfit for work of any kind whatever.

John Ellis, M.R.C.Y.S,

Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool, May 19, 1864.

20 and 22, Hatton Garden, Liverpool,

May 21, 1864.

I certify that I have this day examined an aged gray mare, at the
request of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, per R.
Lathbury, Esq., and find a large tumour on the inside of the near
fore leg, the right hoof striking the enlargement each time the
animal moves, and causing severe pain. There are also deep wounds
on both fore fetlock joints. The fetlock joints of the hind legs are
very much diseased. The animal is totally unfit for work, and of
the many cases I have examined I believe this to be the worst.

Gilbert IIeyes, M.R.C.Y.S.

502

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

Veterinary Establishment, 70, Seel Street,
Liverpool, May 21, 1864.

Silt, — At your request, on behalf of the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, I have this day examined a gray mare (stand¬
ing at Mr. Garner’s stables, Temple Court), the property of Mr.
Edward Curran, car proprietor, and found her to have a large
abscess between the knee and fetlock joint, on the inside of the near
fore leg, the same having been caused by being frequently hit by the
opposite foot when at work, and on being made to move she suffers
great pain. I also found a suppurating wound in front of each fore
fetlock and on the withers ; there were also three or four wounds
which have been produced by the harness. She is in a very weak
condition from pain and work, and I am decidedly of opinion she is
quite unfit for work of any kind whatever.— I am, &c.,

John Simpson, Sen., M.R.C.V.S.

R. Lathbury, Esq.

Liverpool, May 21, 1864.

This is to certify that on this date, at the request of Robert Lath¬
bury, Esq., I have examined a light gray mare, aged and emaciated,
with a large chronic swelling and abcesses on the inside of the near
fore leg, having an open sore, and discharging serum mixed with
pus. This mare is, in my opinion, quite unfit for any work, being
very lame, and would not be profitable for the owner to keep. '

James Brydon, M.R.C.V.S.

Liverpool, May 23, 1864.

At the request of Robert Lathbury, Esq., on behalf of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, we, the undersigned,
have this day, at Mr. Garner’s stables. Temple Court, examined an
aged gray mare, the property of Mr. Edward Curran, car proprietor.
We find that she has an abscess on the inside of the near fore leg,
with extensive swelling of the leg up to the shoulder, attended with
severe pain and lameness, and in our opinion she is decidedly unfit
for any kind of work. George Bretherton, V.S.

Robert Chambers, V.S.

John Ellts, Jun., V.S.L.

Thos. G. Procter, V.S.

7 and 9, Williamson Street, and 6, Houghton Street,
Liverpool, May 23, 1864.

This is to certify that a gray mare belonging to Edward Curran
was brought to my stables on the 19th of May, with a raw wound
on the chine and five or six small raw wounds besides, caused by
the saddle pressing on it, and another very bad one on the near
foreleg. The mare was so weak and poor she could scarcely draw
the empty car.

Richard Garner, Temple Court Stables.

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

503

REIGATE COUNTY COURT.-— Thursday, May 19th, 1864.

Before W. Furner, Esq.

Difficult Parturition. — Action for the Value of a Make.
Frederick Isaac v. Matthew Blaker Forbes.

This was an action brought to recover the sum of £16, the value
of a mare which was killed as an act of mercy, in consequence of
the alleged improper treatment by the defendant, who is a veterinary
surgeon at Reigate.

Mr. Burt appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Hobbs for the
defendant.

The plaintiff was the owner of the mare in question, which had
been in foal, and on the night of Sunday, the 7th May, he found
that the operation of foaling had commenced. The defendant was
sent for, it being found that the foal was dead. The defendant came,
and it was maintained by the plaintiff that his treatment had
been improper, as the mare had been a great sufferer and was after¬
wards killed to put her out of her misery. The plaintiff added that
the defendant, before leaving, had said that the mare would die,
and that he had done all he could for her, and could not do any
more.

Mr. Robert Turner stated that he had had great experience of
horses, and if he had been present at the first he believed he could
have delivered the mare in question. He disagreed with the mode
that had been adopted by the defendant for the delivering of the
mare. Her value he estimated at about ^618, as she was not more
than six years old.

The 'plaintiff gave similar evidence as to the value of the mare,
and added that he would not have sold the mare for any money.

Mr. Hobbs said the defence to this case was not one for the mere
£\6 claimed, which was of no object to the defendant, but for the
purpose of proving that no fault could be attached to him, the
defendant, who was a member of the Royal Veterinary College of
Surgeons, and had practised in this town for many years with un¬
blemished character.

The defendant was then called, and stated that since 1857 he had
practised as a veterinary surgeon at Reigate, and possessed a diploma
from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. On the night in
question, the plaintiff came to him to his house and particularly
wished him to go and see the mare. It was a rainy night, and he
(defendant) accompanied the plaintiff to the field on the Lisbourne
estate, where he found the mare lying on the ground, and the foal
partly born. Immediately he saw her he told the plaintiff that it
was a very bad case indeed, and that he had very little hopes of
saving the mare. The plaintiff asked him to do his best, and he
replied that he would. He accordingly did his best, in the manner
in which he described, but lie could see from the first that it was a
very bad case, and said so. At his suggestion the mare was removed
from the open field to a small lean-to shed so that she might be out

504

OBITUARY.

of the rain. Finding that no progress was made he suggested the
desirability of killing the mare ; or, if the plaintiff thought there
was a chance, he might let her remain for a few hours to see
what nature might do. On the following morning he had under¬
stood that the mare had been destroyed, but he had not seen her
after the Sunday night. He had never attended mares in foaling
before that, but he had attended many cows during the course of
his practice.

Mr. Thomas Gregory, M.R.C.V.S., of Tonbridge, having heard
the evidence in the case, said he approved of Mr. Forbes’ treat¬
ment, and did not see that he could under the circumstances have
adopted any other course.

Mr. Henry Charman Legge, M.R.C.V.S., of Dorking, stated that
from the evidence he had heard he considered all had been done
that possibly could be done.

His Honour , after recapitulating the leading facts, said it was
a painful case, but he could not get rid of the fact that there
was a person called by the plaintiff who had seen the mare, and
gave an opinion that he could have delivered her. He must under
all the circumstances give judgment for the plaintiff for the amount
claimed.

[To enable us to form a correct estimate of the justice of this
verdict it is necessary that we should be in possession of all the facts
of the case, and especially of the nature of the presentation of
the foetus. There is nothing in the evidence, as reported, to show
a want of skill; although Mr. Forbes honestly confesses that he had
never attended cases of difficult parturition in mares prior to being
called to this one. The principles to be observed in effecting
delivery are the same in the mare as in the cow ; and therefore
as he had had practical experience in the one animal, it is only
fair to infer that he would adopt a right course in the other. That
he did so is borne out by the scientific evidence called for the
defence. The only opinion given to the contrary is that of a rival
practitioner in the same town. Even if the opinion was a correct
one, we would rather it had come from another source.]

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

War Office, June 3, 1861.

To be Veterinary Surgeon. — Acting Veterinary Surgeon
Francis Walker, vice William Barry Lord, placed upon half¬
pay, Oct. 3, 1862.

June 14//$, 1864.

Peter Moir, Gent., to be Acting Veterinary Surgeon, vice
T. J. Richardson, promoted to 1st Dragoons.

OBITUARY.

Died recently at Newport, Isle of Wight, Richard Strick¬
land, M.R.C.V.S., aged 76. Plis diploma bears date June
29th, 1816.

THE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 440.

AUGUST, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 116.

Communications and Cases.

CYSTITIS, FOLLOWED BY RUPTURE OF THE
BLADDER, IN A MARE.

By J. D. Overed, M.R.C.Y.S.

Blofield, Norfolk; June 9, 1864.

My dear Sir, — I have this day forwarded, per Great
Eastern Railway, the ruptured bladder of a mare. The par¬
ticulars of the case I subjoin, and shall be extremely glad to
obtain your opinion upon the same, through the medium of
the Veterinarian , should you deem the case sufficiently in¬
teresting for insertion in the pages of that valuable Journal.

I am, dear Sir, very faithfully yours,

John D. Overed.

To Professor Varnell,

The subject of the present communication was a chestnut
cart-mare, aged twelve years, which had given birth to a living
foal about four weeks previous to my attention being directed
to her. Assistance had been rendered by some men at work
upon the farm, after which she was observed to void her
urine frequently, and in small quantities, the effort being
accompanied with slight griping pains. Nine days after par¬
turition she was covered by a cart- stallion, and the symptoms
became somewhat more aggravated, the desire to urinate
being almost continuous ; but as the mare's health was not
much impaired) her owner did not think it necessary to seek
the aid of a veterinary surgeon. In this state the mare con¬
tinued, with little variation, until Monday, the 6th instant,
xxxvii. 33

506 CYSTITIS, FOLLOWED BY RUPTURE OF THE BLADDER.

when she was turned into a pasture near the farmstead, and,
whilst there, she suddenly left off feeding, trembled violently,
and lay down, rolling over several times ; she then rose up on
her feet, and, after much straining, made an ineffectual
attempt to urinate, a few drops of urine only being voided ;
the faeces, however, were passed freely, in fair quantities and
soft ; the surface of the body was covered with perspiration,
and she was evidently in great pain. Under these circum¬
stances, the owner rode over to my house, and requested
me to prescribe for the mare, but he declined my proffered
visit, stating that he would administer the medicine and in¬
form me of the result the next day. About 4 a.m. the
next morning, a messenger arrived in great haste, requesting
me to return with him immediately, as the mare was dying.
When I arrived at the farm, about four miles distant, I found
my patient down, and totally unable to rise. The following
were the symptoms present : — Pulse 120, and feeble ; respi¬
ration much accelerated; surface of body and extremities
cold; conjunctiva much injected; the Schneiderian mem¬
brane of a leaden hue ; great pain (although none was evinced
on pressure being applied to the lumbar region or to the ab¬
domen) ; straining at intervals ; the anus and vulva intensely
swollen, the interior of the latter much inflamed ; the eye pre¬
sented a peculiar expression, indicative of intense suffering
and approaching death. I at once expressed to the owner
my conviction that the mare would not survive many hours,
and that my services would avail nothing ; but with a view to
satisfy myself, if possible, of the precise nature of the case,
I made an examination per rectum, and discovered the blad¬
der to be perfectly empty and firmly contracted within the
pelvis. I then withdrew my hand, and introduced the index
finger between the vulva and onwards into the neck of the
bladder, which caused a spasmodic ejection of only a few
drops of urine. I then passed the catheter, with the like
result. This completed my examination, from which, with
the history of the case, I was inclined to the opinion that not
only was cystitis present, but also that a lesion of the bladder
had taken place. Of this latter, however, I did not presume
to speak very positively, but only intimated to the owner
that a rupture might probably exist, and the sequel proved
that I was not mistaken.

I now anxiously awaited the death of the mare, — which took
place about 8 a.m., — in order to make a post-mortein examina¬
tion. Upon dividing the abdominal parietes a large quantity
of fluid (probably from ten to twelve gallons) escaped, which
proved to be urine, with possibly a small quantity of effused

CYSTITIS, FOLLOWED BY RUPTURE OF THE BLADDER. 507

serum, as the peritoneum evinced slight traces of inflamma¬
tory action. The omentum major was very dark in colour,
and covered with a thin deposit of sabulous matter, some of
which was also found adhering to the caecum, colon, and the
bladder. The latter organ was then examined, and found as
previously stated. It was very dark coloured externally,
from inflammatory action, and at its fundus an opening
existed sufficiently large to admit one’s finger, through which
the urine had escaped into the abdomen. This, I presume,
was the result of ulceration, as the coats of the bladder at
this part were extremely thin, whilst the other portion was
much thickened, and scarcely to be recognised. The ureters
appeared to participate in the inflammatory action, but the
kidneys were perfectly normal.

I continued my researches throughout the generative and
digestive organs, and the contents of the thorax also were
examined, but without discovering in any of these parts fur¬
ther evidence of diseased action.

The above case appears to me suggestive of several im¬
portant and interesting questions to the pathologist, the
solution of which I prefer to leave in the hands of those who
are better able than myself to enter upon their consideration.

REMARKS ON THE ABOVE CASE BY PROFESSOR VARNELL.

This case is valuable, more especially to the junior prac¬
titioner, as but few of the kind are to be found in our works
on veterinary medicine. It is also important on account of
the well-defined symptoms that were observed throughout
the whole progress of the disease, all of which plainly pointed
to the organ affected, and, in the latter stages, even suggested
the nature of the lesions that induced them.

The parts sent for my inspection consisted of the bladder
and a portion of the vagina, the former only showing any
marks of disease to an extent worthy of notice. This organ
was contracted to the size of a man’s fist ; it retained its ovoid
form, but was slightly flattened on its upper and under sur¬
faces. Its coats, except at its anterior portion, were much
thickened, and dark in colour ; at the fundus they were un¬
usually thin, and quite in the centre there existed an opening
large enough, in the contracted state of the organ, to admit
the finger, through which, as observed by Mr. Overed, the
urine had escaped into the cavity of the peritoneum.

In a pathological point of view, the cause of this opening
seems to me to be one of the salient points in the case, it

508 CYSTITIS, FOLLOWED BY RUPTURE OF THE BLADDER.

being most worthy of our consideration, and in my opinion
more difficult to understand than at first sight might he
imagined. If the immediate or exciting cause of this lesion
be apparent, nevertheless the remote or predisposing cause
seems difficult to understand. I think, however, we may
safely state that, if any organ is structurally deficient in any
of its parts, either congenitally or acquired, it is thereby pre¬
disposed to yield to undue pressure. Having this fact in
view when I examined the coats of this organ, and com¬
paring them with what I considered would be their natural
thickness, and also their normal condition, I was forced to
the conclusion that the anterior fundus, for some little dis¬
tance around the opening alluded to, was unusually thin, not,
I thought, from disease, but from a congenital deficiency of
structure. In neither of the coats, not even the mucous
membrane, did I observe the slightest trace of ulceration ; I
therefore infer that they gave way from undue pressure, in
consequence of their being structurally weak. The opening
had all the appearance of a rent, and although small while
the bladder was in the extremely contracted state, it never¬
theless would be much larger when the organ was partially
or wholly distended. Then, as it regards the form of this
opening. A rupture at this part of the bladder is said to be
always circular ; which I think is explained by the course of
the fibres of the middle coat at this part of the organ. With
reference to the nature and extent of the disease, I must
think that it was not so extensive as might be supposed, or
its ravages so great as the symptoms would lead those who
witnessed them to conjecture they would be. That it was
primarily a case of cystitis there cannot be a doubt, involving
more or less the entire structure of the bladder, but the
inflammatory action had not been so intense as to produce
that extreme lacerated state of the tissues which sometimes
is met with ; nevertheless I believe it was sufficient to render
the coats of the bladder, particularly at that part which I
think was already congenitally weak, more easily ruptured.

There seems to be no evidence that disease of the bladder
existed prior to parturition ; it was therefore most likely pro¬
duced during that act, and it existed in a subacute form up
to the time the mare was covered by the cart’ stallion, on the
ninth day after she had foaled. I think it is very probable
that during this act increased inflammatory action was in¬
duced, which, conjoined with the congenitally weak condition
of the organ, finally led to the rupture, and, of course, the
escape of the urine into the peritoneal cavity, thereby causing,
as would be expected, peritonitis, followed by death.

SUPPOSED DEATH OF COWS FROM SP11AY OF BULLETS. 509

The case is one over which medicine could have no control,
and certainly not at the time Mr. Overed was called in ;
nevertheless, as I have before stated, it is highly instructive,
and I hope Mr. Overed will not fail to place on record other
cases of interest that he may meet with in his practice, of
which I predict he will have his full share.

REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE CHEMICAL
ANALYSES MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SUPPOSED DEATH OF THREE COWS FROM
GATHERING UP THE SPRAY OF RIFLE BUL¬
LETS : RECORDED BY MR. WATSON, IN THE
MAY NUMBER OF THE VETERINARIAN.

Bv Professor Tuson.

*

The readers of this Journal will remember that Mr. Walker
Watson communicated, in May last, the particulars of a case
of considerable novelty, interest, and importance, in which it
was thought that the death of three cows had been occasioned
by their picking up small fragments of lead while feeding in
a pasture adjoining the Rugby rifle-butts. Subsequently to
the publication of the communication here referred to, another
cow, that had been kept in the same pasture as the three
others, likewise died. The symptoms prior to death, and the
results of the post-mortem examination, were the same in all
the animals. The viscera of one of the cows that died last,
as well as other matters named hereafter, were entrusted to
me by Mr. Watson and Mr. Mullins (the owner of the cows)
for analysis, and thinking my report, which I furnished to
those gentlemen, would be an important appendix to Mr.
Watson's published remarks, I do myself the pleasure, by
the kind permission of both gentlemen above named, of
placing it before the readers of the Veterinarian,

Chemical Laboratory,

Royal Veterinary College,

London ; June 23, 1864.

To Mr. Walker Watson, M.R.C.V.S.

Sir, — Agreeably to your request, I have chemically exa¬
mined the undermentioned viscera of a cow, as well as the
bullet-spray, which I received from you June 9th, 186'4, and

510 SUPPOSED DEATH OF COWS FROM SPRAY OF BULLETS.

I now beg to furnish you with the following report upon the
results obtained.

The Stomach. — Fragments of bullet-spray were found ad¬
hering to the coats of the stomach. These were picked off,
and about eight ounces of the stomach, thus freed from spray,
were washed in distilled water, for the purpose of endeavour¬
ing to remove any mechanically adhering lead which might
have escaped detection by the eye, and then analysed. Most
decided evidences of the presence of lead were obtained.

The Intestines . — About eight ounces of the intestines were
examined in precisely the same manner as the stomach, and
lead was discovered in them.

The Liver and Kidney. — On testing portions of these organs,
after rinsing them in distilled water, for lead, that metal was
detected ; but it evidently existed in the liver and kidney in
much smaller quantity than in the stomach or intestines.

The Bullet- Spr ay . — In addition to the above-mentioned
analysis, the following experiments were made on the bullet-
spray which you forwarded to me, and which, I understand,
was found among the herbage in the pasture adjoining the
Rugby rifle-butts. Some of the flattened, irregularly shaped
fragments of lead constituting the spray, had a semi-metallic
lustre, indicating that part, at least, of the metal had under¬
gone but little chemical change. Most of the fragments of
spray, however, had suffered considerable alteration, as was
shown by their being coated with a drab-white incrustation.

This drab-white incrustation was analysed, and found to
contain carbonate of lead, and I believe, if a sufficient quan¬
tity of the incrusting material could have been obtained, so
as to have enabled me to have conducted a more complete
and quantitative analysis of it, I should have ascertained that
it consisted of a mixture of carbonate of lead with oxide of
lead. I may here remark, that the lead found in the stomach
of the cow possessed similar characters to the spray picked
up in the pasture.

Some special experiments were made with reference to the
action of solvents, possessing similar qualities to those con¬
tained in the alimentary canal, upon the incrusted fragments
of bullet-spray, and I find that chloride of sodium (common
salt), alkaline solutions (water containing carbonate of potash
or carbonate of soda), and exceedingly dilute hydrochloric
and acetic acids, will act upon and render soluble a portion
of the lead.

The conclusions, therefore, which I think we are justified
in drawing from the foregoing experiments and observations
are —

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

511

1st. That absorbed lead probably existed in the coats of the
stomach and intestines. It is impossible to speak with cer¬
tainty on this point, as the lead found in these organs may,
in spite of their having been washed in distilled water, have
consisted of minute fragments of metal, or its incrusting
carbonate, adhering to their coats.

2nd. That lead passed from the alimentary canal into the
circulation. This was proved by the metal being found in
the liver and kidney.

3rd. That inasmuch as the lead found in the stomachs of
the cows, referred to in your letter, had been lying in those
organs, and there exposed to the action of alkaline and
acid fluids, during a period of between at least six and seven
months, it appears to me that the lead must have all that
time been undergoing gradual but constant solution, that is,
conversion into a fit state for absorption.

4th. That it seems to me probable the death of the cows,
in whose stomachs the lead was found, was occasioned by
the absorption of that metal into their systems, especially as
they all appear to have exhibited the same symptoms prior
to dissolution.

5th. That if the medical, chemical, and general evidence,
which we at present possess, will not enable us to say that
lead did actually and positively occasion the death of the
cows, we are, nevertheless, in possession of sufficient facts,
and of such a character, as to warrant us in considering that
it would be exceedingly unwise to permit animals to be kept
in fields adjoining rifle-butts, unless precautions are taken to
prevent the spray from the targets being scattered about in
the manner it appears to have been hitherto.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Richard Y. Tuson, F.C.S.,

Professor of Chemistry to the Royal F eterinary College.

ON SOME OF THE DISEASES OF THE RESPI¬
RATORY ORGANS OF THE HORSE AND
OTHER ANIMALS.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., London.

( Continued from go. 389.)

After some general reflections upon the difficulty and im¬
portance of distinguishing between the different kinds of

512 DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

sounds produced during respiration under different circum¬
stances, it was attempted to show the advisability of quali¬
fying an opinion of unsoundness, according to the probable
extent and duration of the cause, on the general principle
that roaring or whistling may be alleged against a horse to¬
day who shall be perfectly free from that unsoundness in a
fortnight’s time.

o

The discovery of an acute or recent cause would not
justify an examiner in total disregard of the defect. This is
not contended, but it certainly appears to be convenient to
include all such cases as are likely, under ordinary circum¬
stances, to recover, in one class.

Experience proves that recent cases of roaring often
become permanent, and hence the importance of considering
all unnatural sounds in respiration consequent on disease to
constitute unsoundness, but not the less to refrain from con¬
founding a variety of morbid conditions differing widely in
their influence upon the animal’s usefulness, under one com¬
mon term.

Special warranties will always meet the difficulties attend¬
ing the sale of animals affected with a temporary unsound¬
ness, that is likely to yield to treatment. Should such a
certificate be refused, the veterinary surgeon is free from
any further responsibility.

Where time does not press, a second examination, in a few
weeks from the first, will be the most satisfactory method of
deciding whether the defect is likely to be permanent. These
suggestions involve more trouble and thought than are
usually considered necessary in order to decide whether a
horse is sound or not; but the results to the profession and
the public would be worth some little pains to arrive at, if
only to obviate the unpleasant disputes which are of such
frequent occurrence.

ABNORMAL SOUNDS IN THE BREATHING PRODUCED UNDER
CERTAIN CONDITIONS OR ONLY UPON OCCASIONS.

A very nice question of law arises at once under this divi¬
sion, viz., whether a noise during respiration at intervals
can be said to come under the accepted definition of unsound¬
ness. Whatever may be said pro and con ., it is safe for
professional men to assume the fact as determined, because it
is at least probable that an occasional whistler or roarer is
suffering from structural derangement that will ultimately
extend and lead to a continuance of the defect.

Some very peculiar instances of exceptional roaring or

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

513

whistling have occurred, two of which might fairly give rise
to doubts of their truth; but as both happened in the writer's
experience, he ventures to give them. About four or five years
ago a horse was brought for examination as to soundness of
respiration. The animal was a hunter, and, from the fact of
particular allusion being made to his breathing, it was evident
that some doubt existed, and accordingly every test was applied
to determine the point. In all his paces, upon turf and over
ploughed land, the horse was found to be perfectly sound in
his breathing. The groom, being informed of the conclusion,
suggested, with the air of one who knew the solution of the
difficulty by heart, that the horse should be ridden over a
hurdle . This was immediately done, and with most unex¬
pected results. The animal, on landing, gave a grunt of
apparent triumph at the achievement, and, throwing up his
head, careered along to the accompaniment of a well-sustained
“ clarion sound." It was then ascertained that the horse was
well known to be a roarer, but, as the groom expressed it,
“ You couldn’t knock a sound out of him, sir, until you took
him over a fence."

The singular part of the affair was that the horse, after
being pulled up and started again, continued to “ roar" with¬
out a second leap being necessary.

Without any exaggeration, the facts are put down as they
occurred, and the case may fairly claim to stand alone.

Under ordinary circumstances the horse would have been
returned with a certificate of soundness, as, in the absence
of a direct hint, one would hardly think of riding an animal
over a fence for the purpose of testing his soundness. The
next instance occurred quite recently in London. A dealer’s
horse was examined, with the understanding that he was an
undoubted roarer ; the owner had heard him “roar" on several
occasions, and the men in the yard were quite familiar with
the circumstance. Not, therefore, with the view of deciding a
doubtful point, but of obtaining a formal certificate of an
unquestionable unsoundness, a professional examination was
considered necessary. The horse was submitted to the usual
tests without any unnatural sounds being elicited, to the ex¬
treme surprise of the owner and the man who rode ; on the
previous day it was asserted that the noise made by the
animal was distinguishable the length of the ride.

A second and longer trial was given a day or two after¬
wards, with the same result. After a short time the owner
sent the horse to another veterinary surgeon, whose name, if
it were given, would be a sufficient guarantee of his skill.
He found the animal to be a decided roarer, and the man who

514

DISEASE OF THIS HEART AND INTESTINES.

stood by at the time and the man who rode him both heard
the sound.

Still a few days further on, the owner again requested me
to make another examination. The horse was again ridden by
the same man, and again no sound could be elicited. At the
owner’s request I rode the horse to the veterinary surgeon
who had lately discovered the unsoundness, wrhen he submitted
him to another examination, and failed to induce a repetition
of the sounds he had previously distinctly heard. Under
these circumstances legal proceedings were stayed, otherwise
we should have had, not merely two veterinary surgeons giving
different opinions, a thing by no means uncommon, but a
high veterinary authority asserting the animal to be sound
now which he condemned as a roarer a week ago. In this
case there was nothing to account for the temporary existence
of roaring; the horse was in good health, and was kept long
enough for any cold or sore throat to have subsided or
become worse, but without any change that could be detected.
He continued at intervals to “roar,” and then steadfastly re¬
fused to make the slightest noise for days, notwithstanding
any amount of provocation.

It may be urged that a few extraordinary cases should not
affect a general system of practice; but it is doubtful if these
cases are solitary, or even very rare. The frequent difference
of opinion about a point that should not, in the common
course of things, be open to any doubt, rather leads to the
conclusion that the cause lies in the nature of the subject
investigated, instead of in the method of the examination ; in
any case it is important that the profession and the" public
should remember that these peculiarities do present them¬
selves, and not, therefore, be dreadfully scandalised if now
and then Mr. A. condemns a horse as a roarer which Mr.
B. yesterday passed sound ; because such things have
happened, and most certainly will again, until pathology
shall become, what it is not yet, a mathematical science.

DISEASE OF THE HEART AND INTESTINES
COMPLICATED WITH EFFUSION.

By J. Tombs, M.R.C.V.S., Stratford-upon-Avon.

This patient was a black gelding. When I first saw him,
September 4th, 1863, the scrotum was swollen from some
kind of strangulation in it ; the parts were cold ; no pulse

INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 515

could be felt ; the respiration was very hurried and deep,
and clammy sweats covered the body. My prognosis was
unfavorable, and he died in excruciating agony at 3 p.m.

Post-mortem examination , September 5th. — The ends of
the spermatic cord were strangulated, gorged with black
blood, and much enlarged ; abdominal cavity filled with
serum ; omentum and spleen diseased, also the mesentery ;
effusion of yellow serum into the latter; large lumps of
black coagulated blood, contained in cysts, resembling dis¬
eased mesenteric glands, pervaded the whole of the mesen¬
tery ; the membrane of the convoluted portion of the
rectum, that is, its superior part, was filled with black blood,
resembling continuous cysts; for two feet in length it formed
an abnormal irregular mass, as large as a fork-handle ; the
lymphatic glands of this part of the bowels, as well as the
mesentery, were enlarged and filled with black blood ; the
coats of the bowels were thickened and diseased, particu¬
larly at the middle part of the affected portion.

The cavity of the thorax was filled with effused serum
and clots of coagulated lymph ; the pleura was diseased; the
pericardium was distended with serum, the right side of the
heart being very thin and flabby, and its investing membrane
discoloured ; the auricular ventricular valve was thin and
apparently stretched, and the cordea tendinea lessened in
size ; the lungs were unusually small and congested.

The singularity of this case is that the animal appeared
to be in perfect health until the day he died. He had been
turned out with other horses, and when they were fetched
in in the morning he was found standing by himself in a
dull state and the scrotum enlarged. In all probability, it
was the immense weight of the water pressing on the sper¬
matic cord that caused the strangulation, followed by effu¬
sion into the scrotum and sheath.

INFLAMMATION AND OBSTRUCTION OF THE
STOMACH AND INTESTINES.

By the Same.

May 30th, 1863. — I was called up at 5 a.m. to attend an
aged bay mare, belonging to Mr. Rogers, of this town.
When I saw her she was rolling about continually, and then
lying on her back. She had evidently been in great pain
for several hours, as the mortar on the walls was kicked off,

516

INFLUENZA ATTACKING THE INTESTINES.

and the manger literally scratched all over ; the pulse was
feeble and 105 in the minute; -the breathing accelerated; the
Schneiderian and conjunctival membranes injected with blood
of a purple colour. I at once told the owner I considered
the case to be hopeless, but he requested me to relieve her, if
possible.

On making inquiry, I ascertained that her attendant had
given to her an extra quantity of new beans and hay at
6 p.m. the previous evening, in order to prepare her for a
long journey the next morning. She could not see out of
her eyes, the lids were so much swollen from her repeatedly
battering her head against the walls when rolling about.

Such medicines were given by me as I considered most
likely to alleviate her sufferings; but, despite all endeavours,
at 8 a.m. the abdomen became tympanitic, and at 10 o’clock
she died.

Post-mortem examination. — The stomach was distended with
gas, and full of half-masticated ingesta; the mucous lining
was intensely inflamed; the duodenum was inflamed through¬
out, and contained liquid blood ; the jejunum, ileum, colon,
and caecum, were crammed with half-masticated and undi¬
gested corn and hay ; the villous coat of all the last-men¬
tioned intestines was congested, the rectum only escaped.
The other internal viscera were healthy.

The cause of the disease was over-gorging. The man
left her a little after 6 p.m., and the neighbours heard her
making a noise four hours after, but gave no alarm. If they
had, possibly relief might have been afforded-

INFLUENZA ATTACKING THE VILLOUS
MEMBRANE OF THE INTESTINES.

By the Same.

June 4th, 1863. — I was requested to attend a black mare
belonging to W. B. Lowe, Esq., of Eatington. The symp¬
toms present were belly tucked up ; respiration disturbed ;
pulse 70; countenance dejected; appetite bad ; submaxillary
glands enlarged.

She had been ill for two days, and injudiciously bled to
the amount of a gallon. Gave stimulants internally, and
applied excitants externally.

6th. — Extremities swollen and oedematous; pulse 100;
breathing bad ; still no appetite. Treatment as before.

DISEASED STOMACH, BOWELS, AND MESENTERY. 517

8th. — Animal worse.

9th. — Rumbling of the bowels present, with diarrhoea. I
entertained no hopes of recovery, and administered such
medicines as I considered most suitable.

10th. — Impeded respiration ; escape of mucus from the
nostrils, mingled with blood ; excessive purgation ; prolapsus
ani ; after the liquid faecal matter is evacuated, a considerable
portion of the rectum protrudes, the lining membrane of
which is seen to be discoloured and oedematous ; retraction
of this took place after the evacuation, but not so the anus.

I could plainly perceive that the case was a hopeless one,
and had no doubt but that the whole alimentary canal was
oedematous. The breathing was laboured and quick, the pulse
weak and 120; great uneasiness was manifested previous to
an evacuation, and the appetite was entirely lost. She
lingered on until the 11th, when she died. I did not
make a post-mortem examination myself, but I saw the man
who skinned the carcass the next day, who told me that the
bowels were adherent by thin matter to the peritoneal lining
of the abdomen, particularly at the lower part, and that the
lining membrane of the bowels was oedematous throughout,
and blood effused between their coats.

It is seldom that influenza attacks the intestines as in this
case. The mare had an ordinary although severe attack of
influenza last year.

DISEASED STOMACH, BOWELS, AND

MESENTERY.

By the Same.

September 4th, 1863. — Subject an aged gray horse. T
was requested to make a post-mortem examination, in order to
ascertain how long the animal had been diseased and un¬
sound, as the present owner had recently purchased him.

Sectio cadaveris.— Duodenum diseased to the extent of
about six inches ; it was black, thickened, and almost putrid ;
a deposit of calcareous matter existed between the coats at
the diseased part (twelve inches from the stomach), which
caused a partial stricture; mesentery and its glands were
diseased and enlarged ; a large scirrhous tumour (weighing
probably twelve pounds) was situated contiguous to the
mesentery and bowels, and attached to the spine, through
which ran the posterior aorta; the blood-vessels given off

518

CASES IN PRACTICE.

from the latter to supply the mesentery and adjoining parts
were greatly enlarged ; the part of the omentum adherent
to the peritoneum and the omentum were diseased ; the
upper villous portion of the stomach was ruptured (the
immediate cause of death), the contents of which had escaped
into the cavity of the abdomen amongst the intestines ; the
mucous coat of the stomach was diseased, reddened, and
ulcerated ; very little gastric juice could have been secreted
for a length of time, which, of course, materially interfered
with digestion, and led to the rupture of the stomach, by
causing its distension, from the food being only partially
digested, when gaseous matters are evolved, and the con¬
tractile powers of the stomach thereby are rendered weak.
The mucous coat of the bladder was thickened and diseased ;
the right kidney was also diseased.

The symptoms for a month before the death of the animal
were — the appetite sometimes bad and sometimes good ; fre¬
quently looking back, kicking at his belly, and occasionally
rolling and lying on his back.

What medicines were given I know not, as I did not
attend him.

CASES IN PRACTICE.

By “Argus.”

No. 1. — Fracture of the Pelvis.

Some months ago I was consulted by a staff officer about
a charger of his which had been severely injured. He told
me the horse had taken fright at something in the stable
three weeks before, and had suddenly reined back and fallen
completely over. When I saw the animal he did not appear
to be in pain while standing still, but when walked the
motion of the off hind leg apparently distressed him ; he
could not put any weight on it, but hopped upon the other
leg, and proceeded sideways instead of straight to his front.
I found the distance from the crest of the ilium to the hip-
joint, to be less by two inches than that of the opposite side,
and there was clearly considerable alteration of structure
about the acetabulum. Before, however, finally giving my
opinion, I took the horse into my own stable and watched
him for several days, the result of which was that I told the
owner I was certain the ilium had been fractured and the

CASES IN PRACTICE.

519

hip-joint considerably injured, and recommended him to
have the horse destroyed. At his request I shot the animal,
and afterwards examined the pelvis, which I have preserved
in my pharmacy. I found the ilium fractured through its
middle narrowest part. This had reunited, but it caused a
shortening of the bone to the extent of about an inch, and
considerable convexity of its dorsal surface. The acetabulum
was fractured in three places, and the ischium broken right
through close to the hip-joint. Displacement had taken
place in this latter fracture, and no attempt at union was
apparent. Of course the horse would never have been of
any use had he been allowed to live ; and though his de¬
struction caused a loss of j£80 to the owner, still it was the
only thing a veterinary surgeon would have been justified in
recommending under such circumstances.

I send you an account of the case, because I think it is
seldom we meet with such very extensive injury arising from
a mere fall backwards, and on level soft ground too.

No. 2. — Fracture of the Humerus.

The surgeon of my regiment sent for me suddenly some
evenings ago, with a request that I would go over to his
house “ sharp/5 On arrival I found that his buggy-horse, a
large animal of the New South Wales breed, had, while
standing at the door harnessed in the buggy, become
alarmed at something and ran away. The horse had made
for a six-foot mud wall in front of him, with the intention of
galloping through a gap in it, which was only large enough
to allow a man to pass; the consequence was that he came
at full speed with his near shoulder against the wall, knock¬
ing it down and rolling over sideways, buggy and all. The
buggy was, of course, considerably smashed. I found the
horse up, but standing on three legs, the near fore hanging
helplessly in the air. On examining this limb, the animal
objected strongly to my touching his shoulder or elbow; and
upon my manipulating the part, and listening while the
owner pulled the leg outwards and downwards, I distinctly
heard crepitus just above the elbow, and could feel the

broken bone move. 1 told Dr. - it was an unquestionable

case of fracture of the humerus, and he asked me to shoot the
horse, which I did at once.

The post-mortem examination revealed an extensive
compound fracture of the humerus just above the elbow-
joint.

Is it not somewhat strange that the animal’s coming up

520

CASES IN PRACTICE.

against a simple mud wall only eighteen inches thick, and
which fell from the force of the shock, should fracture such a
bone as the humerus is in the horse ?

No. 3. — Obesity of the Heart.

Is this an acknowledged disease in the horse ? I was sent
for about a week ago to see a troop-horse reported to have
suddenly shown symptoms of serious illness. Before I
reached the hospital, however, the horse was dead, though he
had only been ill for half an hour. The farrier-serjeant told
me the horse had commenced to breathe heavily and with
difficulty ; that he stood with his legs apart and head down,
eyes staring wildly, and altogether looked greatly “ dis¬
tressed when he fell, he was strongly convulsed for some
minutes, and then died.

I made a post-mortem examination, and found chronic
disease of the liver and spleen, the latter being more than
twice its natural size ; but this is often found out here. The
only other abnormal state was a large accumulation of fat at
the base of the heart and around the pericardium, the quan¬
tity being sufficient to press upon the aorta and the heart
itself, and interfere with their action. Could this have been
the cause of death, as it is said to be in man sometimes? I
cannot account in any other way for the sudden death of the
animal. He was fifteen years of age, and had done more
than the average amount of hard work without ever showing
symptoms of illness. Lately, however, it had been observed
that he was not in such good condition as usual, but this was
attributed to his getting old.

No. 4. — Examination for Soundness.

This horse was a Waler, for sale for £ 40 , said to be eight
years old, and sound. The seller agreed to my opinion being
asked by the intending purchaser as to soundness and value.
I examined the horse, and found him to be a stale old animal,
at least fourteen years of age, and very unsound. He had a
completely decayed incisor tooth, ossification of the lateral
cartilages of both fore feet, a false quarter in the off hind
hoof, and bone spavin in both hocks, causing stiffness and
inability to flex those joints freely when trotting. I recom¬
mended his not being purchased at any price. The seller
(whom I know pretty well) came to me afterwards, and in a
tone of astonishment said, “ You don't mean to say my horse
is really unsound, and not worth the price I asked ?" This

caustic operation for bone spavin. 521

proves (if proof were wanting) how ready people are to call
their horses sound when they want to sell them, either from
not giving the question due consideration, or in the hope
that purchasers may be found willing to buy on the strength
of the seller’s assurance that “the horse is all right, and only
such an age.”

I examined another horse about a fortnight ago, an Arab,
six years old, and a very handsome animal, price £120. In
reply to a note from the intending purchaser, the owner said
the horse was sound as a bell, free from blemish, and perfect
in temper and aces, and that he had no hesitation in
agreeing to a veterinary surgeon giving his opinion of him.
I found the horse to be unquestionably spavined in both
hocks (a rare thing with Arabs), and stiff in his action there¬
from. So very apparent were these spavins, that three
officers, who were standing by when I examined the horse,
asked me if he were not unsound in his hocks, without my
having said or done anything to draw their attention to
those joints.

In this instance I really believe the owner felt fully per¬
suaded that his horse was sound and perfect in every way.
It is an unpleasant duty to have to pronounce a horse of
such value unsound under the circumstances of this last
case ; but if people will submit their horses to our exa¬
mination, and purchasers will not buy without it, what can
we do ?

My opinion was asked about another horse, an Arab,
value £140, some time ago, which I was obliged to condemn
as unsound in three places. I subsequently heard that the
seller, a gentleman , was perfectly aware of his horse’s being
unsound, and that the animal had been examined by another
veterinary surgeon, who would not pass him for the very same
faults that I had found to exist.

ON THE CAUSTIC OPERATION FOR BONE

SPAVIN.

By J. G. Cattrall, M.R.C.V.S., London.

The wise man has told us that <c a word fitly spoken is
like apples of gold in pictures of silver ” therefore, before
attempting to describe the above operation, I feel it my duty
to express my gratitude to our esteemed member, Mr. E. C.
Dray, M.R.C.V.S., of Leeds, and President of the Yorkshire
xxxvii. 34

522 CAUSTIC OPERATION FOR BONE SPAVIN.

Medical Veterinary Association, for his very kind remarks
relative to my letter which appeared in the Veterinarian for
April last, on the operation for roaring in the horse, with the
results thereof.

As that gentleman has also expressed his desire to know
from some of the members of the profession something about
the caustic operation for the removal of bone spavin, and not
having seen any reply made on the subject through our
chosen vehicle, the Veterinarian , I feel much pleasure in con¬
tributing my mite, by responding to his inquiries, hoping it
may lead to still further discussion, either in those pages or
among our professional brethren, the associates of the different
valuable provincial Veterinary Medical Associations, respect¬
ing which, allow me to say, may their researches prove con¬
ducive to the further elevation of our profession, as an anti¬
dote to empiricism and a shield to the British public.

I now proceed to describe the operation, and its results,
as occurring under my own observation in the metropolis.

Case 1. In the month of August, 1863, 1 was requested to
see a brown mare, the property of Mr. C. Sylvester, who
informed me that she had been causticked for bone spavins
on both hocks by a charlatan, who obtained a livelihood by
assuming the title of veterinary surgeon. On my examining
the animal’s hocks I found the anterior portions denuded of
the skin, which appeared to have desquamated ; the capsular
ligaments had nearly all sloughed away ; the articular sur¬
faces around the margins were in situ , and exposed to the
action of the atmosphere; a very peculiar and extremely dis¬
agreeable odour was emitted from the part, which induced
me to examine the state of articulations, in which I dis¬
covered that extensive necrosis was going on, associated with
ulceration all around each hock, and extending itself to the
extensor metatarsi and annular ligament. I consequently
considered the case as hopeless and dealt with it accordingly,
by consigning the poor animal to the knacker.

Feeling anxious to learn how the operation had been per¬
formed, the would-be veterinary surgeon and operator was
sent for, when I questioned him, and pointed out to him his
imprudence in attempting such an operation without a
knowledge of the anatomy of the joint, and its consequences,
but I met with all I could have expected, by his responding,
i( Better luck next time.” I asked him to show me how he
performed this cure-all operation, to which he consented, and
I provided him with the limb of a dead horse, above the
hock-joint, with the skin covering it, when he took out his
pocket-knife and made a longitudinal incision through the

POISONING OF A COW AND TWO STEERS.

523

skin, at its anterior part, and over the seat of spavin, then
et n*^ tiie skin hacl^wai ds and forwards about an inch
each way, he placed about a drachm of Hydrarg. Bichloridum,
in powder, between it and the capsular ligament. This being
done, he drew the edges in apposition, and passed three
sutures therein. He stated that it was necessary that animals
thus operated on should have their heads secured for five
days afterwards.

I have seen two other poor animals thus treated since the
above case, by a similar individual, the first of which died of
tetanus, and the other only recovered at the expense of an
anchylosed joint, associated with extreme lameness, so as
totally to incapacitate him from working.

POISONING OP A COW AND TWO STEERS BY
THE COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE, OR MEADOW
SAFFRON.

By W. Chambers, Veterinary Student, Kington.

The following case of poisoning of a cow and two steers
may not be deemed uninteresting to many of your readers.

The animals in question, belonging to Mr. Lewis, Lions-
hall, near Kington, were turned out to pasture with others,
and broke out into an adjoining field, where the above plant
grows in abundance.

They were, however, turned back with the rest after a short
time, and nothing appeared to be the matter until the follow¬
ing day, when the owner noticed them standing apart from
the others and looking very dull. He gave to each of them
Ol. Lini, Oss, but not finding them get any better I was re¬
quested to see them on the evening of May 11th, when I
found them showing the following symptoms : —

Stupor, swelling of the abdomen, frequent grinding of the
teeth, a peculiar look of the eyes, the pupils being dilated,
pulse almost imperceptible, bowels very much relaxed, and
the faeces of a dark colour, extremities cold, loathing of
food, suspension of rumination, and an eagerness for drink.
There were no griping pains, nor was the breathing much
accelerated.

The symptoms evinced by the steers were somewhat milder
than those described in the cow.

524

POISONING OP A COW AND TWO STEERS.

I had them all placed in a cow-house, and gave to each a
purgative, composed of —

Magnes. Sulpli., Ibj ;

01. Crotoni, u\x.

and ordered them to be drenched with gruel.

May 12th. — The unfavorable symptoms of the steers are
somewhat abated, and the medicine is acting, but those of
the cow are rather worse, the medicine not having acted, and
the fasces being still black and watery. I gave to her another
dose of purgative medicine, and I felt inclined to use the
stomach pump.

To each steer I gave —

Spt. Ammon. Aromat., f^ij ;

Spt. AEtli. Nit., f^j ; in liaustus.

to be repeated at night.

May 13th. — A slight improvement in the cow, the medicine
having acted, and the faeces being more healthy.

Gave Liq. Ammon, fort. *ij, largely diluted with gruel.

The steers are evidently better ; the appetite is returning,
and the alvine evacuations are becoming natural.

Repeated the stimulants as before.

14th. — A still further improvement in both the cow and
the steers. I ordered the same agents to be given all as be¬
fore. Diet to be of a succulent nature.

15th. — All are doing well, and one steer has been again
turned to pasture. The cow also is much better, the rumina¬
tion is returning, and the moisture on her muzzle.

Repeated the medicines to both remaining in the cow¬
house, and requested the owner to continue to give them
gruel.

16th. — The other steer turned out to grass ; the cow is con¬
valescent. Discontinued medicines.

In concluding, I beg to state that these cases are by no
means unfrequent in this neighbourhood about the spring of
the year.

I should be very happy to glean further information re¬
specting the above plant from some of your numerous corres¬
pondents, for I do not think that Mr. Watson has alluded to
it yet in his interesting papers on botany as applied to veteri¬
nary science.

4

[All cases of poisoning, by whatever agent, are worthy
of being recorded. In the pages of this Journal will be found
many instances of the injurious effects of colchicum, both on

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

525

cattle and on horses. We might refer to those by Messrs.
Broad, Whiteman, and others, as occurring more recently,
and especially to the elaborate and interesting account given
by Mr. W. Litt, M.R.C.V.S., in the August number for I860.

The quick expulsion of the agent from out the alimentary
canal by purgatives, and the subsequent employment of diffu¬
sible stimulants, so as to overcome its sedative effects, as
adopted by Mr. Chambers, was the correct treatment indi¬
cated.

Had there been any necessity for it, tonics might have
followed to restore lost power in the system, although of all
tonics food is the best when it can be partaken of.]

Facts and Observations.

A horse committing Suicide. — The following is for-
warded to us by Mr. E. Hire, M.R.C.V.S., Penzance,
Cornwall.

“A curious case was brought under my notice some little
time since of a horse that was living on a common, and
doing no work, attempting to commit suicide by making his
way to the sea, which was in close proximity, and deliberately
backing into it, and lying down to drown himself. He was
however seen, and, help being at hand, rescued. Some
little time after he more than endeavoured to destroy him¬
self by the same method, as this time he succeeded in
effecting his purpose.

“ Thinking this may be worthy a place in your journal,
under c Facts and Observations/ I take the opportunity of
sending it.”

Eating of Horseflesh. — The Parisian correspondent of
The Chemical News states that the hippophagists of Paris,
headed by Baron Larrey and Geoffrey de St. Hilaire, have
long desired to establish in this city butchers’ shops where
their favourite meat might be sold, but certain obstacles have
hitherto prevented it. There are hopes, however, now, that
not only shall we have a horse butcher’s shop in full opera¬
tion, but also a horse restaurant. How much better you
manage these things in England, where for a few pence you
can obtain, both raw' and cooked, sufficient horseflesh to
satisfy the most inveterate horse-eater. By the way, wdiat

526

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

would be the proper English word for horse-meat? Accord¬
ing to the rule enunciated by the famous Saxon etymologist,
Wamba, it should be cheval , or some word derived from it.
However, joking apart, I can personally testify that young
horse is quite as succulent as young bull, and that old horse
is infinitely more palatable and tender than old cow.

Preventive Measures adopted by the French
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
— The same writer observes that the French Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Societe Protection des
Animaux) goes further than the English institution, by not
only endeavouring to prevent its proteges from being cruelly
treated, but by rewarding inventions tending to increase their
comfort and well-being. At the last meeting of the Paris
society medals were given for a new form of horseshoe for
use in slippery weather, a saddle which is stated to be more
comfortable than the ordinary form, a horse-collar having
similar merits, a sieve for cleaning grain from dust and grit,
trusses for the cure of hernia in young horses, and an
apparatus for the more effectual aeration of the water in fish
tanks during transport.

The society, taking into consideration the cruelty to which
horses are exposed when drawing heavy loads of clay from
ground excavated for building in various quarters of Paris,
have offered a premium of £o00 to the inventor of a machine,
to be set in motion by steam or any other motive power, of
which the application shall have been successfully made in
any of the building yards of Paris.

Practical Application of Dialysis. — A patent has
been recently taken out by Mr. Whitelaw, of Glasgow, for
utilising the brine of salted meat. It consists in the em¬
ploying of large dialysers made of various materials and
shape, such as ox bladders, bags made of gutta percha, or
skins of animals either open or closed, and fitted with stop¬
cocks. “ Such an apparatus as the following would be found
to answrer the purpose : — A square vat made of a framework
of iron filled up with sheets of skin or parchment or paper in
such a way as to be water tight, and strengthened, if neces¬
sary, by stays or straps of metal. The sides, ends, and
bottom, being composed of this soft dialysing material,
expose a great surface to the action of the water, contained
in an outer vat, in which the dialyser is placed.** The
bladder arrangement Mr. Whitelaw considers the best,
cheapest, and most easily managed. Brine, filtered to free it

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

527

from particles of animal matter, &c., being introduced into the
bladders, and these being suspended on poles placed across
in vats of water, at the end of the third or fourth day it will be
found that almost all the common salt and nitre of the brine
have been removed and the liquid contained in the bladders is
pure juice of flesh in a fresh and wholesome state. This
may be employed for making rich soups, or by evaporation,
and mixed with flour, made into meat biscuits, or packed in
tins and jars for sale. It is highly nutritive and admirably
adapted for hospitals, ship's stores, or an army in the field.
The salt and nitre may, of course, be easily reobtained, and
again used. It need hardly be said that the saving thus
effected is immense. Mr. Whitelaw states that two gallons
of brine yielded one pound of solid extract. For the pro¬
duction of the same amount of extract something like twenty
pounds of lean beef would be required. The quantity of brine
annually wasted, he says with truth, is very great. He
believes that in Glasgow alone 60,000 gallons are thrown
away yearly. If it be estimated that one gallon is equal to
seven pounds of meat in soup-producing power, then this is
equal to a yearly waste of 187 tons of meat, and estimating
the meat at 6cl. per pound, the loss amounts to <£10,472.
This has reference only to one town. In the great American
curing establishments, the brine wasted must be enormous,
as during the last season in eight Federal states 4,000,000
pigs were slaughtered and cured.

Thus by the application of a scientific principle, only
recently demonstrated by Professor Graham, a waste material
is rendered of considerable commercial value.

Purification of Arsenical Sulphuric Acid. — For
this purpose M. Blondlot recommends that the peroxide of
manganese should be used so as to oxidize the arsenious acid.
The way he proceeds is as follows : — Peroxide of manganese
is added in the proportion of four to five grammes to the
kilogramme of sulphuric acid, and the mixture heated to
boiling in a porcelain dish, stirring all the time. It is then
allowed to cool, transferred to a retort and distilled. M.
Blondlot has distilled to dryness acid so treated, and never
found a trace of arsenic in the distillate.

Colour and Odour of Urine. — Dr. Thudicum believes
that he has isolated these principles in urine. To the first
he gives the name of Uro-chrome , to the latter that of Otto of
urine. Scherer obtained from urine a red matter, which he
termed urohcematin , which he considered resulted from the

528

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

disorganization of the blood-corpuscles, and which was
eliminated from the system in this form : an ingenious
theory.

New Source of Certain Metals. — The rare metals
caesium, rubidium and thallium, have been discovered in a
spring near Frankfort, the water of which leaves, on evapo¬
ration, a residue containing them. The first two of these

have also been found to exist in manv articles of human

•/

consumption, as beet-root sugar, tea and coffee; and thallium
has been met with in many minerals in which hitherto its
presence was unsuspected, likewise in molasses, yeast, chi¬
cory and tobacco.

Grafting Animals. — A work has been published by
Dr. Paul Bert on this subject, in which it is stated by him
that he succeeded in making Siamese twins of a couple of
rats, and also formed other monstrosities. He says, 6e It is a
surprising spectacle to see a paw cut from one rat live, grow,
finish its ossification, and regenerate its nerves under the
skin of another; that when we plant a plume of feathers
under the skin of a dog, it is wonderful to see the uninter¬
rupted vital phenomena resume their course, and the frag¬
ment of a bird receive nourishment from the blood of a
mammal.

New Test for Digitalin e. — M. Grandeau has ascer¬
tained that if a dilute solution of digitaline be evaporated to
dryness and the residue treated with sulphuric acid, a rose-
coloured spot results, which, if exposed to the vapour of
bromine turns to a violet colour. A great number of other
alkaloids, similarly treated, do not give this reaction.

A Volatile Alkaloid in Digitalis Purpurea. —
M. W. Englehardt, by treating the leaves of foxglove in the
same manner by w7hich conia is extracted from hemlock, has
discovered that they yield a volatile alkaloid, which he has
named Bigitalium fluidum. By experiments performed with
it on animals he considers it to be the active principle of the
plant. It is exceedingly volatile, of an oily consistence, an
alkaline reaction, soluble in water with difficulty, a little
soluble in chloroform, soluble in absolute ether, odour very
penetrating, intermediate between that of conia and nicotina,
but when diluted not so unpleasant.

529

THE VETERINARIAN, AUGUST 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

OUH MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

Among the subjects mooted at the last anniversary
of the profession as being conducive to our onward progress
— and we think that of late some steps have been taken
in this direction — was the formation of a Metropolitan
Veterinary Society, by Professor Brown. In the pages of
this Journal for the past year it will be seen that Mr. Coates,
Secretary to the Boyal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
suggested the formation of such an association, which we
ventured to encourage and support, but it has been allowed
to rest, only, as we hope, to gather strength ; for we are
strongly inclined to agree with Mr. Brown when he says,
“ It seems a sort of reproach that, considering the number
of members we have in London, there should not be some¬
thing in the shape of a central society of veterinary sur¬
geons. ^ ” The “pressure from without” on the part of the
provincial societies may tend to arouse our metropolitan
brethren to a sense of their duty. We can hardly say
more than we have already advanced as to the benefits to
be derived from the members of the profession statedly
meeting together for the consideration of questions con¬
nected with the general weal, and the discussion of scientific
and medical subjects. We augur great good to result from
such a union. It will be the opening up of a new era in
the profession, while it will tend to connect us together in
one harmonious whole, for we want some moral cement so
to bind us together ; a unity of purpose and determination,
that no longer we may be compared to a rope of sand. How is
it that so little abiding strength exists among us, so that no
real amalgamation for any length of time takes place ? We
hardly hope for a definite reply to this question, and
perhaps it would be very difficult to assign the reason.

530

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

Nevertheless, we would it were otherwise, and believe it
might be were all actuated by a right spirit.

We missed from the list of those in attendance at the
last annual gathering the names of some who always used
to be there, and we regret their absence, knowing the cause
to have been ill health, which, however, has proved only
temporary. We are glad to see an infusion of new and

younger blood in the Council, for we are all too prone to

run into a course of mere routine, and the ruts at length

become so deep that w7e cannot easily get out of them.

We know that there is talent enough and to spare among
the rising members of our profession, were they called upon
to exert it ; and we further believe that the older ones
would be contented to see them do so, for soon they must
leave their places to be filled by others, and it would be
well if these were to become somewhat initiated in those
duties that must devolve upon them in after life, if they be
honest to the profession and actuated by a desire to
promote its advancement. Nor should they forget that
an individual responsibility rests upon them to accomplish
more than those have done who have gone before them.
We are earnest advocates for an open and candid expression
of the feelings, the result of independent thought and con¬
sideration. Partisanship we eschew, believing it to be
destructive of all true unity. Equally would we denounce
and avoid the arena of disputation and controversy, if not
carried on with courtesy, which is true wisdom. Differences
of opinion we know ever will exist, but these need not be
offensively expressed, nor will they be by those rightly
educated. Difficulties, too, will be sure to present them¬
selves ; but there is a pleasure in contending with them,
and in proportion to their strength and number so will be
the triumph when they are overcome. Without a contest

there can be no victorv. It has been said that “ all man-

«/

kind seem to possess the combative faculty in a greater or
less degree ; and its difference in one man and another is
perhaps one quite as much of kind as of degree. The
occupation which a man pursues, or, in other words, the
difficulties which he prefers to encounter, are quite as dis-

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

531

tinctive marks of his character as the energy with which he
encounters them. An Aristotle or a Euclid fights as
resolutely as an Alexander, and it costs as great an effort
to read one of nature’s laws as to assert the human law of
might; but the one contest is visible, and the other seen
onty in its results. The pleasures of the victory and the
struggle are perhaps as great in the one case as in the
other. There is in both the precious drop of triumph to
sweeten life — made precious only by the difficulty by which
it has been purchased/’ Selfishness is always contemptible,
and to be contented with stagnation shows a want of mental
power. To be “ up and doing” is our advice to our junior
members, and we think we see a desire for this evinced in
the formation of the different veterinary medical associations
throughout the country. These must be instrumental for
good, if they be only properly conducted, by their becoming,
not only centres from whence power will emanate, but,
through the information which they will be the means
of disseminating, the body will ultimately become permeated,
“ for a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.’’

It has been poetically said, “ The great glaciers of the
Alps fulfil their course in about a human generation.
Noiselessly and imperceptibly they slide from the place of
their mountain birth to the valley in which they are dis¬
solved ; and yet each year marks every part with change —
the fresh snow consolidates into ice at their cradle — the
various marks and fissures attest their course — they melt
away at their terminus — the snowy child of the mountain
having become a river of living waters to fructify the
sunny plain.” So it is with communities. A gradual
change is constantly taking place. Every year causes us
to look upon older heads and faces. Those once students
take the place of their fathers, and palpable advances are
being made as time passes onwards. It is but right, then,
that such measures should be adopted as will not only meet
the exigencies of the moment, but become of a permanent
benefit ; and this will, of course, depend much, if not entirely,
upon the conduct of those w7ho, placed at the head, have
the management of affairs.

532

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

Again and again liave we said that we are no friends to
exclusiveness. Yet do we fear there is too much truth in
the observations made by Mr. T. Greaves in his commu¬
nication on “The State and Prospects of the Veterinary
Profession/' in the June number of this Journal, in which
there is much that we sincerely agree with. He says
(p. 392 et seq.), “ I find that many of them (practitioners)
object in the most strenuous manner to the notion or
system of making the knowledge they have acquired
common property. They will neither record their views in
the Veterinarian, nor will they place them by a viva voce
description before our associations. The reason assigned
for this is that their knowledge will fall into the hands of
the common farrier, the groom, and the uneducated black¬
smith, to employ it to their own advantage. Thus the
profession is deprived of means which, being derived from
accumulated knowledge and experience no one can doubt,
would greatly enrich veterinary science. Press these
gentlemen, and they will say, ‘No' a thousand times
over. Whatever knowledge I may have, each will say —
having acquired much of it by my own application and
industry — it shall sooner go down to the grave with me
than it shall be handed over gratuitously to the uneducated
man, who will try by its use to do all he can, in his own
uncourteous, bigoted, ignorant manner, to take the very
bread out of my mouth, and, moreover, who is by law
permitted to call himself a veterinary surgeon, and thus
claims to stand upon an equality with myself. Abolish
this very censurable state of things, and then all the know¬
ledge I may possess I will freely make known to my
veterinary brethren."

We repeat that we fear there is too much truth in this
statement ; nevertheless, we think the remedy is an easy
one. First, let the membership of the different veterinary
societies be restricted to those who are members of the
body corporate. We prefer this high, and it may be
somewhat narrow, stand-point, to the broader one of those
who have graduated at any of the recognised schools,
because it adds to the status of the profession. But if so

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

533

be some are already members whose names do not appear
in the Register of Veterinary Surgeons, as laws are not
retrospective, we can only express a hope that such will, for
the general weal, cause them to be so. There is no diffi¬
culty which they cannot easily surmount. Secondly, if so be
publicity is to be given to the essays and debates — which
we think desirable — let it be by abstracts thereof, couched in
language that only the educated and scientific man under¬
stands. Not that we are advocates for secrecy — far from it ;
but “self-preservation is the first law of nature,” and the
position in which our profession at present stands is not a
little anomalous, and one, we fear, it will take some time to
alter. Yet we do not think we should “ rest and be
thankful,” but persevere till we obtain our rights. Among
ourselves there should certainly be no restrictions, but instead
thereof a free intercommunication of thought and opinion.
Let us then dare to be freemen.

“ That which we are, we are ;

One equal temper of heroic hearts

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will,

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

THE CATTLE DISEASES PREVENTION BILL.

The Government has wiselv withdrawn “The Cattle

•/

Diseases Prevention Bill,” and thus our digest of the
measure in the amended form in which it left the select
committee is uncalled for. Greatly modified and improved
as the Bill was by the select committee, it still contained
some things highly objectionable, and we confess that we
view this result in the House of Commons without feelings
of regret. Although we have given our steady opposition
to the Bill throughout, as originally introduced into Par¬
liament, we are not, therefore, to be considered as op¬
ponents to all further legislation on the subject. On the
contrary, we admit that the law requires to be amended,

534*

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

and, with, the amount of trustworthy and practical informa¬
tion which the Government has now before it, it is not
unlikely that another session may see a really good measure
introduced into Parliament. We have been twitted by
some persons because in our opposition we were found to
be acting with men deeply interested in the cattle trade ;
this, however, we can afford to disregard, caring nothing so
long as in our public capacity we are ranked on the side of
truth and justice. The withdrawal of this measure and also
of the “ Cattle Importation Bill which latter was disposed
of by the select committee, leaves the country in the same
tranquil position it enjoyed before sensationists appeared on
the stage. The people of England will relish their beef
and mutton none the less for the exposure which has been
made before the select committee. More on this subject
hereafter.

THE COLEMAN PRIZE.

The Governors of the Royal Veterinary College, at their
quarterly meeting, held on July 9tli, having received the
report of the professors on the comparative merits of the
essays sent in for the Coleman Prize, proceeded to open the
envelopes bearing the corresponding mottoes, and made the
following award :

Silver Medal. — Palmam qui meruit fer at. Mr. Richd.
Poyser, Wick worth, Derby.

Bronze Medal. — Nil desperandum. Mr. Wm. Cattell,
London.

Certificate of Merit. — Erin go bragh. Mr. Thos.
Rickaby, Chilton, near Hungerford.

535

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

OYER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

LECTURE BY MR. J. ELLIS, M.R.C.Y.S., Liverpool.

The first lecture of the season in connection with this
society was given on the evening of Wednesday , the 17th
inst., in the long room at the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Over, by
Mr. Ellis, veterinary surgeon, Liverpool, the subject being
the “ Breeding and Rearing of the Horse.” The lecture
occupied an hour in delivery, and, as usual at these meetings,
an interesting discussion took place at its close.

Mr. Dutton was called upon to preside, who on rising
remarked that all he had to say was they had a very clever
man to address them, and one well acquainted with the sub¬
ject he had to treat upon, and it only remained for him to
introduce the lecturer.

Mr. Ellis then delivered the following lecture : — The sub¬
ject I have the pleasure of introducing to this meeting is the
breeding and rearing of the horse, and I shall endeavour to
show its importance and the desirability of applying our best
energies and attention to, and of adopting means not only
for preventing the further deterioration of this noble and
most useful animal, but of improving him and again render¬
ing him what he was twenty years ago. There is no use
denying or shutting our eyes to the fact, he has deteriorated,
and it behoves us to look well to the cause and to apply the
remedy without further delay, for sure I am that we shall be
amply repaid for our trouble, and I hesitate not to state that,
so long as England holds its high position as a nation, we
shall always find a quick and a ready sale for all the horses
we can produce and at prices highly remunerative. The
opening of railways and the application of that mighty power
steam, was at first supposed would supersede the use of
horses, and by driving off the rpads some hundreds of
coaches did for a time cause a panic, and reduce the value
of the class of horse that was used for coaching purposes, but
this very soon righted itself, the railways opened up the
country and thereby increased the demand for horses, and
the numbers that were taken off the old coach roads were
more than counterbalanced by the tributary traffic to the
railway stations from places until then obscure and unim¬
portant. This is daily increasing, and must of necessity con-

536

OYER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

tinue to increase. The application of steam in agricultural
operations does not, nor can it ever, limit the usefulness of
the horse, for though the steam plough and thrashing
machine came to his relief, and the development of scientific
knowledge as applied to agriculture rendered this a matter of
necessarv aid to, and not a substitute for horse labour. Our
increasing commercial and manufacturing cities and towns
require a corresponding increase in the number of working
draught horses; the streets are, in like manner, daily more
thronged with omnibuses and every other description of
public vehicles : professional men and tradesmen, too, are
bound to keep horses, in fact in these go-a-head times no one
that has any extensive out-door occupation can get along
without a horse. The demand for remounts for the army is
on the increase, and must continue to increase. We now
turn to the pleasure horse, the first and most important of
which is the racer, or thorough blood horse ; and a reference
to the number of breeding establishments and to the adver¬
tisements of our race meetings, the number of prizes and
horses entered to contend for them, shows a rapid and extra-
ordinarv increase. The hunter next demands our notice, our
hunting fields are larger every season, and the number of red
coats, up and eager for this truly British sport seems almost
without limit. Our parks and public thoroughfares testify
beyond a doubt to the rapid increase in the number of car¬
riage horses, pads and hacks of all sorts and denominations
from the royal state carriage horse, down to the chihks pony.
With these facts before us, can we have any doubt of the
importance to the agriculturist of horse breeding, and of the
desirability of his giving his attention to it, giving to it that
mature thought and consideration it so justly merits? We
are in truth bound to admit that in style and action, and in
form for general purposes, the breed of horses has degene¬
rated. The cause of this I mainly attribute to the altered
and highly improper system of racing, for I need scarcely
tell you that all classes of horses, except the cart horse should
emanate from the thorough blood horse. Instead of long
courses and heavy weights for age being, as formerly, the
rule of racing, requiring in the horse high courage, strong
and symmetrical form and mature age to bring him success¬
fully to the goal, now the races, as a rule, are short, and for
two and three year olds and weights handicapped, thus
bringing on an equality good, middling, and bad horses,
reducing it to a matter of chance whether the valuable
animal, carrying nine stone, is beaten by a weedy brute with
five stone seven pounds on his back ; and by doing this two

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

537

or three times the latter earns a reputation* and is set up as a
sire to fill the paddocks with weeds* the worst specimens of
which are given away or sold for a trifle, and led about the
country to serve half-bred mares* at lowr prices, to the exclu¬
sion of better horses* and thus inundate us with wretches far
worse than himself. Let it not for a moment be supposed that
I assert we have no valuable blood horses, there are very many
now superior and infinitely more valuable than the horses of
twenty years back, but the demand for their services is so
great and the prices so high, (even up to one hundred
guineas the mare*) that they are unavailable except to the
breeders of blood stock. Another cause of the scarcity of
superior blood horses is the great number that are annually
sold to go abroad, and the sorts selected are just the sort we
should not permit to leave the country. The foreign agents
are well up to their business, and make their selections from
purity of blood* size* symmetry, colour and action ; knowing
well that the true superiority of the animal depends on these
qualifications, and not in the mistaken idea of his having
won a race or two. Steeple chasing was intended to stimu¬
late the improvement in breeding, but handicapping has here
also done the work of destruction. The deterioration in the
cart or heavy draught horse I attribute principally to the
very great demand there was for them twenty to twenty-five
years ago* whilst the country was being cut up in railway
making: the prices then given were so very high, and conse¬
quently tempting* that breeders, after selling all their extra
stock, were induced to sell their best breeding mares and
sires, and buying in their places inferior animals, and breed¬
ing from them ; nothing could be more suicidal than this*
nevertheless it is a fact much to be regretted. Another and
a very prolific cause of deterioration is giving prizes at agri¬
cultural shows for what are called agricultural stallions — a
class of animals which cannot be too strongly denounced as
highly prejudicial to the breed of cart horses. I do not
object to breeding this class of horses* but I protest against
breeding from them. The colts should all be castrated;
they will then be useful animals, and readily sold for good
prices, for service in the lighter kinds of draught work. The
objection by no means applies to mares of this class ; they
are just what we want in this and the adjacent counties*
where all the land* in its turn, is worked and cropped. They
are large, roomy, powerful* and quick* and the sort to work
easily to themselves, and profitably to their owners, and at
the same time to breed a colt that will grow up into an
animal of great value for city and town draught work. My
xxxvii. 35

538

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

objection is to the use of sires of this class, for I am
thoroughly convinced that the only true way of breeding
with success is to keep in every case to the integrity of
blood, on one side at least, and as it is far more convenient
for the farmer to obtain it on the side of the sire than to
keep heavy thorough cart mares on his farm, I advise that he
has recourse to the use of the thorough blood horse, or the
thorough cart horse. As the blood stallion is by far the most
important, let us consider the qualifications and form requisite
in him for the general purposes of the country. He should
have a good (not too small), expressive, and intelligent head,
jaws wide, neck light, and not too much arched, bright and
prominent eye, deep oblique shoulders, and the chin thrown
well back, level and muscular back and loins, large, deep, and
muscular quarters, large thighs, large flat hocks, and hind
legs, deep and large muscular arms, large flat knees, and
large tendons; pasterns both before and behind not over
long, nor very oblique, fore feet tolerably large, not small,
round, and rather hollow at the bottom; fore feet wTell set
on, and, if any deviation from the straight line, the toes a
little turned out, but on no account should the toes turn
inward ; chest round and roomy, with deep ribs. The action
should be light, easy, and true, at all paces, the fore leg and
foot well extended, knee up, foot forward and placed on the
ground again the heel a little first ; hind leg well extended
forward, and hocks well under him ; high digging action,
with the toe of the fore foot reaching the ground before the
heel is highly objectionable, and low shambling and twisted
action on no account to be tolerated. Temper good, free
from all vice, and sound, and free from all constitutional and
hereditary defects. He should be a powerful, level, and
truly formed animal, long, and from fifteen and a half to
sixteen hands high. With these qualifications he will impart
to his progeny all the requirements and form so essential, nay
indispensable, for the satisfactory performances of the w ork
of the field and road. Colour, if possible, should be bay
or- brown, and without white. The cart stallion should
have a good head, with wfide jaws, neck light and clean,
thickening as it approaches the shoulders, shoulders mus¬
cular, broad, and deep, but not too oblique; chest wide,
back strong, broad, and level ; quarters strong and muscular,
and extending well down towards the hocks ; gaskines large,
hocks large, clean, and flat ; bone and tendon large, joints
large, and firmly formed ; feet strong and moderately deep,
yet oblique ; hind legs straight, and placed well under him,
and on no account should his hocks turn or twist outward,

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

539

either whilst standing or in action ; fore legs well set under
him, arms large and muscular, knees large and flat, legs
large, clean, and firm ; pasterns strong and moderately
oblique, feet strong and moderately large and deep ; heels
wide and open, action light, quick, and true ; he should be
mild and gentle in temper, and possess, in the highest degree,
the power of standing under and moving heavy weights. It
is of the greatest importance that all unsound and defective
stallions should be excluded, and on no account used. With
this view I advise that none be used which, in addition to
the qualifications I have pointed out, whose owners do not
produce a clear and unqualified certificate of soundness and
freedom from all hereditary defects dated at the commence¬
ment of the season, and signed by one or more veterinary
surgeons of acknowledged ability and position,. and also one
certifying to his fecundity. If these conditions are reso¬
lutely demanded, it will drive away all the unsound and im¬
potent stallions that are doing serious injury to breeding and
to the breeder's profit. I must again impress upon you the
importance of this, and in proof I can state that I have
known a given disease imparted to colts of certain horses
with as much certainty as character and colour. I have
known, in scores of instances, the colts of a particular horse
to become roarers, in others to have ophthalmia; the colts
of other horses, in equal number, to have ring bones; the
colts of others to have spavins ; of others bursal enlargement
of the joints ; of others umbilical hernia ; and in one season
I have myself operated for this disease on twenty colts, all
got by the same horse. With these facts before us, I am
sure I am right in asking you to commence by only using
perfectly sound stallions, for if unsound ones are used, every
colt they get is likely to inherit their sire's diseases and
defects, and where, as is commonly the case (in travelling
stallions), a horse will get a hundred and fifty or more foals
in a season, the injury becomes something very serious. We
now turn our attention to the brood mare, and I must here
again state that soundness is as essential and indispensable
in the mare as in the stallion, and I advise you to reject all
unsound and defective mares from your breeding stud ; the
first class of which, in a national point of view, is the
thorough blood mare ; but as racing now has become a busi¬
ness exclusive and of itself, requiring large capital, time,
thought, and associations not compatible with tenant farming,
I do not advise its adoption by my hearers ; but should cir¬
cumstances occur that the farmer is induced to try his hand
at breeding blood stock, let him breed only from mares that

540

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

are of stout and approved blood, and that have won or have
shown capabilities for winning, and are themselves large and
roomy animals. Let him, with due care to the crossing of
blood, put these to the most fashionable stallion of the
season, regardless of cost of service ; by this plan he may
obtain foals that will meet ready buyers at large prices ; but
he must sell them as yearlings and unbroken ; on no account
must he keep them longer, or have them broken, for if he
does he will find that no one will buy them ; they will be
supposed to have been tried and found wanting in speed or
staying qualities; and I do not advise the tenant farmer to
try his skill on the turf. Where the land is light and easily
worked, and the half or three quarters bred mare is suffi¬
ciently powerful to perform the duties of the farm, horse
breeding hunters will be profitable, and the farmer may turn
his attention to it; the mares should possess all the points
and qualifications of the blood horse, more fully developed.
They should be large and roomy, of plenty of courage and
power of endurance, be gentle and free from vice, colour bay
or brown, and if possible with black legs. Put these to the
thorough-bred stallion, and the probability is you will obtain
a colt that will make a hunter, charger, or a hack, failing
which a fine and useful carriage or general harness horse; in
any case a valuable animal. Should you desire to breed a
more powerful, farming-like horse, such as are used in towns,
in manufacturers* carts, spring vans, and in the chains of
waggons, you may obtain them by putting this class of mare
to the thorough cart horse. In this and the adjoining
counties, taking into account the nature of the soil, the
system of farming adopted, and the proximity to extensive
commercial and manufacturing towns and cities, I recom¬
mend the farmer to turn his attention to breeding draught
(cart) horses, as being best adapted to the soil, the cost and
risk in rearing being considerably less, and the chance of
selling profitably much greater, and the return quicker.
The mares should be large, powerful, roomy, and active,
essentially draught mares, not of the heaviest class, but large
wide animals, with clean limbs, quick in every movement,
full of energy, and capable of walking smartly, and taking a
heavy draught with them, even at the trot, when requisite.
In short, they should possess all the points of excellence in
the stallion, and stand from sixteen to sixteen and a half
hands high. The time most desirable to put the mare to the
hor^e will depend upon circumstances, and upon the class of
mare. The thorough blood mare should have the horse in
February, so as to foal as early in January as possible, for as

OYER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

541

the ages of all blood stock date from the 1st of January, they
should foal as soon after that time as is possible, particularly
so now, as all important races are for two and three yearsJ old
colts. It is manifest that a start of three months in a two
year old is something important, and worth trying for,
minding, nevertheless, that the colt is not dropped too early,
that is, before the 1st of January. The blood mare, when
carrying her foal, and near her time of foaling, should be
kept well, have a large and roomy box, with plenty of clean
bedding, be carefully watched, but never interfered with
when foaling, unless there is malpresentation or other diffi¬
culty, for in a general way nature is all-sufficient, and no
assistance is required. Care and attention may be requisite
in getting the foal to suck, and a little tact and patience on
the part of the attendant may be called for to reconcile the
dam to her offspring, for from over anxiety or irritability on
the part of the mare, accidents to foals are not uncommon
occurrences. This difficulty over, little remains to be done,
except in cases where mares are deficient in milk. The colt
then should be induced to drink cowJs milk and water, in
about equal parts, with some sugar added to it. The mare
should have plenty of good hay, ground oats, bran, carrots,
boiled barley, &c., and a constant supply of good water.
Her box should be kept clean, light, airy, yet warm, and well
ventilated. She should again be put to the horse on the
ninth day after foaling. As the season advances the mare
and foal may be let out into a paddock for exercise, if the
weather is fine and moderately warm, for a few hours in the
middle of the day ; they should then be taken up again. As
the season further advances, they may be left out longer, and
taken up only at night, with the same allowance of corn & c.
We will now consider the other classes of mare, from the
half-bred to the heavy draught mare. The most proper time
to put them to the horse will be in April or early in May, so
that you may calculate on their foaling when the weather is
warm and the grass . plentiful. They, like the blood mare,
require care and attention at the time of foaling; and a large,
roomy, and airy box, witli a liberal allowance of good, nutri¬
tious, and succulent food, is essential. They should never
be allowed to foal in the field, as the foal is very liable to get
into a pit or ditch and be drowned. Indeed, the mare is not
exempt from such casualties, if so exposed. I should here
remark that the mare may work at easy draught until very
near the time of foaling, but on no account must she shaft
after the sixth month of gestation. Shafting and holding
back heavy weights has a very injurious effect on the pregnant

542

OYER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

mare, and often produces abortion. When the farmer is
breeding largely, it will be well not to put all his mares to
the horse just at the same time, but to arrange so that they
may be a month or six weeks between the dates of foaling.
By this plan he will be able to go on with his field work, and
not be inconvenienced by having his mares idle all at once.
Mares with foals on them should take the horse on the ninth
day after foaling, and, as a general rule, they will hold to the
horse from the first service. Barren mares should be put to
the horse early in April, and fed upon light cooling diet,* as
there is often much difficulty in getting them to hold, if
they are of mature age and in high condition. In all cases
it is highly important that the mare, immediately after having
taken the horse, should be placed in a box where no other
horses can be seen or even heard by her, and every means
should be adopted to keep her quiet and undisturbed for a
couple of days. In the back end of the year it will be time
to wean the colts, and care and attention should be directed
to them; a liberal quantity of good and succulent food
allowed, care being especially taken that the loss of the dam’s
milk be compensated for, and that the young animal is not
allowed to lose condition. On this fact, at this time, very
much of the future excellence of the animal, and the conse¬
quent profit or loss to the breeder, depends. These remarks
will apply equally to all classes and breeds. They should be
taken into large boxes, and the fillies separated from the colts,
be haltered quietly, and gently treated, and accustomed to be
tied up and handled. No violence or force should be used,
and the young and innocent animal taught to have confidence
in man, and regard him as a friend rather than an enemy.
It entirely depends on early treatment whether the horse
remains gentle or becomes vicious. At this time he should
be carefully inspected, and every tendency to defect should
be attended to under the direction of a skilful veterinary
surgeon. All colts should be completely handled and do¬
mesticated before they are two years old, and the cart colt
may then take his place (at two years old) at light work on
the farm, and ever afterwards, by his services, earn the cost
of his keep. At four years old he should be sold to give
place to the younger ones. As a general rule, the best time
for castration will be when he is a year old, say, in the month
of April, so that he may recover from the operation, and be
turned out early in May.

The Chairman said he felt under great obligation to Mr.
Ellis for his excellent lecture. There were some things the
lecturer had mentioned which it was doubtful if it would be

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

543

well for farmers to attend to, he referred to racing and hunt¬
ing. (Laughter.) Mr. Dutton then referred to the sensible
observations of the lecturer in regard to the importance of
sound sires, and remarked on several instances under his own
observation of horses of defective sight, and with other
organic defects, which were invariably found to attach to
their progeny, and requested information as to whether it
was not of equal importance to have the dam free from
hereditary defect as the sire.

Mr. Ellis, in reply, said it was quite important to have a
sound mare as well as sire, only it must be borne in mind
that the mare could only have one foal in a year, whereas
the horse could get a large number.

Mr. J. Slater said the lecture had been characterised by the
greatest discretion he had ever heard ; it quite coincided with
his previous opinion. As regarded race-horses, it was quite
a delusion to say it was for the good of the country to breed
them. Hunting he considered scarcely a rational amuse¬
ment. He believed the best thing for the farmer was to
breed cart horses, but he should like to know from the lec¬
turer where the good horse was to be found, as many needed
information on this point. He was glad to hear the remarks
of the lecturer on the breaking in of colts. A man that could
not do without a whip was not fit to break a horse, and he
hoped all would remember the remarks made on this
subject.

Mr. Ellis said, in reply to the question, Where is the sound
cart horse with good constitution to be found? he would
recommend the members of that society to buy one. He
said that, in Oxfordshire, when a horse becomes nearly worn
out he is sold away, and comes into other districts with
disease fully developed, which he at once propagates, and it
becomes hereditary. A careful selection could be made, and
in time an improvement would take place. ?

Mr. P. A. Wood said that humours and hereditary diseases
were the result of bad management ; often by improper
feeding by servants when the horses were taken up in the
autumn. This induced disease which became fixed, and the
mare then became unfit for hard work, and was put to breed
off ; the disease was propagated, and this produced the sort
of stock described.

Mr. Bolshaw , on being called upon, said the lecturer had
spoken with such propriety, and had so well explained the
subjects on which he had treated, that little more could be
added.

Mr. Rigby spoke on the bad effects he had observed from

544

OVER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

consanguinity of blood in breeding horses, and said he
believed they were defective in not keeping their cart horses
and colts sufficiently well. Horses fed upon sound, good
corn were always able to do more work by at least one half
than when indifferently kept. As to the breeding of half-
bred horses or carriage horses, he should like to have the
lecturer’s opinion. He had noticed many disappointments
to those who tried to breed this class of horse, arising, as he
thought, from using half-breds on both sides. He thought
the active cast mare, put to a compact thorough-bred horse,
would be more certain in its results. It was more desirable,
in breeding any class of animal, to have a compact, sym¬
metrical sire, rather than one large and bony, and the dam,
he thought, should always be larger and more roomy than
the sire. He should also like to ask the lecturer whether he
considered stiff-clay farms good land for rearing colts on; he
thought light and dry soils more likely to yield sound and
healthy horses, apart from the greater damage done on clay
farms by the galloping of colts in the autumn and winter
season. He was personally much obliged to Mr. Ellis for
his interesting and instructive paper, and begged to propose
that the best thanks of the meeting be accorded him for the
sacrifice of time which its preparation must have necessitated.

Mr. Ellis replied to Mr. Rigby’s questions, and strongly
recommended using a pure bred blood or cart horse, or
otherwise they could not tell whether the stock would
converge or diverge, and wet clay land was not favourable
for horses ; the foot of the colt became flat. Hilly land was
favorable to muscular development.

The vote of thanks being seconded by Mr. Slater, and
cordially passed,

Mr. Ellis , in responding, said he was exceedingly delighted
with the reception he had met with, and any practical ex¬
perience he possessed he should always be glad to communi¬
cate to that or any other similar society. He considered it
one of the greatest pleasures which we could enjoy to en- «
deavour to benefit others, and that the Over, Great Budworth,
Frodsham, and Dunham o’ith Hill agricultural societies were
calculated to do a great deal of good.

Mr. Button , in responding to a vote of thanks accorded to
him as chairman, said he should have liked to have heard
a little more about the breaking in of colts, and the barbarous
practice of burning, which was so generally practised.

The proceedings were then brought to a close by an
announcement from the secretary that other lecturers were
engaged for the series. — Nantwich and Crewe Guardian.

545

ON THE IDENTITY OE PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA.
By W. Thomson, M.R.C.S., &c.

(Read before the Medical Society of Victoria.)

Mr. President and Gentlemen, — The havoc among
our herds caused by pleuro-pneumonia gives great interest
to every circumstance connected with the malady. This in¬
terest is deepened by the mystery surrounding many things
concerning its history — as to origin, nature, preventibility,
or treatment. The alarm of the past has not subsided, but is
continued into anxiety for the future ; for the ravages of the
disease are nearly as severe as ever, and opinions nearly as
much divided about the most efficient means of staving; them.
It becomes, in consequence, of the utmost importance to elu¬
cidate if possible the points about which these differences
exist, so that concerted efforts may be directed with the pre¬
cision only practicable after a full and exact knowledge is
gained of the disease they would aim to exterminate. To this
end it will be even useful to prove a negative; for by show¬
ing what the disease is not, w7e come by so much the nearer,
in the process of elimination, to the discovery of what it is.
H ow'much more, then, if w7e can determine a positive, and give
the disease its proper place in nosology ? To show that this is
possible is the design of the few following preliminary obser¬
vations. Preliminary, I repeat, because they are necessarily
introductory and cursory, and made more with a view to lead
discussion into a newr direction than to deal exhaustively with
the subject. At a future time this also may be systematically
attempted, in order to elaborate more fully the view's which I
now proceed to lay before you. To know that the disease
has not hitherto been satisfactorily defined, it is enough to
refer to any author wffio has treated of the question. By
much laborious inquiry, close observation, and keen discus¬
sion by men of the highest order of talent, many facts rela¬
tive to the affection have been established beyond further
dispute ; but by the same men it is with equal candour ad¬
mitted, that its true nature and affinities still baffle research,
and remain among the questiones vexatce. The name originally
given to the disease, adopted as descriptive of the most
prominent symptom, has long lost its significance, is now a
misnomer, and is retained conditionally, as involving nothing
theoretical, until a true one be suggested. No one has been
as yet offered as a substitute upon scientific reasons; but the
term which merely denotes, faithfully it is true, one of the

546 IDENTITY OF PLEURO- PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA.

leading phenomena will be no longer used after the discovery
of the exact nature of the disease shall indicate a more appro¬
priate title. This fallacy of name has been the source of
much perplexity and difficulty, particularly to those who
were already familiar with the corresponding condition in
human pathology ; for they naturally applied old argu¬
ments to a new condition, on the presumption that
the two were alike. It has likewise led to serious errors
of treatment ; for medical reasoners have affirmed that
the one disease cannot be infectious, because another of
the same name and of the same organs is not infec¬
tious. These reasoners have given primary attention to
one part, and taking that for the whole, have proceeded in
their partial view, overlooking the main portion, and there¬
fore have gone far astray, taking those along with them who
trusted to them as guides. I do not affirm that every one
has so reasoned, but I maintain that many have done and
continue to do so, perpetuating all the confusion of ideas, and
presenting facts in a light in w hich they are apparently con¬
tradictory, but which, if seen in another light, w ould be quite
clear and reconcilable. This w7as excusable at first, w hen all
wTas necessarily dark; but it will be no longer so when the
true import of the most fatal condition becomes plainly
understood. That the disease is no longer considered by the
best authorities mere local inflammation is well known ; on
the contrary, it is now fully recognised as, and is pronounced
to be, a true zymotic fever, the affection of the pulmonary
organs, originally supposed to be the only seat of disease,
being a consequent — a specific consequent ; that is, when¬
ever the disease runs on to the second stage it invariably as¬
sumes the form of an irregular inflammatory or congestive
state of the respiratory system. That there is a primary stage
at which the fever may cease and complete itself, is quite
evident. In some cases it is so mild as to escape notice.
Now, one great peculiarity of all zymotic fevers is that of
having a primary and a secondary course, each of definite rela¬
tion the one to the other, the first giving all the immunity
from a second attack as completely as if the second also had
been passed through, which is nevertheless an essential part
of the disease. Every one of these fevers has its primary
stage running a certain wTell defined course, and every one
has the co-related special local complication or sequelae. For
instance, if indeed instances need be alluded to, in scarlatina
there is the peculiar febrile state proceeding w ith the utmost
precision, and with the cessation of which the disease may
end. If it do not, but pass onwards to the second state, an

IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMON IA AND RUBEOLA. 547
*

equally definite affection of the kidneys follows. This
is invariable. We never find disorder of the lungs, liver,
or stomach constituting the second stage of scarlatina ; if
the disease be protracted beyond the first stage, it is in the
form of a renal affection. Renal disease with general dropsy
without prior scarlatina there may be, but this idiopathic
form is wholly unlike the specific form, however closely re¬
sembling it. Then there is typhoid fever, followed by intes¬
tinal ulcerations, with equally unfailing regularity. The fever
may subside or be subdued by treatment in its first stage,
but if the second supervene, there is no escape from the in¬
evitable enteritic disease. Small-pox has its peculiar sequelae
in erysipelatous inflammations of cellular, glandular, and
articular parts, and a peculiar dyspnoea. In measles there is
the invariable bronchitis, or pneumonia, or pleurisy. Other
complications, as of the nervous system or digestive organs,
may be superadded, but the affections of the lungs are never
absent. Thus, then, we observe that in all these eruptive
disorders there are two distinct periods, each complete in it¬
self, but inseparably related in pathological cause and effect
to each other. A fatal issue may take place in either stage,
but such a termination occurs from totally different causes in
each, or rather the mode of death is different. Then again,
these periods are never mixed up in the different exanthems ;
nor are the secondary phases altered, nor the morbid states
substituted the one for the other. The same patient may
suffer from measles with pneumonia, scarlatina with renal
dropsy, small-pox with erysipelas, typhoid fever with enter¬
itis, all in succession ; but no one ever heard, at least, in the
ordinary course of disease, of renal dropsy after typhoid fever,
nor ulceration of Peyer’s glands after scarlatina. These facts
are so well known as to constitute a true pathology, and give
to this department of physic a fair claim to the exactness of
a science, whatever may be denied to the therapeutics which
is endeavoured to be founded upon it. The group of diseases
so singularly characterised, and having so many striking re¬
semblances yet exact specific differences, has received differ¬
ent appellations, according as it was wished to signify a theory
of their common origin, or to describe some pathognomonic
symptom. Thus they are classed together as zymotic fevers,
from the supposed origin and cause ; or they are termed ex¬
anthemata, or eruptive fevers, from the eruption or efflores¬
cence on the skin ; or contagious fevers, from their qualities
of communicability to those susceptible to their poison.

{To be continued .)

548

THE CROONIAN LECTURE ON THE COAGULATION OE THE
BLOOD, DELIVERED BEEORE THE ROYAL SOCIETY,
JUNE 11, 1863.

By Joseph Lister, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.C.S.

[Continued from p. 436.)

It may not be altogether superfluous to mention some other
facts illustrative of the active influence of ordinary matter in
promoting coagulation, and the negative character of the
lining membrane of the vessels. I find that a needle
introduced into one of the veins of the foot of a sheep for a
much shorter period than is necessary to produce the first
appearance of the actual deposit of fibrin upon it, leads after
a time to coagulation where the needle had lain; in other
words, that a foreign solid, by a short period of action on the
blood, brings about a change that results in coagulation,
though the blood still lies in the living vessels. I have also
ascertained that after blood has been made to coagulate in a
particular vessel by introducing a needle into it, if the
coagulum as well as the .needle is removed, and more fluid
blood is allowed to pass in, this blood remains fluid for an
indefinite period, showing that the needle had not impaired
the properties of the vessel by its presence ; so that the pre¬
vious coagulation must be attributed, not to any loss of
power in the vein, but simply to the action of the foreign
solid.

In seeking for an analogy to this remarkable effect of ordi¬
nary solids upon the blood, we are naturally led to the
beautiful observations of Prof. Graham, lately published in
the ( Philosophical Transactions/ He has there shown what
insignificant causes are often sufficient to induce a change
from the fluid or soluble to the “pectous,” or insoluble con¬
dition of “ colloidal” forms of matter. Indeed, Mr. Graham
has himself alluded to the coagulation of fibrin as being pro¬
bably an example of such a transition.

There is, however, another remarkable circumstance that
must be taken into consideration, of which I myself have
been only recently aware, and which may be new to several
Fellows of the Society, and that is, that in spite of the in¬
fluence of an ordinary solid the liquor sanguinis is not capable

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

549

of coagulating per se. It was observed many years ago by
my colleague, Professor Andrew Buchanan, of Glasgow, that
the fluid of a hydrocele, generally regarded as mere serum,
coagulated firmly if a little coagulum of blood diffused in
water was added to it; an effect which he was disposed to
attribute to the agency of the white corpuscles.* I repeated
Dr. And rew Buchanan’s observations last year, and satisfied
myself first that the diffused clot did not act simply by pro¬
viding solid particles to serve as starting-points for the
coagulating process. I tried various different materials in a
finely divided state, and found that none of them, except
blood, produced the slightest effect. But I found that if a
mixture of serum and red corpuscles from a clot was added
to some of this hydrocele fluid, it was soon converted into a
firm solid mass. If a small quantity of the serum and cor¬
puscles was dropped into the fluid, and allowed to subside
without stirring, coagulation rapidly took place in those parts
where the red corpuscles lay, while other parts of the fluid
remained for a long time uncoagulated. This seemed to in¬
dicate that the red corpuscles had a special virtue in inducing
the change. I confess, however, that till very lately I was
inclined to suppose that in the hydrocele fluid the fibrin must
be in some peculiar spurious form. We know that the buffy
coat of the horse’s blood coagulates in a glass without
addition of clot, and we know that lymph coagulates, so that
I did not doubt that liquor sanguinis would always undergo
the change when influenced by ordinary matter. But an
observation which I made not many days ago shows that this
was a mistake. I obtained the jugular vein of a horse, and
having kept it for a while in a vertical position till I could
see through its transparent coats that the red corpuscles had
fallen from the upper part, I removed all bloody tissue from
that part of the vein, and punctured it so as to let out the
liquor sanguinis into a glass. Finding after eighteen minutes
that the liquid had not begun to coagulate, I added a drop
of serum and corpuscles to a portion of it, and within seven
minutes there was a clot wherever the corpuscles lay, whereas
the rest of the fluid was still very imperfectly coagulated after
another half hour had elapsed. That the liquor sanguinis to
which no addition had been made coagulated at all, was
sufficiently explained by microscopic investigation, which
showed not only abundant white corpuscles, but also several
isolated red ones that had not subsided. This observation

* ‘ Proceedings of the Glasgow Philosophical Society,’ February 19 th,
1845.

550 ROYAL SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

was made three hours after the death of the horse; but I
obtained essentially similar results on repeating the experi¬
ment in another horse an hour after death, so that there can
be no doubt whatever that the fibrin was in the same con¬
dition as it is in the blood-vessels of a living animal. The
observation appears also particularly satisfactory on this
account, that the liquor sanguinis was not separated from the
corpuscles by any process of transudation through the walls
of the blood-vessels, which might be conceived to involve
retention of some constituent of the liquid, which, though in
solution, might be unable to pass through their pores ; but
simply by the subsidence of the corpuscles, which must have
left all the materials of the liquor sanguinis behind them.
Hence it is proved, beyond question, that if the liquor san¬
guinis could be separated completely from the blood-cor¬
puscles, it would resemble the fluid of hydrocele in being
incapable of coagulation when shed into a cup.

Now this struck me as a very satisfactory and beautiful
truth, inasmuch as it clears away all the old mystery of the
distinction between inflammatory exudations and dropsical
effusions. Dropsical effusions, exhibiting little disposition
to coagulate, have been supposed to consist almost exclu¬
sively of serum, and the exudation of the entire liquor san¬
guinis has been regarded as the special characteristic of
inflammation, and very unsatisfactory theories have been put
forward by ingenious pathologists to account for this dif¬
ference. But it now appears that a dropsical effusion like
that of hydrocele is undistinguishable from pure liquor
sanguinis.

{To be continued .)

ROYAL SOCIETY EOR THE PREVENTION OE CRUELTY TO

ANIMALS.

The annual meeting of the above society was attended by
a large and fashionable audience. The Earl of Harrowby
presided.

The Secretary read the report, the leading features of
which were as follows : — After announcing the acquisition to
the Council of his Imperial Highness Prince Louis Lucien
Bonaparte, and the efforts which have been made to obtain
an enactment in Italy for the protection of animals, it is

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. 551

stated that during the past year promising branches have
been established at Leicester, York, Reading, Rochester, and
Chatham. They announced that they are about to offer a
premium of £o 0 for an Essay against Vivisection, in English,
and 1000 francs for a similar one in the French language,
which they hope will continue the agitation against that
practice which they have instituted. During the past year
they have prosecuted upwards of one thousand offenders to
conviction, and had sustained only seven dismissals. The
officers had performed duty in eighteen counties, besides
attending fairs and visiting the canal banks, in addition to
the London suburban districts and the general metropolitan
duty. At the Copenhagen market four officers constantly
attend. Some of the offences punished were of a most hor¬
rible character, and many were too disgusting to be described
in detail. In various parts of the country lectures had been
delivered on kindness to animals, and schools had been
visited for the purpose of inculcating the principles of this
society upon children ; while many sermons had been
preached in favour of its objects. The committee are about
to propose a plan for giving rewards to persons whose uni¬
form good treatment of animals may merit some mark of dis¬
tinction. They announce a premium of £50 offered for an
improved vermin trap which shall supersede the toothed
steel trap now in use, and, at the same time, be tortureless.
Upwards of two hundred models had been received, and were
on that occasion on view, but no adjudication had yet taken
place. They report a favourable decision by Vice-Chancellor
Sir W. Page Wood, in the Court of Chancery, in favour of a
legacy left to the society of <£10,000, and should the decision
not be reversed, the amount, at the death of a life tenant,
will fall into their hands for the improvement of London
slaughter-houses. After enumerating a few donations and
legacies, the report concludes with an appeal for support. —
The principal persons on the platform were the noble earl,
president ; the Marquis Townshend, the Marquis d^Azeglio,
Italian Ambassador; W. A. Mackinnon, Esq., M.P. ; and
the Rev. Mr. Smythies.

552

Translations and Ee views of Continental
Veterinary Journals.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Annales cle Medecine Veterinaire .

The Agricultural Institute of the State has received ten
pairs of leporides from M. Roux, the President of the Comice
Agricole of Charente. The Minister of the Interior and Agri¬
culture proposes to send them into some of the provinces of
Belgium in order to propagate them. These leporides have
been obtained by M. Roux by copulation of the hare with a
rabbit in a state of domesticity. The leporides, which have
been introduced into Belgium, are three parts hare and one
part rabbit; they have, according to M. Roux, the fecundity
of the rabbit, while in size and taste of the flesh they partake
more of the hare. M. Guzot, sometime ago, gave the history
of the leporides in the Journal d' Agriculture de Paris; he
observes that an eminent physiologist, M. Paul Broca, has
given the name of leporide to the progeny of the hare and
the rabbit — two distinct species, and enemies to each other —
which no one would ever have thought of confounding with
one another, their instincts or habits being different, or even
opposed. In studying this new animal the learned professor
has sought onlvfor the proof of the unlimited and continued
fecundity of these hybrides or metes; the agriculturist and
breeder will interest themselves more in studying the advan¬
tages in a practical point exclusively. The usefulness of a
breed, whatever that breed may be, is, in fact, the foundation
of its value, and forms the only claim it has of being classed
among those which agriculture undertakes to produce and
improve. The qualities of the leporide, the profits to be
realised by its propagation and rearing, are the only reasons
which would assign them a place among the small domestic
animals of our farm-yards. The mule is reared on account
of its peculiar aptitude for certain services which could not
be so well performed by either the horse or the ass ; the
leporide will be propagated for similar reasons, when it
has been ascertained that he posesses these advantageous
qualities which do not appertain to either the hare or the
rabbit. On the same grounds the chabin — a cross between
the he-goat and the sheep — has been produced solely for

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 553

its skin, and for which it is used for a special pur¬
pose. The leporide is not the counterpart of the hare
and the rabbit, but, like the chabin, forms a well-defined,
separate, and distinct breed ; we might almost say a
separate species, possessing its proper merits, the most
valuable of which is, without doubt, the faculty of trans¬
mitting them to their posterity, being, as they are, endowed
with an almost unlimited fecundity. The natural history of
the hare and the rabbit is so well known that it is unne¬
cessary to give it here ; we will only remind our readers that
these species have a great antipathy to each other, and agree
very badly when kept together in the same place, and that
the rabbit pursues and chases the hare so vigorously that he
completely drives him from the locality where the former
breeds, and there is no instance of their ever having bred
together in a wild state. Paying no attention to this incom¬
patibility of character, endeavours have been made by man
to cross the hare with the rabbit and the rabbit with the
hare, but, notwithstanding all the care taken to obtain a
favorable result, Buffon, the naturalist, completely failed.
Some others have not been more successful; young animals
of both species have been brought up together under the
most favorable condition as to success ; they agreed tole¬
rably up to the time of puberty, but the rutting time was
the critical point ; male and female then fought desperately
until the weakest succumbed. Two or three successful
results have, however, been reported, more or less authen¬
ticated, but they have been rare and isolated, and are no
proof of a regular production having been obtained. Howr-
ever important to science, these facts have very little interest
in a practical point ; we can, therefore, pass them over, and
come at once to the production of the leporide by M. Alf.
Roux, President of the Agricultural Society of Charente.
The first essays of this ingenious breeder date from 1847 ;
in 1850 he had obtained results which fixed with certainty
this curious product between the hare and the rabbit, and
which promises to be of great benefit in an alimentary point
of view7. It is by the male hare and the female rabbit that the
leporide has been produced by M. Roux. Now7, the greatest
difficulty is in the rearing of the male in a state of domes¬
ticity. The preference was given to the rabbit as the dam,
on account of its fecundity, the hare being found to be often
sterile in the state of captivity, even w hen living with its ow n
male; on the other hand, the hare is less prolific, and the
gestations are at greater distances ; the produce of the latter
is less numerous than that of the rabbit ; moreover, the
XXXVTl. 36

554 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

female hare kills her young in a state of domesticity. For
these mighty reasons the preference was given to the rabbit
as the dam of the leporide. The rearing of the leveret is
somewhat difficult ; he must be caught when he is twenty or
thirty days old, or as soon as he is able to do without its
mother, and he is to be kept with young rabbits of the same
age, carefully separated from all others ; in this manner they
grow up together without much trouble ; the young hare is
never so familiar as the rabbits, but becomes used to the
confinement as the rabbits become used to his presence. At
puberty copulation is to be promoted by leaving only one or
twro females with the male hare, to be afterwards replaced by
others who have been reared with him. Thus managed,
things go on wonderfully ; the crossing is effected, and the
fecundity assured. The litters are not quite so numerous
when the rabbit has been matched with the hare ; those
which, when matched with the rabbit, would have had from
eight to twelve, have only from five to eight with the hare.
Experience shows that the hare is more prolific with the
rabbit than with his own mate, and that the rabbit is less
prolific than with the male of her own species. These
observations are proof that both sexes concur in the work of
fecundation. To guide and direct the crossings as well as
to strengthen the male, he should be kept in a separate
hutch ; the females are then quieter, and conception more
certain. The hare is, at the same time, timid and chaste ;
he satisfies the females that are with him only during the
night, wrhen all is quiet about him. It is advisable to cover
the bars of the hutch with a cloth ; the females should be
removed in the morning. The leporides of the first cross,
or half-blood, resemble the rabbit, with which they might be
easily confounded. This, evidently, was not the object ot
M. Roux, as there would have been no advantage gained by
it. To bring them nearer to the hare he put the females of
the first cross to the hare again, by this means he obtained
an individual of greater size and beauty than either the hare
or the rabbit. In this the predominance of the rabbit had
disappeared ; although these crosses are three parts hare,
they appear only half-bred, as they seem to have as much
of the rabbit as the hare in their general appearance. In
breeding from these leporides they produced individuals like
themselves, but their litters were few (from two to five only) ;
this promises no very abundant stock, and would not give
the anticipated results. M. Roux thought of introducing
more of the blood of the rabbit into the veins of this new
family, but this would have been retrograding too soon

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 555

towards the first cross, which had too much of the rabbit
already, and, therefore, was little satisfactory ; it was, how¬
ever, necessary to get a little further from the hare, of which
the physiological predominance was diminishing the active
fecundity of the rabbit, which was so desirable in the new
breed. There was but one thing to be done, and that was
to match the three-fourth blood female with the half-blood
male ; this was done by M. Roux with great success, for the
produce thus obtained has answered the purpose in every
respect. This new family may be considered as five-eighth
rabbit and three-eighth hare. Comparing them to the
domestic species, they might be designated simply as
leporides three eighths. They have preserved the beauty of
the physiognomy and conformation of the three fourth
blood, but they have acquired a greater fecundity. When
united, inter se, the litters are from five to eight young; they
are easily reared, their rusticity being even superior to that
of the rabbit. Their growth is rapid, and they are very
precocious, and apt for reproduction at the age of four
months. The time of gestation is thirty days, that of
suckling their young three weeks. The female will take the
male again about seventeen days after parturition, and will
not be over-fatigued with six litters in the year. This family
of three eighths becomes the industrial breed ; it is produc¬
tive, and can be reared with very little expense ; it is early
matured, and furnishes a large quantity of meat in propor¬
tion to the food the animal consumes. Their average weight
is from four to five kilogrammes when one year oldfthe best
weighing from six to eight kilogrammes; and while the
rabbit is sold for one franc on the market at Angouleme, the
leporides, four months old, are sold at two francs ; older, the
price increases, on account of their fur, which is sometimes
better than that of the hare, the current price of wthich is as
much as one franc. The colour is of a red roan, something
between that of the hare and the rabbit ; but the consistence
of it is that of the former. The ears are of the same length
as those of the hare, and, what is remarkable, one is erect
while the other is lopped. The leporides have a bigger
head, their physiognomy is more open, and they are more
timid than the rabbit ; the eye is also more open, and placed
nearer the nose ; the hind legs are nearly as long as those of
the hare, but the fore legs are longer, and the tail shorter
than in the hare, but longer than that of the rabbit. The
flesh, in every degree of the cross, is very much like that of
the wild rabbit, that is to say, only little darker than that
of the tame rabbit, but its taste has nothing that reminds

556 THE YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

one of that of the latter, or even that of the wild rabbit; it
has a peculiar flavour, not unlike that of the wing of the
turkey, it is said. It is generally preferred to that of the wild
rabbit. In a zoological point of view, as much as in an econo¬
mical, the production of the leporide is a great hit, and a
service rendered to public alimentation, while agriculture
will hail it as useful and beneficial. The wild rabbit becomes,
at times, a great nuisance. The tame rabbit, as an article of
consumption, is very inferior ; the leporide gives a more
abundant aliment, is economically obtained, and of a better
flavour. These results are well known at Charente, and to
all who frequent the market at Angouleme, where they are
in great demand, and much appreciated. This hybrid race
has lost nothing after from twelve to fifteen generations.
M. Braca says that, on the contrary, they are finer and more
perfect. They are superior in beauty and size to either of
their progenitors. Abstracting all scientific considerations,
M. Roux has obtained an important practical result; he has
created a new breed, destined, probably, to become common,
and be of great public service. — Journal of the Agricultural
Society of Brabant.

THE YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

The Quarterly Meeting of this Society was held at the
Crown Hotel, Low Harrogate, on Monday, 11th ult.

The P resident, Mr. E. C. Dray, Leeds, in the chair.

The following gentlemen were also present : Messrs. Fryer,
Seeker, Bale, Seeker, of Ripon, Pratt, Taylor, Danby,
Holmes, jun., Naylor, Howell, Lord, Smith, Greaves, Carter,
and the Secretary.

Mr. Bowman, Howden, and Mr. Schofield, Pontefract,
were elected members of the society.

The President made some remarks on a case that had
occurred in the practice of the Secretary.

The Secretary then drew the attention of the Members to
an instance, reported in the Veterinarian, of a member of the
profession being mulcted in heavy damages through alleged
malpractice in a cdSe of parturition in a mare. After delibe¬
rate consideration, a resolution was unanimously passed,
instructing the Secretary to write to that gentleman, Mr.
M. B. Forbes, Reigate, Surrey, — expressing the sympathy of

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

00/

the society’s members, their sense of the injustice done
to him, urging him also to use every effort to obtain a
new trial in a higher court, and offering material aid, if
necessary.

Mr. Naylor, Wakefield, then read a most elaborate and
learned essay on the natural history of the horse, which was
well received, but, from the nature of the subject, it elicited
little or no discussion.

The next meeting of the Society will be held at Ripon, on
Monday, October 30th, at 3 p.m.

W. Williams, Bradford,

Hon. Sec.

Parliamentary Intelligence,'

QUEEN’S PLATES.

Mr. P. Wyndham said that the attention of the country had lately been
called to the alleged fact that the breed of our horses for practical pur¬
poses had deteriorated. On that point he begged to read to the House
a portion of the letter addressed to the Speaker, and subsequently pub¬
lished in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society by Mr. Dickenson,
a successful breeder of horses, and a high authority on the matter. Mr.
Dickenson said —

“ Great advances have been made in the breeding of cattle, sheep, and
pigs, in every part of the United Kingdom, during the last forty years.
What is the case with regard to horses ? Have they not retrograded in
the same degree ? Can the present race of horses be compared with
those bred forty years since ? The cart-horse, perhaps, is the only class
that can bear the comparison. There is a cause for this which I shall
mention hereafter. Formerly Royal Plates of £100 each were given for
competition all over England, for four-year-olds, lOst. 4 lb. ; five years,
11 st. 6 lb. ; six and aged, 12 st. ; decided in four mile heats. Our horses
were then the envy of the whole of Europe. These Koyal Plates, for
high weights and long distances, brought up our horses to this point of
excellence ; so long as they were so given, so long we kept our supremacy,
but by some unfortunate influence the conditions were altered, and
lighter weights and shorter distances allowed. From this point I date,
under my own observation, the commencement of the deterioration of
our thorough-bred horses, and, consequently, those in every-day use.”

Mr. Dickenson’s experience extended back for a period of forty years;
but Lord Redesdale, in introducing a Bill on that subject, in the other
House, said he had come across complaints as long ago as seventy, eighty,
and ninety years, of the decreasing stoutness and^oundness of our horses.
The noble lord the President of the Council thought he had reduced the
argument of those who were constantly lamenting the deterioration of our
breed of horses to an absurdity when he quoted the opinion of a livery-
stable keeper, who had told him that as long back as he could remember
anything he could remember these periodical complaints about the dete-

558

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

rioration of our horses. How were they to account for that deterioration ?
He thought Mr. Dickenson hit only a part of the reason for it. The real
reason, he believed, lay in the undoubted fact that the object of those
who had the command of the turf always had been, and always must be,
to entice as many persons as possible to come upon the turf — an object
inconsistent with such a system as would maintain for us the breed of
stout horses. He was aware there were many who utterly denied this
deterioration ; but there was evidence enough left us to show that in
former times horses ran six-mile distances and four-mile heats, carrying
even 12 st., and sometimes 13 st., and remained five and six years on the
turf, performing tasks which, if they were to try to impose on a race¬
horse of the present day, would kill the animal. It was the fashion with
some to say that our horses were never finer than they were at present,
and that the accounts of the racing in olden times were not to be relied
on. But he found it easier to believe that, there had been a deteriora¬
tion in the stoutness, soundness, and structural power of our horses than
to believe that all the feats recorded as done by horses in the last century
were a sham, and that, pretending to run four-mile heats, the jockeys had
cantered the greater part of the way. The stamp of our horses had un¬
dergone a change. The modern racer stood over more ground than his
predecessors, and had a longer stride ; but he was weaker in the loins,
and had less capacity of chest. What was the remark that would at once
be made by any one who looked at the pictures of our race-horses by a
great artist fifty years ago ? Why, they looked more like hunters than
racers, combining higher structural power, soundness, and stoutness, with
the same amount of breeding. In a very interesting correspondence
between the Chief Secretary for Ireland and Admiral Rous, the gallant
admiral said —

“ A race-horse which can run three miles is worth £3000 — a half-mile
horse’s value is £100, which is a sufficient bribe to exercise our ingenuity
to produce stout runners.”

And he also observes that —

‘‘It is not to be supposed that a sane person will risk a horse worth
£3000 to run four miles under heavy weight for a miserable prize of
£100.”

He was aware that Admiral Rous said he did not object to the modern
system of handicap. He thought, however, that that system was regretted
by almost all who were connected with the turf; and he had reason to
believe that the opinion of Admiral Rous had undergone a change, for he
had once said that “ no man was a greater enemy to handicaps than
himself,” and that “the system encouraged trickery of every description.”
(Hear, hear.) In the same letter the gallant admiral used one of his very
terse and expressive phrases, namely, that racing was “ a game of weights.”
One thing to be deprecated was the running of horses at a too early age.
Lord Derby, speaking in the House of Lords against the Bill of Lord
Redesdale, said that, in 1829, the proportion of two-year olds to three-year
olds on the turf was as two to eight, and that in 1859 it had increased to
eight to seven. The proportion was still increasing, and this spring it
had reached rather more than eight and a half to seven. It was begin¬
ning to be discovered that they could not with impunity play such tricks
with nature as they had been doing for the last half century. The
system of Queen’s Plates was most unsatisfactory. The weights were
not heavy enough or the distances long enough to please those whose
eyes were fixed on having good horses for practical purposes, and not for
mere racing. One of the most recent alterations introduced was the
allowing three-year-olds to run for Queen’s Plates, and he regretted to

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

559

say that the majority of our race-horses disappeared altogether from the
turf at the end of their third year, when they were still in a state of
infancy. He should not be at all sorry to see the old weights gone back
to, though he admitted the difficulty there would be in having such an
arrangement with the present system of running horses. When they
found that of thirty-eight Queen’s Plates run for in England seventeen
had been won by one mare, which had six or seven walks over, and that
of seventeen Queen’s Plates run for in Ireland eight had been won by one
animal, he thought they might arrive at the conclusion that some change
was required. (Hear, hear.) He rather agreed in Admiral Rous’s
opinion that we should have free trade in this matter ; but if free trade
meant an absence of State interference with the rules and regulations of
the turf, it also meant an absence of State subsidies. (Hear, hear.) If
the Queen’s Plates were given, not for a great public object, but for the
mere purpose of encouraging sport, the Government ought to give some
of the public money as prizes for cricket matches, or as subscriptions
towards some of the fox hunts, which were much in want of funds.
(Hear, hear.) With regard to prizes, Mr. Dickenson makes these
observations : —

“ When a prize of 100/. was given by the Royal Agricultural Society
at Battersea, the best stallions were brought from all parts of the country,
even a Derby winner, to whom was awarded the prize. Nevertheless,
the object of the Society was not obtained. It is not the winner of the
Derby or St. Leger, a horse that will never be taken from his own stable-
door, that should come to an Agricultural Show, exhibit himself there,
and walk off with the prize; but it is a good, strong, thoroughbred
country stallion, that is available for the use of the ordinary mares of the
country.”

The fact was, we did not possess horses which were so useful for general
purposes as those possessed by our forefathers, and he therefore begged
to move that, as the annual grant of sums of money voted by this House
for Queen’s Plates no longer encourages the breed of good horses, the
object for which it was originally given, it should for the future be dis¬
continued.

Mr. Neiodegate thought that the hon. member who had just sat down,
and who was entitled both by descent and from personal knowledge to
offer an opinion on the matter, had done good service in bringing this
subject under the notice of the House. (Hear, hear.) He himself had
taken a great interest in the breeding of horses for the last twenty-five or
twenty-six years, and he thought there was a great change in the cha¬
racter of our horses. He did not, however, believe that was entirely
attributable to our racing system. The fact was, some few years ago,
before railways were established, none of us would have thought much of
riding twenty miles in one ride, but now very few gentlemen took a ride
of twenty miles, and unless a man was on his horse for a considerable
time, and over a good deal of ground, he never found out what the animal
was made of. Railways had greatly lessened the demand for good road¬
sters, though we still exported a large number. Pie thought the advice
of Admiral Rous, that the distance for Queen’s Plates should never be
less than three miles, was worthy of consideration ; and he was further of
opinion that a Queen’s Plate should not be given unless the private sub¬
scriptions were double or treble the amount of the public contributions.
He believed the effect of such a regulation would be the production of a
very superior class of racers. The Government might increase the public
prize according to the increase in the subscriptions. There was no doubt
that the 100/. was often won by inferior animals ; and Admiral Rous was

560

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

right in saying that we should have larger prizes in order to secure the
services of first-class horses. (Hear.)

Sir R. Reel said there was no doubt the amount of money now given in
Queen’s Plates did not afford the same inducements to gentlemen to run
their horses as it did when Queen’s Plates were first established. That
was the practical object for which those plates had been established ; but
he believed that since they were established the breed of horses in this
country had in no way deteriorated. Tn Ireland there was a want of good
stallions ; and Admiral Rous fairly put it that if gentlemen would club
together in Ireland and this country to keep good stallions, there would
be no reason to fear a deterioration of our stock of horses. (Hear, hear.)
But he differed from the lion, member for North Warwickshire (Mr.
Newdegate) in one particular. That hon. gentleman said that no one
would think of riding twenty or thirty miles now. Why he himself, only
so late as Saturday last, rode thirty miles, and his horse displayed both
ability and endurance. (Hear, hear.) After the ride he probably felt
much better than the horse (a laugh), but yesterday the horse came out
of the stable perfectly fresh. He believed that his noble friend at the
head of the Government was disposed to take long rides (hear, hear),
and there were other gentlemen, also, who preferred that sort of exercise
to the railways. A sum of about £3500, divided into thirty- six or
thirty-eight prizes, was at present given in Queen’s Plates; and though
it was true that one horse in Ireland and another in England had won a
great number of these prizes, and that in some cases there had been a
walk over sometimes, that was not a reason for making a great alteration,
which would entirely do away with that enjoyment, to maintain which,
he thought, public encouragement should be given to race meetings.
His noble friend at the head of the Government authorised him to say
the Government would consider the matter with the Master of the Horse,
who, he believed, regulated the weights. His noble friend did not
authorise him to say that the weights would be increased, but that the
Government, with the Master of the Horse, would consider whether an
alteration might not be made as regarded the weights and distances in
races for Queen’s Plates, with the view of testing, to a greater extent, the
capabilities of the horses. For himself, he did not share the* opinion that
those heavy weights and great distances were as desirable as some gentle¬
men appeared to imagine. However, that was to be considered. He
hoped his right hon. and gallant relative (General Peel), who was very
conversant with the subject, would inform the House whether, in his
opinion, the breed of horses in this country had deteriorated. He knew
that the Government of France and other Governments had purchased
some first-rate sires in this country. The Baron, and other stallions, had
been purchased here by the French Government; but in this country we
did by private enterprise what in France was done by the direct action
of the Government and by other means. (Hear.) In his opinion the
English breed of horses was able to compete with any that could be
brought against them ; but his noble friend at the head of the Government
was ready to assure the hon. gentleman that with respect to distance and
weight the question would be considered, in order to see whether any
improvement could be made in conducing to the objects for which these
plates were originally established. (Hear.)

General Reel. — I disagree with the opinion that the breed of horses in
this country has deteriorated. I have been for at least forty years a
breeder of this class of horses, and, if my authority is worth anything, it
is certainly opposed to that of Mr. Dickenson. (Hear, hear.) The hon.
member’s proposal is that the grant for Queen’s Plates should be put an

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE

561

end to, “ as it no longer encourages the breed of good horses.” Now, I
requested the hon. gentleman to postpone his motion, and I did so because
on the 1st of next month there is a show of horses in this town, and I
believe there will be three hundred hunters, forty- two thorough-bred
horses, with hacks, and horses of every description. I wanted the House
to judge for itself whether the breed of horses had fallen off or not. In
the Easter vacation I went to see two studs of horses — one belonging to
a noble lord who unfortunately did not run first but ran second for the
Derby. He had thirty-six horses in training, and I think eighteen of
them would have carried me. I don’t think I can give better proof of the
quality of the present breed of horses. (Hear, hear.) My other visit
was paid to the hon. member for Hyde (Baron Rothschild), who pos¬
sesses as fine a stud of horses as can be seen anywhere. (Hear, hear.)
So far from the breed of horses having fallen off, I believe there never
was a time when thorough-bred horses were more surely going back to
that size and power which formerly distinguished them. (Hear.) Objec¬
tion is taken to the racing of two-year-olds. And what is proposed ?
Why, to do away with all the races for old horses, all the weight-for-age
races, and to abolish the Queen’s Plates. I say it is impossible to tell to
what degree these Queen’s Plates encourage the breed of horses. You
cannot judge of this at all by the number of horses which run for them.
After horses have passed their third year, a man is inclined to ask,
“ What can I do with them ?” “ Oh !” he thinks, “ I can race them for

Queen’s Plates and this attaches a value to these horses which other¬
wise they would not possess, and without which they might go out of the
country. (Hear.) But then it is said, “These horses ought to run
longer distances and with heavier weights.” Well, I say in reply that
Admiral Rous is quite right, and that if you do so you will have none
but common hacks running for Queen’s Plates. (Hear, hear.) No man
would run good horses in four-mile heats with heavy weights for £100.
At the same time, horses now-a-days are as capable of running four-mile
heats with 10 stone on their backs as they ever were. Well, then, forty
years ago I recollect it was thought a miracle when a two-year- old won
the Feather Plate at Newmarket. Now nothing else wins. I had much
rather that the two-year-olds did not run in these races, but the fact I
mention shows how the breed has improved. If the breed of horses has
fallen off, buyers must certainly be extraordinary people, because they
now give higher prices for thorough-bred horses than they ever gave
before. Look at the prices fetched for yearlings at sales during the
present year, including that of the Royal studs at Hampton Court.
Depend upon it, the public don’t give these higher prices for brutes.
(Hear, hear.) Among the starters tor the last Derby there were four or
five of the finest horses that have run for many a year — certainly as fine
as have run during my recollection. In my opinion there is nothing in
the world like a thorough-bred English horse ; and if you tried to pro¬
duce large coach-horses you certainly would not improve the breed. I
recollect the match of 200 miles in ten hours that Mr. Qsbaldeston won
at Newmarket. Did he choose great hunters or strong half-bred horses ?
Not at all. Every horse he rode was a thorough-bred, and he did not
care what they were ; he took any horse which had had any training, and
never varied in this choice. He rode each horse four miles, his riding
weight being 10 stone. One horse carried him four times. It went 16
miles in 32 minutes, and no half-bred horse would ever have done that.
Well, then, hon. members say, “ Why should the public give this money
for Queen’s Plates ?” Now, I am prepared to make this proposal to the
Government They give £3300 a year in Queen’s Plates. But they

562

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

take £7,000 a year in the tax levied on race-horses. Why put an addi¬
tional tax on race-horses ? Why not let them pay the exact tax that
other horses pay ? If this is done, owners of race-horses don’t want the
Queen’s plates. (Hear, hear.) There is no class of people who enter
more into the free-trade spirit than racing men. We have not sought to
shut out foreign horses. We have always upheld free trade for the turf;
we have challenged foreign horses to come over here and compete with
ours ; and we have even given them weight because it was thought that
they hardly stood upon equal terms with English horses. (Hear, hear.)
It is true that in France at present they have better horses than they
used to have, but these horses are every one of them of English bloods.
There is not a single country abroad where country-bred horses run —
all of them are English bred, and buyers come to England for them.
(Hear.) I can only say again that I think the hon. member is quite
wrong in holding that our breed of horses has deteriorated, and is still
more at fault in the manner in which he seeks to rectify this supposed
deterioration — that is to say, by doing away with Queen’s Plates, the only
races left for old horses to run in. (Hear, hear.) If the Government
have determined to reconsider the question of weights and distances, I
only hope that they will consult those who are the best judges of what is
likely to promote the interests of racing. I should not have ventured to
express these opinions if I had any interest in the question ; but as I no
longer own a horse of any description, I have no personal interest in the
matter whatever, except what arises from my great desire to assist in any
measure that may improve the breed of English horses. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Gregory was also of opinion that the breed of horses in this
country had not deteriorated, and that it would not be wise to adopt the
recommendation of the hon. member. But he wished to call attention
to the manner in which Queen’s Plates were distributed in his own
country. At present fifteen Queen’s Plates were run for in Ireland, and
out of these eleven were run for at the Curragh, the result of which was
that one horse came over for a week or so and swept away nearly all of
them. He proposed that three or four of the Queen’s Plates should be
run for in the provinces. That would be one means of keeping old
horses in the country.

Mr. Foljcimbe called attention to the large export of mares which had
taken place during the last twenty or thirty years, and which was still
going on. It would be very desirable if some means could be devised
for putting a stop to this export, consistently with justice to the breeders
and with the principles of free-trade.

Viscount Palmerston. — I entirely agree with my hon. and gallant friend
opposite, and differ from those who contend that the breed of English
horses has deteriorated. I believe, on the contrary, that the horses bred
in this country are better as to size, substance, and endurance, than they
ever were. Any man going into a racing stable, and seeing their size,
their bone, and substance, must ask himself what he could wish to have
better in the shape of a four-legged animal. (“ Hear,” and a laugh.)
The fact is that greater pains are taken now than used to be taken
formerly to force on the young horse, and bring him to greater size at
two years old than used to be the case. There is one very good test. If
the breed were deteriorated, foreigners would not come to England to
buy English horses. But the complaint is that more and more persons
come every year from different parts of the Continent to buy English
horses ; and I say that is a proof that the English horse is a good one.
(Hear, hear.) The other day I had a deputation from gentlemen con¬
nected with the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, complaining of

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

563

deterioration in the breed of horses there. But in the course of con¬
versation it was stated that from one port in Ireland 5000 horses were
shipped in the course of last year. That at least is a proof that the
Irish horse is worth buying and worth carrying elsewhere. There can
be no doubt that the laws of supply and demand exercise the same
influence over the breed of horses as over the manufacture of any
other article. If there be a demand, depend upon it that somehow or
other there will be an adequate supply. With regard to the notion of
the lion, gentleman opposite, I have no objection to say that the
question shall be considered by the Master of the Horse in connection
with those who are the best judges of the turf, to see whether a return
to greater weights and greater distances would be advisable with a view
of improving the breed of horses. But I think there is great force in
what fell from the hon. and gallant officer, that to abolish prizes
applying to horses of greater age than the usual sweepstakes, so far
from doing any good, would, on the contrary, do harm. The hon.
gentleman will probably not think it necessary to take the sense of the
House on this motion.

Mr. P. Wyndham thanked the noble lord for the promise which he had
given, and

The motion was then withdrawn.

Veterinary Jurisprudence,

COUNTY COURT, WYMONDHAM.— Saturday, June 18th.

Before J. T. Birch, Esq., J udge.

ALLEGED BREACH OF WARRANTY.

JOHN HARDY V. WILLIAM DENHAM.

Mr. Carlos Cooper (instructed by Mr. Jonas Walpole, of Northwold),
appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Simms Reeve (instructed by Mr.
Howlett, of Wymondham), appeared for the defendant.

Mr. Cooper said — This action is brought to recover a sum of £21 as
damages resulting from the breach of warranty of a certain mare, which
was sold by the defendant to plaintiff, on the 1st of August, 1863. The
plaintiff is a merchant and innkeeper, living at Brandon, and defendant
is an innkeeper and horse dealer, residing in this place. It appears that
plaintiff was, on Saturday, the 1st of August, in Norwich, where he met
the defendant, who had the mare in question for sale; the plaintiff ulti¬
mately purchased the mare for £32, with a warranty that she was per¬
fectly sound. With regard to that I should think there will be no
dispute, because I have a most respectable witness, Mr. Bayes, who was
present and heard what passed at the time of the sale. After the mare
was sold it was arranged between the plaintiff and defendant that she
should be sent to Attleborough on the following day (Sunday). She was
accordingly sent to Attleborough on the Sunday, and the plaintiff’s man
met her there, and he rode her home to Brandon, a distance of about
twenty one miles. He was about six hours going that distance, and rode

564

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

home quietly as he will tell you. On the following morning the plaintiff
and his ostler, named White, took her out of the stable, and she was
observed to be lame. The plaintiff, imagining it might have arisen from
cracked heels, washed them, and some medicine was given to her. He
did not use her until the Wednesday week following, when he had
occasion to go to Bury Market. He drove her to Bury and back, and he
will tell you that when he commenced his journey she was lame, but that
the lameness went off. That was on the 12th of August. On the follow¬
ing morning she was led out of the stable, and she was found to be
“groggened.” On the 14th of August the plaintiff wrote to the defen¬
dant as follows :

“Brandon, August 14 th.

“ Sir, — I did not say anything to you about the mare, but found
she was quite lame on the Monday, from cracked heels as I supposed. I
put her into a loose box and gave her some medicine ; they are now quite
well. I rode her to Bury on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning had
her led out, and find she is quite sore from some cause or other. I call
her “ groggy.” I am very sorry — as I like her very much to drive, but
do not like an unsound one, therefore you will oblige by coming on
Sunday after her, as soon as possible, as I shall not do any more with her.
I shall be in Norwich to-morrow at Mr. Bayes’, at a quarter past ten. If
you are there you can speak to me,

“Yours truly,

“John Hardy.”

I believe no notice was taken of that letter, and shortly after Mr. Wal¬
pole wrote a letter to the defendant threatening proceedings, unless repa¬
ration were made. Now a letter came in reply to that from Dunham,
who said, if Hardy showed him the letter he sent when he requested
the warranty, he thought he (Mr. Walpole) would advise him not to pro¬
ceed with the action. On the 19th September, notice was served on the
defendant that she would be sold on the 1st of October, and that he would
be held liable for any loss that might arise from that sale. She was sold
by auction on the 1st October at Brandon, for £17 10s., to a person of
the name of Scott, who sold her to Pearson, and I think Pearson sold her
to Booty. A few days after she was purchased by plaintiff, I shall show
that she was examined by a veterinary surgeon, who will tell you that he
has no doubt whatever, that “ grogginess” was the unsoundness of which
we complain. He observed that the effect of that “ grogginess ” was a
contraction in the near fore foot. Mr. Worms, a veterinary surgeon of
some considerable experience, will, however, tell you that he examined
her on the 14th, and found that the contraction had been going on for
some considerable time before the 1st August when we bought her. If
that be so, I apprehend there can be no question whatever that this mare
was unsound at the time we bought her, or that she had the seeds of un¬
soundness in her, which, would make of course, the defendant liable for
a breach of warranty.

His Honour asked how he made out the claim of £26 Is. 6d.

Mr. Cooper explained that JOs. was charged for expenses in taking it
from Attleborough to Brandon ; two veterinary surgeons for examining,
three guineas. Then they had charged for the keep of the mare from the
time of the purchase to the day of the sale, and the difference between
the purchase money and the amount for which she sold by auction. In
answer to Mr. Peeve, he said this action was originally commenced in the
superior courts, and he believed the defendant appeared to it, but his
client discontinued paying the costs, as he was alarmed at the number of

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 565

witnesses lie had, and the expense attending the trial at the assizes,
which he very wisely discontinued.

Plaintiff said on the 1st of August last year he was in Norwich, and
saw defendant, who had a mare for sale, and which he purchased for £32.
Mr. Bayes, of Norwich, witnessed the bargain. When trotted out, he
said to defendant, “ She appears very stiff and sore,” and he replied, “ If
you buy her you will have her sound ; there is nothing more the matter
with her than a cracked heel.” He mentioned that more than once.
When the purchase was effected it was agreed that the mare should be
sent to Attleborough the following morning, where it was met by
Rowan, his man. When brought home she was put into his stable, but
when led out the following morning it was seen that she was very lame —
indeed so much so, that he ordered her to be led back to the stable, as
he was afraid she should fall down on her knees. He had her heels
washed, and some medicine given to her, but she continued lame. He
first, used her in harness on the 12th of August, when he drove her to and
from Bury. She went a part of the journey pretty well, but for some
distance she ran very sore. On the 13th she was as sore as the first day
he saw her. On the 14th he wrote a letter to Mr. Walpole, requesting him
to communicate with the defendant. On the 19th he again drove her to
Bury, and the mare was very sore on starting for home. He caused a
notice to be served on defendant, stating that the mare would be sold on
the 1st of October. She was sold to Mr. Scott for £17 lOs. The mare
was examined by Mr. Leeds, after the first journey to Bury, and by Mr.
Worm, veterinary surgeon, on the 14th of November.

Cross-examined. — He wrote to defendant for the warranty, and
received an answer that the mare was warranted up to the time of
delivery. He did not find out that the mare was unsound, or had cracked
heels, when he first drove her. Mr. Leeds certified that the mare was
suffering from acute fever in the forefoot; he did not know exactly
what he said.

Mr. Reeve. — You don’t know what “ groggins ” is ? No, I don’t.

You know more about grog? — Yes, I know a little about it.
(Laughter.)

Defendant admitted there was a warranty.

Rowan said he rode the mare from Attleborough to Brandon after he
received it from defendant’s man, and the next morning he found that she
was lame.

Cross-examined. — He told his master the same night that there was
something the matter with the mare’s fore legs.

White also stated that the horse was lame, and that he treated her for
cracked heels.

Mr Leeds said he examined the mare on the 20th August and gave a
certificate. He observed that the mare was very lame and could scarcely
stand when led out of the stable. The mare was suffering from acute
fever in the fore feet. He could not say whether it had existed the day
before he examined the animal.

Mr. J. S. Worm , V.S. , of Watton, said he examined the mare on the
11th of November, and found her lame of the fore feet, and a contraction
of the near foot. He considered it a case of navicular disease, which had
existed about six weeks or two months. The near foot must have been
contracted for six weeks to two months from the state he then saw it.
He would not say that the contraction had not existed even six or twelve
months. He thought the navicular inflammation must have existed on
the 1st of August. It would have taken from two to three months to
have produced that contraction.

566

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

Mr. S. Reeve said the defendant was simply a nominal defendant, the
real defendant being Mr. Larke, a gentleman, who would tell him that
he had had the mare ever since she was foaled, that she was a six year
old mare, and that he sent her in June last to Dunham for the purpose
of being gentled, and that then there was nothing the matter with her.
He should also prove by other witnesses that the animal was sound.
Dunham, when he sold the mare, believed that she was perfectly sound,
and in reply to the letter received from plaintiff, Mr. Larke wrote back
to the effect that the mare had only been warranted up to the time of
delivery. Mr. Larke inferred by that that if he did not like her, to send her
back, by all means. Mr. Larke was not fond of courts, and going to
law ; his object was, if the man had any complaint — he knew of none —
to get her sent back. On the 20th of August, when Dunham got a letter
from plaintiff saying the mare had gone unsound, Mr. Larke was
astonished, and on the 21st of August he got another from Mr. Walpole,
enclosing the veterinary surgeon’s certificate, Mr. Larke felt that the
man was trying to “ do ” him, and he had probably had the mare out and
used her so that she got acute fever, and then he wanted to turn her
back.

Mr. Larke stated that he sent the mare to Dunham to be gentled and
sold. He had had the mare from the time she was foaled, and she was
always sound. She was high mettled. He had several horses, and she
could not have been lame while in his possession.

His Honour. — The owner is the very last person to know it : the
owner never finds it out.

Mr. Larke. — The horse in use is soon found out.

His Honour. — By some people. The horse is so lame ; more lame on
the Tuesday than on the Monday ; and so little more lame on the Wed¬
nesday that the owner would very often go on for months without
finding it out. But directly it is sold, the horse gets a few days’ rest,
and the new purchaser likes to ride his new purchase, and gives it a good
rattling along a hard road, and the horse flies all to pieces. That is my
experience.

Dunham (the defendant) said the mare was not lame when sold. He
did not tell plaintiff that the mare had cracked heels.

Tunnaley , in Dunham’s employ, a blacksmith, named March , who
always shod the animal at Wymondham, and Sharpe , who helped to
“ gentle ” the mare, all said that she was not lame when they had the
care or charge of her.

Mr. Wells, veterinary surgeon, of Norwich, said if a horse had acute
fever in the feet to day, it might have been perfectly sound yesterday.
He should think the horse had not acute fever when it was taken to
Norwich on the 1st of August. Seeing the certificate of the veterinary
surgeon describing it as acute fever, it was compatible with the fact that
the mare might have been sound on the 1st of August.

Cross-examined. — The certificate of Mr. Leeds was not in accordance
with Mr. Worm’s evidence. He should not have given that certificate.
Navicular disease might have been present for some time without a
person like a shoeing-smith observing it.

By His Honour. — Driving a horse suffering from navicular disease
thirty miles along a hard road would not produce acute inflammation of
the laminas, because it is a law of nature that no two diseases should go
on in the system at the same time. In the one case the animal went on
the heels, and in the other on the toes. It was likely to come on after
a long journey, and particularly after being fresh shod.

Mr. T. Mayes, veterinary surgeon, of Wymondham, had never seen

MISCELLANEA. 567

anything the matter with the mare, and Cranness, who rode the animal
to Attleborough, the day after the sale, said it was quite sound then.

Mr. Cooper replied, and

His Honour said — It is for the plaintiff, of course, to satisfy me of his
whole case. I cannot say that he has satisfied me, or anything like it.
The way in which he gave his own evidence was very nearly putting
him out of Court. He can remember nothing he is wanted to remember,
and I would not put the slightest trust in anything that he has said.
His memory was so exceedingly inconvenient for himself, and then I
must come to this ; no doubt there was a warranty ; that is admitted.
Was there a breach of it? Was the mare lame on the 1st of August,
or were there the seeds of lameness ? I do not think that is proved at
all. We have it on the authority of Mr. Wells and Mr. Mayes that the
navicular disease and acute fever in the laminae of the feet hardly ever
co-exist, and it is very improbable that the inflammation should extend
from the navicular bone to the laminae. If that is so, the plaintiff is out
of court, because it is clear on the certificate given by Mr. Leeds that
on the 20th of August the mare was suffering from acute fever in the
feet. If she had been suffering from navicular disease, and had had a
contracted foot, Mr. Leeds, who examined her carefully, could hardly
have failed to perceive it, and as a matter of course put that in his cer¬
tificate, which he has not done. It seems to me that all the lameness that
has been spoken of might arise, and probably did arise, after she came
into the possession of the plaintiff, and I think his own conduct rather
tends to show that was the case. He could have shown her to any
veterinary surgeon on the Monday or during that week, although the
man had told him, as his man said, she came home lame from Attle¬
borough, and although she was so lame when she came out of the stable,
he never called in any veterinary surgeon to make any inquiries. His
judgment must be for the defendant. — Norwich Mercury.

MISCELLANEA.

PERSONAL SAFETY OE THE ARAB BARRIER.

General Daumas, in his work c The Horses of the
Sahara/ states that perhaps nothing exemplifies the high
value put upon a horse by these wandering people so much
as this fact, that, although delighting in war and bloodshed,
they never kill a farrier; they would as soon think of poison¬
ing a well ; he has only to alight, and imitate with the two
corners of his burnous — raising and depressing them by
turns — the movement of the bellows, and his life is held as
sacred as that of a herald or a priest among more civilised
nations. On the other hand, if a farrier chance to grow rich,
a quarrel is often fastened upon him, and a portion of his
wealth taken away, and held in hostage, to prevent so de¬
sirable a neighbour quitting the district.

Contrary to the accepted opinion, the Arabs shoe their
horses, although they take the shoes off in the spring. These
are very light, of a soft, pliant metal, and are put on cold.

568

OBITUARY.

We ought to have recorded the death of Professor Miller,
of Edinburgh, in our last number, but press of matter pre¬
vented its insertion. In the medical and scientific world he
was well known, and his loss has been by our contemporaries
much deplored. He was a man highly respected and much
esteemed for his work’s sake, he being a good man as well as
professionally great. One speaking of him, says, “We are on a
journey — a journey through the desert. Companions are drop¬
ping day by day at our side. We are sad when we suffer be¬
reavements, and many, both of the rich and the poor, will
sorely miss the beloved physician. One sentence of the Master
fully describes the character of the servant — ' Love one another
as I have loved you.’ This is the key-note of his life since
he was led into the peace of God. A great necessity lay
upon his heart always — the necessity of doing good lay upon
his heart as the flowing stream lies on the mill-wheel, com¬
pelling it to go round; and that weight — that commanding
motive of life — was the mercy of God through Christ to his
own soul. There was an amazing activity in his habits. He
did not know repose. The rest which he eloquently vindi¬
cated for others he could not much enjoy himself ; yet con¬
tinuous activity did not, in his case, ally itself with austerity.
His life was eminently cheerful. His work was the work of
a strong man ; his manner was like the playfulness of a child
before care has begun to weigh upon the spirit.”

It is, perhaps, on account of our own loss that we sincerely
regret the removal hence of Professor Miller. He was
associated with us as a member of the Scotch section of the
Examining Board. One of his colleagues thus writes to us : —
“ I know of no circumstance which is so calculated to cast a
gloom over our Scotch Examining Board as this. Professor
Miller was the most affable, gentlemanly, and agreeable man
I ever knew, and I am sure his place at the board will not be
easily filled.”

Thus death knows no distinction. He smites at a touch
the strong man, and bears him away ; and the earnest and
useful worker is unexpectedly taken from us. Ever will it
be that throughout life much that is mysterious and beyond
our comprehension will take place, so variously are all things
wrought. Still all is right. ’Tis well, too,

“ To feel, although no tongue can prove.

That every cloud, that spreads above
And veileth love, itself is love.”

tiie

VETERINARIAN.

VONo'.44iXVI1' SEPTEMBER, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 117.

Communications and Cases.

OBSERVATIONS ON CASTRATION BY TORSION.
By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

On a recent visit to Paris I saw the above-named operation
performed by M. Rossignol, Jun., on an old stallion belonging
to the Omnibus company, which had become so vicious that it
was no longer possible to work him ; hence the reason for the
operation. The principal instruments for the operation con¬
sisted of two large-sized forceps, one straight and the other
curved, provided with a spring to fix them when applied.
All being ready, the horse was brought out by the only man
who could approach him, and, though he was blindfolded, it
was with the greatest possible difficulty that the hobbles
were put on, and only so by deceiving him, by the smiths
who were in the habit of shoeing him holding up the leg and
pretending to take off the shoe — an operation to which he
seemed to have no objection. The hobbles on, he was soon
thrown on his left side, and, being duly secured with the “ side
line,” M. Rossignol commenced the operation by making an
incision into the scrotum about eight centimetres in length,
which laid bare the left testicle. This done, he drew out the
testicle, and fixed his straight forceps on the cord, as close
to the inguinal ring as possible. 'The forceps, being made
secure with the spring, were held by an assistant, while the
operator fixed the torsian forceps on the cord, about two
and a half centimetres below the former, and just above the
epididymis. By twisting the cord the testicle was soon
severed, which being done, he removed the straight forceps,
xxxvii. * 37

570 BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

when the remainder of the cord entered the scrotum.
There was but little haemorrhage. The other testicle was
operated on in the same manner. The whole operation,
from the time the horse was fixed, occupied somewhat less
than ten minutes.

I left Paris the next day, and returned in about three
weeks, when I found the horse not only doing well, but ready
to go to work, and quite cured of his viciousness. I am in¬
formed that torsion is now the general mode by which cas¬
tration is performed in France, and that the operation (which
certainly would appear to be less painful than any other, for
the animal did not struggle once during the twisting) is also
more successful. There is, I am also informed, very little
swelling consequent on the operation.

Care should be taken to make the incision ample, so as to
prevent it closing too soon, in which case an accumulation of
pus in the scrotum is the consequence. This, however, is
easily removed by introducing the finger into the wound.

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

( Continued from p. 459.)

It will be remembered that, in a former number of this
Journal, I brought under notice the general botanical cha¬
racters by which the natural order Ranunculacece is distin¬
guished, and in my last communication furnished the descrip¬
tion of one of the most important plants belonging to the
order, viz., the Aconitum napellus. The very interesting case
recorded by Mr. Flower, M.R.C.V.S., of Derby, in the Vete¬
rinarian for July, in which the death of three heifers was
caused by the Ranunculus ficaria, will afford a favorable oppor¬
tunity of bringing under notice another variety of plants
belonging to the same natural order, and from wrhich it
derives its name, viz., the ranunculus or crowfoot. Space will
not permit me to give the botanical characters of all the
varieties of the ranunculus ; therefore the following general
observations, with a more detailed description of two or three
of the varieties most commonly met with, will give an insight
into the characters of them all. The different species of
crowfoot or buttercup are found growing in most parts of
Europe and the temperate parts of Asia. Several of them

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE. 571

are cultivated as ornamental plants, but the great majority
are found growing wild in pastures or floating in streams.
In a natural state they prefer moist situations; hence the
origin of the name ranunculus, from fi rana,” a frog, and
“ colo,” to dwell. They all possess, more or less, an acrid
property, which is not of a fixed nature, being entirely dis¬
sipated by heat and drying The following is a brief de¬
scription of three of the varieties most commonly met with.

“ Ranunculus acris (Crowfoot). — Sepals, 5. Petals, the same
number, with a nectariferous scale at the base. Stem, many
flowered. Peduncles, tapering. Carpels, lenticular, com¬
pressed, bordered, with a beak which is rather curved, and
much shorter than the carpel. Receptacle, smooth. Root-
leaves, divided in a palmate manner. The segments somewhat
lozenge-shaped, cut, and sharply toothed. The leaves of the
stem the same shape, the uppermost divided into three linear
segments/"’ (Lindley.)

The chief botanical characters by which this variety may
be distinguished are the spreading calyx, the round and even
flower-stem, and the peculiarity of the leaves. Nearly every
one is familiar with this indigenous perennial plant, which
is found growing in great abundance in our meadows and
moist pastures, its flowers, which are of a bright yellow,
appearing in June and July. It possesses all the acrid pro¬
perties peculiar to the species : — ce On being applied to the
skin it excites itching, redness, and even produces blisters,
tumefaction, and ulceration of the part.”

Pereira says that ccit has been applied as a rubefacient
and epispastic, but is far inferior to cantharides and mustard,
on account of the uncertainty of its operation.”

“ Ranunculus bulbosus (Bulbous Crowfoot). — Peduncles, fur¬
rowed. Sepals, 5, reflexed. Petals, 5, with a nectariferous
scale at the base. Carpels, lenticular, compressed, bordered,
smooth. Stem, bulbous at the base. Root-leaves, ternate or
biternate. The leaflets trifoid, cut, and toothed.” (Lindley.)

This plant is distinguished from the Ranunculus acris by
its stem being bulbous at the base, by its furrowed flower-
stem and reflexed calyx. It resembles the Ranunculus acris
in being an indigenous plant, found growing in meadows and
pastures, flowering in June and July, and possessing similar
acrid properties. The attention of the profession was directed
to this variety of the ranunculus in the Veterinarian for April,
1860, in reference to the death of several animals in the prac¬
tice of Mr. Wallis, M.R.C.V.S. ; and although in this instance
I am inclined to think the death of the animals was not caused
by the Ranunculus bulbosus , but in some measure was due

572 TREATMENT OP OPEN JOINT BY METALLIC SUTURE.

to the causes pointed out by Professor Varnell, still the
case presents many features of interest, especially in con¬
nection with the class of plants nowT under consideration,
the effects of which upon animals are so little understood.

(: To be continued.)

TREATMENT OF OPEN JOINT BY METALLIC

SUTURE.

By Wm. Hall, Y.S. 6th Dragoon Guards, Aldershot.

An irritable thorough-bred horse received a punctured
wound, about an inch long, at the aiitero-lateral part of the
true hock-joint, from which the synovia flowed in a stream
down the leg, and even spurted a little when the leg was
moved.

The patient, when first seen, was found to have the limb
much swollen and very painful. He was suffering greatly
from inflammatory fever ; his mouth was hot, pulse 70, and
his countenance very anxious. He was also bedewed with,
perspiration, and was very restless.

The wound was pinned up with common pins, and
drawn closely together with ligatures, over which a little
fine tow was neatly lapped. Aloes Barb. 5v were ad¬
ministered, his head tied up, and the joint frequently bathed
with aconite lotion.

On the following day the swelling had abated considerably,
and the horse stood pretty firmly on his leg. The purgative
was acting, and the febrile symptoms had nearly disappeared.
Nitrated water was ordered in the evening and during the

O o

three following days, after which the head was let down.

All medicine was now discontinued. The sutures were
allowed to drop out. In one week the patient had returned
to his work, with the joint the natural size, and the wound
healed by the “ first intention,” leaving only a slight cicatrix.

573

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

Letter from Mr. Thos. Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester,
to Mr. W. Williams, V.S., Bradford.

My dear Sir, — Since hearing the very excellent and
instructive paper upon “Laminitis and Navicular Disease”
read by Mr. Seeker, of Knaresborough, and the thoroughly
practical discussion which followed upon it, at the last meet¬
ing of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society, I have felt
a deeper interest, if possible, in the subject, and a stronger
desire to know more about it. I am persuaded there is yet
much to learn with reference to these diseases, and with that
object in view I beg leave to suggest that you and I dispas¬
sionately and deliberately examine the subject. This propo¬
sition I make with every feeling and sentiment of respect for
you, more especially as I find we entertain different opinions
upon these diseases. By reasoning these views out to their
legitimate source, some light may possibly be thrown upon
these affections, and sound principles advanced.

LAMINITIS.

The opinion I entertain upon the subject of laminitis is
that, in by far the greater number of cases, there exists in
the animal so affected a congenital tendency to the disease,
and that this tendency has been gradually assuming a con¬
dition more and more favorable to lameness for some time
before actual lameness shows itself; that the economy and
condition of the bony structures have been undergoing a
peculiar change, and this too in the absence of any active
inflammation, rather, indeed, a sort of atrophy. We know there
are diseases which may go on in bone for a considerable
length of time without producing much, if any, suffering;
but which, on arriving at a certain stage or condition, from
some simple exciting cause, will give rise to most severe
suffering. Such is the case in diseases of the meretricious
type, mollifies or fragilitas ossium, &c., the causes of which are
surrounded with much obscurity, but which are supposed to
depend upon some peculiar state of the constitution, such as
a defective supply of phosphate of lime to the bony texture,
or, it may be, an inordinate absorption of this material,
causing the bone to lose much of its natural firmness. Bone
in this condition is unable to sustain the superincumbent

574 LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAU DISEASE.

weight. Should such an alteration or change take place in
the coffin bone, it would thereby become more attenuated at
its edges and bulging on its under surface, or pumiced, and
all this irrespective of any disease going on in the laminae.
Mr. Seeker, in fact, in his essay remarks — “ The subject of
laminitishas been observed to go shuffling and getting gradu¬
ally worse for some time previous to the attack/5

In my papers in the Veterinarian for 1855 I term this
<{ the passive stage/5 and it is in this particular condition that
any little extra circumstance, such as a change in keep, or
even a dose of cathartic medicine, the act of shoeing, some
extra knocking about, or even standing still a little too long
in the stable — anything, in fact — is sufficient to produce the
active stage, as unmistakably as is a twange of the gout or
toothache in the human being.

Have we not constant proof of various tissues and organs
degenerating? And are we to suppose that the plantar
organs are wholly exempt from the law which we see almost
every other tissue in the animal economy to be subservient
to? How often, do we have evidence that the brain is under¬
going a process of degeneracy — softening — and this, too, in
the man of apparently strong mind, and who wTas certainly
clear-headed enough up to a particular age? The exact
period of such a change will doubtless very much depend
upon the individual being exposed to favorable or to unfavor¬
able circumstances. Is it not true that the subject of such a
disease is observed to become by degrees rather crotchety or
eccentric, and often that some slight or sudden shock to the
nervous system develops complete imbecility or unsoundness
of mind. So also with active laminitis. How often also do
we see a man in easy circumstances, who has never passed
through trials, have the functions of his brain impaired, he by
degrees becoming of unsound mind; whilst another contends
with every kind of trying circumstance, sustains the most
violent shocks from the most dire calamities, but still his
reason firmly retains her seat? How is this? It seems to
me to be simply attributable to a difference in the consti¬
tutional tendency.

Illustrative of the same point, we have other diseases —
degeneracy or softening of the liver, ramollissement, de¬
generacy or wasting of the lungs, phthisis, &c. In each
particular subject, liable to these complaints, a specific or
special tendency exists, which may be described as an irre¬
sistible, uncontrollable diathesis, continually drifting towards
one destination in each individual. For instance, the true
subject of laminitis is almost certain to be exempt from any

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE. 575

tendency to the formation of bone-spavin, side-bones, ring¬
bones, splint, &c.

You may possibly insist that bony structures are entirely
and altogether different, and are not liable to the same laws
in the animal economy as the soft tissues. To such objec¬
tion I reply that we have no right to assume such to be the
case. I believe bony structures are liable to morbid affec¬
tions equally with other tissues. Is not each organ in itself — •
in fact, every tissue in the whole body, unless defectively
formed in the womb — exquisitely and perfectly adapted for
the duty or function it has to perform? Both hard and soft
tissues are, v7hen in health, perfect in themselves; the one
not more so than the other. Each is equally subject to
decay and reparation; and whenever normal action is per¬
verted, or nature is overtaxed, the delicately fine, natural
susceptibilities are acted upon and interfered with in the one
case as in the other. Nature suffers; her functions and
actions are thwarted ; reproduction is retarded, and after a
w7hile that organ, whichever it may be, becomes unequal to
the task, and the result is lameness if it happens to be in the
plantar organ, or imbecility if it happens to be in the brain.
In both cases, properly speaking, it is the language of pain,
or the silent expression of nature's vigilance.

Again. We see that one horse becomes affected with
laminitis without his feet having been subjected to much, if
any, stress or exertion ; whilst another is worked most un¬
mercifully, and his feet neglected in every imaginable v7ay,
without laminitis supervening. How^ is this? It is simply
attributable to the difference of constitutional tendency or
condition of the bones. I would here remark that it is,
generally speaking, the lowT«stepper, the shuffling goer, that
is the victim of laminitis. I feel convinced in my own mind
that this disease dates its real commencement in most, if not
in all, cases, long antecedent to the time usually ascribed to
it; and I am satisfied, from many post-mortem investigations,
that we frequently have cases that would be called by all
experienced and practical men laminitis where the laminae
are not, nor ever have been at any antecedent date, actually
inflamed, but where the internal structure of the coffin bone
has been for some time undergoing a change — a mollities.”
You may possibly advance, as an argument to strengthen
your viewr, the fact of the augmented thickness of horn from
the commencement of active disease ; but this, to my mind,
is not conclusive evidence. It may demonstrate by contrast
a previous unnatural, thin, attenuated growth of horn.

576

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

NAVICULAR DISEASE.

This disease also, in my opinion, not unfrequently arises
from congenital predisposition. Generally speaking, it is the
high-stepper, the good goer, that becomes the victim of the
affection. It is a fact well attested that navicular disease as
frequently develops itself in feet with wide frogs and bulbous
heels, or in shallow heels and flattish feet, as in narrow, up¬
right feet. Contraction, so far from being a necessary indi¬
cation of the disease, follows almost as a matter of certainty
upon any lameness, wherever situated, which necessitates an
absence of the natural pressure and weight being thrown
upon the heels of the foot. This is clearly proved ; for after
neurotomy, the pain being removed, and the weight being
again thrown upon the heels, the foot expands, notwithstand¬
ing that the disease is still going on in it. I am satisfied,
from numerous 'post-mortem examinations, that there are
numbers of cases of lameness that would be pronounced to
be due to chronic navicular disease by practical men, in
which neither the navicular ligaments nor true navicular
joint — the foot-joint capsule— are diseased, nor have they
been at any antecedent period actively inflamed, but where
the internal structure of the navicular bone has been absorbed
and become hollow. The change that has been going on is
“ fragilitas,5' a state differing very greatly from mollities, since
we nearly always find a great proneness to the formation of
exostosis, spavins, and spents, See. & c., in animals of this
special tendency. I have known foals born of defective
parents in whom this condition was so strongly developed
that all men would at once pronounce them to be affected
with navicular disease, and such lamenesses were permanent.

I am persuaded that the structure of the bones is in a de¬
fective state, and that, if their true condition could be fully
ascertained, the animal would, to all intents and purposes, be
pronounced unsound, and this, too, probably many weeks or
even months previous to lameness showing itself. Often at
most it has been observed that he has been guilty of dropping
occasionally for some time before he showed lameness. Is it
not notorious that a horse shall show lameness for the first
time the day after, or the day but one after, he has been
newly shod, he having been standing idle for some time pre¬
viously, though no fault can in any way be attached to the
shoeing ? Is it not equally notorious that a horse shall show
lameness for the first time the day after, or day but one after,
he has been “ ramped about ” at a fair? I would here remark

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE. 577

that it is quite possible a slight lameness may exist at the
time, or even before going to the fair, and yet the breeder or
dealer be quite unconscious of it. Neither of them are pro¬
fessional men, nor, perhaps, expert in detecting lameness, or
they may not have had the horse run out upon the hard
pavement to test him. Indeed such a thought as his being-
lame had never once occurred to their minds ; therefore there
was no necessity for such a procedure.

Now, what other inference is deducible but the one I
am contending for, viz., that the parts had sustained or
acquired a morbid condition, and had become susceptible to
yield, and, having yielded, pain is the result; troublesome,
obstinate tenderness, and too often, alas ! permanent lame¬
ness ? The veterinary surgeon, on his first visit, being told
that the horse was never lame before, does not feel justified
in pronouncing definitely upon the nature of the case. The
lameness has, also, no precise or clear cause ; there is no¬
thing apparently to account for it ; but after bleeding,
purging, poulticing, &c. &c., he finds that the lameness con¬
tinues stationary. Had it been merely of a simple kind and
altogether recent, it is quite reasonable to conclude that it
would have subsided with such treatment. The practitioner
may have had some misgivings in his own mind, which are
now confirmed and proved to be facts. He now speaks out,
and calls it “ chronic navicular disease for, lo ! and behold!
the other foot is also showing suspicious symptoms of fixed
lameness. If he be a man of a candid and enlightened mind,
it is not incompatible with common sense, honesty, and ex¬
perience, for him to say, “ These parts must of necessity have
been for some time getting into a state of disease, but that
such disease was in an obscure, latent state, and not sufficient
to produce lameness. Now, however, from one or other of
the above-stated causes, or from some other similar excite¬
ment, the disease has assumed a more active form/5 In the
majority of these cases the practitioner will come out of the
contest more in the character of the vanquished than the
victor.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours most truly,

Thomas Greaves.

578

FARRIERS5 STRIKE, OR A VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION ON ITS TRIAL.

By Thomas Greaves, M.R.C.V.S. and P.L.V.M.A.,

Manchester.

If any facts were wanting to illustrate the practical useful¬
ness of veterinary associations, and their great value to the
practitioner, these have unequivocally been demonstrated in
Manchester during the late strike of the shoeing smiths for
an advance of wages. The President of the “Farriers5 Society,55
with three of its members, forming a deputation, waited upon
the President of the “ Lancashire Veterinary Medical Associa¬
tion55 on the 4th July, for the purpose of ascertaining the practi¬
cability of getting an advance of wages. The president endea¬
voured to convince them that their contemplated demand was
unreasonable ; but in vain. This interview led to a special
meeting of the association being immediately convened.

The great importance of complete organization must be
obvious to every one, in enabling a body of men to act at a
moment's notice on any pressing emergency! Each member
becomes intimately acquainted with the views and private
opinions of his fellow-members; thus the association assumes
the character of one family, nay, they act with the definiteness
of one man. The association had several interviews with
deputations from the Farriers5 Society, but they were un¬
availing, since the society was deaf to all reason. They
could not be made to understand that in the present state of
the trade of Manchester it would be wrong to attempt to
raise the price of shoeing, neither would they be satisfied
when reminded that the wages, at the rate now paid, absorbed
nearly the entire profits. Three fourths of the horses shod
in Manchester are charged 3s. 6d. per set, some of them less
than that sum, and some few 4s. per set. The wages are 26s.
per week for a doorman, and 30s., 32s., and 34s. per
week for a fireman. The wages alone amount to 2s. 1 \d.
per set of shoes, and the whole expenses are as follows :

For Cart Horses, per Set.

. s. d.

Fireman making 2 pairs . . . . 0 51-

Fireman fitting 2 pairs . . , , 0 5|

2 Doormen striking for 2 pairs . , , 0 8|

1 Doorman knocking on . . , . 0 6|

16 lb of Iron, at 12s. per cwt.‘ . . , 1 8|

40 Nails, 1 lb, No 15’s, at 7s. 6d. per thousand . 0 6

4 3f
. 0 4

3 11|

Set off 4 old shoes, 11 lb, at 4s. per cwt.

FARRIERS' STRIKE.

579

For Saddle Horses , per Set.

Fireman making 2 pairs . ,

Fireman fitting 2 pairs
1 Doorman striking for 2 pairs
1 Doorman knocking on
4 ft of Iron, at 12s. per cwt.

30 Nails, % ft, No. 8’s, at 4s, 6^. per thousand

Set off 4 old shoes, 3 ft, at 4s. per cwt.

d.

. 0

H

. 0

5?

. 0

4£

. 0

6*

. 0

D

. 0

ii

2

3f

. 0

1*

2

To the above there must be added something for rasps, slack,
rent, wear and tear of tools, book-keeping, collecting, bad
debts, interest on capital, &c. The above calculation has been
made with the greatest care, and its correctness is vouched
for; it is, therefore, self-evident that the men's demands,
viz., 2s, per man per week in addition, could not be complied
with, and, it being resisted, the withdrawal of every man
from each veterinary establishment was at once determined
on, and on the 25th of July the turnout was complete and
general. The turnouts have conducted the strike in the
most orderly and systematic manner, having full confidence
in their perfect combination, coupled with a resolute deter¬
mination well worthy a better cause. They have had recourse
to every legitimate expedient that skill and cunning could
devise. They had their scouts or pickets formally placed and
replaced by regular relays of men, at every railway station, to
intercept every shoeing smith, and to watch every avenue
leading to each of our establishments, so as almost effectu¬
ally to preclude the possibility of a stray applicant when
reaching his destination. So industrious and persistent
were these turnouts, so vigilantly was this picket duty
performed, that it is said fifty smiths were intercepted
during seven days ; they wrere either terrified or per¬
suaded to return to their homes. Many of the largest
establishments had not a single applicant for work during an
entire week, and in one forge alone, where the men were in
the habit of shoeing thirty, forty, and even fifty horses per
day, there was a sudden and perfect cessation of work, not a
single horse being shod for the space of an entire week. At
one time it appeared inevitable that the masters must
succumb. The struggle was a legitimate trial of strength,
and but for this association the masters must most certainly
have been crushed. There is a large town within an hour's

580 FARRIERS5 STRIKE.

ride from here where the disunion of the veterinary surgeons
is an element of weakness; the men are not slow to take ad¬
vantage of it, and the masters are obliged to comply with
every demand made, however unreasonable or unjust.

During this time the veterinary surgeons w7ere making
great exertions to get men ; they advertised in nearly every
leading paper in England, Ireland, and Scotland ; they had
the town and neighbourhood freely posted with large hand¬
bills, and they scoured the wThole country for twenty or thirty
miles round. In almost every town and village in England
their cry for help went forth, and this cry was nobly responded
to ; still scarcely any help reached them. By degrees, how¬
ever, one artisan after another managed to run the blockade,
and got safely landed, safely housed, and protected by a police-
officer at the entrance of each establishment, to prevent any
turnout gaining access to persuade or intimidate him. By
degrees these men accumulated in numbers, in spite of every
obstacle, for the indomitable perseverance and indefatigable
activity of the masters overcame every obstacle. Our em¬
ployers, to a man, took our side, and w ithheld their work
during the crisis. Nor will this recital diminish in its in¬
terest as it draws to a close; for nothing could exceed the
unanimity and concord that existed amongst us ; calling upon
and encouraging each other wfith words full of hope and cheer¬
fulness, zealously helping each other in every way we possibly
could. We were animated by the very best spirit and feeling
and a singleness of purpose, notwithstanding many well-
planned and cunningly devised attempts to sow discord and
distrust and excite suspicion amongst us ; but fortunately our
previous meetings had taught us to respect and esteem one
another; w7e felt fortified, therefore, in our perfect reliance upon
each other. Nothing could shake for one moment the confi¬
dence we had in one another’s honour and integrity. We vied
in assisting each other as brothers in adversity ought to do ;
w7e felt w7e had our common interest at stake, and were de¬
cided in our action. The turnouts, observing this, and seeing
the utter futility and the perfect hopelessness of every attempt
to cause dissatisfaction or defection in our ranks, together w7ith
the fact that some of the vacancies w7ere getting filled up,
some of the wiser among them w7ere led to meditate upon the
state of affairs, and on the ninth day of the strike the whole
of the men in one of the principal establishments resumed
work at the old rate of wrages, and resigned their membership
of the society. This at once broke their organization. Thus
encouraged, many of the more thoughtful followed their
example, and one after another withdrew7 from the society.

farriers’ strike.

581

The masters could have their choice of the men, as each
offered to comply with the conditions, and they could now
refuse employment to those who had been the chief instiga¬
tors of this distressing strike. The society, which had enjoyed
a brief hour of triumph, was hurled to the ground, having
enacted and enforced its arbitrary and tyrannical laws. The
system that had existed and been paramount for generations
ceased to exist. The ugly hydra-headed monster, with assist¬
ance from an allied society, paid its votaries one week’s allow¬
ance, viz., los. for married members and 12s. for single men;
but when the second week’s pay-day came it was found there
was not a sixpence in the exchequer for its silly and disap¬
pointed victims, and consequently there it lay prostrate,
despised, forsaken. It will be unable to again interfere with
willing and contented labour. It will be unable again to
silence the music of the anvil or the ring of a thousand
hammers. I take this result as an indication of the onward
progress in our profession, and I hold it up as an example to
other associations throughout the land.

Many noble acts of devotion could be related of the
masters sharing their stock of shoes with each other, and
dividing their men with their less fortunate brethren. How
also they had to marshal their men to and from their homes,
piloting them through pickets. Throughout the whole of this
severe trial it was truly refreshing to witness the perfect
harmony and good faith which prevailed amongst us. Having
passed unscathed through this ordeal, wre have learned to
feel a deeper and more sincere regard for one another, we
feel more closely cemented together, and the respect and
esteem we did entertain before the strike has now assumed
a purer nature.

Let us for one moment contrast with this picture the state
of things that would have existed had no association been in
existence. We should have been isolated from one another,
consequent upon the rivalry and jealousies inherent in the
profession ; the ordinary feeling of shyness, reserve, and sus¬
picion, would have been intensified, and kept us apart; the
views, opinions, and resolves, of the one would be wholly un¬
known to the other ; vre should have been reluctant to open
our minds to one another, or to trust one another. Instead
of unanimity there would have been diversity of interest, in¬
triguing, animosities, unfounded and unconscious enmities,
embittering probably a whole life; and, being thus disunited,
each acting independently of his fellow, the men could easily
insinuate, misrepresent, victimise, and the masters one after
another would have been forced to succumb to the demands,

582 retention of urine in a horse.

however unjust or unreasonable. This result must inevitably
have followed. And let us further looic at the sequel. T.he
practitioner struggling on for a few years, it may be for a
mere pittance, becomes reduced to penury, his debts increase,
and, finding he cannot pay them, he is, as a dernier ressort ,
obliged to defraud honest tradesmen by offering a composi¬
tion. All this misery and injustice being clearly traceable to
and resulting from the want of a better understanding amongst
the body of the profession in the town in which he lives.

CASE OF RETENTION OF URINE CAUSED BY
THE IMPACTION OF A CALCULUS WITHIN
THE URETHRAL CANAL OF A HORSE.

By Thos. Burrell, Jun., M.R.C.Y.S., London.

On the evening of the 13th of June last I was requested
to attend a gray gelding, the property of a job-master, who
informed me that for the last two years the horse had been
troubled with a difficulty in voiding his urine.

On the day preceding that of my attendance he was ob¬
served to be making frequent and painful efforts to urinate,
which continued to increase until the evening, when a farrier
was called in to attend him, who certainly did his utmost to
relieve the patient, if we may judge by the multiplicity of
remedial agents had recourse to.

I found the poor animal in a most distressing state, and
giving every evidence of extreme pain. The respiration was
accelerated, the pulse 80 and wiry, and the countenance
anxious. Tremors of the muscles of the flanks were present,
and these parts were bedewed also with perspiration. He was
straining violently from time to time to void his urine, and
in these efforts a small quantity was expelled.

An examination per rectum showed the bladder to be
greatly distended, which fact, coupled with the information
received from the owner, led me to believe that I had to deal
with a case of stone in the neck of the bladder.

With a view of affording immediate relief, I attempted to
introduce the catheter, but was unable to pass it more than
about twelve inches up the urethra, owing to the presence of
a calculus, which I subsequently found to be firmly im¬
pacted in this part of the canal. Having withdrawn the
catheter and exserted the penis I could readily feel the stone.

RETENTION OF URINE IN A HORSE.

583

I endeavoured, though ineffectually, to dislodge it by forcing
it downwards, but, failing in this, I determined to extract it
by cutting down upon the urethra. Having secured the
patient as safely as the standing position would allow, with
the aid of an assistant to keep the penis firmly fixed, I
was enabled — after some difficulty, arising chiefly from the
animal's struggles — to effect the extraction of the calculus.
This done, a copious flow of urine, both from the ordinary
and the artificial outlets, took place. The flow, however,
became suddenly arrested, which determined me to pass the
catheter, and on doing this I drew off a still larger quantity
of urine.

On the following morning, wishing, if possible, to ascer¬
tain upon what cause the sudden arrestation of the flow of
urine after the removal of the calculus depended, I made
another examination of the bladder, but was unable to detect
anything which would satisfactorily account for it. On the
next day, however, I removed two smaller calculi, which
presented themselves at the wound in the urethra.

The patient was by this time free from pain, and tranquil.
He urinated freely from both outlets, and continued to do so
with a gradual decrease in the quantity flowing from the
wound till the fourteenth day after the operation. By this
date all the urine passed by the natural outlet, unaccom¬
panied by any inconvenience to the animal, which had now
returned to his usual work.

The stone is heart-shaped, measuring an inch and a half
in length by an inch in breadth across the part correspond¬
ing to the base of the heart. It is extremely rough and
irregular in outline. I unfortunately lost the tw’o smaller
stones, which were removed on the second day.

There was considerable swelling about the perinseum for
two or three days, owing, as I suppose, to injuries inflicted
on the lining membrane of the urethra by the stone in its
descent.

I have made the foregoing communication as brief as pos¬
sible, as I was not desirous of trespassing on your valuable
space by giving any detailed account of the treatment pur¬
sued subsequent to the operation. Suffice to say it was ex¬
tremely simple. If, however, I have omitted anything which
your readers may deem important, I shall be only happy to
supply any additional information at any future period.

584

RUPTURE OE THE RUMEN OF A STEER FROM

ACCIDENT.

Ry T. J. Poulton, Veterinary Student.

On the 16th of July, 1863, my attention was directed to a
young steer, the property of a small farmer living in my
neighbourhood. The owner stated that for the last day or
two the animal had appeared dull, was off his feed, and was
evidently becoming more and more ill.

About half an hour subsequently, on my visiting the
animal, and going into the close where he was placed, the
first thing that I noticed was the pendent state of the head.
His back also was arched, and he had a great reluctance to
move, and, when made to do so, a peculiar hitching of the
left hind leg took place. On making a closer view of the
animal, I found a blanched state of the visible mucous mem¬
branes ; pulse scarcely perceptible ; muzzle dry ; extremities
cold; coat staring; skin sticking to the ribs, with here and
there patches of sweat over the body. He refused all food,
and the condition of the anus and hinder parts showed that
the faeces had not been recently passed. On my remarking
on this, the owner informed me that for the last two or three
days he had not observed the animal to void any feculent
matter.

A neighbouring gentleman, who came into the close at
this time, informed me that three days ago the horse which
was grazing with the steer kicked it on the left side — to use
his own expression, “ up in the air.5'’ From this it seemed
probable that the kick had caused the incapability of the
animal to use the left hind limb in a natural manner. On
manipulation, however, he evinced no pain, nor was there
any perceptible indication of external injury. On examining
the rectum with the hand I drew from it a few hardened
faeces covered with frothy mucus.

My diagnosis of the case was that a rupture of some
of the abdominal viscera existed, and my prognosis was
necessarily unfavorable. The owner, however, was very de¬
sirous of my doing something, and, as such, I gave a slight
aperient combined with a diffusible stimulant. I promised
also to call and see the animal again in the evening. The
strictest quietude was enjoined, and I had the animal placed
under the most favorable circumstances for carrying out this
object. I likewise desired that all food should be withheld.

CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE RUMEN. 585

About five o’clock p.m., a messenger was sent to inform me
that the patient was evidently much worse, and that the owner
feared, unless some relief was soon obtained, death would
quickly take place. On my visit I found the animal down,
and all the symptoms greatly aggravated. The respiration
was difficult, and at intervals eructations of gaseous matter
from the rumen took place, which wrere accompanied with
the escape of fluid ingesta from the nostrils. Feeling satis¬
fied as to the correctness of my former diagnosis, and that
no medical treatment could be of any avail ; I waited for
about a quarter of an hour, when death closed the scene.

Post-mortem examination. — The whole of the abdominal
cavity was found to be filled with fluid ingesta, which had
escaped from a rupture of the rumen. The peritoneum was
inflamed throughout. With these exceptions no other disease
was to be detected.

A SECOND CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE RUMEN.

By the Same.

June 28th, 1864, I was summoned to attend a young
heifer, which a day or two before had been turned into a field
of clover, and greatly engorged her rumen by ravenously
partaking of it. On the ordinary symptoms of tympanitis
showing themselves, the man in charge, being one of those
who can never avoid giving their opinion and advice, and
backing these up by skilful (?) attention to the animal, drove
the heifer furiously about the pasture, when, to use his ex¬
pression, (i she seemed to get well in a moment.” Shortly
afterwards, however, the animal appeared dull and listless,
but still no notice was taken of these and other symptoms
which supervened until the morning of the third day after¬
wards, when fluid ingesta was vomited by the nostrils. It
was in consequence of this that I was sent for, and on my
' arrival I found the animal in articulo mortis . She only lived
ten minutes after I first saw her.

On making & post mortem examination I found a rupture of
the rumen, through which nearly the whole of the ingesta
had escaped into the abdominal cavity.

I may remark that I have not forwarded these cases from
any particular novelty attaching to them, for there are many
xxxvn. 38

586 LETTER TO THE EDITORS FROM MR. WILLIAMS.

of a similar kind which will be found in the pages of the
Veterinarian , but to record the singular fact that two should
have occurred in my practice within a year.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS
FROM MR. W. WILLIAMS, Y.S.

Bradford; Aug . 10, 1864.

Gentlemen, — In your last number you were pleased to
make the following observations on our medical associations,
after quoting from Mr. Greaves’ letter in the previous Vete¬
rinarian , “ first let the membership of the different veterinary
societies be restricted to those who are members of the body
corporate. We prefer this, and it may be a somewhat nar¬
row stand-point to the broader one of those who have gra¬
duated at any of the recognised schools, because it adds
status to the profession/’ Let me state that Mr. Greaves
advocates the broader stand-point, and I think the remarks
had better never have been made, as they are undoubt¬
edly calculated to do harm, by destroying the harmony
that is now existing amongst the members of the various
societies. As a graduate of the Edinburgh Veterinary Col¬
lege, possessing its diploma, and not desiring at present to
possess any other, and having taken a pretty active part in
the formation of the Yorkshire Veterinary Society, these
remarks, ill-calculated as they are as to consequences, come
home to myself, and I challenge you to give proof of how
graduates of the Edinburgh Veterinary College detract from
the status of these societies. Mr. Greaves, in his letter,
mentions an uncourteous, bigoted man, who is by law per¬
mitted to call himself a veterinary surgeon, and I feel con¬
vinced that if he had known how his letter would be perverted,
the observations would never have been penned. I can
assure you that the rule relating to the admission of mem¬
bers was made, after due deliberation, in a full meeting; and
when the majority present were members of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons, and graduates of the Royal
Veterinary College. For my own part, since the formation
of our Society, I have laboured hard to advance it in every
way, and think that I can, without egotism, claim a priority
in England of having sent our ‘ Transactions’ to you for pub-

LETTER TO THE EDITORS FROM MR. WILLIAMS. 58 7

lication in a concise manner; and, as you advocate, couched
in language that only the educated and scientific mail can
understand. If the different societies were to adopt your
suggestions, they would have to expel a considerable number
of gentlemen who enjoy, and deservedly so, good positions
in society, and who are recognised as scientific veterinarians
by their brethren in the societies. Our President, I am glad
to state, is well aware that this would be a great injustice ;
and, had he not been fully alive to the rectitude of his steps,
would never have consented to take office. Let me add that
his urbanity, gentlemanly demeanour, and his high standing
in the West Riding, have been of great assistance in en¬
suring our success. In all the observations that I have read
against the legality of the Edinburgh Veterinary diploma,
the writers forget, or seem not to know, that when Professor
Dick, in consequence of his rights being entrenched upon
and his students snubbed, seceded from the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons, he only fell back upon his original
right of granting diplomas — a right which you are well aware
was in existence since 1823 — or twenty-one years before the
profession was incorporated by Royal Charter. I could
enlarge upon this topic, but refrain from doing so ; but, in
conclusion, let me add that the examinations at the Edin¬
burgh Veterinary College are now conducted in a manner
second to none, and that the diploma so obtained gives its
possessor a right to consider himself a qualified veterinary
surgeon, and to aspire to all honours and emoluments that
fall to the profession. How then can a man so qualified, if
he be one of education — I am sorry to say that many are
short of that, corporate or not corporate — lower the status of
a veterinarian society ? If we only look around us, we find
our fellow graduates as high as any veterinary surgeon can
be; one, I understand, Mr. Hallen, Jun., is at the head of
the Indian Army Veterinary Department, and another, Mr.
Fleming, a fellow of some of our most learned societies at
home.

I remain, Gentlemen,

Yours truly,

W. Williams,

Hon. Sec . to the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical
Society , and one of the Examiners at the Edin¬
burgh Veterinary College.

To the Editors of * The Veterinarian .*

588

LETTER TO THE EDITORS ON EPILEPSY AN1)
OTHER SEIZURES IN THE HORSE.

Ry “ Humanitas.”

Sirs, — A short time ago, I witnessed the sudden death of
a horse, and as it appeared to me that the poor animal’s end
was accelerated by the ignorant treatment of some of the per¬
sons who assembled, it may not be without some good re¬
sults if you will allow me through your columns to describe
what I saw of the case, with some remarks and suggestions
upon it.

I was attracted to my window one morning, by a noise in
the street like the clatter of a horse’s hoofs, and by some
exclamations from passers by ; and upon looking out I saw
a very handsome saddle horse upon the ground kicking and
apparently endeavouring to rise. I heard afterwards that the
horse in falling had thrown the rider, who fortunately escaped
unhurt. A groom was at a short distance mounted on a
similar description of horse to that which had fallen, and a
very handsome pair it was.

A crowd of course soon collected, and the driver of a cab,
who got off his box for the purpose, was very officious and
loud in his directions to others to “sit on ’is ’ ead ” and “’old
’im down” which common expedients may be all very well in
the case of a horse having simply slipped down when in har¬
ness and there is a difficulty in keeping him quiet during the
process of extricating him. The poor animal that 1 was
watching, notwithstanding his efforts to rise, was so persist¬
ently held down by the half dozen strong men who sur¬
rounded him, that in a few minutes his struggles were at an
end, and he troubled them no longer. If I had been on the
spot I should have suggested a different course, but before I
could send a message the poor animal was dead.

The sudden ailment was doubtless an attack of vertigo , from
the heat of the weather or over fatigue ; and the question I
wish to put concerning such a case is this, would it not be
more in accordance with rational treatment to avoid inter¬
ference? It appeared to me that the fatal termination was
accelerated by the force applied to check the struggles of the
animal.

I venture upon these remarks with great deference, not
knowing whether they possess any scientific value, but if you
consider that any practical advantage could result from greater

EPILEPSY AND OTHER SEIZURES IN TI1E IIORSE. 589

publicity being given to the idea, perhaps you will allow me
to propose a plan by which such a benefit might be secured.

I would ask you to have some simple instructions penned
under your authority as to the treatment of the noble animal,
the horse, in similar cases to that which I have related. If
these rules were forwarded to the “ Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals ” the Committee doubtless would take up
the subject, and by publishing the instructions in a separate
form or appending them to their Reports, many persons who
are now ignorant on the matter, would be informed how to
distinguish a fit from a mere slip or stumble, when a horse is
down, and what to do under the circumstances. Such instruc¬
tions should be in the hands of every coachman, groom, cab¬
man, and ostler in the kingdom.

I am, Sirs, &c.,

Hum anitas.

[We beg to thank Humanitas 33 for forwarding the above
communication to us for publication. Too many persons
content themselves by mere expressions of pity for the lower
animals, and take no steps for practically obtaining for them
any relief from their misery. Cases of horses falling in the
streets from impaired functions of the brain are few, when
compared with similar accidents from common causes; never¬
theless all persons should be familiar with the means that
are proper to be employed to alleviate the animal’s sufferings.
No attempt to restrain the movements by force should be
made, other than such as are absolutely needed to prevent the
horse doing himself injury by his ineffectual efforts to rise.
Some straw should be quickly procured and placed under the
bodv. The head should be slightly elevated, and cold water
gently thrown upon it from time to time. The nostrils and
mouth also should be sponged with cold water. The
extremities and body should be well rubbed with the ordinary
horse-brush. A free access of air should be allowed, and con¬
sequently all lookers on kept at a distance. If the horse has
fallen in harness, the throat band of the bridle should be
locsed, and especial attention given to either remove the collar,
or drawit forwards, so that it does not press on thewindpipe and
chief blood-vessels of the neck, and thus impede the return of
blood from the head. As soon as the animal is capable of
rising he should be assisted in so doing, and carefully walked
into the nearest and most convenient stable, or rather airy
loose box, and notwithstanding he may appear to have quickly
recovered from the fit he ought not to be again put to work
until he has been seen by a Veterinary Surgeon.]

590

THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT OE INDIA.

Dear Sirs,— -In the Englishman, Indian paper, of the 30th
December last year, in a short leading article, alluding to the
Veterinary Department, sanguine hopes were held out that
something would be done for the officers of this branch of the
Indian Army, and it said in that article, that the Veterinary
Amalgamation measure might overtake that for the Medical
Service.

If the Members of the Indian Medical Service had a griev¬
ance to complain of, it must be admitted by all that the
Veterinary Surgeons have one also; but they have been silent
as it was supposed that their Amalgamation scheme would be
published at the same time as the new rules for the Medical
branch of the Indian Service. They are doomed to disappoint¬
ment, however, as no allusion even is made to the Department ;
nor are the authorities out here aware of any changes in con¬
templation; either in the promotion list, or of any alterations
in the scale of pay or pensions.

It is now more than four years ago, since the Royal Warrant
giving increased rank and pay to the Veterinary Surgeons of
H. M/s British Army, was published in this country, and
declared to be applicable to the Veterinary Surgeons of H. M/s
Indian Army, and it stated in General Orders in the Govern¬
ment Gazette that the relative rank of the Veterinary Officers
of our Army shall be as follows :

Veterinary Surgeon on appointment as Subaltern ; Veteri¬
nary Surgeon First Class on promotion, as Captain; Staff
ATterinary Surgeon on promotion, as Major. This was pub¬
lished in March I860, but from that date up to the present
time, no promotions have been made, nor indeed have any
changes taken place, and Veterinary Surgeons stand in the
same position as they occupied previous to the publica¬
tion of the Royal Warrant. Even those belonging to the
Queers Service, who have been promoted out here, received
no benefits by their promotion to First Class, which gives
them relative rank as Captains. At home they would get the
same pay as a Captain of Cavalry, with quarters free, &c., &c.,
as other officers are entitled to of the same rank, but in
India, First-Class Veterinary Surgeons draw only Cornet's
pay under ten years’ service, and Lieutenants’ pay over ten
and under twenty years’ service. Except in the Stud Depart¬
ment, Veterinary Surgeons get no Staff pay whatever, nor

VETERINARY DEPARTMENT OF INDIA.

591

are they entitled to draw head money as Medical Officers have
done previous to the publication of the last Medical Warrant.
A Veterinary Surgeon in charge of a Regiment of Cavalry
draws two annas per head for each horse under his charge.
In a Regiment composed of about 500 horse this would come
to about sixty rupees per month, but out of this sum he has to
supply bazaar medicines and all <c Hospital necessaries/’ fire¬
wood, bandages, and stationery, and the majority of men
would, I dare say, much prefer not having the contract at all.
This is just the position of the Veterinary Surgeons of both
Services, but the Queen’s men have the most reason to com¬
plain, for notwithstanding that some few promotions have
been made in their service lately, these have brought no
advantages whatever with them, as they get no increase of

pay-

Their position is a most anomalous one, for a First Class
Veterinary Surgeon gets Captain’s pay in England, but out
here he can only draw Cornet’s pay, under ten years’ service,
and he must have completed twenty years’ service before he
is entitled to draw the pay of his relative rank.

According to the Royal Warrant a Veterinary Surgeon is
eligible for promotion to First Class after five years’ service
on full pay.

For example, let us suppose then that a Veterinary Surgeon
serving in India , is promoted to First Class after seven years’
service (of which there are instances in the Queen’s Army) he
must serve a still further period of thirteen years before he
can draw the pay which his rank entitles him to from the day
of his promotion.

I remain, yours faithfully,

A Lover of Justice.

To the Editors of c The Veterinarian .’

/

592

Facts and Observations.

Destruction of Racing Stock at Swacliffe
Paddocks by Lightning. — On Sunday last, August 21st.,
Mr. Gulliver, of Swacliffe Paddocks, near Banbury, the well-
known breeder of racing stock, sustained a severe loss by the
thunder-storm which passed over the midland and southern
counties. The electric fluid killed four valuable colts and a
brood mare, and seriously injured several other animals. One
mare is completely paralysed and others are still suffering
from partial paralysis, the lightning having affected their
nervous system. Redemption , the well-known brood mare,
whose stock has always commanded high prices, has sustained
a fracture of the near fore leg, and, to add to the misfortune,
she is near foaling. The present loss is estimated at £3500,
and this amount will probably be increased, as some of the
animals, which were of great promise, will prove all but useless
for the purpose for which they were bred.

New Law on Poisoned Flesh. — By an Act just printed
a penalty of £10 can be levied on any person placing
poisoned flesh in fields and other places, unless under proper
precautions, for the destruction of vermin. The statute is
also to extend to the Poisoned Grain Act of 1863.

Malt for Feeding Cattle. — An experiment was re¬
cently concluded in Cumberland which is interesting to
farmers and others, as showing the relative feeding properties
of barley and malt. On the 9th of April last, eight Irish
heifers, as nearly equal in quality, size, and weight, as it was
possible to find them, were fastened up in the premises of
Mr. Wynclham, brewer, Cockermouth, to fatten. Four of
these were fed upon barley and four upon equal measures
of malt. The result, at the end of thirteen weeks, was in
favour of barley by 30 lbs. upon the four, which ' sold for
£6 10(9. more money than those fed upon malt. The owner-
lost 5s. per head by the experiment. — Times, July 18 tbi, 1864.

Death from Hydrophobia. — In the early part of June
a ferocious and strange dog, of the lurcher breed, ran into
the toll-house at Heaton Chapel, near Stockport, and bit a
little deaf and dumb boy, aged fourteen, named Jacob

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

593

Wolstencroft, son of the keeper, on the right thumb. He
then attacked the elder brother, Job, aged sixteen, merely
excoriating the skin of the right thumb. Their screams
brought the father from a back room, and he, seizing a poker,
struck at the infuriated animal, receiving, in return, a severe
bite upon the muscles of the arm. The injuries of the father
and younger son were treated in the usual way by a surgeon,
but nothing was done to the scratch sustained by Job. About
a fortnight back, however, the father was alarmed by the
sudden illness of his eldest son. On the next day the
youth became restless, stared fearfully, perspired much, and
became distressingly excited on the appearance of any person
in his bedroom, and refused food, or anything else. A surgeon
who was called in pronounced it a decided case of hydro¬
phobia ; and ordered the lad to be removed without delay to
the infirmary. Attempts were here made to allay his suf¬
ferings, but without effect. At length he was removed by
force to the Union workhouse, and placed under restraint in
the padded room. The terrible malady increased in virulence ;
he continued frothing at the mouth, and knocking himself
about, until his agonies were terminated by death, early in
the morning on the third day after the attack. — Manchester
Courier.

Use of Horse-flesh. — We learn from the foreign
journals that the attempts to popularise the use of horse¬
flesh have been very successful in Vienna. Several butchers’
shops have been opened in that city for the sale of this meat,
under the authority of government, and with a regulated
superintendence. The permission was first obtained a few
years since, but of late the business has considerably in¬
creased.

Operation for the Removal of diseased Claws
of a Lion. — The Brussels journals give an account of a
novel surgical operation just performed on the great African
lion belonging to the Zoological Society of that city. For
some time past the animal had been suffering from disease in
the feet, which necessitated the shortening of its claws, they
having increased so much in length as to have their points
imbedded in the digital pads of the feet.

In order to perform the operation without danger, a large
box was prepared, with a grated bottom, covered by a wooden
floor, which could be withdrawn so as to allow the lion’s feet
to pass between the bars. The top of the box was also made
to descend by means of screws, so as to press on the animal

594

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

and prevent its drawing in its feet. When the lion entered
the box, the latter was turned on the side and the sliding
bottom withdrawn. The paws then slipped between the bars,
and the screws above were tightened.

M. Thiernesse, assisted by five pupils of the Veterinary
School, then proceeded to cut away the claws. The patient
bore the operation tolerably well, only uttering a short roar
occasionally, and seemed relieved when the first paw had
been cut and dressed. A keeper, to whom the lion is much
attached, sat near its head and endeavoured to calm it by
talking, evidently not without effect. The operation was
successfully performed, and there is every reason to believe
that the cure will be complete.

Statue of John Hunter. — The first statue to the
memory of John Hunter, the greatest physiologist England
lias produced, has just been placed in the Hunterian Museum
of the Royal College of Surgeons. It is executed in marble,
and is from the studio of Henry Weekes, R.A. Hunter is
represented in deep thought, seated in a chair which has been
modelled after the one made by his own hands, and which
may still be seen in the office of the conservator of the
museum.

The sculptor has availed himself of the large picture of
Hunter by Reynolds, which is now rapidly fading, notwith¬
standing the great care taken of this chef-d’ oeuvre by the
authorities. Indeed it may be said that Mr. Weekes 4ias pro¬
duced in marble the picture itself, the history of which is not
a little singular, and at the present moment will no doubt
be read with some interest.

Hunter's friends had long been desirous to engage him to
sit to Sir Joshua Reynolds for his picture, but he had always
declined to do so, not choosing that it should be done at the
expense of others, and thinking the price too high for himself
to pay. He was, however, at length induced to comply, and
chiefly to oblige Sharpe, the eminent engraver.

Reynolds found Hunter a bad sitter, and had not been able
to satisfy himself with the likeness, when one day, after the
picture was far advanced, Hunter fell into a train of thought,
in the attitude in which he is represented in the present
portrait. Reynolds, without saying a word, turned the canvas
upside down, made a fresh sketch, with the head between the
legs of the former figure, and so proceeded to lay on over
the former painting the colours of that which now graces
the walls of the Council Chamber of the Royal College of
Surgeons. From this portrait Sharpe executed his engraving,

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

595

which is admitted by the best judges to be one of the finest
specimens of the art ever executed in this or any other
country. He always considered it one of his happiest efforts,
and was found poring over it with admiration forty years
after he had executed it.

Functions of the Cerebellum. — Dr. Dickinson, in
the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society, states that experiments
with reptiles and fish show that the cerebellum by itself is
unable to give more than a limited amount of voluntary
motion, and that of a kind deficient in balance and adjust¬
ment. If the cerebellum only be removed from fishes, there
is a loss of a proper adjustment between the left and the
right sides, so that oscillation or rotation takes place. All
the limbs are used, but apparently with a deficiency of sus¬
tained activity. From the negative results of experiments it
is inferred that the cerebellum has nothing to do with
common sensation, with the sexual propensity, with the
action of the involuntary muscles, with the maintenance of
animal heat, or with secretion. The voluntary muscles are
under a double influence from the cerebrum and cerebellum.
The anterior limbs are chiefly under the influence of the
cerebrum, the posterior of the cerebellum. The cerebellum
acts when the cerebrum is removed, though when both organs
exist it is under its control.

Kinds of Matter in the Blood. — Dr. Beale says there
are four kinds of matter in the blood. 1. Matter living and
active. 2. Matter which has ceased to live, and which now
possesses peculiar properties and chemical composition. 3.
Matter which results from the disintegration of the formed
material. 4. Matter (pabulum) which is about to live, or
about to be converted into living material.

Growth of Plants in the Dark. — It is well known
that under the influence of light a growing plant assimilates
carbon, and at the same time fixes hydrogen and oxygen in
the proportions to form water. In the dark the converse of
this obtains. M. Boussingault has proved by experiments
that the growth of a plant in the dark is supported entirely
at the expense of the seed.

596

THE VETERINARIAN, SEPTEMBER 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE CONSTITUTION OE OUR VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATIONS.

Readily do we give insertion to a communication, from
Mr. Williams, V.S., which will be found in another part of
our Journal, and for which we are free to confess we were not
altogether unprepared. A body to be strong must be united ;
some rallying point must exist, and we had thought that as
the profession had become incorporated, this would constitute
the simplest and safest means to obtain the object in view.
To the formation of veterinary medical associations in the
different counties in England we have always given our
earnest support and encouragement, confidently looking to
these associations as a means of effecting much good to the
profession ; and we believe that we have never given expres¬
sion to anything which is in the least degree calculated to
detract from their usefulness, or, as expressed by Mr.
Williams, “to do harm by destroying the harmony that is
now existing.” As editors, we are only solicitous for the
advancement of the profession with which we have been so
long and so intimately connected. We have been ever ready
to express our obligations to correspondents, although not
members of the body corporate, whose writings have enriched
our pages. Would that we could induce such to become incor¬
porated, and thus to strengthen the body, and add to its worth.
Should the broader base for these associations, however, be
deemed the stronger one, we raise no objections whatever to
its adoption. We have in reality merely expressed opinions
that have reached us, viz., that in the formation of new associa¬
tions of the kind it was worth consideration as to whether they
should not be restricted to members of the body corporate.

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

597

Mr. Williams is not right when he says, “ If the different
societies were to adopt your suggestions, they would have
to expel a considerable number of gentlemen who enjoy,
and deservedly so, good positions in society, and who are
recognised as scientific veterinarians.” We took care to
especially guard against such an inference as this, by stating
that “laws are not retrospective.” Our object, in fact, has
been to induce all to unite in a more intimate bond of union,
and thus to ensure co-operation. We do not forget our
motto, “Vis unita fortior,” and, moreover, we dislike the
Machiavelian policy of “Divide et impera/’ We rejoice to
know that the position the members of our profession are
enabled now to take is very different compared with what
it once was, and we shall ever labour to promote their still
higher elevation. Without controversy, the state of a pro¬
fession is what its individual members make it, and it is
pleasing to have to place on record contributions that do
honour to their authors, and show minds actuated by like
motives with our own. We still hope to see some plan de¬
vised by which distinctions will be lost among those who
have been duly educated at the different recognised schools.
Their abilities having been tested, why should they not be¬
come members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ?

THE MEETING AT NEWCASTLE OE THE ROYAL
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In accordance with established custom, we publish this
month the award of the prizes of the Royal Agricultural
Society at its meeting at Newcastle. Speaking in general
terms, this annual gathering may be said to have been one
of the most successful which has ever taken place.

In a pecuniary point of view it ranks as the third best,
being only surpassed by Leeds and Battersea. The sum
received for the admission of visitors amounted in the aggre¬
gate to £8045 12s. 6(/., which it is hoped may leave a

598

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

balance in favour of the Society of something like a £1000,
after all the expences have been paid. This large amount
of money shows the interest which was created by the
Society’s second visit to the town of Newcastle ; but
perhaps this is best exemplified by the fact, that nearly
115,000 persons visited the show yard during the week of
the exhibition.

The show of stock was upon the whole satisfactory, but
some classes were not so numerously or so well represented
as could have been wished, arising chiefly from the great
distance northwards that many of the animals would have
had to travel. An exception to this necessarily belongs to
the short-horns, which were at home in the district, and
consequently they mustered in great strength, there being
no less than 175 entries in the several classes of bulls, cows,
heifers, and calves. Never perhaps was a finer show of
these beautiful and most valuable animals ever seen; and
certainly a more healthy lot, or one more free from here¬
ditary disease, was never brought together.

The Herefords were fairly represented, but in the number
of the Devons there was a great falling off. The specimens
sent, however, maintained in both these classes the valuable
points of each distinctive breed.

To go seriatim through the several classes of cattle,
sheep, and pigs, making only a few general remarks on each,
would necessarily encroach too much on our limited space ;
besides which we have to remember that we write for the
veterinary surgeon and not for the agriculturist. Not¬
withstanding this, it will doubtless be expected that we
should say something about the horses. Here, however,
we have to confess to a disappointment, for with a few ex¬
ceptions, they were not equal to those brought together on
many former occasions. Nine competitors only entered
the list for the £100 prize for the best thorough-bred
stallion. The winner — “ Laughing- stock, ” a five-years-
old bay, by “ Stockwell,” was rightly placed ; and he with
“ Cavendish,” who took the second prize, were by far the
best horses in the class. It is satisfactory to know that
the thoroughbreds passed the veterinary inspection, with

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 599

one exception, in which the animal was found to be a
roarer.

The prize of £25 for the best, and £15 for the second
best stallion for getting hunters, brought only three com¬
petitors, and not much could be said in praise of either.
In the class of brood mares for breeding hunters there
wrere only nine entries, and in that for breeding hackneys
only two. The hunters, however, mustered in strong force,
thirty-nine animals being entered in the three classes, of five
or six years old ; four years old, and three years old. They
formed decidedly the best part of the horse show.

We can say but little for any of the several classes of
agricultural horses if we except the Suffolks. There were,
however, but few of these — distance evidently telling on the
entries, — but those shown did no discredit to this most
valuable breed. The bad feet and hocks so often complained
of as belonging to the Suffolks are evidently giving wray to
improved form and less predisposition to disease ; and wre
have no doubt by still greater care in the selection of sires
and dams that these defects will entirely disappear. We
had anticipated a fine show of Clydesdales, but were sadly
disappointed both as to number and quality. Some of the best
also had to be disqualified for diseases of an hereditary nature.

The system of examining horses before being entered for
the Society’s prizes is a good one, and, upon the whole, is
working well ; but still we regret to find that some vete¬
rinary surgeons are not exercising that amount of care in
these examinations which they ought to do. Let this hint
be sufficient.

Errors in judgment will of necessity occur every now and
then, but every member of the College should be doubly
jealous of his professional reputation. Nothing should
tempt him to place this in jeopardy. There are many, who
are not very friendly to the system, narrowly watching his
proceedings, and ready to take advantage even of an over¬
sight on his part to get rid of it altogether. Should they
succeed, and our show-yards again become filled with un¬
sound animals, let it not be said that the veterinary surgeon
assisted in inflicting this evil a second time on the country.

600

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

LIST OF PRIZES AWARDED AT THE NEWCASTLE MEETING
OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

CATTLE .

SHORT -HORN ED.

Class I. — To the owner of the best Bull, above three and not exceeding six
years old.

6. — First prize, £25, to Amos Cruickshank, of Sittyton, Whiterashes, Aber¬

deenshire. j.

21. — Second prize, £15, to Viscount Strathallan, of Strathallan Castle, Aucli-
terarder, Perthshire.

28. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to David Reynolds Davies, of Mere Old Hall,
Knutsford, Cheshire.

7. — Commended, John Charlesworth, of Headfield, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.

8. — Commended, John 13. Booth, of Killerby, Catterick, Yorkshire.

10. — Commended, Joseph Dent of Neasham Hall Farm, Neasliam, Dar¬
lington.

26. — Commended, John Clayden. of Littlebury, Saffron Walden, Essex.

Class II. — To the owner of the best Bull, above two and not exceeding three
years old.

42. — First prize, £25, to William Stirling, M.P., of Keir, Dumblane, Perth¬
shire.

40. —Second prize, £15, to Jonathan Peel, of Knowlmere Manor, Clitheroe,
Yorkshire.

35. — Third prize, Silver Medal, Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme, Clithe¬
roe, Lancashire.

39. — Highly commended, Robert Gell, of Grimston Lodge, York.

Class III. — To the owner of the best Bull, above one and not exceeding two
years old.

70. — First prize, £25, to Thomas Willis, of Manor House, Carperby Bedale,
Yorkshire.

63. — Second prize, £15, to Arthur James Balfour, of Whittingham Prestonkirk,
Haddingtonshire.

51. — Third Prize, a Silver Medal, to Richard Booth, of Warlaby, North¬
allerton, Yorkshire.

46. — Highly commended, Francis Hawksworth Fawkes, of Farnley Hall, Otley,
Yorkshire.

49. — Commended, John Charlesworth, of Headfield, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.

50. — Commended, George Game, of Churchill Heath, Chipping Norton, Ox¬

fordshire.

58. — Commended, Robert E. Oliver, of Sholebroke Lodge, Towcester, North¬
amptonshire.

Class IV. — To the owner of the best Bull Calf, above six and not exceeding
twelve months old.

77. — First prize, £10, to Francis Hawksworth Fawkes, of Farnley Flail, O tley,
Yorkshire.

80. — Second prize, £5, to Richard Booth, of Warlaby, Northallerton, Yorkshire.

83. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Robert Hanett, of Kirkwhelpington, New¬
castle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

87. — Highly commended, Lord Braybrooke, of Audley End, Saffron Walden,
Essex.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

601

Class V. — To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

100. — First prize, £20, to Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., M.P., of Blagdon,
Cromlington, Northumberland.

103. — Second prize, £10, to James Douglas, 'of Atlielstaneford Farm, Drem, Had¬

dingtonshire.

107. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Richard Stratton, of Wall’s Court, Stapleton,
Bristol.

96. — Highly commended, John Bowstead, of Beech Bank, Penrith, Cumberland.

104. — Highly commended, James Douglas, of Atlielstaneford Farm, Drem, Had¬

dingtonshire.

The Class generally commended.

Class VI. — To the owner of the best Heifer, in milk, or in calf, not exceeding
three years old.

123. — First prize, £15, to James Douglas, of Atlielstaneford Farm, Drem, Had¬

dingtonshire.

113. — Second prize, £10, to William Lambert, of Elrington Hall, Haydon
Bridge, Northumberland.

116. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Richard Stratton, of Wall’s Court, Staple-
ton, Bristol.

109. — Highly commended, Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme, Clitheroe,

Lancashire.

110. — Commended, Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme, Clitheroe, Lancashire.

111. — Commended, Adam Dugdale, of Rosehill, Burnley, Lancashire.

118. — Commended, Arthur James Balfour, of Whittingham, Prestonkirk, Had¬

dingtonshire.

119. — Commended, William White, of Barrel), Bedale, Yorkshire.

Class VII. — To the owner of the best Yearling Heifer.

132. — First prize, £15, to George Savile Folijambe, Osberton Hall, Worksop,
Notts.

136. — Second prize, £10, to A. and A. Mitchell, of AUon, Clackmannanshire.
127. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme,

Whitwell, Lancashire.

134. — Highly commended, Richard Booth, of Warlahy, Northallerton, Yorkshire.

124. — Highly commended, William Rhodes Brometh, of Cockeford, Tadcaster,

Yorkshire.

137. — Commended, A. and A. Mitchell, of Allon, Clackmannanshire.

146. — Commended, David M’lntosh, of Havering Park, Romford, Essex.

Class VIII. — To the owner of the best Heifer-Calf above six and under twelve
months old.

164. — First prize, £10, to Sir Anthony de Rothschild, Bart., of Aston Clinton,

Tring, Buckinghamshire.

153. — Second prize, £5, to Lord Feversliam, of Duncome Park, Helmslev,

Yorkshire.

173. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to James Douglas, of Atlielstaneford Farm,
Drem, Haddingtonshire.

154. — Highly commended, Thomas Edward Pawlett, of Beeston, Sandy, Bed¬

fordshire.

165. — Highly commended, Sir Anthony de Rothschild, Bart., of Aston Clinton,

Tring, Buckinghamshire.

157. — Commended, John B. Booth, of Killerby, Catterick , Yorkshire.

161. — Commended, Lady Pigot, of Branches Park, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire.
167. — Commended, John Wood, of Stanwick Park, Darlington.

152. — Commended, Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme, Clitheroe, Lan¬
cashire.

XXXVII.

39

602

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

HEREFORD.

Class IX. — To the owner of the best Bull , above three and not exceeding six
years old.

180. — First prize, £25, to William Taylor, of Showle Court, Ledbury, Hereford¬

shire.

178. — Second prize, £15, to John Meredith, of the Hildare, Half-way-house,

Shrewsbury.

179. — Highly commended, John Albert Hollings, of How Caple, Ross, Hereford¬

shire.

Class X. — To the owner of the best Bull , above two and not exceeding three
years old.

181. — First prize, £25, to John Baldwin, of Luddington, Stratford-on-Avon,

Warwickshire.

183. — Second prize, £15, to George Pitt, of Chadnor Court, Dilwyn, Leomin¬
ster, Herefordshire.

182. — Commended, James Marsh Read, of Elkstone, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Class XI. — To the owner of the best Bull, above one and not exceeding two
years old.

188. — First prize, £25, to Thomas Duckham, of Baysham Court, Ross, Here¬
fordshire.

187. — Second prize, £15, to Edmund Wright, of Halston Hall, Oswestry, Salop.

Class XII. — To the owner of the best Bull-Calf above six, and not exceeding
twelve months old.

190. — First prize, £10, to Edmund Wright, of Halston Hall, Oswestry, Salop.
192. — Second prize, £5, to Thomas Skinner, Bradstock, of Cobrey Park, Ross,
Herefordshire.

Class XIII. — To the owner of the best Cow , above three years old.

198. — First Prize, £20, to Louisa Woodgate Rea, of Westonbury Pembridge,

Leominster, Herefordshire.

197. — Second prize, £10, to Louisa Woodgate Rea, of Westonbury Pembridge,
Leominster, Herefordshire.

195. — Commended, George Pitt, of Chadnor Court, Dilwyn, Leominster, Here¬
fordshire.

199. — Commended, John Baldwin, of Luddington, Stratford-on Avon, Warwick¬

shire.

Class XIV. — To the owner of the best Heifer , in milk, or in-calf, not exceeding
three years old.

201. — First prize, £15, to John Baldwin, of Luddington, Stratford-on-Avon,
Warwickshire.

206 — Second prize, £10, to James Taylor, Studford Court, Leominster, Here¬
fordshire.

203. — Highly commended, James Marsh Reed, of Elkstone, Cheltenham, Glou¬
cestershire.

Class XV. — To the owner of the best Yearling Heifer.

209. — First prize, £15, to John Baldwin, of Luddington, Stratford-on-Avon#
Warwickshire.

207. — Second prize, £10, to Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, of Cumberland
Lodge, Windsor, Berkshire.

Class XVI. — To the owner of the best Heifer-Calf, above six and under twelve
months old.

212. — First prize, £10, to John Monkhouse, of the Stow, Hereford.

216. — Second prize, £5, to Andrew Rouse Boughton, Knight, of Downton
Castle, Ludlow, Herefordshire.

213. — Commended, Philip Turner, of the Leen, Pembridge, Herefordshire.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

603

DEVON.

Class XVII. — To the owner of the best Bull , above three and not exceeding six
years old.

219. — First prize, £25, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,
Somersetshire.

218. — James Merson, of Brinsworthy, North Molton.

Class XVIII, — To the owner of the best Bull , above two and not exceeding three
years old.

223. — First prize, £25, to John Azariah Smith, of Bradford Peverell, Dor¬

setshire.

222. — Second prize, £15, to Major-General the Hon. A. Nelson Hood, of Cum¬
berland Lodge, Windsor, Berkshire.

224. — Commended, Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater, Somer¬

setshire.

Class XIX. — To the owner of the best Bull , above one and not exceeding two
years old .

226. — First prize, £25, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,

Somersetshire.

225. — Second prize, £15, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,

Somersetshire.

227. — Commended, George Turner, of Beacon Downes, Exeter, Devonshire.

Class XX. — To the owner of the best Bull-Calf above six and not exceeding
twelve months old.

231. — First prize, £10, to George Turner, of Beacon Downes, Exeter, De¬
vonshire.

Class XXI. — To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

234. — First prize, £20, to John Azariah Smith, of Bradford Peverell, Dorchester*

Dorsetshire.

237. — Second prize, £10, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,
Somersetshire.

235. — Highly commended, John Azariah Smith, of Bradford Peverell, Dor¬

chester, Dorsetshire.

The class commended.

Class XXII. — To the owner of the best Heifer , in milk or in calf, not exceeding
three years old.

244. — First prize, £15, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,
Somersetshire.

242. — Second prize, £10, to Charles Hambro, of Milton Abbey, Blandford,
Dorsetshire.

Class XXIII. — To the owner of the best yearling Heifer,

246. — First prize, £15, to Major-General the Honorable A. N. Hood, of Cum¬

berland Lodge, Windsor, Berkshire.

249. — Second prize, £10, to George Turner, of Beacon Downes, Exeter,
Devonshire.

247. — Commended, Major-General the Honorable A. N. Hood, of Cumberland

Lodge, Windsor, Berkshire.

Class XXIV. — To the owner of the best Heifer-Calf above six and under twelve
months old.

251. — First prize, £10, to Walter Farthing, of Stowey Court, Bridgewater,
Somersetshire.

GO 1

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SUSSEX.

Class XXV. — To the owner of the best Ball, above one and not exceeding asix
years old.

252. — First prize, .£10, to George Jenner, of Parsonage House, Udimore, Rye,

Sussex.

253. — Second prize, William Marshall, of Manor House, Bolnev, Cuckfield,

Sussex.

Class XXVI. — To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

254. — First prize, £10, George Jenner, of Parsonage House, Udimore, Rye,

Sussex.

257. — Second prize, £5, to William Marshall, of Manor House, Bolney, Cuckfield,

Sussex.

Class XXVII. — To the owner of the best Heifer, in milk or in calf, not exceed¬
ing three years old.

200. — First prize, £10, William Marshall, of Manor House, Bolney, Cuckfield,
Sussex.

258. — Second prize, £5, George Jenner, of Parsonage House, Udimore, Rye,

Sussex.

Class XXVIII. — To the owner of the best Yearling Heifer.

261. — First prize, £10, George Jenner, of Parsonage House, Udimore, Rye,

Sussex.

262. — Second prize, £5, to George Jenner, of Parsonage House, Udimore, Rye,

Sussex.

CHANNEL ISLANDS.

Class XXIX. — To the owner of the lest Bull, above one and not exceeding six
years old.

208. — First prize, £10, to James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.
270. — Second prize, to James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.

209. — Highly commended, James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurtspierpoint, Sussex.
206. — Commended, John Randolphus de Trafford, Croston Hall, Preston,

Lancashire.

267. — James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.

Class XXX. — To the owner of the best Cow , above three years old.

278. — First prize, £10, to James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint,
Sussex.

275. — Second prize, £5, to Lawrence Fowler, of Little Bushey Farm, Hertford,
Herts.

274. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Thomas Wilson, Esq., of Shotley Hall,
Shotley Bridge, Gateshead.

272. — Highly commended, Richard Eastwood, of Thorney Holme, Clitheroe,

Lancashire.

273. — Commended, William Parker, of Carlton Hall, Penrith, Cumberland.

Class XXXI. — To the oivner of the best Heifer, in milk or in calf, not exceeding
three years old.

282. — First prize, £10, to James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.

283. — Second prize, £5, to James Dumbrell, of Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint,

Sussex.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

605

AYRSHIRE.

Class XXXII. — To the owner of the best Bull, calved before the Is# of
January , 1863.

284. — First prize, £20, to John Stewart, of Benside Cottage, Strathaven,

Lanarkshire.

285. — Second prize, £10, to John Stewart, of Benside Cottage, Strathaven,

Lanarkshire.

Class XXXIII. — To the owner of the best Bull , calved after the Is# of January,
1863.

289. — First prize, £20, to William Scott, of Cranberry, Ecclefechan, Dum¬

friesshire.

290. — Second prize, £10, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of

Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

221. — Highly commended, His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

Class XXXIV. — To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

294. — First prize, £15, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon,

Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

295. — Second prize, £5, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon,

Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

296. — Highly commended, His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon,

Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

298. — Commended, David Tweedie, of Castle Mains, Crawford, Abingdon,
Lanarkshire.

Class XXXV. — To the owner of the best Heifer, calved before the Is# of January,
1863.

306. — First prize, £10, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon,
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

305. — Second prize, £5, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon,
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

301. — Commended, John Stewart, of Burnside Cottage, Strathaven, Lanarkshire.

Class XXXVI. — To the owner of the best Heifer, calved after the 1st of
January, 1863.

312. — First prize, £10, to the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of Hamilton

Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

313. — Second prize, £5, to the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of Hamilton

Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

309. — Commended, John Stewart, of Burnside Cottage, Strathaven, Lanarkshire.

314. — Commended, David Tweedie, of Castle Mains, Abingdon, Lanarkshire.

SCOTCH POLLED,

Except Galloways.

Class XXXVII. — To the owner of the best Bull , calved before the Is# of
January , 1863.

316. — First prize, £20, to Robert Walker, of Hillside House, Portletlien

Aberdeen.

315. — Second prize, £10, to Alexander Paterson, of Mulben, Blackhillook, by
Keith, county Elgin.

Class XXXVIII. — To the owner of the best Bidl, calved after the 1st January,
1863.

317. — First prize, £20, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

606

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Class XXXIX.— To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

318. — First prize, £15, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

319. — Second prize, £5, to William McCombie, Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

Class XL.— 7b the owner of the best Heifer^ calved before the ls£ of January,
1863.

321. — First prize, £10, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

320. — Second prize, £5, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

Class XLI. — To the owner of the best Heifer , calved after the ls£ of January ,
1863.

324. — First prize, £10, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

323.— Second prize, £5, to William McCombie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.

322. — Highly commended, Lord Kinnaird, of Rossie Priory, Inchture, Perthshire.

SCOTCH HORNED.

Class XLII. — To the owner qf the best Bull, calved before the lstf of January,
1863.

326. — -First prize, £20, to the Duke of Athole, of Blair Castle, Blair Athole,

Perthshire.

325. — Second prize, £10, to Viscount Boyne, of Brancepeth Castle, Durham.

Class XLIII. — To the owner of the best Bull, calved after the of January,
1863.

327. — First prize, £20, to the Duke of Athole, of Blair Castle, Blair Athole,

Perthshire.

328. — Second prize, £10, to the Duke of Athole, Blair Castle, Blair Athole,

Perthshire.

Class XLIV. — To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

329. — First prize, £15, to the Duke of Athole, of Blair Castle, Blair Athole,

Perthshire.

330. — Second prize, £5, to the Duke of Athole, of Blair Castle, Blair Athole,

Perthshire.

Class XLV. — To the owner of the best Heifer, calved before the of January,
1863.

No entry.

Class XLVI. — To the owner of the best Heifer, calved after the ls^ of January,
1863. “

No entry.

OTHER ESTABLISHED BREEDS.

Not including the Short-horn, Hereford, Devon, Sussex, Channel Islands,
Ayrshire, Scotch, Horned, or Polled Breeds.

Class XL VII. — To the oivner of the best Bull, above two and not exceeding six
years old.

333. — First prize, £10, to Lord Sondes, of Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

335. — Second prize, £5, to Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., M.P., of Brome Hall,

Scole, Suffolk.

Class XLVIII. — To the owner of the best Bull, above one and not exceeding two

years old.

336. — First prize, £10, to Barnabas Collins, of Hunston, Ixvvorth, Suffolk.

337. — Second prize, £5, to Lord Sondes, of Elmhall Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

607

Class XLIX.-— To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

338. — First prize, £10, to Lord Sondes, of Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk,

339. — Second prize, £5, to Lord Sondes, of Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

349. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., of Cranmer

Hall, Fakenham, Norfolk.

348. — Highly commended, Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., M.P., of Brome Hall,
Scole, Suffolk.

346. — Commended, Herbert Salt, of Methley Park, Leeds.

347. — Commended, Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., M.P., of Brome Hall, Scole,

Suffolk.

Class L. — To the owner of the best Heifer, in milk or in calf, not exceeding

three years old.

351. — First prize, £10, to Lord Sondes, of Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

352. — Second prize, £5, to. Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., of Cranmer Hall,

Fakenham, Norfolk.

350. — Highly commended. Lord Sondes, Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

355. — Commended, Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., M.P., of Brome Hall, Scole,

Suffolk.

Class LI. — To the owner of the best yearling Heifer .

361. — First prize, £10, to Barnabas, Collins of Hunston, Ixworth, Suffolk.

358. — Second prize, £5, to Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., of Cranmer Hall,

Fakenham, Norfolk.

356. — Highly commended, Lord Sondes, of Elmham Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

359. — Commended, Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart,, of Brome Hall, Scole, Suffolk.

HORSES.

Class LII. — To the owner of the best Thorough-bred Stud Horse, having served
Mares during the Season, 1864, which, in the opinion of the Judges, is best
calculated to improve and perpetuate the breed of the sound and Thorough -
bred Horse for General Stud Purposes.

386. — First prize, of £100, to Charles and James Moffit, of Kirklington Park,
Carlisle, Cumberland.

388. — Second prize, £25, to Edward George Simpson, of Leven Bridge, Yarm,
Yorkshire.

383. — Commended, Sir Charles Monck, Bart., of Belsay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

HUNTER.

Class LIII. — To the owner of the best Stallion, Thorough-bred, suitable for
getting Hunters, whose regular charge for serving half-bred Mares during
the season, 1864, has not exceeded Five Guineas.

392. — First prize, £25, to Joseph Casson, of Middleton Lodge, Uphall, Edin¬
burgh.

Second prize withheld.

Class LIV. — To the owner of the best Brood Mare , with foal at foot, or in foal,
for breeding Hunters.

395. — First prize, £15, to John Brown, of Wiggonby, Wigton, Cumberland.

401. — Second prize, £10, to William T. Scarth, of Keverstone Grange, Dar¬

lington.

402. — Commended, Charles Moffat, of Crosby-on-Eden, Carlise.

608

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

HACKNEY.

Class LY. — To the otvner of the best Brood Mare , with foal at foot, or in foal,
for breeding Hackneys.

403. — First prize, £15, to Richard Britton, of Leeds Pottery, Leeds.

405. — Second prize, £10, to Francis Cook, of Thixendale, Malton, Yorkshire.

PONIES.

Class LVI. — To the owner of the best Stallion, not exceeding 14 hands.

407. — First prize, £15, to Robert Norman and Son, of High Close, Aspatria,

Cumberland.

408. — Second prize, £5, to William and Stephen Hodgson, of Rodderup, Pen¬

rith, Alstan, Cumberland.

Class LVII. — To the best Mare, not exceeding 14 hands.

410. — First prize, £10, to George Heppell Ramsay, of Derwent Villa, Newcastle.

411. — Second prize, £5, to George Heppell Ramsay, of Derwent Villa, Newcastle.

AGRICULTURAL AND DRAY HORSES.

AGRICULTURAL.

Not qualified to compete as Suffolk or Clydesdale.

Class LVIII. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled before the Is/ of
January, 1862.

412. — First prize, £20, to Samuel Strickland, of Headley Hall, Tadcaster, York¬
shire.

420. — Second prize, £10, to Matthew Read, of Beamish Burn, Chester-le-Street,
Durham.

416. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Robert Orange, of Bedlington, Northumber¬
land.

Class LIN. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled in 1862.

424. — First prize, £15, to Samuel Strickland, of Headley Flail, Tadcaster, York¬
shire.

423. — Second prize, £10, to John Henderson, of Hosslev Hill, South Shields.
Class LX. — To the owner of the best Mare and Foal.

429. — First prize, £20, to John B. Dixon, of Holling Farm, Ebchester, North¬

umberland.

430. — Second prize, £10, to Samuel Thompson, of Peel Hall Farm, Skipworth

Selby, Yorkshire.

Class LXI. — To the owner of the best Two-year-old Filly.

433. — First prize, £15, to John Eden, Esq., Beamish Park, Fence Houses,

Durham.

DRAY.

Class LXII. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled before the Is/ of
January, 1862.

434. — First prize, £20, to Matthew Read, of Beamish Burn, Chester-le-Street,

Durham.

Class LX1II. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled in the year 1862.

435. — First prize, £15, to William Dickman, of Lumley, Fence Flouses, Durham.
Second prize, £10, withheld.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

609

Class XLIV. — To the owner of the best Mare and Foal.

437. — First prize, £20, to William Dickman, of Lutnley, Fence Houses, Durham,
Class LXV. — To the owner of the best Two-years-old Filly.

No entry.

SUFFOLK.

Class LXVI. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled before the
of January, 1862.

439. — First prize, £20, to Edward Cottingham, of Dunningworth Hall, Sax-
mundham, Suffolk.

438. — Second prize, £10, to Charles Bohy, of Alton Hall, Stutton, Ipswich.
Class LXVII. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled in the year 1862.

444. — First prize, £15, to Henry Giles, of Croxton Park, Thetford, Norfolk.

445. — Second prize, £10, to William Thompson, jun., of Rose Cottage, Thorpe,

Colchester.

Class LXVIII. — To the owner of the best Mare and Foal.

447. — First prize, £20, to Sir T. B. Lennard, Bart., of Belhus Aveley, Romford,
Essex.

450. — Second prize, £10, to Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., M.P., of Brome Hall,
Scole, Suffolk.

Class LXIX. — To the owner of the best Two-years-old Filly.

No competition.

CLYDESDALE.

Class LXX. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled before the lstf of Janu¬
ary, 1862.

455. — First prize, £20, to Anthony Grierson, of Kilhead, Annan, Dum¬
friesshire.

Class LXXI. — To the owner of the best Stallion, foaled in the year 1862.

461. — First prize, £15, to David Riddle, of Kilhowie, Duntocher, Dum¬
bartonshire.

459. — Second prize, £10, to Robert Moffat, of Dormansteads, Stapleton,
Brampton, Cumberland.

Class LXXII. — To the owner of the best Mare and Foal.

463. — First prize, £20, to James Marr, of Alderstone, Mid Calder, Mid¬

lothian.

464. — Second prize, £10, to John Muir, of Lockfergus, Kircudbright.

Class LXXIII. — To the owner of the best tico-years-old Filly.

406. — First prize, £15, to the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, Hamilton Palace,
Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

SHEEP.

LEICESTER.

Clals LXX IV. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

505. — First prize, £20, to John Barton, of Barton House, Malton,
Yorkshire.

553. — Second prize, £10, to Thomas Edward Pawlett, of Beeston, Sandy,
Beds.

556. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Lieut.-Col. William Inge, of Thorpe Con¬
stantine, Tamworth, Staffordshire.

566. — Highly commended, John Barton, of Barton House, Malton, Yorkshire.

610

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Class LXXV. — To the owner of the lest Ram of any other age .

600. — First prize, £20, to Robert Ward Creswell, Ravenstone, Ashby-de-la-

Zouch, Leicestershire.

599, — Second prize, £10, to Robert Ward Creswell, of Ravenstone, Ashby-de-la-
Zouch, Leicestershire.

605. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to George Turner, of Beacon Downes, Exeter,

Devonshire.

606. — Highly commended, George Turner, of Beacon Downes, Exeter,

Devonshire.

601. -— Commended, Robert Ward Creswell, of Ravenstone, Ashby-de-la-Zoucli,

Leicestershire.

Class LXXVI. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes, of the
same flock.

611. — First prize, £15, to Samuel Wiley, of Brandsby, York.

607. — Second prize, £10, to Lieut.-Colonel William Inge, of Thorpe Constantine,

Tam worth, Staffordshire.

608. — Commended, Thomas Morris, of the Chase, Ulceby, Lincolnshire.

COTSWOLD.

Class LXXVII. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

614. — First prize, £20, to Edward Handford, of Sierford, Cheltenham, Glou¬
cestershire.

639. — Second prize, £10, to John Wells, of Hampnett, Northleach, Glou¬
cestershire.

613. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Edward Handy, of Sierford, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire.

636.— Commended, William Lane, of Bromfield Farm, Northleach, Glou-
. cestershire.

Class LXXYIII. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other age.

648. — First prize, £20, to Thomas Beale Browne, Salperton Park, Northleach,

Gloucestershire.

649. — Second prize, £10, to William Lane, of Bromfield Farm, Northleach,

Gloucestershire.

647.— Third prize, Silver Medal, Thomas Beale Browne, Salperton Park, North¬
leach, Gloucestershire.

651. — Commended, William Lane, of Bromfield Farm, Northleach, Glou¬
cestershire.

Class LXXIX. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes , of the
same flock.

656. — First prize, £15, to John Wills, of Hampnett, Northleach, Glouces¬
tershire.

653. — Second prize, £10, to William Lane, of Bromfield Farm, Northleach

Gloucestershire.

654. — Highly commended, William Lane, of Bromfield Farm, Northleach,

Gloucestershire.

LINCOLN AND OTHER LONG-WOOLLED.

Not qualified to compete as Leicesters or Cotswolds.

Class LXXX. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

678. — First prize, £20, to Robert Wright, of Norton Heath, Norton, Lin¬
colnshire.

677. — Second prize, £10, to Robert Wright, of Norton Heath, Norton, Lin¬
colnshire.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 611

671. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to John Lynn, of Church Farm, Stroxton,
Grantham, Lincolnshire.

674. — Commended, Thomas Bampstead Marshall, of Branston, near Lincoln,

Class LXXXI. — To the owner of the lest Ram of any other age.

685. — First prize, .£20, to Thomas Bampstead Marshall, of Branston, near
Lincoln.

687. — Second prize, £10, to Thomas Bampstead Marshall, of Branston, near
Lincoln.

684. — Commended, Robert Wright, of Norton Heath, Norton, Lincolnshire.

Class LXXXII. — To the owner of the lest Pen of five Shearling Ewes , of the
same flock.

690. — First prize, £ — , Robert Geo. Frederick Howard, of Temple Boner,

Lincoln.

692. — Second prize, £10, Thomas Bampstead Marshall, of Branston, near
Lincoln.

691. — Commended, Robert George Frederick Howard, Temple [Boner,

Lincoln.

OXFORDSHIRE DOWN.

Class LXXXIIL— To the owner of the lest Shearling Ram.

700. — First prize, £20, to George Wallis, of Old Stafford, Bampton, Faringdon,
Oxfordshire.

704. — Second prize, £10, to George Wallis, of Old Shifford, Bampton, Faringdon,
Oxfordshire.

702. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to George Wallis, of Old Shifford, Bampton,
Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

707. — Commended, John Bryan, of Southleigh, Witney, Oxfordshire.

711. — Commended, John Bryan, of Southleigh, Witney, Oxfordshire.

Class LXXXIV. — To the owner of the lest Ram of any other age.

722. — First prize, £20, to George Wallis, of Old Shifford, Bampton, Faringdon,

Oxfordshire.

723. — Second prize, £10, to George Wallis, of Old Shifford, Bampton, Faringdon,

Oxfordshire.

721. — Commended, George Wallis, of Old Shifford, Bampton, Faringdon,
Oxfordshire.

Class LXXXY. — To the owner of the lest Pen of Five Shearling Ewes , of the
same flock.

730. — First prize, £15, to Henry Overman, Weasenham, Rougliam, Norfolk.

729. — Second prize, £10, to the Duke of Marlborough, of Blenheim Palace,
Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

728. — Highly commended, the Executors of the late Samuel Treadwell, of Upper
Winchendon, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

727.— Commended, William Hemming, of Coldicott, Moreton-in-the*Marsh,
Gloucestershire.

SOUTH-DOWN.

Class LXXXVI. — To the owner of the lest Shearling Ram.

739. — First prize, £20, to Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford,
Norfolk.

737. — Second prize, £10, to Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford,
Norfolk.

— Third prize, a Silver Medal, William Rigden, of Hove, Brighton.

612 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

736. — Highly commended, Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford,
Norfolk.

740. — Commended, Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk.

Class LXXXVII. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other aye.

760. — First prize, £20, to John Waters, of New Court, Eastbourne, Sussex.

762. — Second prize, £10, William Rigden, of Hove, Brighton, Sussex.

766. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, the Duke of Richmond, of Goodwood,
Chichester.

769. — Highly commended, the Earl of Radnor, of Coleshill House, Highworth.

763. — Commended, William Rigden, of Hove, Brighton, Sussex.

Class LXXXVIII. — To the owner of the Pen of Five Shearling Ewes of the
same flock.

772. — First prize, £15, to Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford, Nor¬

folk.

771. — Second prize, £10, to the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood, Chichester,
Sussex.

775. — Highly commended, the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill House, Highworth.

773. — Highly commended, Lord Walsingham, of Merton Hall, Thetford, Nor¬

folk.

774. — Highly commended, Sir Thomas Barrett Leonard, Bart., of Belhus

Hockley, Romford, Essex.

770. — Highly commended, the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood, Chichester,

Sussex.

SHROPSHIRE.

Class LXXX1X. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

784. — First prize, £20, to Edward Thornton, of Pitchford, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬
shire.

814. — Second prize, £10, to Henry Matthews, of Montford, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬

shire.

816. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to John Coxon, of Freeford, Lichfield, Staf¬

fordshire.

800. — Highly commended, Sampson Byrd, of the Lees Farm, Stafford.

779. — Highly commended, Thomas Mansell, of Adcott, Shrewsbury, Salop.

783. — Highly commended, Edward Thornton, of Pitchford, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬
shire.

811. — Highly commended, Thomas Horton, of Harnage Grange, Shrewsbury,
Shropshire.

815. — Highly commended, John Coxon, of Freeford, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

817. — Highly commended, Henry Smith, of Sutton Maddock, Shiflhal, Shrop¬

shire.

778. — Commended, Thomas Mansell, of Adcott, Shrewsbury, Salop.

793. — Commended, Edward Holland, M.P., of Dumbleton Hall, Evesham,
Gloucestershire.

798. — Commended, Sampson Byrd, of the Lees Farm, Stafford.

808. — Commended, Thomas Horton, of Harnage Grange, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬
shire.

820. — Commended Henry Smith, of Sutton Maddock, Shiffnall, Shropshire.
Class XC. — To the owner of the best Ram, of any other age.

824. — First prize, £20, to John Coxon, of Freeford, Lichfield, Staffordshire.

825. — Second prize, £10, to Pryce William Bowen, of Shrawardine Castle,

Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

827. — Highly commended, Joseph Simpson, of Spofforth Park, Wetherby, York¬
shire.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 613

828. — Highly commended, Edward Holland, Esq., M.P., of Dumbleton Hall,

Evesham, Gloucestershire.

829. — Commended, John Hanbury, Bradburne, of Pipe Place, Lichfield, Staf¬

fordshire.

Class XCI. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes, of the
same flock.

835. — First prize, .£15, to Henry Matthews, of Montford, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬

shire.

832. — Second prize, £10, to Henry Smith, of Sutton Maddock, Shiffn all,
Shropshire.

841. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, Edward Holland, Esq., M.P., of Dumbleton
Hall, Evesham, Gloucestershire.

837. — Highly commended, James and Edward Crane, of Shrawardine, Shrews¬

bury, Shropshire.

836. — Highly commended, Henry Matthews, of Montford, Shrewsbury, Shrop¬

shire.

834. — Highly commended, Lord Wenlock, of Bourton Cottage, Much Wenlock,
Shropshire.

838. — Commended, James and Edward Crane, of Shrawardine, Shrewsbury,

Shropshire.

HAMPSHIRE AND OTHER SHORT-WOOLLED.

Not qualified to compete as Southdowns or Shropshires.

Class XCII. — To the oivner of the best Shearling Ram.

847. — First prize, £20, to William Browne Canning, of Elston Hall, Devizes,
Wiltshire.

845. — Second prize, £10, Stephen King, Boekhampton, Lambourne, Berkshire.
844. — Highly commended, Stephen King, of Boekhampton, Lambourne, Berk¬
shire.

846. — Commended, William Browne Canning, of Elston Hill, Devizes, Wiltshire.

Class XCIII. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other age.

860. — First prize, £20, to William Humfrey, of Oak Ash, Chaddleworth, Wan¬
tage, Berkshire.

857. — Second prize, £10, to Christopher Rose, of Zeal’s Green, Mere, Wiltshire.

Class XCIV. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes, of the
same flock.

863. — First prize, £15, to William Browne Canning, of Elsron Hill, Devizes,
Wiltshire.

867. — Second prize, £10, to William Humfrey, of Oak Ash, Chaddleworth,
Wantage, Berkshire.

862. — Specially commended, Stephen King, of Boekhampton, Lambourne, Berk¬
shire.

MOUNTAIN CHEVIOTS.

Class XCY. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

879. — First prize, £15, to Thomas Elliot, of Hindhope, Jedburgh, Roxburgh¬
shire.

878. — Second prize, £5, to John McGregor, of Riggshead, Lochmaben, Dum¬
fries.

869. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Robert Boreland, of Auchencairn, Thorn¬
hill, Dumfries.

873. — Highly commended, James Paterson, of Terrona, Langholm, Dumfries¬
shire.

Class XCVI. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other age.

882. — First prize, £15, to John Robson, of Byrness, Rochester, Northumberland.

614 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

884. — Second prize, £5, to John Robson, of Byrness, Rochester, Northumber¬
land.

883. — Commended, John Robson, of Byrness, Rochester, Northumberland.

Class XCYII. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes, of the
same flock.

890. — First prize, £10, to Robert Borland, of Auchencairn, Thornhill, Dum¬
fries.

893. — Second prize, £5, to Thomas Elliot, of Hindhope, Jedburgh, Roxburgh¬
shire.

892. — Robert Shortreed, of Attonburn, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

BLACKFACED.

Case XCYIII. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

897. — First prize, £15, to William Ward, of Forest Hall, Kendall, Westmore¬
land.

895. — Second prize, £5, to Henry Walton, of Appletree Shield, West Allan,
Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.

899. — Highly commended, Alexander Wearing Long, of Mint Cottage, Kendal,
Westmoreland.

Class XCIX. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other age.

909. — First prize, £15, to William Ward, of Forest Hall, Kendall, Westmoreland.

907. — Second prize, £5, to George Hedley, of Otterstone Lee, Bellingham,

Northumberland.

908. — Commended, Charles Summers, of Whitfield, Haydon Bridge, Northum¬

berland.

Class C. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes, of the same
flock.

911. — First prize, £10, to Christopher Armstrong, of Ashgillside, Alston,

Cumberland.

913. — Second prize, £5, to John and William Dodd, of Padaburn, Rosehill,
Northumberland.

912. — Commended, William Ward, of Forest Hall, Kendal, Westmoreland.

PIGS.

Class Cl. — To the owner of the best Boar of a large white breed.

969. — First prize, £10, to Henry Harrison, of Cross Hills, Leeds, Yorkshire.

968. — Second prize, £5, to Richard Elmshurst Duckering, of Northorpe, Kirton
Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

966. — Commended, John Hickman, of 21, Prospect Place, Hull, Yorkshire.

Class CII. — To the owner of the best Boar of a small white breed.

973. — First prize, £10, to George Mangles, of Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire.

981. — Second prize, £5, to Thomas Dunlop Findley, of Easterhill, Glasgow.

979. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Samuel Geater Stearn, of Brandeston,
Wickham Market, Suffolk.

978. — Highly commended, William Parker, of Golden Lion Inn, Leeds Road,
Bradford.

Class CIII. — To the owner of the best Boar of a small black breed.

984. — First prize, £10, to George Mumford Sexton, of Wherstead Hall, Ipswich,
Suffolk.

986. — Second prize, £5, to George Mumford Sexton, of Wherstead Hall,
Ipswich, Suffolk,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

615

Class CIV. — To the owner of the best Boar of the Berkshire breed.

999. — First prize, .£10, to the Rev. Henry G. Baily, of Swindon, Wilts.

1000. — Second prize, £5, to the Rev. Henry G. Baily, of Swindon, Wilts.

997. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to Arthur Stewart, of Saint Bridge, Glou¬
cester.

992. — Highly commended, George Mander Allender, of Lee Grange, Winslow,
Buckinghamshire.

Class CV. — To the owner of the best Boar of a breed not eligible for the pre¬
ceding classes,

1006. — First prize, £10, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Cross Hills,
Yorkshire.

1009. — Second prize, £5, to Charles William Graham, of 1, Blackburn’s Build¬
ings, York Road, Leeds, Yorkshire.

Class CVI. — To the owner of the best Breeding Sow qf a large white breed.

1012. — First prize, £10, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Crosshills,
Yorkshire.

1011. — Second prize, £5, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Crosshills,
Yorkshire.

1016. — Third prize, Silver Medal, to John Hickman, of 21, Prospect Street,
Hull.

1021. — Commended, Stephen Blakey, of Westgate, Otley, Yorkshire,

CLass CVII, — To the owner of the best Breeding Sow of a small white breed.

1026. — First prize, £10, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Cross Hills,
Yorkshire.

1035. — Second prize, £5, to Samuel Geater Stearn, of Brandeston, Wickham
Market, Suffolk.

1038. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Thomas Dunlop Findlay, of Easton Hill,
Edinburgh.

Class CVIII. — To the owner of the best Breeding Sow of a small black breed.

1047. — First prize, £10, to George Mumford Sexton, of Wherstead Hall, Ips¬
wich, Suffolk.

1049. — Second prize, £5, to Samuel Geater Stearn, of Brandeston, Wickham

Market, Suffolk.

1050. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Samuel Geater Stearn, of Brandeston,

Wickham Market, Suffolk.

1051. — Highly commended, Thomas Crisp, of Butley Abbey, Wickham Market,

Suffolk.

Class CIX. — To the owner of the best Breeding Sow of the Berkshire breed .

1063. — First prize, £10, to Arthur Stewart, of St. Bridge, Gloucester.

1061. — Second prize, £5, to Arthur Stewart, of St. Bridge, Gloucester.

1057. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to George Mander Allender, of Lee Grange,
Winslow, Bucks.

1066. — Highly commended, John Lynce Fletcher, of the Royal Agricultural
College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Class CX. — To the owner of the best Breeding Sow of a breed not eligible for
the preceding classes.

1070. — First prize, £10, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Cross Hills,

Yorkshire.

1069. — Second prize, £5, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Cross
Hills, Yorkshire.

1071. — Third prize, a Silver Medal, to Henry Keywortli, Woodhouse Moor,

Woodhouse, Leeds.

616 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Class CXI. — To the owner of the lest pen of three Breeding Sow-Pigs of a
large white breed , of the same litter, above four and under eight months old.

1079. — First prize, .£10, to William Bradley Wainman, of Carhead, Cross Hills,

Yorkshire. I

1080. — Second prize, £5, to John Hickman, of 21, Prospect Place, Hull.

Class CXII. — To the owner of the best pen of three Breeding Sow-Pigs of a
small white breed , of the same litter, above four and under eight months old.

1082. — First prize, £10, to Col. the lion. Edward G. D. Pennant, M.P., Penrliyn

Castle, Bangor, Carnarvonshire.

1083. — Second prize, £5, to Lord Wenlock, of Escrich Park, Escrick, York¬

shire.

Class CXIII. — To the owner of the best pen of three breeding Sow Pigs of a
small black breed , of the same litter, above four and under eight months old.

1084. — First prize, £10, to George Mumford Sexton, of Wherstead Hall, Ips¬

wich, Suffolk.

1085. — Second prize, £5, to Samuel Geater Stearn, of Brandestone, Wickham

Market, Suffolk.

Class CXIV. — To the owner of the lest pen of three Breeding Sow- Pigs of the
Berkshire breed, of the same litter , above four and under eight months old.

1086. — First prize, £10, to John King Tombs, of Langford, Lechlade. Glouces¬

tershire.

1089. — Second prize, £5, to Joseph Druce, of Eynsham, Oxford.

1063. — Highly commended, William James Sadler, of Bentham Calcutt, Crick-
lade, Wiltshire.

Class CXV. — To the owner of the best pen of three Breeding Sow Pigs of a
breed not eligible for the proceeding classes of the same litter, above four
and under eight months old.

1095. — First prize, £10, to George Mangles, of Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire.

1096. — Second prize, £5, to Joseph Wilson, of Manor House, Woodhorn,

Morpeth.

SPECIAL PHIZES, AMOUNTING TO £410.

OFFERED BY THE LOCAL COMMITTEE OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.

CATTLE.

GALLOWAY.

Class CXVI. — To the owner of the best Bull, calved previous to the ls£ of
January , 1863.

364. — First prize, £20, to William Roper, of Ling Side, Seberham, Cumberland.

367. — Second prize, £10, to William and James Shennan, of Bailig, Kirkcud¬
bright.

366. — Highiy commended, Alexander Jardine of Applegarth, Lockerbie, N.B.

362.- — Commended, William Kier, of Whithaugh, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire.

Class CXYII. — To the owner of the best Bull, calved after the 1 st of January ,
1863.

371. — First prize, £20, to Sir Frederick U. Graham, Bart, of Netherby, Long-
town, Cumberland

270. — Second prize, £10, to John Cunningham, of Whitecairn, Dalbeattie, Kirk¬
cudbright.

369.— Highly commended, James Graham of Meikle Kullock, Dalbeattie Kirk¬
cudbrightshire.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

617

Class CXVIIL— To the owner of the best Cow, above three years old.

374. — First prize, £15 to James Graham, of Meikle Culloch, Dalbeattie, Kirk¬

cudbrightshire.

375. — Second prize, £5, to John Cunningham, of Whitecairn, Dalbeattie, Kirk¬

cudbrightshire.

Class CIX. — To the owner of the best Heifer, calved previous to the of
January, 1863.

378. — First prize, £10, to James Graham, of Meikle Cullock, Dalbeattie, Kirk¬

cudbrightshire.

Class CXX. — To the owner of the best Heifer , calved after the 1st of January,
1863.

379. — First prize, £10, to James Graham, of Meikle Culloch, Dalbeattie, Kirk¬

cudbrightshire.

391. — Second prize, £5, to James Cunningham, of Tarbreoch, Dalbeattie, Dum¬
friesshire.

380. — Commended, James Cunningham, of Tarbreoch, Dalbeattie, Dumfriesshire.

SHEEP.

BORDER LEICESTER.

Class CXXI. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

924. — First prize, £15, to George Simson, of Courthill, in Berwickshire, Kelso,
Roxburghshire.

916. — Second prize, £5, to Thomas Simson, of Blainslie, Lauder, Roxburgh¬
shire.

921. — Third prize, George Simson, of Courthill, Berwickshire, Kelso, Roxburgh¬
shire.

914. — Commended, Thomas Simson, of Blainslie, Lauder, Roxburgh.

Class CXXII. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other age.

939. — First prize, £15, to Thomas Simson, of Blainslie, Lauder, Roxburghshire.
937. — Second prize, £5, to Messrs. Joseph Wilson and John Angus, of White-
field, Northumberland.

Class CXXIII. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes , of the
same flock.

944. — First prize, £10, to George Simson, of Courthill, in Berwickshire, Kelso,
Roxburghshire.

943. — Second prize, £5, to John Angus, of Whitefield, Morpeth, Northumber¬
land.

Class CXXIY. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Ewes, of any other age,
of the same flock.

947. — First prize, £10, to William Purvey, of Lintow, Burnfoot, Kelso, Rox¬
burghshire.

946. — Second prize, £5, to John Angus, of Whitefield, Morpeth, Northumber¬
land.

Ewes exhibited in this Class must have reared Lambs during the spring of 1864.

HERDWICK.

Class CXXY. — To the owner of the best Shearling Ram.

949.— First prize, £15, to George Browne, of Troutbeck, Windermere, West¬
moreland.

948. — Second prize, £5, to Richard Browne, of Troutbeck, Windermere, West¬
moreland.

XXXVII.

40

618 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

950. — Highly commended, Edward Nelson, of Gatesgarth, Buttermere, Cocker-
mouth, Cumberland.

Class CXXYI. — To the owner of the best Ram of any other aye.

956. — First prize, £15, to Edward Nelson, of Gatesgarth, Buttermere, Cocker-
mouth, Cumberland.

953. — Second prize, £ 5 , to George Browme, of Troutbeck, Windermere, West¬
moreland.

955. — Highly commended, Daniel Crosthwaite, of Hallgarth, Keswick, Cum¬
berland.

Class CXXVII. — To the owner of the best Pen of Five Shearling Ewes , of the
same flock.

960. — First prize, £10, to George Browne, of Troutbeck, Windermere, West¬
moreland.

962. — Second prize, £5, to Edward Nelson, of Gatesgarth, Buttermere, Cocker-

mouth, Cumberland.

963. — Commended, George Irving, of Wythrop Hall, Cockermouth, Cum¬

berland.

HORSES.

Class CXXYIII. — To the owner of the best HUNTER — Mare or Gelding, five

or six years old.

474. — First prize, £20, to Sir Frederick U. Graham, Bart., of Netherby Long-
town, Cumberland.

468. — Second prize, £5, to John B. Booth, of Killerbv, Catterick, Yorkshire.

472. — Commended, Thomas Sutton, of Alwent Flail, Darlington.

Class CXXIX. — To the owner of the best HUNTER — Mare or Gelding, four
years old.

494. — First prize, £20, to William Hardisty Clark, of Flook, Howdon, York¬
shire.

483. — Second prize, £5, to Robert Norman and Son, of High Close, Aspatria,
Cumberland.

487. — Commended, Joseph Whitwell Pease, of Woodlands, Darlington.

Class CXXX. — To the owner of the best HUNTER — Colt or Filly, three years
old.

499. — First prize, £10, to James B. Boyd, of Doddington, Wooler, Northum¬
berland.

503. — Commended, Richard Wellington Hodgson, of North Dene, Gateshead,
County of Durham.

Class CXXXI. — To the owner of the best ROADSTER — Stallion.

509 — First prize, £15, to Thomas Brown, of Butterwick, Barton-le-Street,
Malton, Yorkshire.

Class CXXXII. — To the owner of the best ROADSTER — Mare or Gelding,
above four years, and not exceeding twelve years old ; and also not exceed¬
ing 15 hands.

514. — Prize of £10, to Richard Forster, of White House, Gateshead, Durham.

515. — Commended, Joseph Whitwell Pease, of Woodlands, Darlington.

Class CXXXIII. — To the owner of the best PONY — Gelding, of any age, not
exceeding 14 hands.

520. — Prize of £5, to Rev. John Alexander Blackett Ord, of Whitfield Hall,
Haydon Bridge.

519. — Commended, Christopher Dove Barker, of 12, Carlton Place, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

i

DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED CATTLE. 619

Class CXXXIV. — To the owner of the lest Mountain Mare Pony , of any age ,
not exceeding 13| hands, with foal at foot or stinted.

524. — Prize of £10, Thomas Ramsay, of Sherburn Green, Gateshead, Durham.

Class CXXXV. — To the owner of the best Pair of Mares or Geldings , or Mare
and Gelding, for Agricultural purposes.

525. — First prize, £10, to Charles Mark Palmer, of Whitley Park, Newcastle-

upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

527. — Highly commended, His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

531. — Commended, Augustus Henry Hunt, of Birtley House, Chester-le-
Street.

Class CXXXVI. — To the owner of the best Gelding or Filly, three years old for
Agricultural purposes.

534. — First prize, £10, to His Grace the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, of
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, Lanarkshire.

533. — Second prize, £5, to John Muir, of Lochfergus, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcud¬
brightshire.

Class 137. — To the owner of the best Gelding, two years old, for Agricultural
purposes.

538. — First prize, £5, to John Laws, of Kearsley, Matfen, Northumberland.

Class CXXXVIII. — To the owner of the best Gelding or Filly, one year old, for
Agricultural purposes.

540. — First prize, £10, to Joseph Laycock, of Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

Northumberland.

539. — Second prize, £5, to Jonathan Melvin Pattinson, of Norwood, Gateshead,

Durham.

541. — Commended, Nathaniel Clarke, of Beamish Park, Fence Houses, Chester-

le-Street, Durham.

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE QUESTION OE THE DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED
CATTLE AT AGRICULTURAL SHOWS IN CONSEQUENCE
OE THEIR HAYING “ SLUG-HORNS.”

Copy of correspondence relating to Lord Sondes* first prized
Foiled Bull , at the Norfolk Agricultural Show held at Lynn}
June 15 th, 1864.

Elmham, Thetford; 16^ June , 1864.

Dear Sir, — You will doubtless have seen in the papers
that the bull I bought of you for Lord Sondes, was awarded
the first prize in his class, yesterday, at the Lynn Show, but
was disqualified for Sir Willoughby Jones's cup, in conse¬
quence of having (as decided by a majority of judges) “ slug
horns." According to this decision, the bull is not a pure*
bred animal.

620

DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED CATTLE.

All sorts of surmises and remarks were indulged in on tl ic
subject ; one person told Lord Sondes, he was confident the
horns had been extracted when the bull was young; and
others, with equal confidence, stated that the horns had been
burned out since. Although I know .all these statements to be
utterly false and without any foundation, still, I am directed
by Lord Sondes to apply to you, as the breeder, to know —

lstly. Is the bull a pure-bred polled animal ?

Sndly. Did you cause his horns or “ slugs” to be removed,
previous to his lordship becoming the owner of the animal?

You will much oblige me by replying to these queries at
your earliest convenience.

I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

Thomas Fulcher.

Mr. T. W. George,

Eaton.

P.S. The bull has a kind of horny excrescence, which
cannot, in my view, be called either horn or “ slug,” not
being attached to the bones of the skull.

Eaton, Norwich; June 18 th, 1864.

Dear Sir, — In reply to the first query, in your letter
of the l6th, received this morning, I cannot do better than
send the pedigree of the bull in question.

His sire was out of a home-bred cow, descended from my
late father's stock, and by a bull lent me for the season by
H. Birkbeck, Esq., which he bought at Mr. Etheridge's sale,
at Starston.

His dam, a cow descended also from my father’s stock,
and by a bull lent me by G. S. Kett, Esq., which he bought
at the late Sir E. Kerrison's sale.

As far as my father's stock were bred, I know that he
would not admit any cross-bred animal. And it was so
much a difficulty with him to obtain strange and pure blood
to satisfy him, that latterly he bred very close.

The father of your bull, of Mr. Etheridge's stock, I have
now. He is a worker, very poor, and out of shape, but of
very nice quality.

Sir E. Kerrison's bull, before-named, was a coarse-headed
animal, with good back and frame, but much coarser than
Mr. Etheridge's, and not so good in colour.

In reply to your second query, I wish to say that I never
removed, or caused to be removed, or in any way interfered
with the horns or excrescences you complain of; they were.

DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED CATTLE.

621

at the time you bought the bull, in the natural state of
growth. You were aware of their existence, and I made no
attempt to conceal them.

Hoping this explanation will be satisfactory,

I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

T. W. George,

To Mr. Thomas Fulcher,

Elraham,

Cringleford ; June 18 1864.

Dear Sir, — My brother has shown me your letter of this
morning, and as far as his and my word may be relied on,
the bull in question is descended from a line of ancestry of
the most pure polled blood-red, free from all cross of horn or
“ slug,” for more than fifty years.

My father commenced the breeding of these blood-red
home-breds at least for the length of time before-named, and
I think they originally came from Mr. Reeve, of Wighton,
and Mr. England, of Binham. During the life of my father,
and more recently of my brother, I cannot call to mind more
than two or three instances in which there was any infusion
of fresh blood, and that always from pure polled bulls; and if I
except the more recent instance of Mr. Birkbeck’s bull that
he allowed my brother the use of, and I think he came from
the herd of the late Sir E. Kerrison, Bart , we never con¬
sidered we derived any benefit therefrom. I expect there
was a deal of the stain of my father’s blood in the late
Sir E. Kerrison’s and Mr. Badham’s stock, for I know that
some bulls and heifers went formerly through Mr. Etheridge,
of Starston, in that direction ; but I have lost recollection,
and I dare say Mr. Etheridge could tell you more than I can
about it. Those of my brother’s have been bred very close
in and in for the period before-named, for the reason, that
bulls could not be obtained possessing all the characteristics
of the pure polled breed. The bull in question, if he have
any “ slugs,” it must be by pure accident only, for a more
pure-bred animal I imagine it would be difficult to trace out.
We have heard of such things as the horns being taken off,
but we knowf nothing of such practices here, and my brother
has men on the farm who have been among the stock, and
who must know if such there had been; and I know' you are
open to make the fullest inquiry.

I congratulate you on your general success at the Show.

622

DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED CATTLE.

I should be glad if I could have stood before you in the class
of ewe lambs. I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

Geo. George.

i Mr. Eulcher.

Elmham, Thetford ; June Ylih , 1864.

To Professor Simonds, Veterinary Inspector to the Royal

Agricultural Society.

Sir, — I am directed by Lord Sondes to submit the fol¬
lowing case to you.

The Norfolk Agricultural Association offers a prize of £10
for the “ best Norfolk and Suffolk polled red bull;” a
gentleman offers a silver cup also for the best bull, but with
this condition, £< Horns or Slugs to disqualify for this cup.”

The prize of £10 is awarded to, and the cup withheld
from, the same animal, in consequence of a majority of the
judges having decided that the bull has slug horns or slugs.

Your opinion is requested as to the literal meaning of the
term “ slug.” Can a horny excrescence in the skin, not
attached to the bones of the skull, be called a slug?

I am, your obedient servant,

Thomas Fulcher,

Steward to Lord Sondes.

Loyal Veterinary College, Great College Street,
Camden Town, London, N. W. ;

June 18 thy 1864.

Sir, — I beg to inform you, in reply to your note, that the
term “ slug-horn,” or f£ slug,” is applied to a horny develop¬
ment, continuous with the skin covering of the frontal bone
of the ox, but unconnected therewith by a bony base. This
term is also used without reference to the length or shape of
the horny production. Rudimentary horns are usually re¬
garded as having a bony base. According to these definitions,
any horny growth into which a projection from the frontal
bone does not extend so as to constitute its base, is a “ slug
horn.” Although this is so, still I think that in such a case
as the one in dispute, neither my opinion, nor that of any
other person, should be regarded as final, until an examina¬
tion had been made of the animal itself.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Jas. B. Simonds.

Mr. T. Eulcher.

Subsequently to the receipt of this note, arrangements
were made for Professor Simonds to visit Eimham and

DISQUALIFICATION OF POLLED CATTLE. 623

examine the bull. This being done, he forwarded, a few days
afterwards, the following report :

Royal Veterinary College;

fome Wth, 1864.

In accordance with instructions received from the Right
Hon. Lord Sondes, Elmham Hall, Norfolk, I have examined
a red, home-bred, polled bull, aged three years and eight
months, which was shown at the meeting of the Norfolk
Agricultural Society, held at Lynn, on the 15th inst., and
awarded the first prize, as being the best animal in his class.
My examination was made in consequence of an objection
being raised against the bull being also awarded a silver cup,
in addition to the prize w7hich was given for the best animal,
but with the proviso, that “horns or slugs ,” should disqualify;
the objector alleging that the bull had “ slugs,” and, as such,
he was not a pure-bred polled animal.

The term “ slugs or slug- horns” is one which denotes the
development of horny matter from the skin covering the
frontal bone of the ox, w7hich is usually short and pendulous,
and unlike a true, or even a rudimentary horn, unconnected

with the frontal bone bv a continuous base. This term is

%>

also used without reference to the size or shape of the horny
production.

I find in the bull, in question, that there are no such horny
growths, but merely two oval-shaped, hairless spots, occu¬
pying the usual site of “slugs,” and about an inch and a
quarter in their long, and three quarters of an inch in their
short diameter. These spots scarcely project from the plane
of the forehead, and are covered with ordinary cuticle — the
normal outer skin — which is so thin that it can be easily
detached from the cutis — true skin — by friction or picking.
At the very utmost, these hairless spots can only be regarded
as rudimentary “slugs.” In my opinion they are slight natural
variations, and therefore no proofs of the animal being cross¬
bred, nor does he show by the form of his head, general
development, or colour, that he is other than a pure-bred,
polled bull. For breeding purposes, this deviation from
the ordinary course of nature would appear to be a mat¬
ter of no practical importance, as I find, on a close exa¬
mination of his stock, consisting of four young bulls, and
seven heifers in particular, there is not the slightest indica¬
tion of the spots being hereditary.

It may be necessary to add, that a system has of late years
been adopted of removing the horns of young cattle, so as to
give them the appearance of being naturally polled animals,

624

VACCINATION OF SIIEEP.

and prevent them also from doing injury to others. I am,
however, fully satisfied by my examination, that no such
operation h/is ever been performed on this bull, either before
or since he came into his lordship’s possession ; and there¬
fore that these hairless spots are in their original and natural
condition.

Jas. B. Simonds,

Professor of Cattle Pathology , Sfc.

Royal Veterinary College, Great College Street,
Camden Town, London, N.W. ;

June 30 th 1864.

Dear Sir, — I send herewith the report relative to my
examination of the bull. I am sorry that unforeseen circum¬
stances connected with professional matters, have prevented
my attending to this at an earlier date.

It required care and thought, which I could only give it
to-day. Yours, very truly,

Jas. B. Simonds.

Mr. Fulcher.

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE VACCINATION OE

SHEEP.

The following correspondence, arising out of a lecture
recently delivered by me on the subject of the smallpox of
sheep, is reproduced here, it being important that the fullest
publicity should be given to the proceedings of the parties
concerned in the important question of the vaccination of
sheep. J. B. S.

To the Editor of the Marie Lane Express .

Sir, — I feel that it is only due to the memory of my late
father to contradict some statements made by Professor
Simonds, in his address to the Royal Agricultural Society, in
Hanover Square, on Smallpox in Sheep. I have no wish to
enter into any discussion upon the subject of vaccination;
but I cannot allow some remarks which he has made relative
to my father to pass unnoticed, they being untrue.

First. — Mr. Simonds says, “ he does not believe Mr.
Overman’s sheep were ever vaccinated.” It is to be re¬
gretted that Mr. Simonds should have assailed the statement
of one who, being gone, is unable himself to refute it; but I,

VACCINATION OF SHEEP. 625

as Mr. Simonds justly observes, “ knew all about it," and I
equally maintain that my father's sheep were vaccinated.

Secondly. — Mr. Simonds says, <( Mr. Overman sent two
sheep, after being pressed to do so, to the farm of a neigh¬
bour, in whose flock the disease existed, and these two sheep
were both inoculated on that farm ; one of them by a farmer
who, I do not hesitate to say, at that time performed the
operation of inoculating far better than many so-called vete¬
rinary practitioners — I mean Mr. Cooke, of Litcham. Mr.
Cooke inoculated one of the sheep of Mr. Overman, to which
I have just alluded; and Mr. Baldwin, a veterinary surgeon
of Fakenham, inoculated the other. Both sheep took the
disease, and passed through its several stages, and the result
was in no way different from what was observed in hundreds of
other sheep that were unprotected or even those which were
vaccinated. But Mr. Overman, in his letter to the Norwich Mer¬
cury , absolutely denied that these sheep did take the disease."

Now the real facts are these : my father, far from being
pressed to send these sheep to his neighbour's flock, did it by
his own particular wish, and, as he also most correctly stated
in the Norwich Mercury , these sheep did not take the disease.
One never ailed anything; the other died from gangrene in
the wound made by that farmer in inoculating the sheep —
who, according to Professor Simonds, performed the opera¬
tion so well.

I wish to add, from my own experience, that this is no
isolated case ; for several rams were let by my father to those
flock-masters who had smallpox in their flock. Of these he
never lost one; but few of them took the disease, and those
that did had it in the mildest form. I am only too glad that
I am able to recollect these circumstances, and also to hold
the letters which my father wrote at the time, and so refute
the slur which Professor Simonds has thrown on my father,
who was known and acknowledged as a man of strict truth
and integrity, and one who, dealing with plain facts as they
stood, was not a man to be “ pressed into a corner ” by the
Professor.

I was glad to find that Government had determined to
test vaccination and inoculation fairly, one against the other,
but I was surprised that the trial should be entrusted to a
person so prejudiced in favour of inoculation as Mr. Simonds.
Before a just conclusion can be arrived at, men unbiassed
towards either system should be selected for the task.

I remain, sir, yours obediently,

Henry Overman.

Weasenham, Rough am, Norfolk;

July 8 1864.

626

VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

THE QUESTION OF VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

To the Editor of the Mark Lane Express.

Sir, — My attention has just been directed to a letter of
Mr. Henry Overman, in your paper of this week, impugning
the statements which I made in a recent lecture on the small¬
pox of sheep, relative to his late father's proceedings in the
matter of the vaccination of sheep in the year 1848.

Before replying generally to Mr. Overman's criticisms, I
must state that nothing could be more foreign to my mind
than the wish to call in question the integrity of his late
father, or to cast any reflections on his character; and, in
making the statements which I did, I entirely disclaim having
done anything of the kind. The question of the protective
power of vaccination in arresting the progress of sheeppox is
one of national importance; and, as such, it became neces¬
sary, on the occasion in question, that I should give the plain
facts of the case relative to the so-called “West Norfolk vac¬
cinations." This was made the more imperative in conse¬
quence of Mr. H. Overman himself having come publicly
forward as the great advocate of vaccination during the late
outbreak of sheeppox in Wiltshire.

In quoting from my lecture, Mr. H. Overman remarks,
that “ Mr. Simonds says he does not believe Mr. Overman's"

• — that is, his late father's — “ sheep were ever vaccinated."
Now*, I will put this stronger, and say distinctly that, with
the exception of about a dozen, which were done with points
charged with vaccine lymph, not a single sheep of the whole
1260 were vaccinated; and I challenge Mr. H. Overman, or
any one else, to prove that they were. That the whole 1260
sheep were operated upon by a Mr. Wells, surgeon, residing,
at that time, at Swaffham, I admit; but, that he vaccinated
the animals, I deny. The truth is, that Mr. Wells imposed
on the credulity of the late Mr. Overman and other large
flock-masters, whose names I could give, by pretending to
vaccinate their sheep. For this purpose he supplied himself
with a “ sherry-coloured fluid," which he carried from farm
to farm in small phials, nearly filled, for use on the sheep.
In proof of this, I may say that some of the correspondents
to the local papers, at the time, described it as probably con¬
sisting of an irritating agent mixed with “gum-water.'**
Thus much in reply to that part of Mr. H. Overman's

* See Mr. Edmund Oldfield’s letter to the Norwich Mercury , Nov. 29th,
1848 ; and Mr. Wm. Smith’s letter to the Norfolk News , Dec. 7th. 1848.

VACCINATION OP SHEEP.

627

communication in which he asserts that his father's sheep
were vaccinated, and that my statement to the contrary was
“ untrue."

With regard to the two sheep which I described as being
inoculated with success, subsequent to Mr. Wells's operation,
Mr. Henry Overman has evidently an imperfect knowledge
respecting these animals ; besides which he does not correctly
quote his late father's statement in the Norwich Mercury of
November 22nd, 1848. The words are: “ One never took
the disease, but died of gangrene, ensuing from the inocu¬
lation. The other is alive and well, and ailed very little "
(not, “ never ailed anything”) “ from the experiment." Had
Mr. Overman any knowledge of the subject of vaccination,
or of inoculation, we should not have found him adducing,
as proof of the protecting influence of vaccination, that an
animal had died from the local action of sheeppox virus arti¬
ficially introduced into the system. The fact is, then, as I
have before stated it, namely, that “ both sheep took the
disease from the inoculation," and that one died from gangrene
of the wound, and the other “ ailed very little."

It is apart, altogether from the main question, whether the
late Mr. Overman was “ pressed to send these two sheep
to his neighbour’s flock," or whether he “did it by his own
particular wish," for I can show, by his letter to me, that,
although “pressed," he did not fulfil all he had promised
to do to test these so-called vaccinations. On October 20th,
1848, he wrote me as follows :

“ Weasenham, Rougham.

“Sir, — I have seen Mr. Muskett this morning; and he
expresses his surprise that you should have told me, last
Monday, that his lambs were suffering from the smallpox
in the natural way. Mr. Cook, of Litcham, said the same
to Mr. Muskett, on Tuesday last, at Lynn market. Mr.
Muskett's statement, made to me this morning, is, f My
lambs have not ailed anything since they recovered from the
inoculation several weeks since.' From the appearance of
the lambs this morning, I have no hesitation in saying they
have recovered ; and, therefore, under these circumstances,
it would be no test for me to send five lambs there ; and,
after reconsidering the subject of our conversation, I have
determined not to send any of the sheep to the Veterinary
College.

“ I am, &c.,

(Signed) “ Henry Overman."

628

VACCINATION OP SHEEP.

Much — very much — more might be said with reference to
the course adopted by the late Mr. Overman in supporting
Mr. Wells's extraordinary proceedings in the matter of the
vaccination of sheep. I refrain, however, from adding to the
length of this letter by further referring to it. I am desirous,
above all things, while exposing an error, not to say one
word which should offend those now most interested in the
question. I can, therefore, but regret that Mr. H. Overman's
enthusiasm should have carried him beyond the bounds of
discretion, in attacking the statements made in my lecture.

I am, Sir, truly yours,

James B. Simonds.

Royal Veterinary College ;

Jiily 14, 1864.

To the Editor of the Marie Lane Express.

Sir, — To go into all the minutiae of Professor Simonds'
letter would take up more of my time than I care to give
to the subject. I gave the plain facts in my last, in denial
of statements made relative to my father, which was all I
wished.

I now beg to state, in answer to Mr. Simonds' “ challenge,"
that the sheep were vaccinated, not from Mr. Wells's so-called
“ sherry-coloured fluid," but from lymph taken from those
sheep (which, by-the-bye, were many more than twelve),
and which Mr. Simonds acknowledges were vaccinated with
points.

“Much, very much," may indeed be said in reference to
the vaccination of the West Norfolk sheep. Vaccination
may prove wrong ; but all that Professor Simonds can say
will never alter the truth of the case, or persuade the West
Norfolk farmers to pursue his system of inoculation, about
which he has shown so much “ enthusiasm" and so little
“ discretion."

I am, &c.,

Henry Overman.

Weasenham, Rougham, Norfolk ;

July 21, 1864.

To the Editor of the Marie Lane Express.

Sir, — In consequence of my absence from town I have
only just become acquainted with the circumstance that
Mr. Henry Overman has published a rejoinder, in your paper
of the 25th ult., to my reply to his former letter.

REPORT AS TO VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

629

In this communication Mr. Overman is bold enough to
assert that the 1260 sheep, belonging to his late father, were
not operated upon by Mr. Wells with fluid from a bottle ;
but were vaccinated with lymph obtained from the sheep
which had been vaccinated with “points.”

Mr. Overman has evidently taken up this position, finding
the other — “the bottle vaccinations” — untenable; but, most
unfortunately for him, sheep do not, ivhen vaccinated, yield
any lymph for further vaccinations, as is the case with the
human subject, and therefore it is impossible for the 1260
sheep to have been thus done.

Neither time nor inclination admits of my continuing a
public correspondence with one who, like Mr. Overman, has
shown himself so completely ignorant of the subject of vacci¬
nation of sheep, and at the same time so little scrupulous of
dealing with assertions as if they were facts, thus misleading
the flock-masters of this country on the important question
of protecting their sheep against the ravages of smallpox.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Jas. B. Simonds.

Royal Veterinary College ;

Aug . 5, 1864?.

REPORT OE EXPERIMENTS MADE UNDER DIRECTION OE
THE LORDS OE THE COUNCIL AS TO THE VACCINATION
OE SHEEP, AND AS TO THE INFLUENCE OE SUCH VAC¬
CINATION IN PREVENTING SHEEP-POX.

By James F. Marson, Esq., F.R.C.S, Resident Surgeon

of the Smallpox Hospital, and

Professor Simonds, of the Royal Veterinary College.

In the year 1842 an Act of Parliament was passed to
allow the importation of foreign cattle and sheep into
England upon the payment of 20 s. per head for cattle, and
3s. per head for sheep ; the importation of foreign cattle and
sheep having previously been prohibited. As the numbers
imported under this arrangement were found to be but com¬
paratively small, the duty in 1846 was altogether removed.
The immediate effect of this free importation was, that in one
year the number of sheep sent in was more than four times
as many as had been during the previous three years and
eight months which directly succeeded the alteration of the
law.

630

REPORT AS TO VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

This otherwise beneficial measure received, however, a
serious drawback in 1847, when some Saxony- Merino sheep
exported from Hamburgh and Tonning, the chief ports of
the Elbe and the Eider, brought with them a disease which,
from the close resemblance in its development, progress, and
effects to the smallpox of man, has been called the small¬
pox of sheep. The disease being of an infectious nature
subsequently spread among the English flocks, and caused
serious losses to be sustained. It was confined, however,
after its first introduction, for several weeks to the immediate
neighbourhood of London ; but by the purchase in Smithfield
Market of other sheep in whose systems the disease was
latent, the malady was early conveyed to many parts of the
country, and chiefly into the eastern counties, through the
medium of cattle dealers.

On this visitation the disease continued its ravages for
about four years, when it entirely subsided.

After an interval of twelve years, it again appeared, namely,
in 1862, and on this occasion it was first noticed in Wilt¬
shire, to a small part of which county it was nearly confined,
although by the sale of some lambs it subsequently extended
to the county of Berkshire. It did not continue, however,
for more than four months, and chiefly in consequence of the
energetic measures which were adopted by the Government
for its extermination.

The introduction of the disease on the latter occasion could
not be traced with certainty, but it was nevertheless ascer¬
tained that it had an existence in a portion of Lauenburg and
the adjacent states, from which places we had then been for
some time importing sheep.

As it was positively stated by several persons that the
vaccination of sheep could be beneficially employed to arrest
the progress, and also to lessen the fatality of the malady, wTe
undertook, at the request of the Privy Council, the task of
proving the correctness or incorrectness of these opinions,
and for this purpose we were furnished with 200 sheep by
the Government. The sheep consisted of 50 Kents, 50
Exmoors and “ half-breeds,” and 100 Cheviots. We may here
remark, that we found the latter were not quite so well suited
for purposes of this kind as the others, in consequence of
many of them having so much hair on the inner side of the
thighs, the part generally selected for inoculation or vaccina¬
tion, as being theleast covered with wool or hair.

The sheep were at first branded on each side in consecu¬
tive numbers from 1 to 200, and for the better carrying out
of the experiments they were divided into lots of 50. The

REPORT AS TO VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

631

numbers were entered in a book, and against each sheep a
record was kept of the effects produced from time to time by
the several experiments to which the animals were subjected.

On the 24th of October, 1862, the vaccinations were com¬
menced, and by the 14th of November the whole of the sheep
had been vaccinated once over, six punctures being made in
each case. Current vaccine lymph, obtained from three
different sources, was used: Jennerian, that in use at the
Smallpox and Vaccination Hospital, and some which had
been originally procured by Mr. Badcock a few years before
from inoculating the cow with the virus of human smallpox.
No essential difference, however, was observed in the local
action produced by these respective lymphs, either on this
or any subsequent vaccination of the animals.

In the course of a few weeks we had had ample opportu¬
nities of satisfying ourselves of the comparative insuscepti¬
bility of sheep to the vaccine disease; for, on the first vaccina¬
tion being completed, it was found that, out of the 200, effect
had only been produced on 71 of the animals. This fact
determined us to procure, if possible, some primary vaccine
lymph from the cow, and for this purpose advertisements
were inserted in the Veterinarian.

A small supply was obtained from three individuals, which,
however, on trial proved to be quite inert. It is right that
we should state we had great doubt as to whether any of this
wras true cowpox lymph, arising from the circumstance that
there is a greater difficulty in obtaining genuine lymph from
the cow than is generally supposed, and chiefly from the very
rare occurrence of late years of the disease among these
animals, as also from their being subject to other eruptive
diseases which are liable to be mistaken for the true cowpox.

For the purpose also of endeavouring to obtain primary
lymph, recourse was had to the inoculation of cows with the
virus of human smallpox; a proceeding that has been occa¬
sionally resorted to with success. Seventy-two animals were
inoculated between the beginning of November and the end
of August of the following year, fifty of which were tried
two or three times in succession. We were enabled, how¬
ever, to charge only a few points from the whole of these
inoculations, and the material thus obtained, when used on
sheep, was found to have no greater effect than that produced
by current vaccine lymph.

We next resorted to the vaccination of some calves, with
the view of obtaining, if possible, a supply of lymph on the
so-called principle of retro-vaccination, namely, the passing
of current vaccine lymph through a bovine animal. A scanty

632

REPORT AS TO VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

supply was thus procured, which, however, on trial was like¬
wise found to be not more active than ordinary vaccine lymph.
This point we shall have occasion hereafter to refer to again.

Finding such unsatisfactory results from these experiments,
we determined to ovinaie the cow, with a view of procuring, if
possible, a lymph which would produce more decided action
on the sheep on being returned to this animal, in a similar
manner that the virus of human smallpox, after being passed
through the cow, has been returned to man. For this pur¬
pose six cows were ovinated with lymph taken from a natural
case of sheep-pox, eight punctures being made in th e perineum
or on the labia pudendi of each cow. No special results fol¬
lowed, but some of the same lymph, used at the same time
on sheep, took readily. The experiments were repeated on
these cows shortly afterwards with a like result. Within a
few weeks of this time five other cows, a heifer, and a steer,
were ovinated after the same manner from a natural case of
sheep-pox, sets of scratches being used as well as punctures
on the teats and other parts; but still no sufficient effect was
produced to enable us to obtain lymph. These experiments,
so far as they go, show the correctness of that which has been
stated by several of the continental writers respecting the in¬
susceptibility of the cow to take the sheep-pox, and they also
confirm the experiments which were instituted by ourselves
in 1848 to determine this same question.

Although scarcely anticipating any greater success, we
nevertheless resolved to give trial to the vaccination of pigs,
and also to the inoculation of them with the virus of human
smallpox; these animals being omnivorous, and therefore,
like man, living on a mixed animal and vegetable diet. Pigs
varying in age from a few weeks to a year old were chosen
for the purpose. The vaccinations, although several times
repeated, produced no effect; and the inoculations but very
slight; no vesication following from either.

We were thus thrown back upon current vaccine lymph
for the completion of the experiments, and after a short
interval the sheep not affected by any of the previous vacci¬
nations were vaccinated again, but without any material
alteration in the results being obtained. Fifty-six sheep
were next selected for a repetition of the experiments, care
being taken that some of them should be animals on which a
former vaccination had had effect. Only 12 of the 56 sheep
showed any result from the operation ; and it is worthy of
note that no less than 8 of these, or two-thirds, had been
affected before. Another 50 were selected and vaccinated,
and 29 of them took the disease; 17 of which, or nearly

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

633

two thirds again, had been influenced by a previous vaccina¬
tion. The second action of the vaccine virus was found to
be fully equal to the first, by which it appeared to be in no
way influenced.

The fact of sheep being susceptible to the action of the
vaccine virus a second and even a third time, as we proved
by oft repeated experiments, is of itself sufficient to show the
inutility of the vaccination of sheep. For if the first vacci¬
nation affected the system so as to be protective, the animal
would not be susceptible to a second action of the same
virus, until after a lapse of probably some years, instead of
being acted upon by it a second time, almost immediately.

A slight difference only was observed in the action of the
Jennerian, and Smallpox and Vaccination Hospital lymph,
the two which were principally employed ; 33 per cent, only
of the whole of the vaccinations with Jennerian, and 38 per
cent, of those done with the Smallpox and Vaccination
Hospital lymph showing results.

(To be continued .)

THE PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

By Dr. T. L. Phipson, F.C.S., London, &c.

It is now some twenty years since the great truth of the
gradual exhaustion of soils by continual cultivation began to
dawn vividly, and with all its force, upon the agricultural
public of Great Britain. Numerous analyses of soils and
plants, undertaken, in the first instance, to satisfy an ever-
increasing curiosity, soon demonstrated, in a most forcible
and practical manner, the nature of the ingredients which
our crops take yearly from the soil, and which, in a country
so thickly populated as England, it is indispensable to restore
in some way or other to the soil, in order to keep up a proper
degree of fertility.

The art of manuring , practised for centuries before, began
to be understood within the last quarter of a century only ; and
though the labours of Liebig in Germany, and Boussingault
in France, preceded by those of Sir Humphry Davy in this
country, have contributed not a little to our present know¬
ledge of the subject, yet in no country have the influences of
science been so considerable, so gigantic, as in our own. The
reason of this doubtless lies in the actual population of Great
Britain, of which the average to the square mile is greater
xxxvii. 41

634

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

than that of any other country ; consequently, the soil here
is caused to do its utmost, and the effects of exhaustion have
been sooner and more keenly felt. Although scientific agri¬
culture, as regards its diffusion among the people, is still in a
deplorable state on the continent of Europe, as may be seen
by glancing from time to time at the periodical literature of
Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy, the time will certainly
come when the art of manufacturing and applying manures of
all descriptions will be as actively pursued in these countries
as in England at the present day.

Three of the more important ingredients wffiich soils lose
by cultivation, and which it is necessary to restore to them in
greater or smaller quantities, are potash, nitrogen, and phos¬
phate of lime. Nature herself supplies these substances to
the soil in various ways, and in quantity sufficient for the
growth of wild plants. Thus, potash is washed into the soil
by the rain-water3 which flow over granitic and felspar rocks,
so that every little stream contains some of it; nitrogen, in
the form of ammonia, is constantly present in the atmosphere,
and phosphate of lime is very widely distributed over the
globe. Moreover, the excrements of animals contain all three.
Another ingredient very essential to vegetable life is carbonic
acid, of which there is so large a supply in the atmosphere,
in the streams, and rocks of the globe, that it is rarely neces¬
sary to supply it artificially to our cultivated crops.

I have said that nature supplies a sufficiency of these more
important constituents of the fertile soil, to ensure the growth
and luxuriance of wild plants. But in agriculture we are
dealing with an artificial state of things, and the natural
supply no longer suffices to maintain fertility in our culti¬
vated soils. In our present system of manuring, potash is
supplied by farm-yard manure, sometimes by wood -ashes,
and by manures made by drying the excrements of animals
(sewage, &c.). The first and last of these supply also am¬
monia and phosphates. Our chief sources of nitrogen are
Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, and sulphate of ammonia
(from the gas-works). The first of these supplies, at the
same time, phosphate of lime, and the last is sometimes
introduced into artificial manures, such as the ammoniacal
superphosphates.

Our sources of phosphate of lime are most numerous, and
it is to these alone that I shall devote the present paper. A
few years ago, all the phosphorus used for the manufacture
of lucifer matches was extracted from bones, the phosphate of
lime used in the various manufactories was likewise obtained
from bones. These were principally collected in the streets

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

635

and waste places, at butchers^ establishments, & c. Since the
manufacture of superphosphate of lime began for the use of the
farmer, not only immense quantities of ox bones have been
imported yearly into England from South America and other
countries, but a large number of natural deposits of phosphate
of lime have been discovered and utilized without delay in
the interests of agriculture and manufactures. It was shown
by Liebig that it was of little use to supply ground bones to
the soil in order to obtain a rapid result, for the bone earth
takes a long time to become soluble by the action of the car¬
bonic acid, and other vegetable acids of the soil, and cannot
penetrate into the tissues of plants until it is so dissolved. In
order, therefore, to furnish plants with phosphate of lime in
a soluble state, Liebig proposed that bones or other phos¬
phates should be treated with sulphuric acid. Hence arose
the manufacture of superphosphate or soluble phosphate of
lime, wThich has, of late years, taken such extension in
England. It is to this manufacture principally that is owing
the enormous importations of phosphate of lime in various
forms which arrive in Great Britain from all parts of the globe.

It was probably the introduction of guano from South
America that brought certain practical minds to consider
more attentively the best means of restoring the fertility of
exhausted soils, and of keeping up the fertility of those not
yet exhausted. This extraordinary and powerful manure, the
enormous supplies of which appear to have been stored up
by Providence for the actual wants of agriculture, as the
endless supplies of coal have accumulated in bygone ages to
supply the wants of our manufactories, was brought to Europe
in 1804, by Alexander von Humboldt, as a scientific curiosity .
Its valuable nature was not entirely appreciated by the public
at large until about 1838, when large quantities of it began to
be imported into England as a manure. Two years later
(1840), Liebig brought out his well-known work on agri¬
cultural chemistry, making known the principle of the manu¬
facture of superphosphate of lime, and in 1842 Mr. Lawes
began to manufacture this superphosphate manure.

Guano being, as is well known, the accumulated excrement
of sea-fowl (and, consequently, having the same composition
as the excrements of pigeons and other domestic birds), is
abundant in many parts of the globe. In certain tropical
regions (Peru, Chinca Isles, &c.), where it never rains, this
guano is very rich in urate, oxalate, and phosphate of
ammonia, besides containing about 22 or 23 per cent, of phos¬
phate of lime. But in localities which are frequently visited
by hurricanes and much rain, the organic constituents and

636

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

salts of ammonia are washed out, and the mineral constituents
increase in proportion ; the guano becomes less valuable as
a manure, by loss of its ammoniacal compounds, but consti¬
tutes a plentiful source of phosphate of lime. Such are the
phosphates known as “ West India phosphate,” “ Bolivian
guano,” &c. These contain from 40 to 60 per cent, (and
sometimes more) of ordinary phosphate of lime, whilst their
per-centage of nitrogen (ammonia) dwindles down to 2, 1, or
even 0 5 per cent., as the phosphate increases. Here, then,
is an abundant source of phosphate of lime.

But several West India islands furnish a species of hard
rock, of very peculiar aspect, consisting chiefly of phosphate
of lime. Many persons consider that this rock has been
derived from guano, supposing it to be the result of exposure
to the atmosphere for thousands of years ; others imagine it
to be guano modified by volcanic action. I have examined
this mineral phosphate,* and find that it contains not only
phosphate of lime, but also a considerable proportion of phos¬
phate of alumina — a substance not met with in guano ; it is,
in fact, a compound of phosphate of lime and phosphate of
alumina, containing about 17 per cent, of the latter, and
65 per cent, of the former. As this rock is principally de¬
rived from the little island of Sombrero, I called it Sombrerite.
This is another tolerably abundant source of phosphate of lime,
much used in the manufacture of superphosphate manure.

Another hard phosphatic rock, of a similar description, is
found upon M onk Island, in the Gulf of Venezuela. Although
I have received for analysis in my laboratory many hundred
specimens of the different phosphates mentioned in this
paper, I have never yet met with this one from Monk Island ;
but I have reason to believe it is a substance similar in ail
respects to Sombrerite. Whether it be so or not cannot be
determined by the few incomplete analyses that appear to
have been made of it hitherto. However, it constitutes a
cheap source of phosphate to manufacturers of superphos¬
phate manure ; and it appears to contain 78 to 80 per cent,
of phosphate of lime.

Another, and most abundant source of phosphate of lime
is, I am happy to say, an indigenous one, and one which is
very extensively utilized in the manufacture of superphos¬
phate. I allude to the Cambridge and Suffolk coprolites .
These are hard nodules, somewhat cylindrical, and having
rounded edges. The Cambridge coprolites are found in the
Upper Green Sand, wdiere they form extensive deposits, and
are so intimately mixed, on their surface, with the green sand
* • Journal of the Chemical Society/ 1862.

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE. 637

itself, that their true colour is only seen when they are
broken. They contain 60 to 65 per cent, of phosphate of
lime, sometimes rather more, and, when ground, form a
yellowish-white powder. They are supposed to be the fossil
excrement of extinct animals, hence their curious name, de¬
rived from the Greek ; but we have not sufficient proof of
this extraordinary supposition. However, the revelations of
geology during the past twenty years have been so exceed¬
ingly wonderful, that one is readily tempted to admit that
some of these coprolites are the fossil excrement of certain
extinct animals, probably reptiles, and therefore correspond
somewhat in their chemical composition to guano which has
been deprived of its organic matter by atmospheric influences.
Specimens of such guano have given me, upon analysis,
from 15 to 30 per cent, of carbonate of lime, which resembles
the proportion of carbonate of lime invariably present in
every description of coprolites.

The main thing that regards the agriculturist or manure
manufacturer, however, is their chemical composition, by
which these Cambridge coprolites appear to be the cheapest
source of phosphate of lime at present known. The Suffolk
coprolites are dark-brown nodules, some of which have very
much the appearance of fossil bones rounded by the action
of the sea. Thev alwavs contain a certain amount of red

V *

oxide of iron, and about 56 per cent, of phosphate of lime ;
they are consequently rather less valuable than the pure
Cambridge coprolites ; moreover, they appear to belong to
the tertiary formations.

All these coprolites, and, indeed, all natural phosphates
used in agriculture, except apatite (see further) contain a
certain amount of carbonate of lime and insoluble silicious
matter, and it is important to manufacturers and agricul¬
turists to have the proportions of these determined accurately,
otherwise they have no control over adulteration, and no basis
to work upon in the manufacture of artificial manures.

Along with Cambridge coprolites I have found fragments
of fossil bone — bones of reptiles, probably — showing the same
chemical composition as the rounded nodules or coprolites
themselves. The Suffolk coprolites appear to be chiefly fossil
bone, more or less impregnated with phosphate of iron, &c.

But the whole of the Upper Green Sand formation of
England is characterised by a wide diffusion of phosphoric
acid in the shape of phosphate of lime. My attention was
called to this some years ago, by a relation, who forwarded
to me a very large specimen of fossil wood from the Green
Sand of the Isle of Wight, which, upon being submitted to

638

PHOSPHATES USED IN AGRICULTURE.

analysis, gave me an enormous proportion of phosphate of
lime — in fact, it was chiefly formed of this substance and
fluorspar — though it was not apatite ; * and I learned after¬
wards that Mr. Thomas Way had formerly examined several
fossil polyps, sponges, &c., from the Green Sand, which gave
a very large per-centage of phosphate of lime.

This proves to us that a great amount of phosphates has
been diffused through the Upper Green Sand formations,
may-be by the accumulated excrement of myriads of fish and
large reptiles which inhabited this country at the remote
geological periods to which these formations belong.

I have since analysed many other sedimentary rocks and
fossils, in order to discover whether they contained any
notable quantity of phosphate of lime, but rarely found more
than one or two per cent., frequently a mere trace only.
However, there exist, doubtless, other sources of phosphate
yet to be discovered.

If we admit that the mineral phosphate Sombrerite and
that of Monk Island be similar minerals, and have been de¬
rived, by some unknown geological process, from guano; if
we admit, moreover, that the coprolites found in Cambridge
and Suffolk are, like those of the Coal and Lias formations,
true fossil excrements, mixed here and there with bone ; and,
thirdly, if we admit that the other numerous and above-
named fossils (wood, sponges, polyps, &c.) fossilized by phos¬
phate of lime, be the result of an impregnation of organic
substances by the excrementitious matter of animals now
extinct, what a splendid example we have here of applied
paleontology. For since agricultural chemistry began its rapid
development, all these “ fossil excrements’* have become
valuable as a means of aiding us to keep up the fertility of
our soils, to increase our wheat crops, and to have an abun¬
dant and cheap supply of bread. We are thus tempted to
class all phosphates used in agriculture, including bones,
bone-ash, &c., as derived from organized beings that have
once flourished upon our globe.

But we have another source of phosphate of lime in the
coarse variety of apatite of Estremadura, which appears to
have had no connection with organized beings of any descrip¬
tion, and cannot be considered as a fossil. The Estremadura
phosphate met with in commerce is the mineral apatite in
the massive form; it is abundant in Spain, and may be in
other countries also, but up to the present time it does not
appear to be so plentiful as the other phosphates mentioned

* See ‘ Report of British Association/ 1861, and ‘ Chemical News/
1861.

IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA. 639

in this paper. However, it is of all known substances found
in nature that which contains the most phosphate of lime,
the per-centage of which in the commercial specimens
averages from 85 to 87 per cent., and in absolutely pure
specimens as much as 92.

The remaining phosphates used in agriculture are bones,
bone-ash, and animal charcoal; the two latter are merely
burnt bone. Bones contain the peculiar phosphate known
as “ bone-earth,” equivalent to about 56 per cent, of ordinary
tribasic phosphate of lime. When ground, they often become
mixed with silica and other impurities. Enormous cargoes
of ox-bone, either sun-dried or in the shape of bone-ash, are
imported from South America into England.

Bone-ash is bone burnt in contact with the air until its
organic matter is destroyed ; it yields a quantity of bone
phosphate equivalent to 70 or 90 per cent, of ordinary phos¬
phate of lime, according to its degree of purity. When burnt
without contact of air , animal charcoal is obtained; this is used
to clarify sugar, juice, &c., and when spent is burnt over
again. After being thus burnt twice or thrice, it becomes
comparatively useless to the sugar-refiners, and is sold to
manufacturers of superphosphate. According to a number of
analyses made of this substance in my laboratory, it may be
said to average from 70 to 80 per cent, of phosphate of lime.

Such, then, are the substances which furnish our agricul¬
turists, our lucifer-match manufacturers, our colour-makers,
&c., with their supplies of phosphate of lime. It is needless,
perhaps, to add that agriculture absorbs by far the greatest
portion of this phosphate, and we may be thankful that there
exists so plentiful a supply of it. In a future paper I will
consider our present sources of ammonia.

ON THE IDENTITY OE PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA.

By W. Thomson, M.R.C.S., &c.

( Read before the Medical Society of Victoria .)

( Continued from p. 547.)

But we never speak of the group by the terms applicable to
or descriptive of anything connected with their secondary, yet
not less exact, states, not of any of them individually in this
way, unless it be of typhoid fever, although even in that case
we never say enteritic ulceration to signify typhoid or pytho-
genic fever. It belongs also to these fevers, as a character-

640 IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA.

istic, that they never occur in isolated cases, nor ever fall
upon a whole community suddenly and simultaneously. They
are always epidemic. But epidemics are of two kinds — the
non-infecting and the infecting. The former happens when,
as is supposed from some unknown change in the air, or in
the magnetism of the earth, a morbific influence suddenly
seizes a large proportion of the inhabitants, laying them for
a time prostrate in sickness, and then with the cessation of
general exciting cause as suddenly and simultaneously disap¬
pearing. A good example of this form of epidemic is seen in
any ordinary invasion of influenza. It is not infectious, and
one attack gives no security against any number of subse¬
quent attacks, when exposed to the same causes. The
second form of epidemic is that in which an equally unknown
morbid element is brought amongst a people by some person
under its influence, from whom it is transferred to others, and
from them propagated over all who are susceptible, until the
whole are infected. This form of epidemic rages irrespective
of season or of atmospheric or telluric conditions, until all
suffer who come within its influence, when it dies out, for
want of pabulum, as it were. Examples are too well-known
in the histories of epidemics of measles, scarlatina, smallpox,
&c. Cases do sometimes appear apparently sporadic, just as
the epidemics themselves are often apparently capricious; but
these instances are so exceptional as to leave doubt of authen¬
ticity, and, under any circumstances, do not invalidate the
rule. It is unnecessary to add that affections of this form of
epidemic rarely occur more than once in the same individual ;
or that one, if not two, of them may be induced artificially in
a modified form, giving equal security against the spon¬
taneous occurrence of the severe form or type of the natural
disease. If the experience and knowledge, now ample,
acquired relative to these facts by long study of them, as they
occur in the human body, be transferred to observation of
and for comparison with the various forms of disease occur¬
ring among the lower animals, they will be found equally ap¬
plicable in many cases, and inferentially in all. As animals
have a physiology in common with the human race, so have
they a pathology. The unity of design in structure and func¬
tion is equally manifested in health and in disease. What is
true of epidemics is ,mutatis mutandis, equ?\\y true of epizootics;
what of endemics, of enzootics. The diseases are not only
closely allied, they are identical — (i Mutato nomine dete fabula
naratur All the fevers incidental to humanity are repro¬
duced, not only in the equine and bovine, but in all other
species brought under the same physical conditions. Thedis-

IDENTITY OF PLEURO- PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA. 641

covery which perhaps most redounds to the credit of medicine
as a science, or as the healing art, was in the linking together
of separate orders of creation through the bond of disease.
The same bovine herd which changes grass into flesh and
milk for man's sustenance, also prepares an antidote to the
direst ill that befalls his humanity. It will equally redound
to its honour if our profession can find out a prophylactic,
and pay back the boon, if not in kind, at least by intelligence,
and rescue a race from a pest as dire to it as smallpox once
was to us. Whether from motives of ideal gratitude to these
bovine benefactors, or from veriest self-interest, an active
spirit of inquiry is prompted which cannot let the secret
which has so long baffled and eluded us lie much longer hid¬
den. The similarity or identity of the diseases of man and
of animals is now so fully recognised that to trace a new
affinity is nothing very wonderful. If, however, it be useful
in removing a source of error in diagnosis or practice, it will
be none the less important. To trace the identity of pleuro¬
pneumonia and rubeola may be nothing remarkable, but ex¬
ceedingly desirable to do in consequence of its probable
practical utility. Both diseases are so prevalent, and so fully
comprehended in many respects, that it may seem strange
why the analogy should not have before been detected. Two
circumstances seem to explain this oversight — 1st. The
obscurity of the first stage of pleuro-pneumonia as contrasted
with the well marked conditions of the second stage. 2nd.
The well-marked characters of the first stage of rubeola, and
the comparative infrequency of the second stage. Remem¬
bering that it is by tracing the analogies of these stages re¬
spectively, and that the most prominent features are reversed
in the two species of patients, it is easily understood how
observation missed tracing the affinity. The symptoms of
the first stage of rubeola in the human subject are familiar to
all ; but close watching is required to note the corresponding
symptoms in the brute. The description given by systematic
writers, and the observations which any one may make for
himself, prove that these symptoms correspond in every par¬
ticular. There is a period of incubation of variable length ;
the onset in both is by the shiver characteristic of approach¬
ing febrile disorder, which soon follows. In both, the symp¬
toms are at first those common to other affections, and which
at any other time than that of an epidemic or epizootic would
hardly attract attention. In both it is, after some days of
indefinite illness, that cough begins, as of a common cold ;
with coryza, puffy features, watering of the eyes, which are
blood-shot ; the mouth is clammy, and the secretions, as of

642 IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA,

milk, are diminished as the fever increases. The skin of the
lower animal about this period becomes dry, and tightly
bound down to the subcutaneous textures. It is not merely
the staring coat usual in cattle in most illnesses; but it is
a peculiar dry, hard, wiry state, and has been noticed by
some to be so in blotches. This condition or symptom is
noticed at the same period as would correspond to the ap¬
pearance of the eruption in man. At this time red spots or
patches may be often perceived on the mucous surfaces of
the mouth and nostrils, as is not uncommonly witnessed in
rubeola ; and an offensive odour comes from the mouth, pre¬
cisely alike in both cases. The cutaneous rash has often been
noticed, and it was at one time supposed to be a form of
eczema, of which the pleuro-pneumonia was a sequela. At
this early period of the fever, neither auscultation nor percus¬
sion is of much avail. By the former the dry sonorous rale
of ordinary bronchitis may be detected along the windpipe
and in the bronchial tubes. Every medical man knows how
closely these agree as among the general symptoms of rubeola.
I am aware that the distinctness of the eruption is not men¬
tioned by several systematic writers, who seem to include it
under the ordinary account of the coat ; and if we bear in
mind the thickness of this hairy covering, we readily under¬
stand how a mere efflorescence of the cutis passed unnoticed,
for it is not like varicella, or variola, while in scarlatina the
intense redness of the mouth and fauces could not fail to be
seen, and to lead to the detection of the rash in that fever.
But the strongest proof of the presence of an eruption is the
copious furfuraceous, or bran-like, dust in the coat, owing to
the desquamation of cuticle. In this the diseases strongly
correspond. The state is not seen in every case, certainly,
neither of rubeola nor of pleuro-pneumonia, because the rash
must be very freely out in the first instance, or the noticeable
desquamation does not take place. Again, the disease in
animals is often very mild; just as in cases of rubeola the
symptoms may be so moderate, as not to attract .much no¬
tice. Some animals suffer very slightly, and it is only when
the disease runs on to the formidable second stage with
severity that it arrests attention. Thus it was ascertained, by
one inquiry in France that eighty-three per cent, recovered,
and seventeen per cent, died, of all taken ill, and that of the
former proportion some were very little affected. I cannot
tell whether this bears any proportion to the mortality from
rubeola, nor whether it corresponds to the fatality of pleuro¬
pneumonia in this colony ; but I may remark that it proves
that the latter disease is not always so terribly fatal in propor-

IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA. 643

tion to the number affected as is very generally believed ; and
must also add that neither is rubeola in the human subject
the harmless, mild, safe malady it is often supposed, fit only
to be treated by mothers and nurses. In England 7000
people die on an average every year from it; and in Victoria
250 died in 1861, and in I860 as many as 250 died from it
in Melbourne alone. What ratio these numbers bear to the
numbers who suffered from the disease it is quite impossible
even to guess at ; but it proves a closer resemblance between
the severity of rubeola in the human subject and the severity
of the so-called pleuro-pneumonia in cattle than many might
at first suspect. Thus far then for a hasty comparison of the
two affections in the earlier stages, and the next thing to note
is whether the parallel holds equally in the later. Whatever
may be thought as to the asserted correspondence of symp¬
toms of the earlier period, those of the second are even more
definite. The catarrhal affection is the most important, and
always determines the prognosis. The most common cause
of death in both is inflammation of some one or more of the
pulmonary textures ; and when not fatal, both diseases leave
chronic pulmonary mischief behind. In both, treatment is
determined almost solely by the condition of the lungs,
which, it is needless to repeat, is in both at first bronchitis,
merging into vesicular and lobular pneumonia, and eventually
pleuritis, with hydrothorax, and the usual exudations and re¬
sults. The inflammation is apt to spread insidiously from the
mucous surfaces of the air passages to subjacent tissues, and
after death from rubeola, as from pleuro-pneumonia, portions of
the lungs are hepatized in larger or smaller pieces. Although
the pulmonary affection is that proper to both, yet the mu¬
cous surface of the bowels is apt to be also affected, and there
is then a peculiarly fetid diarrhoea in either case in the
later stages. The expectoration in both passes through
similar changes during the progress of the disease, from thin
whitish fluid to tenacious, viscid, muco-purulent matter. In
comparing the post-mortem appearances there is one remark¬
able point of resemblance, the more so as it differs from any
appearance of the lungs in ordinary hepatization. In
rubeola this hepatization is usually in distinctly sepa¬
rate portions, sometimes even in small patches, as if the
inflammatory or congestive action had been limited to
isolated lobules or to clusters of lobules. At other times
these small pieces may co-exist with the condensation of a
large portion of one lung, or of a whole lobe. The condensed
piece may even lie like a ball the size of the fist in the centre
of an otherwise sound lung. In ordinary hepatization from

644 IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND RUBEOLA.

active congestion, or sthenic inflammation, or even from the
hypostatic inflammation in adynamic fever, the hepatization
is more uniform, being deep-coloured and dense at the lower
portions, lessening as it ascends to the upper. In rubeola and
in pleuro-pneumonia, it is quite different. The congestion, or
condensation, whether it be from inflammatory action proper,
or merely congestion per se , is patchy. A section of a lung, or
lobe, shows this singularity, and partly gives rise to that
marbled or mottled appearance so well known to those who
have inspected them. It was not inaptly likened to a piece of
brawn by one observer. To this aspect the interlobular
areolar tissues, loaded with fibrin, and so rendered thicker,
and in colour more yellowish and distinct from the red, or
brown, or pink vesicular portions; contribute. As there may
be co-existing all degrees of congestion, of inflammation, and
of hepatization, so are there all shades of resulting colour,
from reddish yellow to deep brown. But these colours never
merge into one another; they are all bounded by the bands
or septa alluded to. The grand thing to note in this parallel
is the isolated portions of the lungs thus separately congested
in both diseases, evidently from the same form of morbid
action going on during the progress of the disease. The exu¬
dation exudes in the same manner as in ordinary cases of in¬
flammation. There are the processes of resorption of serum,
and organization of fibrin into false membranes, causing
adhesions between the naturally free surfaces of the pleura.
It is often correctly stated that adhesions rarely form in the
exudation upon the pleura in pleuro-pneumonia, and in this
character also the complaint agrees with rubeola. For this
reason loose flocculi of lymph float in the fluid of the exuda¬
tion. As other terminations or results of inflammation there
are gangrene and abscesses, according to the degree of inten¬
sity, of which pathologists do not require particular descrip¬
tion. When an affected lung recovers tone, and is restored
to healthy function, it is accomplished by the same repara¬
tive actions as are known to take place in the human body.
In cattle, as in man, it often happens that there is neither
death nor absolute recovery. The lungs remain permanently
impaired ; hectic supervenes, and long after the first attack
may have been forgotten, the animal sinks under the inroads
of consumption. In such cases it is occasionally spoken of
by those who are observant and skilful, yet not pathologists,
as a recurrence of the original disease lasting through many
months — as a re-wakening up of the symptoms after they had
been lying for a time dormant. But it would be just as cor¬
rect to speak of a man’s dying of rubeola, who sinks from
phthisis, induced in a lung weakened by the sequelae of a

IDENTITY OF PLEURO-PN EUMONIA AND RUBEOLA. 645

long-previous attack. In both the disease attacks the foetus
in utero, and in both causes a tendency to abort. The ex¬
citement of an animal at the onset of pleuro-pneumonia, as
shown by the proneness to rush, and other signs, is but a
manifestation of delirium, such as always attends, more or
less, the beginning of measles ; while the arched back, tender
spine, and heaving flanks of the later periods would not be
so observable in measles, owing to the 'different posture
of the patient. Thus we find that in every essential parti¬
cular the signs are alike. To no other disease incident to
man will this one correspond, while rubeola alone answers to
the descriptions of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle. The
two dovetail and fill a gap in the respective nosologies. There
is another circumstance which seems something more than a
coincidence, and contributes no small amount of corrobora¬
tive evidence. It is this. The last epidemic of rubeola
which visited this colony came simultaneously with the
epizootic pleuro-pneumonia. In 1859-60 this happened, and
rubeola, scarlatina, and diphtheria raged concurrently with the
rapid spread of the formerly unheard of disease among cattle.
If those affections of the human family have subsided — died
out, as it were — it is because there are no more materials, no
more subjects, no more pure blood left liable to their infec¬
tion ; and so will they slumber, apparently extinguished, until
a fresh generation grow up in pristine susceptibility. In the
same way will it be with pleuro-pneumonia, unless, which is
at least as yet unproven, inoculation prove a perfect prophy¬
lactic. In this also is there, by the way, another point of
affinity, for inoculation was long ago proposed and practised
as a preventive of rubeola. Succeed or not, there is, how¬
ever, no analogy between it and vaccination, for there are not,
as in that case, two distinct species of animals to modify the
virus, it being thus more like smallpox inoculation, known
to be so hurtful. Possibly, if the latter virus were diluted,
as the lymph is in the other process, it might be less virulent
locally, yet equally efficacious. The pathological principle,
although not precisely Jennerian, may nevertheless be fun¬
damentally the same, the virus repeating itself by catalysis ;
but upon such points much is as yet conjecture, as is the
question of the suitability for human food of animals thus
naturally or artificially infected. Those beasts wrould at least
be most agreeable to think of for this purpose which suffered
neither; and the hope of helping to get them yet all into
this normal condition has prompted this analogy, which,
although it asserts no panacea, may, if confirmed, perhaps
suggest what is far better — the means of absolute prevention,
both of the typical disease and of its bovine analogue.

646

THE CROONIAN LECTURE ON THE COAGULATION OE THE
BLOOD, DELIVERED BEFORE THE ROYAL SOCIETY
JUNE 11, 1863.

By Joseph Lister, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.C.S.

( Continued from p. 550.)

Various dropsical effusions have been lately investigated
with reference to their coagulability on the addition of blood-
corpuscles by Dr. Schmidt, of Dorpat, who finds that while
they differ from one another in the amount of water they
contain (just as is the case with serum filtered artificially
through animal membranes under different degrees of pres¬
sure), yet they are all but universally coagulable. Schmidt has
also carried the investigation further. He has found that by
chemical means he can extract from the red corpuscles a
soluble material which, when added to these exudations, leads
to coagulation. In other words, he shows that the corpuscles
do not act as living cells, but by virtue of a chemical material
which they contain, which can be used in the state of solu¬
tion, free from any solid particles whatever. He found, also,
that the aqueous humour made a dropsical effusion coagulate,
and that the same effect was produced by a material extracted
from the non-vascular part of the cornea. Hence he regards
the blood- corpuscles as only resembling other forms of tissue
in possessing this property. These observations are extremely
interesting, if trustworthy ; and that they are so, I do not at
all doubt; but having only read Schmidt's papers within the
last day or two, I have not yet had opportunity of verifying
his statements.*

It remains to be ascertained what share the material de¬
rived from the corpuscles has in the composition of the fibrin.
Schmidt inclines to the opinion that the fibrin is probably
composed, in about equal proportions, of a substance fur¬
nished by them and one present in the liquor sanguinis. If
this be true, the action of an ordinary solid in determining
the union of the components of the fibrin may be compared

* Since this lecture was delivered I have verified an important observa¬
tion made by Schmidt — viz., that a given amount of corpuscles causes com¬
plete coagulation of only a limited quantity of hydrocele fluid. From this
he draws the inference that the action of the corpuscles cannot be of the
nature of fermentation, the coagulative efficacy of the corpuscles being not
continued indefinitely, but becoming exhausted in the process of coagu¬
lation. For Schmidt’s papers, see ‘Arch, fur Anat. Phys.,’ &c., 1861 and
1862.

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD. 647

to the operation of spongy platinum in promoting the com¬
bination of oxygen and hydrogen.

It may be asked, how comes it that when the blood of a
horse is shed into a cup, the buffy layer coagulates as rapidly,
or nearly so, as the lower parts rich in corpuscles?

This is indeed a question well worthy of careful study.
We know that the liquor sanguinis left by the subsidence of
the red corpuscles within a healthy vein is incapable of
coagulating when shed, except in a slow manner, which is
accounted for by the corpuscles that remain behind in it.
Hence it appears that when the blood a3 a whole is shed into
a glass, the agency of the ordinary solid leads the corpuscles
to communicate to the liquor sanguinis, before they subside,
a material, or at least an influence, which confers upon it a
disposition to coagulate, though it still remains fluid for some
time after they have left it. Just as we have seen that a very
short time of action of the ordinary solid upon the blood, as
a whole, is sufficient to give rise to coagulation, so we now
see that, provided an ordinary solid be in operation, the
presence of the corpuscles for but a little while is enough to
make the liquor sanguinis spontaneously coagulable, though
not immediately solidified. We shall see before concluding
an illustration of the importance of this fact to pathology.

It remains to be added, that serous membranes resemble
the lining membrane of the blood-vessels in their relations to
the blood, as is implied by John Hunter’s observation that
blood, which had lain for several days in a hydrocele, coagu¬
lated when let out. The same thing is well illustrated in a
frog prepared like this I now exhibit. About four hours ago,
a knife having been passed between the brain and cord to
deprive the creature of voluntary motion in the limbs and
trunk, the peritoneal cavity was laid open in the middle line,
and its edges being kept raised and drawn aside by pins, I
seized the apex of the ventricle of the heart with forceps, and
removed it with scissors. In a short time the whole of the
animars blood was in the peritoneum, and it may be seen
that it is still fluid, in spite of this long-continued exposure.
When I first performed the experiment, three years and a half
ago, the weather being cool (about 45° Fahr.), and a piece of
damp lint being kept suspended above the frog to prevent
evaporation and access of dust, I found that the blood re¬
mained fluid in the peritoneal cavity for four days, except a
thin film on the surface, and a crust of clot on the wounded
part of the heart ; but a piece of clean glass placed in the
blood in the peritoneum became speedily coated with co-
agulum. Here it will be observed, not merely the liquor

648

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

sanguinis, but the corpuscles also were present in the serous
cavity, yet no coagulation took place in contact with its walls.

I think it probable, though not yet proved, that all living
tissues have these properties with reference to the blood. We
know that the interstices of the cellular tissue contain coagu-
lable fluid, and I have seen anasarcous liquid coagulate after
emission; but this, indeed, may possibly have been merely
liquor sanguinis, coagulating in consequence of slight admix¬
ture of blood-corpuscles from the wounds made in obtain¬
ing it.

Looking now at the principal results which we have arrived
at, it must, in the first place, be admitted that the ammonia
theory is to be discarded as entirely fallacious. The fact that
this theory is exceedingly plausible, and has been supported
by many ingenious arguments and experiments, is of course
no reason why we should retain it if unsound. On the con¬
trary, the more specious it is, the more necessary is it that it
should be effectually cleared away ; for it mystifies the sub¬
ject of coagulation most seriously ; and I may say, for my
own part, that it has cost me an amount of experimental
labour of which the illustrations brought forward this evening
convey but little idea. Still these have been, I trust, suf¬
ficient to show that the coagulation of the blood is in no
degree connected with the evolution of ammonia, any more
than with the influence of oxygen or of rest. The real cause
of the coagulation of the blood, when shed from the body, is
the influence exerted upon it by ordinary matter, the contact
of which for a very brief period effects a change in the blood,
inducing a mutual reaction between its solid and fluid con¬
stituents, in which the corpuscles impart to the liquor
sanguinis a disposition to coagulate. This reaction is pro¬
bably simply chemical in its nature ; jTet its product, the
fibrin, when mixed with blood-corpuscles in the form of an
undisturbed coagulum, resembles healthy living tissues in
being incapable of that catalytic action upon the blood which
is effected by all ordinary solids, and also by the tissues
themselves when deprived of their vital properties.

These principles have, of course, very extensive applications
to the study of disease ; but I must content myself with
alluding very briefly to inflammation, the most important of
all pathological conditions.

If we inquire what is the great peculiarity of inflamed parts
in relation to the blood as examined by the naked eye, we see
that it consists in a tendency to induce coagulation in their
vicinity; implying, according to the conclusions just stated,
that the affected tissues have lost, for the time being, their

COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD.

649

vital properties, and comport themselves like ordinary solids.
Thus, when an artery or vein is inflamed, coagulation occurs
upon its interior, in spite of the current of blood, precisely
as would take place if it had been artificially deprived of its
vital properties. On one occasion I simulated the charac¬
teristic adherent clot of phlebitis b}7 treating the jugular vein
of a living sheep with caustic ammonia, and then allowing
the circulation to go on through the vessel for a while, when,
on slitting it up, 1 found its lining membrane studded with
grains of pink fibrin, which could be detached only by
scraping firmly with the edge of a knife. Again, comparing
ar inflammatory exudation into the pericardium or into the
interstices of the cellular tissue with dropsical effusions into
the same situations, we are struck with the fact that, while
the liquor sanguinis effused in dropsy remains fluid, the
inflammatory product coagulates. Now we know that ill
intense inflammation the capillaries are choked, more or less,
with accumulated blood-corpuscles, which must cause great
increase in the pressure of the blood upon their walls; and
from what we know of the effect of venous obstruction in
causing dropsical effusion of liquor sanguinis through in¬
creased pressure, we are sure that we have in the inflamma¬
tory state the physical conditions for a similar transudation
of fluid through the walls of the capillaries. And the natural
interpretation of the difference in the two cases as regards
coagulation seems to be, that whereas in dropsy the fluid is
forced through the pores of healthy vessels, in inflammation
the capillary parietes have lost their healthy condition, and
act like ordinary matter; so that the liquor sanguinis, having
been subjected, immediately before effusion, to the combined
influence of the injured tissue and the blood-corpuscles, has
acquired a'disposition to coagulate, just like the buffy coat of
horses’ blood shed into a glass, or like the frog’s liquor san¬
guinis filtered by Muller from its corpuscles, the injured
vessels acting upon the blood like the filter.

This view of the condition of intensely inflamed parts is
exactly that to which I was led some years ago by a micro¬
scopic investigation, the results of which were detailed in a
paper* that received the honour of a place in the c Philo¬
sophical Transactions.’ It was there shown, as I think
I may venture to say, that the tissues generally are capable
of being reduced, under the action of irritants, to a state
quite distinct from death, but in which they are nevertheless
temporarily deprived of all vital power; and that inflamma-

* “ On the Early Stages of Inflammation,” ‘ Phil. Trans./ for 1858.

xxxvii. 42

650

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

tory congestion is due to the blood-corpuscles acquiring
adhesiveness such as they have outside the body, in conse¬
quence of the irritated tissues acting towards them like ordi¬
nary solids.

I cannot avoid expressing my satisfaction that this inquiry
into the coagulation of the blood has furnished independent
confirmation of my previous conclusions regarding the nature
of inflammation.

THE PROGRESS OE ZOOLOGY.

By Shirley Hibberd.

[Continued from p. 348.)

In the Biblical narrative there are numerous evidences of
the abundance of beasts of prey in Palestine and Phoenicia,
where there is now scarce anything more rapacious than a
fox to be found. David’s adventure with the lion and bear
could not now be repeated by any brave shepherd within a
hundred miles of Jerusalem, and the traveller on the
Euphrates and Tigris need entertain but little fear of those
hungry lions which figure so conspicuously on the hunting
freizes of Nineveh. Man not only lays the whole animal
kingdom under tribute to furnish him with meat and labour,
and entertainment and knowledge, but he busies himself to
disturb the balances, and the gamekeepers of this country
might be collectively described as destroyers of the British
fauna. The relations of Sir Emerson Tennent and Dr.
Livingstone make it pretty evident that the “ half-reasoning
elephant ” is fast passing from the face of the earth to be
numbered among the extinct animals by the naturalists of a
century hence. When we read of the wanton slaughter of
thousands of elephants, with no object but the gratification
of the passion for destruction, we are tempted to lament that
man possesses such complete dominion to subjugate, and
such unlimited power to destroy. “ Had the motive,” says
Sir Emerson Tennent, (e that invites to the destruction of the
elephant in Africa and India prevailed in Ceylon, — that is,
had the elephants there been provided with tusks, — they
wrould long since have been annihilated for the sake of their
ivory. But it is a curious fact that, whilst in Africa and
India both sexes have tusks, with some slight disproportion
in the size of those of the females, not one elephant in a
hundred is found with tusks in Ceylon, and the few that

Progress of zoology.

651

possess them are exclusively males/"’* In Africa the hunger
for meat and ivory causes the destruction of the elephant to
an extent which threatens soon to extinguish the large-eared
species altogether; but with neither of these incitements, it
is perhaps being extinguished with still greater speed in
Ceylon and India. There is a saving clause in the fact now
established, that elephants will breed in captivity, but against
it must be set the fact that in captivity it does not pay for
its keep, and is scarcely worth the attention of those who
employ it either for burden or draught. The elephant has
too much character, too high a reasoning faculty, to be per¬
fect as a servant ; it has too many whims, too many eccen¬
tricities of temper, and consumes far more food than it earns
in harness. Thus, economically regarded, everything is
against its preservation, and when the wild herds disappear
there will probably remain but few in a domesticated state,
for unlike the horse, ox, ass, and sheep, it is both unprofit¬
able and unmanageable.

Zoology has been somewhat restricted in aim, spite of its
own breadth as a science and the liberality of its leading
cultivators. It owes most of its advance in recent times in
the absorption into its circle of the facts of past biological
history, to Professor Owen, whose ‘ Palaeontology ’ is a sort
of panorama of extinct forms, placed side by side with their
existing congeners and representatives. Australia and New
Zealand have not only furnished innumerable subjects of
anomalous kinds for the consideration .of system makers, but
they have opened the way for rays of light to fall on the
present direct from the past, by their illustrations of geo¬
logical eras. Nothing more strikingly exemplifies the re¬
lationship that subsists between all departments of know¬
ledge than the aid which zoology and geology respectively
offer to each other. The existing fauna of Ceylon, as
analysed by Sir Emerson Tennent, affords very satisfactory
indications that the island is, in no geological or zoological
sense, an outlier of the vast Indian continent, but a site, sui
generis , like Australia, detached not only in its geography
from the neighbouring continent, but in its chronology also,
and in all its organic productions. On the other hand,
geology does more than whisper of the connection that once
subsisted between England and the continent of Europe by
wav of the straits of Dover, for it furnishes all the evidence
requisite to establish the conclusion that the separation was

* ‘Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon, with Narratives and
Anecdotes/ &c. &c. By Sir J. Emerson Tennent, K.C.B., LL.D., &c.
Longmans and Co.

652

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

effected not very long antecedent to the commencement of
the historic era. Zoology does not touch the chronology of
the question, but it affixes the general conclusion; and we
begin to discover that, however valuable are the floras and
faunas of Britain, they tell but half their proper story unless
considered in connection with the floras and faunas of the
Continent.

Two admirable works have recently been published, with
the object of indicating the relations of British and Conti¬
nental zoology. That by Lord Clermont is a compilation,
but it is accomplished with so much skill and good taste, that
it acquires a character of originality both by its purpose and
its merit.* The British fauna is a part of the fauna of
Europe, just as the fauna of a county is a part of the fauna
of the country at large; and Lord Clermont's work will tend
to widen the range of the British naturalist, by showing that
many of his subjects have an extensive area, and must be
studied under ail their several geographical conditions for a
full knowled ge of their habits and physiology. Dr. Bree,+
though working in another direction, points to the same
lesson. By registering the birds of Europe not found in
Britain, he enables us to estimate the close connection by
reason of community of species which exists between the
aves of Britain and the Continent, so that we can lay claim
to but very few as exclusively British.

The great scientific question of the day is, What is a
species ? We shall not attempt to offer a reply. Mr. Darwin
has made as great an agitation in the world of science as the
‘ Essays and Reviews' have in theology, but there is no pro¬
cess of excommunication known in the zoological establish¬
ment; and those who differ from Mr. Darwin can heartily
thank him for having put their accepted formulae to a severe
test, and opened an almost new channel of inquiry. If there
is a vagueness about the characters of species, there is still
more about the meaning of varieties. Has it never occurred
to the reader that every animal is, in a certain sense, a
variety; that every individual creature has a distinctive
character of its own ; so that our so-called varieties are such
only by reason of a greater departure from type than usual,
the fact of departure being itself so universal that type is
almost undiscoverable.

(To he continued .)

* ‘A Guide to the Quadrupeds and Reptiles cf Europe.' By Lord
Clermont. London : John Van Voorst.

f ‘ Birds of Europe not observed in the British Isle.' Bty Dr. C. R.
Bree. London : Groombridge.

G53

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

QUARTERLY MEETING OE COUNCIL, held July G, 1864, ;

Present : — The President, Professor Simonds, and Messrs,
Braby, Brown, Dickens, Ellis, Greaves, Harpley, Harri¬
son, Helmore, Lawson, Moon, Wilkinson, Withers, and
the Secretary.

The President in the chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and con¬
firmed.

Communications were read from the several gentlemen who
had accepted the office of Vice-Presidents, to which they had
been elected at a former meeting of the Council.

The Secretary reported that at the meeting of the Court of
Examiners, held on April 21st, a discussion took place relative
to the time of holding the Meetings of the Court in London.
It was suggested by the Chairman — Professor Brande — that
in future the examinations should take place after the annual
meetings of the profession in May, as the present arrange¬
ment had proved extremely inconvenient to some of the
Members of the Court.

The Secretary also reported that at the several Meetings
of the Court of Examiners, held in London, April 21st, 22nd,
and 25th, thirty-seven pupils were admitted Members of the
Body Corporate, and two were rejected. Fie further reported
that at the meetings in Scotland, held April 27th, 28th, and
29th, thirty-four pupils were admitted members, and three
were rejected. Likewise that three pupils were re-examined
before the whole Board, and that Mr. Robert Burnett, who
had paid his fees, did not appear before the Examiners. He
also reported that, on referring to the certificates it was found
that Mr. James Taylor’s examination was irregular, his cer¬
tificate, bearing date April 25th, and his examination taking
place on the 29th. FYmr days’ notice having only been given
instead of seven, which was an infringement of the Bye¬
laws” of the College.

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson , and seconded by Mr.
Lawson :

“ That the Report be entered on the Minutes, and that the
Secretary of the Scotch Board be requested to give such ex¬
planation as is within his power in reference to the irregularity,

654 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

which took place in the examination of Mr. James Taylor.” —
Carried.

The Registrar reported the death of Mr. Phillip Hempson,
London, who obtained his diploma. May 24, 1855, also of
Mr. William Mavor, London, lately a Member of the
Council, whose diploma is dated July 28th, 1829, and
likewise of Mr. Richard Strickland, Newport, Isle of Wight,
diploma dated June 29, 1816. Eighteen copies of the Regis¬
ter had been sold during the past quarter, and ten dis¬
tributed gratuitously.

The attention of the Council was next called to the increased
number of Members admitted to the Body Corporate, viz.,
one hundred and sixty-one since the last issue of the Register
by the Registration Committee.

It was suggested that an addendum be made to the present
Register.

It was moved by Professor Simonds , and seconded by Mr.
Ellis—

“That an addendum be prepared for publication on the
same plan as the present Register.” — Carried.

The Report from the Pinance Committee, and the Quar¬
terly Balance Sheet of the Treasurer's account were submit¬
ted. The current expenses for the quarter amounted to
£76 13s. 11^., which the Committee recommend should be
discharged. They also recommend that the sum of £10 be
advanced to the Secretary for petty cash to meet incidental
expenses.

The report was received and adopted, and cheques were
ordered to be drawn for the amount required.

The appointment of Committees for the year was then
proceeded with, viz., The Finance Committee to consist
of Messrs. Braby, Ellis, Harpley, Moon, Simonds, and
Wilkinson.

The House Committee to consist of Messrs. Harrison,
Mavor, Spooner, and Withers.

The Parliamentary Committee to consist of Messrs. Ernes,
Goodwin, Harpley, Harrison, Mavor, Moon, Seeker, and
Varnell.

A question having been raised as to what had been done
by the Select Committee of the House of Commons in refer¬
ence to the “ Cattle Diseases Prevention Bill.”

Professor Simonds explained that the Committee had
amended the Bill in many respects, and that certain contagious
diseases were provided against by the infliction of a penalty
of not more than £20. As to Veterinary Surgeons being
appointed Cattle Inspectors, he had urged the propriety of this

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 655

being done, but as the bills stood, any person in authority
in local districts could appoint whom they pleased.

The President announced to the Meeting that the profes¬
sion had sustained a great loss by the death of Professor
Miller, who had so ably filled the chair to the Scotch section
of the Court of Examiners.

It was resolved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to
the widow of the late Professor Miller.

A letter was read from Dr. Struthers, announcing that he
had tendered his resignation as Secretary to the Scottish
section of the Board of Examiners, and expressing his
opinion that the office should be a remunerative one.

After some discussion as to what should be considered
a sufficient remuneration for Dr. Struther’s services, and also
whether he could efficiently perform the duties of the office
now that he was resident in Aberdeen, Mr. Lawson, one of
the Board of Examiners, undertook to ascertain from Dr.
Struthers his views of the question.

The election of a Chairman and Secretary to the Scotch
Board of Examiners was deferred for future consideration.

SPECIAL MEETING.

The business of the Quarterly Meeting having terminated,
a Special Meeting was convened, the same members being
present, to consider the alteration of “ Bye-law 21,” which
was to the following effect, viz. : —

“Each section of the Court of Examiners shall have a
Chairman and a Secretary. The Chairman of each division
of the Court shall be elected by and from amongst its mem¬
bers. The Secretaries shall be appointed by the Council.”

The new law having been proposed by Mr. Wilkinson , and
seconded by Mr. Ellis , was carried.

The original Bye-law was to the following effect : — -

“ Each Court of Examiners shall select a Chairman and a
Secretary from amongst their body.”

By order of the Council,

W. H. Coates, Secretary.

SPECIAL MEETING OE THE COUNCIL, held July 13, 1861,

For the purpose of confirming the alteration of Bye¬
law 21.

Present : — Messrs. Braby, Brown, Harpley, Harrison,
Thacker, Wilkinson, and the Secretary.

656 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson, and seconded by Mr.
Braby —

“ That Mr. Harpley, Vice-President,, take the chair.”

The Minutes of the Quarterly and Special Meeting, at
which the said Bye-law was adopted, were read and confirmed.

The new Bye-law having been read and submitted, It was
moved by Mr. Braby , and seconded by Mr. Brown —

“ That the alteration of Bye-law No. 21, made at a Special
Meeting of the Council, held July 6th, 1861, be now duly
confirmed.” — Carried .

It was then moved by Mr. Harrison, and seconded by Mr,
Thacker —

(( That the new Bye-lawT be duly signed and sealed in ac¬
cordance with the provisions of the Charter.” — Carried.

By order of the Council,

W. H. Coates, Secretary.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

QUARTERLY MEETING, AND DINNER TO PROFESSORS
SIMONDS AND VARNELL.

The usual Quarterly Meeting of this Society was held on
Thursday, July 21st, at two o’clock, at the Neville Hotel,
Newcastle-on-Tyne. There was a good attendance both of
members and persons interested in the proceedings. Among
those present were — -

The President, Mr. C. Hunting, South Hetton; Messrs.
LI. E. Wilkinson, Newcastle, and Thomas Thompson, Sunder¬
land, Vice-Presidents; C. Stephenson and H. Hunter, New¬
castle ; W. J. Moore, Gateshead ; J. Hutchinson, South
Shields ; Thomas Foreman, Shotley Bridge ; Luke Scott,
Hetton ; D. MfGregor, Seaton Delavel ; William Hunting,
South Hetton ; D. Dudgeon, Sunderland, Treasurer ; G.
Armatage, Pensher, Hon. Sec.; R. Hall, Sedgefield; John
Fairburn, Alnwick ; A. Mann and A. Mann, junior,
Lainbton ; Professor John Gamgee, New Veterinary Col¬
lege, Edinburgh; Messrs. E. C. Dray, President of York¬
shire Veterinary Medical Association, Leeds ; Thomas
Greaves, President of Lancashire Veterinary Medical
Association, Manchester; W. MTvenna, Belfast; W. E.
Naylor, Wakefield ; W. Edmundson, Hamby, Bedale,

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 657

Yorkshire; J. James Turner, Northumberland; T. A. Clarke,
Horncastle ; J. Hunting, London ; Proud, South Hetton,
and W. Cubitt, North Washam, Norfolk, & c., &c.

ThePresident opened the proceedings by stating that Mr. H.
E. Wilkinson would introduce a paper on “ The Applicability
of Legislative Measures for the Prevention of Contagious
Diseases/’ a subject which not only had occupied the atten¬
tion of Government, as being a most important one to the
country at large, but, as it concerned the veterinary surgeon,
one which deserves his greatest consideration and attention.
Mr. Wilkinson then read the following paper :

Mr. President and Gentlemen, — One pleasant duty at the outset of
of my observations is, on behalf of our young association, to bid a cordial
welcome to those distinguished strangers — members of our profession —
whom I see before me. Much as we have to thank the Royal Agricul¬
tural Society of England for again honoring our smoky town with the
splendid exhibition which they have brought; for the pecuniary assist¬
ance and countenance accorded to our profession and its college, still
I feel that on the present occasion we have more especially to thank them
for the opportunity of meeting with those gentlemen who are in attend¬
ance here to-day, and giving us an opportunity of exchanging'ideas with
them on the progress of our profession.

Not long ago, much the same question of veterinary inspection as that
which we are now met to discuss, agitated the legislature of the Royal
Agricultural Society, — the only difference being that in one case the
diseases were of a hereditary character, whilst now they are of a con¬
tagious order.

To the credit of that enlightened body it was decided to retain veteri¬
nary inspection ; had they not done so I feel assured from an experience
gained during the past two months in particular, they would on the present
occasion have admitted many horses, the object of whose owners was not
the improvement of the breed, but to get rid of their individual specimens.

The applicability of legislative measures for the prevention of conta¬
gious diseases in cattle is a subject that cannot be indifferent to the veteri¬
nary surgeon, since, whether we consider measures present, past, or to
come, it is through his instrumentality the desired object is sought to be
gained; and in him, as a rule, rests the success or failure of the scheme.

With the habits and tendencies of professional men, I believe many of
my brethren have waited to be consulted rather than take the initiative in
the matter ; another reason for apparent apathy may be found in the want
of conveniences for discussion, such as the meeting-rooms of our local
veterinary medical associations will for the future afford us. Suffice to
say, I have not heard of any discussion on the subject amongst the veteri¬
narians of the north of England.

The Newcastle Agricultural Club, formed for the purpose of looking
after agricultural interests in Parliament, held a lengthened meeting
on the subject in this town ; the result of their deliberations, so far as I
could gather, was that they deprecated any interference with the right of
circulating disease amongst themselves ; but strongly objected to having
any imposed upon them by the foreigner.

An act passed in the )*2th year of the present reign, entitled, “An Act
to prohibit the importation of sheep, cattle, or other animals, for the pur¬
pose of preventing the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases

658 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

is the first active parliamentary interference with the subject. The same
sort of quarantine is ordered as in cases of cholera in the human subject ;
animals imported from suspected districts are alone inspected ; the detec¬
tion of disease rested with the officer of customs, and if he deemed it
necessary, a veterinary surgeon — not necessarily a member of the college
— could be employed, and an order in Council obtained for the destruc¬
tion of the cargo. So imperfect and routine a measure, was only inter¬
fered with in 1848, when a special order was obtained referring specially
to slraep and lambs, and again in July, 1856, when the detection still
rested with the Custom House Officers, the proof with the veterinary sur¬
geon, and the disposal of the suspected stock with the Commissioners of
Customs.

About that time, or shortly afterwards, the proximity of a fearful and
fatal murrain in Mecklenburgh, called the “ steppe-murrain,” created
much alarm both there and here, and at once aroused the attention of our
Government. An order in Council was issued, bearing date, September
6th, 1856, which is still unrevoked, and is the law upon which the exami¬
nation of imported cattle is conducted.

I have made certain extracts from it, and I think you will agree with
me that its provisions are at once ample and decisive, and so far as our
profession is concerned — had the diploma been recognised — complete in
the highest degree.

u 1st. On the arrival of a vessel with cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs, the
attendance of the veterinary surgeon is to be obtained as soon
as possible.

“ 2nd. After the cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs have been landed, they
are to be kept in charge until each animal has undergone
a careful examination, and if found free from disease, the
whole are to be passed immediately ; but in the event of any
disease being found to exist, such of them as may be so
diseased are to immediately killed, if the same be considered
necessary by the veterinary surgeon ; and if upon a post¬
mortem examination of such cattle, sheep, lambs, or pigs, the
same be found fit for human consumption, they, and the rest
of the importation are to be delivered to the owner or owners
thereof ; but should [any of those so examined be unfit for
such purpose, and the disease be of an epidemic or contagious
character, they are to be buried, or effectually destroyed in the
presence of an officer, and the remainder of the importation
detained for further examination, so long as the veterinary
surgeon may deem necessary, and dealt with as before directed.

“ The expenses incurred in detaining the whole or part of any
importation, or in killing and destroying those unfit for
human food, to be defrayed by the owner or owners.

<c 3rd. Sheep and lambs are not to be examined after dark, daylight
being absolutely necessary for the detection of certain
diseases.

“ Lastly. The veterinary surgeon is to be required to keep a record of
the particulars of each transaction agreeably with the an¬
nexed form.”

Here follows a lengthened and very minute list of the various signs by
which the diseases “ steppe-murrain and “ pulmonary murrain” are in
variably recognised ; and however culpable our Government may be for
the apparent apathy which is considered to characterise their movements
in any particular, no one can doubt the complete and most elaborate
system developed in this one at least. Then follows equally as complete

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 659

“ precautionary measures” to be adopted for the purpose of stopping the
spread of the diseases, such as burning the bodies, hides, &c., or other¬
wise thrown into deep pits dug for the purpose.

This, gentlemen, is the law as it at present exists for preventing the
importation of cattle affected with contagious or infectious diseases. °

At.the port of London, where the largest importations arrive, a staff of
veterinary officers and quarantine sheds and killing shops are provided,
the latter at the expense of the Steam Navigation Company owning the
cattle boats. At the outports where cattle are imported, veterinary in¬
spectors, now, I am informed, necessarily members of one of the recog¬
nised Colleges, are appointed by the Board of Trade. All cattle, irrespec¬
tive of numbers or the port of embarkation, are examined, the fee for
such being 10s. 6d. per cargo; in London, however, the inspectors are
paid one guinea for every day they are employed.

From my experience of the system during the time I have acted as in¬
spector at this port, I am perfectly satisfied that the system works well.
Every advantage is attempted to be taken by the foreign cattle dealers,
and by their agents, the English cattle salesmen ; but, as on the other
hand, every assistance and support’ is rendered by the Custom House,
and by its officers, it is the inspector’s fault if his authority is not’properly
recognised.

When first appointed here I had several importations of foot and
mouth diseases, and threats, entreaties, veterinary tribunals, and law suits
were alike’ pointed at my devoted head, and with the like result, viz.,
increased obstinacy on my part not to allow any addition to the already
overstocked market of murrained animals. A more pitiable and
loathsome sight than the crippled, slavering wretches presented, it
is difficult to imagine, and my qualms of conscience never ceased until I
saw the carcases in the killing shop. Never under any circumstances
have I objected to the sale of the meat from these animals, indeed, it is
surprising to find what is so foul without so fair within.

This is the law, gentlemen, and its present working, so far as the im¬
portation of foreign cattle is concerned ; and, as in my opinion, febrile
diseases of a contagious and infectious type, affecting our domesticated
animals, are on the increase both here and abroad, I, for one, am anxious
to see this law, however imperfect it may be, fully carried out until a
better is substituted ; and if we are to retain the right of freely circu¬
lating those infectious ailments we at present possess, do not let us fly to
those we know not of, and whilst we open our ports to the free trade of
the foreigner — whose presence has become, I regret to say, almost a
necessity — let us at least require that he visit us with clean hands.

And now, gentlemen, I turn to the recent attempts at legislation on
this subject, the results of which, I fear, like Mahomet’s coffin, are in a
state of indescribable suspension.

During the past Session a Bill was brought into Parliament, which
after being referred to a Select Committee for amendment, presented the
following title, viz., “ A Bill to make further Provisions for the Preven¬
tion of Infectious Diseases amongst Cattle and its preamble states that
“ It is expedient to consolidate and amend the law for the prevention of
the spread of contagious or infectious diseases amongst cattle in the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.”

Most of my hearers, doubtless, are as conversant with the provisions of
the Bill as myself, I shall therefore allude only to some of the leading points.

1st. It proposes to take cognizance of horses, mules, asses, neat cattle
of every description, sheep, goats, and swine.

2nd, The terms “ infectious ” and “ contagious diseases,” are intended

660 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

only to apply to such as are specially named in the schedules, viz.,
Schedule 1st comprises glanders, sheep-pox, or variola ovina, and steppe-
murrain. Schedule 2nd, pleuro-pneumonia and scab.

After dealing with the public exposure of diseased cattle in such places
as roads, woods, forests, &c., and the penalties to be enforced, a special
provision is made for the exposure for sale of such animals that are
diseased, apart from those deemed healthy.

It also prohibits the giving of uncooked flesh to swine, under certain
penalties, and provides for the appointment of officers, inspectors, and so
forth.

The deficiencies of the Bill, as a legislative enactment, appear to be
briefly these. While it makes provisions for the recognition of certain
diseases as being contagious or infectious, no notice is made of, or pro¬
vision for, such diseases that may in future arise of either character, or
diseases which may take on a contagious or infectious nature; also, while
it prohibits the exposure of diseased cattle on roads, commons, or in
woods, fields, stables, railway trucks and stations, &c., and open markets,
it legalises the sale of the same in markets or places which are set apart
for the purpose ; and lastly, it wholly exempts from its supervision that
fearful scourge, foot-and-mouth disease. As far as I may judge, this is
a great omission, believing that the losses which accrue to the owner
from its effects, are scarcely paralleled by any other — even pleuro¬
pneumonia itself. True it is, the owner in the latter case invariably
loses the animal, while in the former diseases a death is a rare occurrence ;
but there are losses of this kind :

The loss of sale, which is a loss of money ;

A loss of condition, which is a loss of money;

A loss of season,' which is a loss of money;

A loss of grass, which is a loss of money ;

A loss of time, which is a loss of money ;

Besides there is a great liability of all others, which are brought after¬
wards, being rendered similarly unprofitable ; and together with the na¬
tural suspicion which prevails for some time afterwards with respect to his
stock, adds considerably to the owner’s losses from the causes mentioned.

I am indebted to my friend Mr. Hunting for the following facts in
relation to this fearful disease :

“ Dear Wilkinson, — Herewith I send you a short account of a few
cases of ‘‘murrain,” which have occurred in my practice this year.
Appended to each is an approximation of the loss, by expenses, &c., it
entails upon the owners of the affected stock.

“ Case 1. — Mr. Ora Wood, Seaham, a tenant of Lady Londonderry,
keeps about thirty cows, all in high condition, being a new-milk seller.
Average worth of each animal £20.

“ This farmer bought a new calving cow at Newcastle market, which
showed symptoms of the disease on the sixth day after coming home. This
was not a very severe case ; but one of the quarters became affected,
being inflamed and indurated, causing much loss, not only of milk, but
condition. Within a week eight others contracted the disease, two of
which were very severe cases, one suffering mostly from the feet and
irritative fever; the other from feet and udder also, two quarters of
which became indurated. The disease went through all the stock on the
farm, including several steers and queys. One of the steers, a two-year-
old died, the hoofs separating from the vascular structures.

“ Mr. Wood estimated his loss from this attack of murrain at not less
than £70 or £80.

NORTH OR ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. (jQ 1

“ Cask 2. — Mr. Errington, of South Hetton, bought a cow at Durham
fortnightly fair. A week after coming home she became affected with
‘ murrain/

“ Several cases in the same byre soon happened in addition. One cow,
of a delicate constitution, has never been well since, now four months ago.

“The loss to this farmer, a new-milk seller, was very considerable,
certainly not less than £‘25.

“ Case 3. — Mr. John Willis, Seaharn, keeps twenty-eight cows. Bought
a cow at Darlington market, which brought the disease in the byre. At
this farm the cases were not severe, but four cows had very bad udders,
but no quarters indurated. The loss of milk and condition, &c., could
not have been less than £20.

“ Case 4. — Mr. Errington, Stony Gate, Houghton-le-Spring, keeps
twelve cows. The disease was brought into this byre by a cow bought
at Newcastle market. All the other cows took it; one proved a very
bad case. The pigs on the same farm also became affected, two of which
died. Even some hens were attacked.

“ Estimated loss about £25.

“ Case 5. — Mr. Sanderson, of Low Grounds, Seaharn Harbour, also
got the disease among his stock, numbering about twenty head, and by
condition and milk being thereby sacrificed estimates a loss of £20.

“There are many similar cases I could give you, but time will not
allow me; suffice it to say that few men can take a cow into any of our
cattle fairs and bring it out again without contracting the disease. As a
proof of this, I may say that in this district the disease is always much
more prevalent for a month or five weeks after Durham and New¬
castle Cattle fairs, than at any other time, certainly in the ratio of ten
to two.

“ My own opinion is, and has long been, that the annual losses to the
farmers and dairymen of Britain is enormous from this disease alone ; in
my own practice certainly not less than £1000 per annum, which I cal¬
culate as follows: — one hundred customers at £10 each — £1000.

“ I remain, &c.,

“ C. Hunting.”

And now, gentlemen, having reviewed the various agents by which
cattle traffic is governed, let me as briefly as possible state a few reasons
why I think legislative interference, if properly carried out, would be
useful at least to the agricultural interest of my own district. In this
locality the heart of the coal trade, and birth-place — if I may so call it —
of that vast railway system, which of itself has done more to revolutionise
our social system, its agriculture, manufacture, and commerce, than any
other means. In this district agriculture gives place, and is quite sub¬
servient to, the large mining and manufacturing establishments with
which it is studded.

Our farm holdings are small, averaging barely 200 to 250 acres. The
whole of the produce is sold on the spot, or in the neighbouring market,
and what store cattle are needed, or milch cows required, are pur¬
chased, as a rule, in Newcastle or similar public markets, and the animals
so purchased run a gauntlet with the infectious diseases of a market never
clear from them ; the cows are seldom bred from, and the bringing fat
ones to market and purchasing in calvers is a matter of constant recurrence.

The President took occasion to remark that as doubtless there would
be the expression of various opinions on such an important subject as that
which was embodied in the paper, in order to afford every person an

662 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

opportunity of giving his opinion, he would ask the gentlemen to confine
their remarks to the space of five minutes if possible.

Mr. Thos. Thompson, Sunderland, said he thought no one would deny
the great necessity which existed for legislative interference, and would
ask what means should be suggested for preventing the spread of con¬
tagious diseases.

Professor John Gamgee congratulated the gentlemen of the North of
England Veterinary Medical Association on their career, and for the suc¬
cessful state to which they had arrived; also the gentlemen from York¬
shire and Lancashire — presidents of the respective Veterinary Medical
Associations — whom he had the pleasure in meeting on this occasion.
He would take the hint from the President, and not occupy too much of
the time of the meeting, and in reply to one question put by Mr.
Thompson, said it was not possible to give an exact outline of the prin¬
ciples by which total prevention of contagious diseases could be secured.
It was clear and patent to all that very little had been really done
towards suppressing these evils, even by the profession itself ; veterinary
surgeons had not studied the subjects sufficiently, and the question which
had been just propounded went far to prove the correctness of what he
was saying. One great principle to carry out is to stop the sale and
dissemination of diseased stock by unprincipled persons, also to prevent
the recurrence of disease in byres by instituting a system of thorough
cleanliness and proper ventilation ; it is always a much wiser and credit¬
able mode of proceeding to prevent the spreading of devastating diseases
than to attempt the cure by the use of drugs, &c. He would propose
that the Society or Mr. Wilkinson should forward his paper to Govern¬
ment, and thus show up a few facts as to the amount of losses which
arise from the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease; facts which the
country at the present time is loth to believe ; because animals suffering
from that disease seldom die, the amount of loss depending upon it is
as seldom accounted ; and besides there are impediments in the way of
such — vested interests — which are brought to bear upon it, and thus
prevent legislation in a subject so lucrative to some parties ; but
Government is satisfied that the veterinary profession needs improve¬
ment, and that one plan is to call in its aid to such important matters as
these. Government is also satisfied that legislature is needed, and should
be strictly carried out ; but there are Irishmen who love a scabby sheep ;
Scotchmen who love the foot-and-mouth complaint ; and Englishmen who
do not object to a piece from an ox affected with pleuro-pneumonia. In
consequence of his having entertained such ideas with regard to the cat¬
tle disease question, he had been closely identified with the movement,
but he would state he was not, nor had he been connected with the pre¬
paring of bills for Parliament.

Legislation should not interfere with cattle traffic, only in reference to
those affected with disease, such as foot-and-mouth complaint, &c., and
these should be slaughtered at once, and not allowed to go from fair to
fair, and from market to market, contaminating all with which they come
in contact, and leaving the disease^ in all the places they visit. What
applies to epizootic aphtha applies also to pleuro-pneumonia. We should
follow out the rules of the great European authorities, and legislate for
special disease as well as for general disease.

The losses from the vesicular epizootic, it is well-known exceeds all
others, not even excepting pleuro-pneumonia ; they had been computed
at six millions ; he could state on authority, and after a careful study of
the affair, that they reached much nearer to fifteen millions. The best
way would be to institute a means of paying the fanner for his losses by

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 663

slaughtering diseased animals, and let him be shewn the necessity of
keeping a strict watch over his stock to prevent the spread of disease, and to
assist in the furnishing of statistics, whereby an accurate result could be
obtained. As a rule lie does not place the value upon, nor attach suffi¬
cient importance to the amount of loss which by indirect means he suffers ;
he forgets the calf which he lost ; the “ auld coo,” which died ; “ ah, she
was not worth much,” and thus he palliates the nature of the loss of
which he does not know, or care how to estimate.

A proper record of all cases should be kept, with the name of the
owner, colour of the animal’s skin, nature of its breed, name of the
butcher, inspector or veterinary surgeon, &c., and thus facilitate a return of
the actual extent to which these diseases prevail, as by no other means
will any reliable information be collected.

Mr. Thompson thought the most advisable course would be to follow
out a definite plan of inspection, so as to arrive at some data on which to
base our calculations of the extent to which these diseases prevail ; and
the first essential point he thought to be obtained is the confidence of the
employer.

Mr. Gudgeon thought [the [foot-and-mouth disease should be included
in the Bill to be brought before Parliament next year, for he was con¬
vinced that, from experience which he had gained in the matter, the losses
were far more considerable from it than any other cause.

Mr. II. E. Wilkinso?i considered the only effective check which could
be brought to bear upon the present traffic in diseased animals would be
to organize at once a body of efficient inspectors, who should be
thoroughly qualified veterinary surgeons of well-tried skill, and well-
known for probity and firmness of principle, receiving their power
from Government, and devoting their whole time and scrutiny to public
markets in order to detect diseased cattle, and make a public example of
unprincipled salesmen ; to begin at the byres is to begin at the wrong end ;
the marketsjafford the principal scope to a properly qualified inspector.

Professor John Gamgee suggested that veterinary medical associations,
such as this, should set about collecting all the information possible on
this subject, in order to furnish statistics of the ravages of contagious
diseases ; they should also report on the same, petition Government, and
also co-operate with Government in order to'bring about that state of
security and exemption from the effects of those diseases. It is a work
in which veterinary surgeons should engage themselves ; and a work
which should also be done apart from veterinary colleges.

Mr. E. G. Drag, Leeds, said, as President of the Yorkshire Veterinary
Medical Association, he should feel a great pleasure in doing all that laid
in his power in order to collect information, and had no doubt the mem¬
bers of the Society would also render efficient aid ; but as far as his means
were concerned — his practice lying chiefly among horses,— he felt they
were considerably limited, nevertheless some useful information might
be gained by a firm co-operation in each Society.

Mr. Greaves , Manchester , fully indorsed all that had been stated by Mr.
Dray, and would use his best efforts to collect information. He might
also say with Mr. Dray that the diseases of cattle almost formed with him
the exception ; but through his brethren of the Lancashire Society much
might be obtained ; veterinary surgeons, if desirous, can furnish more
valuable information than any other class of men.

Mr. W. E. Naylor, Wakefield, said he wished to make a few observa¬
tions, not that he felt that he could throw’ any particular light upon the
subject, but more especially with reference to the aspect in which the foot-
and-mouth disease was viewed in his immediate neighbourhood. He

664 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDTCAL ASSOCIATION.

thought there existed a policy in courting the complaint, and practice
appeared to confirm the view.

Dairymen who possessed a number of cattle which were coming on for
the purpose of milking, being turned out in ilarge straw-yards, &c., had
an infected beast turned among them, and thus the disease was communi¬
cated to the whole herd, and the effects completely got rid of before the
period of their profitableness and utility had arrived. If they became
affected apart from these circumstances they cast their calf, lost their
milk and condition, &c., and proved a very serious loss and inconvenience
to the owner.

Milksellers, as a rule, object to the use of caustic applications to the
feet, as they give rise to much pain and irritative fever, and hasten on
the loss of both milk and condition. The worst cases occur when the
teats are affected and the calf is suckled, the diseases being communi-
cated to the young animal. Bullocks bought at Darlington Market in
September or October, frequently are affected with it, and even those
which have never been near a market also take it; but no real objection
appears to be held against it as they are supposed to fatten more quickly
afterwards.

He (Mr. Naylor) had his doubts about its contagious nature, having
known byres in which the cattle had been tied up for months eventually
to take the disease, but not then even going through without
exception. He had heard of exaggerated cases of aphtha in the
human subject, in which it was stated the mouth was severely
affected, and finger nails come off; but he looked upon these statements
as on many others in regard to contagious diseases generally. Young
animals and milch cows suffer considerably, older animals not so much. In
many cases which occurred among two-year-old bullocks, first one hoof
dropped off’, and afterwards another, but with care and attention all went
on well.

The worst cases with which he had to deal were those in which large
abscesses subsequently formed in various parts of the body ; in many in¬
stances he had liberated as much as three or four quarts of matter at once,
— of course the formation of such occupy a great length of time, and leave
a very great space or vacant part in the muscles, requiring, however,
only ordinary attention afterwards.

It is the province of the veterinary surgeon to point out and remedy
defects in ventilation, and give proper directions to owners for the
domestic treatment of live stock, especially witri the view of preventing
the spread of disease when the animals are first attacked and found to be
affected ; he knew that there was some amount of difficulty in this, as it
was almost impossible for a veterinary surgeon to state under some circum¬
stances whether the animals had the disease or not, and therefore he felt
it all the more necessary that he (the veterinary surgeon) should be more
watchful and eager for the first signs by which he can accurately judge.

He (Mr. Naylor) did not object to the flesh of such animals ; in fact,
in most instances, he considered it as good as that of healthy ones, that is,
if the beast is in good condition at the time of being slaughtered. The con¬
tagiousness of this complaint is overrated, similarly with that equally bane¬
ful disease splenic apoplexy, which foreigners state they can produce by
giving the infusoria of hay, which had been allowed to stand to develop
the infusoria which are supposed to produce that malady. He had tried
it himself, but having failed in several instances, was undecided as to what
the cause could be.

Mr. Hunting gave the details of a case at South Ilettoji, where among
a quantity of cattle put up to feed, and by the introduction of diseased

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 6G5

animals, a loss of upwards of £200 occurred to the owner by the great
impediment to fattening, &c. In fact, he remarked, the consequences of
such a disaster are very considerable, even without the loss of the animal,
and it becomes a question whether, in these serious attacks by “ murrain,”
the loss would not be less if the animal died at the outset. What is wanted
are effective measures to put a stop to the unprincipled practice of disposing
of stock which are known to be unsound from infectious or contagious
diseases ; and also to prevent the farmer taking his diseased animals to
market for the same purpose. As a rule, a farmer is afraid to let any one
know that he has the disease among his stock, and, therefore, he keeps them
on for some time without medical treatment, or means being adopted for
having them slaughtered when in a condition in which no objection could
be raised of their fitness for human consumption ; but when he thinks a
suitable opportunity has arrived, they are sent off to market and sold.

A man of his (Mr. Hunting’s) aquaintance sold his diseased stock in
Newcastle Market, : a poor farmer living five miles from him purchased
one, he kept sixteen cows, all of which took pleuro-pneumonia from the
beast recently introduced, and he lost thirteen of the number.

Mr. II. E. Wilkinson asked Professor Garngee whether in his opinion
an action at common law could not, in such a case as that recorded by
Mr. Hunting, be instituted, and damages claimed for injury inflicted, it
being1 well known the animals were diseased at the time of sale.

Professor Garngee said a great deal would depend upon the nature of
the transaction, and question of warranty; but in all cases where such
had been instituted the termination had been successful, and he considered
it a proper course to operate strongly against the traffic in diseased animals.
Before he concluded, seeing that the time was rapidly fly ing, when they
must adjourn, he begged to propose a vote of thanks to the President,
whom he had the pleasure of having known for some considerable time,
for whose attainments he had the greatest regard. He considered him a
type of the best kind of country members of his profession.

Mr. Thomas Greaves had great pleasure in seconding the proposition,
and heartily endorsed all which had fallen from Professor Garngee.

Mr. E. C. Drag rose to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. H. E. Wilkinson,
for his instructive paper, and felt that it was almost impossible to thank
him sufficiently for laying before the meeting such an array of facts in
connection with the sale of diseased cattle and meat, &c., and he hoped to
see societies of this nature turning their attention towards the means for
suppressing the evil. Much might be done by a well-timed and spirited
co-operation in this as well as other matters of interest to the profession.
In their own (the Yorkshire) Society the subject of mal-practice and
alleged want of skill, in which Mr. Forbes, of lleigate, Surrey, had been
mulcted in heavy damages, had been considered at some length, and ter¬
minated in a resolution being passed, requesting the Hon, Sec. to write
for further particulars of the case. Such matters were of the deepest
importance to the profession, and he would be glad to see its members
alive to their interests and protection. Societies of veterinary surgeons
should take cognisance of them for mutual good.

The Hon. Gee., Mr. G. Ar mat age, had great pleasure in according his
support to a vote of thanks to Mr. H. E. Wilkinson, for the paper which
he had brought forward. He felt it had been duly appreciated by all
present ; as for himself, he was glad to have the opportunity of hearing
the subject of legislative interference, with regard to diseased cattle, so
thoroughly gone into. That there is a great necessity for legislation there
js no doubt ; but he, for one, felt a great difficulty in thoroughly and
effectively putting a stop to the evils which existed, and thought it a
xxxvii, 43

66G NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

subject which the veterinary surgeon in practice should approach very
cautiously. Farmers are proverbial grumblers, and any embargo placed
upon one would render him the more tenacious, and particularly if his
own veterinary surgeon had the power of placing the stock on his farm
in quarantine would his utmost vengeance fall upon him, and to the cost
of the practitioner, however just he might be. Undoubtedly the most-
suitable persons for inspectors are qualified veterinary surgeons, a staff
of which, with powers from Government, would render efficient aid, but
only when the whole of their time was given up to the duties.

In his opinion the foot-and-mouth disease possessed remarkable powers
and eccentric characters, but, nevertheless, it was very destructive to the
profits of the owner. Out of upwards of one hundred feeding cattle belong¬
ing to his employer, the Marchioness of Londonderry, very few escaped the
complaint. In one large byre five or six standing next to others badly
affected never took the disease; one, however, of the worst died from
extreme prostration, arising in consequence of profuse salivation.
When the time arrived, in May last, for the sale of the whole, no differ¬
ence could be detected in their condition; but it must be remarked the
feet were but slightly affected, and never required dressing. The treat¬
ment adopted was the administration of two drachms of Ferri Sulphas,
once or twice a day in water, which acted as a good wash to the mouth
as well as a tonic.

At this stage dinner was announced, when the company adjourned, and
were joined by Professors Simonds and Varnell, R. L. Hunt, Esq.,
President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, &c.

THE DINNER

was served up in the large dining-hall of the hotel. On the right of the
President were seated Professor Simonds, R. L. Hunt, and E. C. Dray,
Esqs. ; and on the left Professors Varnell and John Gamgee, and Thos.
Greaves, Esq. Mr. Thos. Thompson, Sunderland, occupied the vice-chair.

On the removal of the cloth,

W The President proposed “The Queen,” the pattern of sovereigns, and
brightest example to the mothers of England. (Cheers.)

He next gave the “Prince of Wales, Princess of Wales, and the rest
of the Royal Family.” The Princess, although but recently become
one of us, possessed the love and sympathy of the whole nation;
for while she, as it were, was compelled to wear a smile of satisfac¬
tion and happiness, as becoming her position here, no one could estimate
the harrowing sensations which were doubtless gnawing at the heart,
in consideration for her father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and friends
at home, and her country, now mixed up in the horrors of war and
bloodshed. (Cheers.)

The President afterwards proposed “The Army, Navy, and Rifle
Volunteers.”

Mr. C. Stephenson briefly responded.

Then followed from the Chair the toast of the evening — “ The Veteri¬
nary Professors of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.”

The President reviewed, in most glowing terms, the career of Professor
Simonds, as the senior professor, and in connection with works which
had become an authority in veterinary matters, such as his treatises on * The
Teeth,’ ‘ Variola Ovina,’ ‘ The Rot of Sheep,’ &c., together with the valu¬
able assistance he had rendered in regard to the late outbreak of smallpox
among the sheep of the southern counties. No matter whether we regarded
him as a teacher in the occupation of the professional chair, or as a friend

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 667

and guide to the young and inexperienced, lie might say the sterling charac¬
ters of Professor Simondswere as great as his professional qualities (cheers.)
What he might say of Professor Simonds he could also say of Professor
Varnell. Both were ever ready to help when required, lavish in their encou¬
ragement, and complete analysts of the characters of those with whom they
were called upon to deal, qualities which eminently fitted them for the
high position which they occupy as the heads of their profession. (Cheers.)

Professor Simonds said, — A man must be made of sterner stuff than
he was to be unmoved by the high eulogiums which the President had
been pleased to make. If there was one point in which it seemed to him
justice was done, it was the remark which had been made as to his onward
progress with the profession. He had been in connection with it since
boyhood, and, if old age and gray hairs permit, the members would see him
in it for many years to come. (Cheers.) He had been compelled to look
upon this meeting with a great amount of pleasure and pride, as an effort
springing from the professional body. The honour done to himself and
colleague by the “North of England Veterinary Medical Association ”
that day was unprecedented in the annals of veterinary medicine, for, as
far as he was aware, such an honour had never before been done to any
two members of the profession, and for such a special mark of esteem he
could not but feel thankful. As connected with the Royal Agricultural
Society of England, he could express the satisfaction he felt in seeing
the great good which accrued to the profession from its operations ; it
had been of immense benefit, and doubtless would continue to be so.
Going no farther than the prizes which were annually distributed for
subjects proposed as essays, the successful competitors, as members of the
profession, had derived the greatest benefit, for invariably they received
a greater share of patronage in their locality than before, in consequence
of the value placed upon their opinions and ideas. Ho matter whether
they came from this side of the Tweed or the other side of the Tweed,
all, if successful, reaped a profitable share of the reward afterwards.

He was glad to see that his northern friends had not been slow to take
advantage of the prizes offered, and he would give them every encou¬
ragement to proceed in the work before them. He had no feeling of
jealousy towards them; on the contrary, he looked upon the graduates
of the Scotch schools with respect and admiration, in having made choice
of a high calling, and also as friends and honorable men joined together
in one common profession. The formation of local veterinary medical
associations was a source of great satisfaction to him. As they spring up in
different parts of the kingdom, so the effects of great good would be appa¬
rent. The meeting together of the members as one body was cal¬
culated to advance their common interests, as well as social and pro¬
fessional standing. Had it not been for the existence of the “North
of England Veterinary Medical Association,” such a meeting as the
present, and in such numbers, could not have taken place. He could
not understand how it was that this and similar institutions had been
commenced in the north, and that in the south scarcely any steps had been
taken towards effecting the establishment of such societies. He could not
estimate their qualifications too highly, nor overrate the importance of
veterinary surgeons becoming members, and he hoped that no person pre¬
sent who was not already a member would leave the room without enrolling
himself as one. (Cheers.) It is as necessary for the veterinary surgeon
to keep pace with the tide of progression and development in his profes¬
sion, and with as much eagerness, as when he was a student. In fact, he is,
or should be, a student the whole of his life, and would ever find a
valuable source of information in meeting with his brother practitioners.

668 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

The Professor again returned thanks for the honour done to himself
and colleague, and sat down amidst great applause.

Professor Parnell said he felt that he could not express in words the
sentiments which he entertained towards the members of the North of
England Veterinary Medical Association for their great and honorable
notice of himself and colleague, but he could feel how much he valued
the kind reception which the veterinary surgeons of the North of Eng¬
land had, doubtless at some trouble and inconvenience, resolved to give
them. It is highly gratifying to see such an amalgamation in a border
town, and near where there are already three schools of veterinary medi¬
cine. Although he might wish to see these schools more united, never-
theless he felt highly gratified at the signs of cordial good-fellowship
(cheers) which existed among their several members. It was a mark of
onward progress in the common cause of the profession. He certainly did
not anticipate meeting with such numbers when the invitation was received
by him, and he considered it a manifestation of a general desire for union.

The existence of such local societies is a great benefit to the com¬
munity, as well as highly creditable to their promoters in these northern
counties. Although carried out in the north, the idea was first pro¬
mulgated in the south, by Mr. Raddall, of Plymouth ; but how it was that
the suggestions and ideas in connection therewith had not been acted
upon by the southern veterinary surgeons he was not aware. The
influence of these societies is great, as well as varied, and they may be
looked upon as lights diffused throughout the profession. I can understand
that they may have a salutary effect upon the schools. It would perhaps
be well for these associations to keep this in view, for they (the teachers)
were not perfect, nor did they ever expect to be. (Applause.) Pro¬
fessor Varnell again returned thanks for the very kind reception afforded
by the Society.

Song : — Mr. E. C. Pray — f‘ This day a Stag must die.”

The Vice-President, Mr. Thompson , in proposing “ The Veterinary Pro¬
fession,” said — My impression is, gentlemen, that the veterinary pro¬
fession is rising in importance, and gradually, though slowly, taking its
place side by side with other scientific and liberal professions. I think
in one particular you will agree with me, that we have represented here
a fair specimen of its importance, when the North of England Veterinary
Medical Association has seated around its festive board the elite of the
profession, which body I feel is at present represented by men of ability,
energy, and industry.

I, for one, believe that if the working members of the veterinary pro¬
fession, in the daily business and cares of life, remain true to each other
(cheers), while the professors, teachers, and presidents, are all har¬
moniously cemented together in one grand principle of professional
development, a glorious future is in the prospect ; and I would venture
to predict that the time is not far distant when each member, in his turn,
shall take his stand in the elevated social position to which, as a pro¬
fessional gentleman, he is entitled. (Applause.) He (Mr. Thompson)
would not say more, but give the “ Veterinary Profession,” and unite
with it the name of Mr. Hunt, the President of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons.

Mr. Hunt thanked the Vice-President and gentlemen of the Society for
the marked attention which he had received at their hands. The pros¬
perity of the veterinary profession was a subject dear to all, and claims
from its individual members their entire regard. Much also depends
upon their individual as well as united action. No matter to what extent
we legislate, the point desired will not be attained until the profession

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 669

values and preserves its own respectability ; each member should watch
over his own actions with a very jealous eye, and be determined to
fulfil, to the letter, the duties required from him as a brother
practitioner.

As provincial veterinary medical associations are originated and carried
out immense good will result. The meeting of man with his fellow will
tend to bring about a generalisation of feeling, and more definite action
in the whole body. At present there is too much apathy, too much
laxness in the profession, and little, if any, real interest taken in matters
affecting the community at large, and in consequence few members
attend the meetings in Red Lion Square. Members do not come up as
they should do. If matters of such weighty importance, which are to be
discussed at the general annual meetings of the corporate body — are to
be thus slighted and neglected, how can it be expected that the general
working of its individual parts should preserve that order and arrange¬
ment as might be expected if a proper amount of enthusiasm and genuine
spirit was brought to bear. The profession must bear in mind that these
meetings are open to all connected with the corporate body, and were for
no party purposes, but for the proper administration of the requirements
of the profession ; there all political questions are open for ventilation and
discussion ; in fact, there was every opportunity afforded to those whose
wishes are for the improvement and elevation of the profession. This
repeated absence from the meetings, and constant inattention to the in¬
terests of the whole body, is a complete injustice to the profession, and
much amelioration cannot be expected where so little interest is displayed.
As President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, he felt a great
pleasure in representing that body at this meeting, and he begged that
in future, as a step towards rendering effective aid in the general pro¬
gression and advancement, the members should present themselves yearly
in the month of May, in each year, at Red Lion Square, and testify, by
their presence and voice, &c., the real interest which they felt for the
welfare of the whole profession. Unless some trouble is taken in such
matters there will be no signs of improvement. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
He begged also to thank the members for the most flattering reception
which they, as officers of the Royal Agricultural Society, had met with
from them and from the inhabitants of Newcastle generally. From first
to last the kindness on all hands was extreme, and almost embarrassing.

Song : — Mr. H. Hunter . “ Nihil Desperandum.”

Mr. Armitage , Hon. Sec., in proposing the next toast, said : — I rise with
a full conviction of the importance of the task which has been delegated
to me, and have to regret that it demands greater justice than is com¬
prised within the capabilities of an individual like myself. It has been
frequently said, and, doubtless, with some amount of truth, that the
veterinary profession was never higher than at the present moment ;
but it cannot be denied at the same time, that if the hand of improve¬
ment has passed over it, a much greater change for the better might be
judiciously effected. Talent, as a rule, is not so much encouraged and
patronized in our body as it should be. No matter where we look, the
well-being of our valuable domestic animals in many instances is en¬
trusted to the care of persons without a particle of either respectability
or understanding to recommend them ; and not in every one by the poor
owner, but in far too many by the rich landed proprietor. In this im¬
mediate neighbourhood, although there are qualified veterinary surgeons
who, in my opinion, are second to none in the kingdom ; there are,
nevertheless, hundreds of horses and ponies, especially below ground,
left to the merciless judgment of the blacksmith or horsekeeper. (Hear,

670 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

hear.) Surely, if the racer, the hunter, carriage horse, or hackney,
require the best and most perfect treatment in their more advantageous
position, the poor pit horse or putting pony — under every disadvantage —
should have the best, of skill displayed for his well-being and security.
(Cheers.) If the science of chemistry is available for the ends of the
“ viewer” of the colliery, are there not half a dozen others which, in ad¬
dition, are needed to be thoroughly understood by the veterinary sur¬
geon in his attendance upon his patients. Surely, if the man without
education and qualification is worth employing for the treatment of their
ailments, it must be worth infinitely more to the owner to engage a
thoroughly educated man, whose efforts would be naturally directed to¬
wards the preventing of those diseases ; at all times a more profitable
proceeding than the cure of them. (Hear, hear.)

I look upon these provincial veterinary medical associations, gentlemen,
as one of those great beacons which has been ignited, and is now indi¬
cating by its powerful flame that eminence to which we as a body are
wending our way. They are also to be viewed as a distinguishing mark
by which the profession may be known. Young as this association is,
its origin and purposes have not been without effect.

The public, that far-seeing and discriminate body, have, throughout,
looked upon the veterinary community as a disunited class of men ; if
one has not given satisfaction, they immediately call in another, and in
this manner the self-respect of an individual has often been sacrificed by
a supposed honour in the preference and attention ; he shows there is no
confidence between himself and brother practitioner, and the selfish
employee turns it to his own account. Let the veterinary surgeon testify
to his having a respect for himself and brother practitioner, and the
public will find beneath his acts, motives which must claim for him the
greatest consideration.

I have frequently witnessed the good effects of that union, so much
desired in other parts, which exists in the flourishing city of Manchester.
We see it manifesting itself, and nestling as it were under the wings
of the veterinary medical associations of that place and Leeds ; and
I am proud to say we have not been insensible to its invigorating
influences in the town and district of Newcastle-on-Tyne. (Cheers.)
Of Manchester I have often heard it remarked, “If you get one of the
‘ vets’ there to make any proposition, depend upon it not only will it be
on the strongest reasonable foundation, but to a man will they carry it
out.” (Cheers.) This is the sort of union we want — unity of heart,
of purpose, and design ; not unity of opinion merely, but unity of
principle. Men accomplish the same ends by a variety of ways ; let the
veterinary surgeon look to this principle, and be “ A man for a’ that.”
(Cheers.) Diversity of opinion will occur, but it is only by contact of
man with his fellow, that its proper tendency will be observed ; and
association acts as the leading principle to the veterinary surgeon ; its
tendency is to show up a man in his true colours, to cause him to extend
the right hand of fellowship, and no longer go on hating or envying his
neighbour without knowing why. Association also stimulates the operations
of the mind, and developes ideas which otherwise would be lost or never
arrive at maturity. Although I look upon the aged and practical man
with a kind of innate reverence, yet I value the principles of sound
science and correct investigation ; the mere practical man waits for
results, whilst the well balanced mind, thoroughly trained in the process
of events, their nature and bearings, acts by anticipation and induction,
which with practical details, are the hand-book and guide to future honour
and emolument. (Hear, hear.)

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 671

I will not detain you longer, gentlemen, but propose the “ Provincial
Veterinary Medical Associations,'5 coupling with the toast the names of
those gentlemen whose eminence in the professional community fully
entitle them to the distinguished position which they now hold as Presi¬
dents of the respective societies in Yorkshire and Lancashire, Messrs.
Dray and Greaves. (Loud applause.)

Mr. B. C. Bray , Leeds, in the course of his well-timed remarks, said
he valued the principles of veterinary medical associations, and felt
more and more the necessity for a perfect unity in the bond of bro¬
therhood ; if the veterinary surgeon will but render that effective assist¬
ance in carrying out their design, their influence must inevitably be that
of mutual good ; the necessity of a spirit of co-operation always exists,
and the more the practitioner applies to that necessity, the more effective
a member of the profession will he become, and the greater will be the
impetus with which he must urge on the machine of science. In his
dealings with the public there exists a necessity for each practitioner,
not only to be on “ good terms’5 with his brother, but also that mutual
good feeling and desire for each other’s welfare and benefit should exist,
so that, -when a misunderstanding takes place between a client and him¬
self, he can call in the aid of his friend to smooth down the path
of difficulties. Mr. Dray then gave the details of a case in which
he was called in to endeavour to maintain the standing of a brother
practitioner against a client who had resolved to enter an action for
alleged want of skill in treating his horse which had died, and stated that
after a post-mortem examination had been made, the owner, who before
was all storm and passion, now became convinced of his mistake, and
not only offered the most ample and sincere apologies, but, sensible of
the respect and good understanding which existed between the profes¬
sional friends, insisted upon their accepting of the best his house could
afford. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Dray) felt sorry there was not more of
this co-operation amongst them ; it is a result of great apathy and
sluggishness of action. Many there are in the profession who are en¬
tirely ignorant of what passes in the veterinary world; he knew a
veterinary surgeon at the present time, in one of the largest towns in
Yorkshire, who is neither a member of a veterinary medical associa¬
tion, nor does he take in a periodical in connection with his profession.

He (Mr. Dray) had a great desire to see the advancement of the pro¬
fession and promotion of the veterinary surgeon, — that is, necessary pro¬
motion, for such might go too far; his ideas were not so extensive as to
create nobility from the ranks of the profession. This reminded him of
a saying reported of George IV, who never was remarkable for having
said many witty things, but on this occasion, when asked to make Sir
Astley Cooper a lord, replied, “ Why then we shall have all the ladies
crying, good lord deliver us.5’ (Cheers and laughter.) The veterinary
surgeon in every respect fills a most responsible position, and his office
and the nature of the calling he follows are quite incompatible with
apathy and indifference.

Mr. Thomas Greaves, Manchester , said, Mr. President and Gentlemen, —
If there be one circumstance in connection with this my visit to your
town and association that is not wholly destitute of a particle of regret,
it is this simple incident, that the responding to this most interesting
toast, viz., “The Provincial Veterinary Medical Associations,5’ should
not have fallen into the hands of a better and abler man, to have
done full justice to so important and interesting a subject. (Cheers.)
The veterinary profession, headed as it is by colleges which are the pride
and glory of the land — colleges conducted by professors who are an

672 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

honour to the exalted positions they occupy — must, by the movement
that has recently taken place in the provinces, and also by the deep in¬
terest that has been excited throughout the length and breadth of the
land, be stimulated to advance. 13y these associations, I say, and with a
full knowledge of all these facts before us, who can doubt the great good
that must result, not only to our own profession specially, but to society
at large ? It is a simple rule-of-three question ; when we have a greater
number of intellects at work, we must have greater results ; and let me
ask, can there be anything more grand or noble than the spectacle of a
great intellect grappling with a great difficulty ? We have heard a great
deal said about manly occupations: can there be (I would ask again) any¬
thing more truly manly than in associating together, and exercising the
best abilities God lifts given us in mitigating the ills that flesh is heir to,
in ameliorating and circumscribing the evils engendered by civilization?
(Hear, hear.) What nobler occupation can be conceived than in em¬
ploying our best abilities in tasks such as have been laid before us this
afternoon, viz., checking the ravages and limiting the area of various
contagious and destructive pestilences? Meetings of these kinds must
have their effect. They give us a feeling like unto giants refreshed with
wine, and an increased determination 1o go forth and to do something
worthy of the noble profession to which we belong. (Cheers.) In my
own city, one of our ablest and most experienced men, Mr. Lawson, has
in a most laudable manner undertaken to bring into our association the
subject Tetanus. He has devoted much of his time and mind to it, and
now adopts a method that has cured, eight out of ten cases. His son, too, has
devoted much of his time and mind to another disease considered hitherto
all but incurable — I alludeto cancer. He has cured two out of three cases ;
they were cases amongst the worst I have ever seen, and the third is on
the high way to recovery. I allude to these things in order to illustrate
the great value of associations. I have no doubt but they have stimulated
thought and contributed to results such as I have named. Then as to
contagious diseases, I am apprehensive that I shall be unable to contribute
any knowledge upon this great and important subject, perhaps the most
important veterinary question that can engage the mind of man. Situated
as I am in one of the largest cities in the kingdom, where rot in sheep
is unknown, where pleuro-pneumonia is only occasionally seen, my oppor¬
tunities have been limited ; but limited as have been my means of observa¬
tion, I have nevertheless paid some attention to this class of diseases,
and I am rejoiced to see so many practical men met together to make
a collective effort to devise some means whereby their dreadful effects
may be in some measure, at least, mitigated. The question is no fiction,
although it may have been somewhat over-coloured in some quarters ;
it is, nevertheless, a very weighty and important one to study. It is the
duty of every man to do all he can to circumscribe the area of contagion
as much as possible. If some historian or romance writer, some man
of a high order of intellect, were to take it into his head to make this
subject the theme for his pen, I can easily conceive him drawing some¬
thing like the following picture : — “At a certain period in the history of
a great nation, in the midst of its greatest state of prosperity, it was
visited with a most destructive pestilence, which smote its flocks and
herds. So wide-spread were the ravages of this pestilence, that not only
were the agricultural classes of that but every surrounding nation re¬
duced in numberless instances to penury and ruin . Everything that
science and skill could suggest was done to check its fatal progress; the
government and many scientific bodies in each nation strained every
nerve in vain ; the disease went on with more or less malignity for twenty

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 673

years or more. Mankind mourned at this state of things, and seemed
disposed to murmur, but about this time certain bodies of daring, earnest
men, conceiving it to be their peculiar province, and goaded on by
the pressing emergency of the case, and stimulated by public opinion,
collected all the knowledge and skill possible upon the point from past
experience ; they took council together, their understandings were greatly
enlightened, and thev devised certain methods which led to a better
means of preventing all contagious diseases, and which in the end resulted
in entire success, by which not only the agricultural classes, but the entire
nation, was benefited in a degree that was wholly unprecedented.” Gen¬
tlemen, one portion of this picture is already distinct before our eyes,
and it is for us to fill in the remainder of it. The essay we have heard
read has very greatly advanced our means. The remarks that have
been so well made by other eminent and able speakers bring the picture
still nearer to perfection. I would it was in my power that any remarks
of mine could put the finishing touches to it, so that it could stand out
conspicuously before us, and we could say, it is finished, the task is
accomplished, and we can now limit and circumscribe all contagious dis¬
eases. But, gentlemen, if we have not yet achieved this, one thing is
certain, viz., that this meeting and this discussion cannot fail to awaken
deep thought in the breasts of all men concerned, and I hope and trust
they will produce a great improvement in our knowledge and manage¬
ment of these perplexing and dangerous diseases, and especially advance
that kind of knowledge necessary for controlling and confining their
subtle and dangerous disseminating tendencies. (Cheers, and hear,
hear.)

Song : — Mr. G. Armatage. “ Trouble your heads with your own
affairs.”

Mr. Dudgeon, Sunderland , proposed “The Veterinary Colleges north
of the Tweed,” and in eulogistic terms spoke of the valued assistance
which had been rendered to the profession by the exertions of Professor
Dick, whom he was sorry was not present, and the influences of the
Clyde Street School as emanating through the teachers. He also
touchingly alluded to the loss which had been sustained by the profession
in the death of Mr. Barlow, one of its brightest ornaments. To the student
a father, friend, and teacher ; to the world a philosopher. To have
passed one’s noviciate under him was alike an honour and a privilege,
and he would exclaim with Byron —

“ Oh ! what a noble heart was here undone,

When Science self destroyed her favourite son !

Yes ; she too much indulged thy fond pursuit,

She sowed the seeds, but death has reaped the fruits.”

Of Professor Gamgee he (Mr. Dudgeon) knew but little personally, but
felt he had one grand object in view, viz., the elevation and advance¬
ment of the profession. (Hear, hear.) He read his writings, and looked
upon them with great consideration ; although not always thinking alike
with the Professor, he was still of opinion that no one could deny those
writings emanated from a scholar and gentleman. (Cheers.)

Professor John Gamgee returned thanks, and on reviewing the history of
veterinary medicine north of the Tweed, said he looked back with much
pride and satisfaction upon the great work which had been accomplished
in so short a time ; but the consideration of it should by no means weigh
against that which in future must be effected, when the interests of the
general body of the profession is concerned. Much has doubtless been
done, but more has yet to be done, and it would be his (Professor Gamgee’s)

674 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

high aim to watch over the peculiar interests of the profession. His
motto is, “ Forwards and onwards;” and if in the interests of the profes¬
sion he were called upon to do anything, he would be no obstruction or
hindrance, but rather a helpmate and assistance. As we take our stand
in the order of changes and events, his school might be second, but we
shall endeavour to be first ; and such is our desire for the welfare of
all concerned that at any time, if any member can point out any
method by which an improvement can be made in the present curri¬
culum, with a view of turning out improved veterinary surgeons, they
will not have a deaf ear at the new Veterinary College, Edinburgh. He
felt that it was highly necessary that something should be done in the
shape of improvement in the system of remuneration, so as to secure the
admission of first-class men into the profession. It could not be expected
that great men would enter a community whose services were so poorly
requited. It is a disgrace to the profession; and so long as men are
so poorly recognised and valued in one of the noblest pursuits, we cannot
expect that talent will be on the increase. What can be said of the
remuneration to practitioners can also be said of teachers; and with
shame be it said, one of the greatest lights and ornaments in the profes¬
sion, — now no more, — an authority in all scientific matters, was in receipt
of only one hundred pounds a year.

One other point which deserved attention, he thought, was that of
College fees. He had often heard it remarked that those of the London
College were too large ; for his own part, he (Professor Gamgee) would
double them, and have them 50 guineas, and thus secure the entry of
persons of a superior class. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. H. JE. Wilkinson next proposed, “ The Editors of the Veterinary
Journals,” and observed that he considered the sentiments of the profes¬
sion were well represented in the recognised journals of the body. Were it
not for those journals, we should not have the glowing elocution of Pro¬
fessor Gamgee, the calm logic of his old teacher, Professor Simonds, or
those scientific emanations from the pen of Professor Varnell. (Cheers.)

Professor Simonds said — The interests of the journals were vested as
much in the contributors as in the editors, and their value depended as
much, if not more, upon the former as upon the latter. They are
mainly and essentially the journals of the profession, not the journals
of the editors. He (Professor Simonds) thought, with. Professor Morton,
that if veterinary surgeons would write essays on given subjects, it would
enhance the position of the profession. Mere details of cases are often
not sufficient, but the ideas and opinions of persons in reference to disease,
&c., are to be courted. All should endeavour, however, to contribute
something to the common stock, no matter if their subject occupied but
six lines. So long as it consisted of purity of thought, and was in
accordance with strict principles of science, whether it came north or
south of the Tweed, equal attention should be paid to it for furtherance
of veterinary knowledge. He could only add that their journal was at
the service of the profession, which they can use as they like, without
minding the space. They (the editors of the Veterinarian) were in a
position to afford additional space, without additional cost in the price
of publication. The Veterinarian now finds its way to India, China,
America, and most of the colonies, to distant friends in the pro¬
fession. It had proved a valuable medium for the preservation of the
transactions of such societies as the North of England Veterinary Medical
Association, as well as a record of cases of interest. He would give
his contributors — many of whom he could recognise present — every
encouragement to forward all they could, and thus add to the general
stock of information upon the science of veterinary medicine.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 675

Professor John Gamgee also urged upon the members the great import¬
ance of contributions being forwarded for publication after the manner
of “ Youatt.” Veterinary surgeons should write more upon subjects of
a special character, and work into the hands of those connected with the
press, as by its influence much good can be accomplished. He valued
the powerful influence of the press, and its connection with the compila¬
tion of veterinary literature. Well might we profit by the acts of Pro¬
fessor Morton, who had done more than any other man for the profession
in that respect. He (Professor Gamgee) would call upon all present to
drink a bumper to the health of Professor Morton. (Cheers.)

Professor Simonds briefly, but eloquently, returned thanks on behalf of
Professor Morton.

Mr. John Fairbairn , Alnwick , proposed “ The Visitors,” and said —
However much they might be gratified in meeting with their professional
brethren at these times, it was a matter for rejoicing when gentlemen —
distinguished strangers from great distances — did them the honour of
attending their meetings ; it was satisfactory to know there were
gentlemen who took an interest in the profession and its advancement.
(Loud cheers.)

Mr. McKenna , Belfast , replied — If he had come for no other purpose
than to meet his friends on this occasion, he could not receive a greater
honour than the privilege of meeting with them under such very favorable
circumstances. He certainly did not consider that there would be such a
meeting when he received the invitation, and he scarcely believed the
profession could have been drawn together in such numbers. When his
friend and old pupil, Mr. Wilkinson, wrote to him, he declined on the
score of business ; however, -a second letter came, stating in peremptory
terms, “You must come, for Simonds is coming, Yarnell is coming, and
a first-rate meeting is expected.” At the moment he received this inti¬
mation his horse and gig were at the door, and a steamer was ready to sail ;
so he at once ordered back the former, and took the latter for England,
saying within himself he should be proud to meet such persons. He felt
there was need for many meetings of this kind, and their influence was
needed also in bringing about a state of unity in the profession, especially
with reference to those instances where a practitioner felt his reputation
to be at stake.

Mr. McKenna detailed one or two instances where the character of a
veterinary surgeon would have been ruined and his future prospects
blighted, had it not been for the friendly assistance of professional
neighbours. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Cubitt , Bacton Abbey , Norfolk, said— He should be wanting in
courtesy not to return thanks for the compliment paid him as one of the
visitors, and for the kind welcome received. He was not a member of
the veterinary profession, but as a practical farmer he felt a deep interest
in all that appertained to it, more especially with regard to its future pro¬
gress and development. He had listened with pleasure to what had fallen
from preceding speakers. All seemed to agree that the Veterinary pro¬
fession did not take that eminent standing to which it was entitled, nor
did he consider so desirable an object could be attained till a higher
standard of education was introduced, and the College examinations
embraced a wider range. In looking over the registered list of the
members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, he was surprised
to find so important a county as Northumberland so badly represented.
It did not say much for the general intelligence of its farmers to find
them entrusting the lives of their valuable animals in the hands of
farriers , cow leeches , or other unqualified men, who generally managed to

676 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

kill more animals than they cured. He knew a case in point, in which
the lives of some valuable draught horses were destroyed by one of these
quacks. The animals were suffering from an unusually severe attack of
influenza. The old remedy — bleeding and purging — was resorted to, fol¬
lowed, as might be expected, by utter prostration, and ultimate death.
No doubt many valuable animals were still destroyed by unskilful and
injudicious treatment. This class of men are happily disappearing from
the southern counties, and when farmers really know the importance of
veterinary science as applied to pathology, they will cease to employ
these cow leeches or veterinary quacks.

There is a wide field open to the educated and skilled veterinary
surgeon. One important subject to which he might with profit direct his
attention is that of cattle food. The ever-increasing demand for meat
necessitates an enormous consumption of artificial food. The farmer is
subject to the greatest fraud ; indeed, too often he becomes the victim of
unprincipled men. How great would be the advantage to have within
his reach the scientific veterinary practitioner, who could analyse that
food, and direct him in its proper application. Their chairman (Mr.
Hunting) had published a valuable pamphlet on the principles and
economy of horse-feeding. It should be read by all interested in cattle-
feeding. He (Mr. Cubitt) had, as an individual, profited by its perusal,
and he thought this a fitting opportunity to thank Mr. Hunting for such
valuable information. He agreed with the professors, that these matters
were not sufficiently ventilated. It was a pity that men so advanced in
their profession should hide their light under a bushel. It could only be
from a comparing of notes and from a well-kept record of what was
passing in the veterinary sphere, that the profession could hope to reach
that pinnacle of success they were now somewhat tardily approaching.
He could not resume his seat without a passing remark on what had
fallen from Mr. Stephenson, who expressed a hope that the strangers
visiting their town had been treated with kindness, and been gratified
with what they saw. Tor his own part, he must beg to say that he had
met with the greatest civility ; all seemed to vie with each other, from
the gentleman at the head of those vast factories to the humbler mechanic,
in their desire to show and to explain those wonderful engineering sights
on the banks of the Tyne. In going over such works as Stephenson’s and
Hawthorn’s, as also Palmer Brothers’ at Jarrow, he could not but feel a
wish that those people bred and born (in the more isolated districts of the
kingdom) with cramped views and narrow minds could come here and
see what was going on in the icorld and for the world. Who could witness
the progress of those beautiful engines — many to go abroad, destined to
open out the resources of foreign lands — and the building of those magnifi¬
cent iron ships, without contemplating the probable great and noble
results, as tending to the spread of civilisation, and adding to the happi¬
ness of the human race ?

Mr. Cubitt concluded by again thanking Mr. Fairbairn for the honour
of having his name coupled with the toast of the visitors, and trusted
such meetings of the profession would become more frequent, and not
fail to have the desired effect.

Professor Gamgee proposed “The President,” and spoke of him not only
as a gentleman, but as a successful practitioner ; one who tested men by
a peculiar guage, and in proportion to their willingness and capabilities
for good works. He had known him for many years as a friend and
brother professional, and considered him, from his high professional
attainments, eminently calculated to fill the honourable post of President
of the North of England Veterinary Medical Association. (Applause.)

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 677

Mr. Hunting, in reply, stated that nothing inspired him with greater
delight, than to meet his friends in the profession ; he had a great desire
for the mutual good of the body, and entertained a high respect and
admiration for all who had the courage to make sacrifices for it. (Hear,
hear.) He had the greatest satisfaction in being able to recognise in his
immediate professional neighbours friends of upright, honest, firm princi¬
ples ; men of unflinching zeal, hard workers in their professional avoca¬
tions ; men of determined purpose and scientific ability. He had known
some of them for a considerable period, and felt that in Wilkinson, Scott,
Thompson, and others, he was as well positioned for sincere attachment
as man could boast of. (Cheers.)

He had always been a hard worker himself, and his paramount, object
was to make himself generally useful to all in the profession, and render
himself worthy of his employers’ notice and esteem. He had met with
many friends, and had very great reason to value their assistance, and
hoped never to forfeit their good opinions.

As for the post he occupied of President of the Society, no one knew
his own failings better than himself, and he felt convinced that others more
qualified (No, no,) could have been found to fulfil those important
duties. However feeble his efforts may have been, they cannot have been
exceeded in sincerity. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hunting begged to thank
all present for the honour which had been conferred upon him, and he
assured the Society that during the tenure of his office, and in whatever
other capacity he might stand in relation to it, so impressed had he been
of its real value to the profession, that it would always receive his first
and most important consideration. (Cheers.)

Professor Varnell next proposed “ The Vice-Presidents,” whom he stated
to be men of well-known ability and usefulness in their professional
capacity, and in their private sphere possessed of the confidence of all who
had the pleasure of their acquaintance. They did honour to the Society to
which they are connected. (Loud applause.)

Mr. Thompson said he felt at a loss how to shape his course of reply
under such flattering eulogisms which had fallen from Professor Varnell.
If he was useful in his profession, he felt he was pursuing a path of duty
which should be the first thought of the veterinary surgeon towards his
employer. If his private worth was such as to merit for him the good
feelings and opinions of those around him, he might say he had accom¬
plished much, of which he might be proud. So far as his humble
assistance was concerned, and as one of the Vice-Presidents of the
Society, he should never be found wanting when the call of duty
sounded on behalf of his brother practitioners. (Cheers, and hear,
hear.)

Mr. H. E. Wilkinson , with much brevity and neatness of speech,
said he felt the proudest satisfaction in being one of the vice-presidents
of such a useful Society, and that, in countenancing the efforts of the
general body, a noble result must be expected. (Loud cheering.) As
an inhabitant of Newcastle, he begged to offer a cordial welcome to all
who had been induced to visit that town by the meeting of the Royal
Agricultural Society. Probably they would not find the district
equal to theirs of the South, or the mannerisms of the Northerners so
easy and refined ; but under all there is a cordial hospitality which flows
from hearts sincere, enveloped as they are in such a rough exterior. He
begged that when his friends were tired of the sun and heat of the
South, they would again pay a visit to the pitmen of the North. (Loud
laughter and cheers.)

The President said he should feel he was neglecting an important duty if

678 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

he did not endeavour to pay some tribute of regard for the exertions of
their Hon. Sec. Mr. G. Armatage.

Societies of a public and private character have great need of a prime
agent, one upon whom can rest the responsibilities of the whole concern,
and one capable of taking upon himself duties of a most arduous cha¬
racter. The energy and clearness which Mr. Armatage had displayed
not only in carrying out the wishes and objects of the society, but the
principles of its formation, for it must be known its origin is entirely due
to him, eminently characterised him as a most efficient officer, and one cal¬
culated to do honour to the profession to which he belonged.

He — Mr. Hunting — must confess that when Mr. Armatage first inti¬
mated to him his desire for the formation of the society, he saw no great
probability of its establishent ; but Mr. Armatage, nothing daunted, pur¬
sued his course, and wrote letter after letter, to many of which he never
received replies. Still, however, he went on, and not satisfied with
negative replies or silence, he next travelled miles to pay a personal
visit and win over by his persuasive eloquence. Such is the character
for perseverance of the Hon. Sec., and to him alone must be awarded
the merit of having successfully carried out the formation and working
of the society, and to him must all feel indebted for the present meeting.
If the society had not been in existence, it is very doubtful if this
dinner had taken place. (Great applause.)

Mr. Armatage , in reply, said : — If there were some circumstances of
greater embarassment than others, they are those in which one is called
upon to make a response to such flattering sentiments which had fallen
from the respected President, in recognition of his services as Hon.
Sec. of the Society. True, he had been conspicuous in its formation ;
for he felt the establishment of such a society would fulfil an important
omission in the profession, and perform a means of public good. He
was desirous of seeing his brethren upon a different footing, consistent
with education, standing, and the spread of knowledge. Then he had
met with obstacles in his progress, and the President had presented him¬
self as one at the first interview. He was determined, however, not to
allow the opinions even of Mr. Hunting or any one else to weigh against the
necessity of doing good, for he felt like Napoleon, and would not
believe in failures. “ Impossible,” cried that great general, “ I have no
such word in my dictionary.”

He felt also there was a great deal to be accomplished by promptitude
of action. When Sir Colin Campbell was asked when he could set out
to take charge of the Indian army ? he replied, “ to-morrow.” This was an
earnest of his future success ; and to these principles alone did he attribute
the success of the society. Dawdling will not do in such matters ; if you
cannot be received at the front door, you must attack your man through
the back ; for determination of purpose must not be overlooked.

The only thing which gives him (Mr. Armatage) annoyance, is the great
neglect and apathy which exists among his professional friends, especially
towards a letter. Many of the members in various parts of Durham
and Northumberland, &c., to whom he had written half a dozen letters
each, had not yet deigned a reply, a fact which did not weigh much in
favour of their general business habits. If they are so slow at letter writing,
their means of obtaining further improvement would probably be as limited.
While he felt the proudest satisfaction in the numerical strength of the meet¬
ing, he was conscious that some degree of sluggishness existed among the
members of the neighbouring districts. When the various towns adjoining
are considered, and the number of practitioners who are not present, it
must be apparent that a defect exists in the state of things which should

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA.

679

characterise the general body. When such towns as Durham, Bishop-
Auckland, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, &c., & c., are not represented
on this important occasion, and we have gentlemen present who have
thought it no trouble, nor grudged the expense of coming 200 miles and
more, we cannot say that the pluck of the veterinary community lies in
these northern regions so much as it should.

Mr. Armatage thanked the President and gentlemen present for the
great honour conferred upon him, and assured the Society that his
utmost endeavours for its promotion and welfare should always be ex¬
ercised. It was a labour of love, and he felt delighted to be of service
to his profession. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)

Mr. E. C. Dray next proposed, in a very neat speech, “ The Ladies!”
quoting the lines of Sir Walter Scott : —

“ Oh, woman ! in our hours of ease,

Uncertain, coy, and ill to please ;

And variable as the shade.

By the light quivering aspen made :

When pain and anguish wring the brow,

A ministering angel thou.”

Mr. Henry Hunter briefly replied.

And thus ended one of the most interesting and agreeable gatherings
of the veterinary profession that ever was known.

The North of England Veterinary Medical Association has instituted
a precedent which the profession will do well to follow. When prac¬
ticable, and under similar available circumstances, it must give a great
impetus to our social and moral standing if the members are called
together for the purpose of taking up subjects of interest connected with
their general welfare as a profession. Such societies have1 great influ¬
ence, and by their united exertions they may accomplish much for general
good.

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

Thursday, 19th May.

The SyjeaJcer took the chair at half-past four o'clock.

NOTICES OF MOTION.

Mr. L. L. Smith gave notice that on Tuesday next he would
ask the hon. the Chief Secretary if it was a fact that Mr.
Miscamble had sent in his account for £1500 for two years'
unpai d- servi-ees- as-pleur o ^pn e u monia commission er •; whether
the Government had refused to acknowledge the same; and,
if such was not the case, would the Government at once
liquidate the amount ; and, if not, why not?

680

OBITUARY.

ARMY APPOINTMENTS.

War Office, Pall Mall, Aug 5, 1864.

11th Hussars. — Veterinary-Surgeon David Paley, from the
Royal Artillery, to be Veterinary-Surgeon, vice Ferris, who
exchanges.

Royal Artillery. — Veterinary-Surgeon John Ferris, from
the 11th Hussars, to be Veterinary-Surgeon, vice Paley.

MISCELLANEA.

SEPARATION OP SMALL QUANTITIES OP LIME AND

MAGNESIA.

The method of separting lime and magnesia by means of
oxalate of ammonia does not succeed when the lime present
in the mixture is a very small amount. In such a case the
lime is either not precipitated at all or but very incompletely.
Free ammonia assists in hindering the precipitation, and
when it has evaporated crystals are obtained, which consist
of oxalate of lime with oxalate of magnesia, and the liquid still
contains lime. A better result, Scheerer says, is obtained by
converting the alkaline earths into neutral sulphates, and
adding alcohol to the aqueous solution until a persistent
cloudiness is produced. After some hours all the sulphate
of lime is deposited. When too much alcohol has been used,
some of the sulphate of magnesia is deposited as well; it is
sufficient then to redissolve the sulphates in water and pre¬
cipitate a second time with alcohol ; or the lime may now
be thrown down by the oxalate of ammonia. The magnesia
not being in excess, no longer hinders the precipitation.

OBITUARY.

Died recently, Thomas Burton, M.R.C.V.S. London.
His diploma bears date, July 7th, 1843.

Also John Brown, M.R.C.V.S., Warwick. His diploma
bears date May 31, 1843.

ERRATA IN' NO. 410.

Page 50S, line 14 from the bottom, for lc lacerated/’ read “ lacerable.”

„ 634, for “Mr. Win. Caltell,5> read “ Mr. Wm. Cliattell \**/or “ Wick-
worth,” read “ Wirksworth.”

T1IE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 442.

OCTOBER, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 118.

Communications and Cases.

A REMARKABLE CASE OF OSSIFICATION OF

MUSCLE.

By Professor Yarn ell. Royal Veterinary College.

The pages of the Veterinarian are already indebted to
Mr. Clement Stephenson, M.R.C.V.S., of Newcastle-on-
Tyne, for some very valuable contributions ; but the morbid
specimen to which the following observations refer is certainly
the most remarkable of its kind that has ever come under my
notice. It consists, as will be seen by a perusal of the subjoined
letter, of the flexor brachii , the upper part of the radius , and a
portion of the tilna, the former being completely transformed
into osseous tissue, a circumstance, as far as I am aware, of
very rare occurrence. Mr. Stephenson writes as follows :

Newcastle-om-Tyne j Aug. 19, 1864.

Dear Sir, — I have just sent you by rail the patho¬
logical specimen which I showed you on your recent visit to
Newcastle. I am sorry to say I cannot give you the history
of the animal from which it was taken. It is about six
months since that a horse-slaughterer in this town brought
me what he called a “ double bone;55 but which I found to be
the humerus, radius, and the flexor brachii muscle, the mus¬
cular fibre of which had been completely removed and replaced
by bone. A space, however, existed between the posterior
surface of the flexor and the anterior surface of the humerus,
and also a free motion to the shoulder- and elbow-joints. The
xxxvii. 44

682

OSSIFICATION OF MUSCLE.

superior attachment was not much altered, but its inferior
was ossified and fixed to the radius. Half an inch from this
part was a short tendinous portion, which served as a false
joint, and allowed the radius to be flexed on the humerus.

I was informed that the animal, an old worn-out cart¬
horse, was brought to be destroyed. No lameness was
observed to be present by the slaughterman, nor was anything
said about the animal being lame; and it was only upon
taking the flesh off the bones that he observed something that
he had never seen before.

This is all I know of the case. I had jotted down a few
remarks about it, and other allied cases which I have met
with, but I withhold them, so as to allow you to make such
comments on the case as you may deem proper.

Yours truly,

Clement Stephenson.

To Professor Varnell.

In my introductory remarks I have stated that ossification of
muscle is very unusual ; such a change, however, does occa¬
sionally occur ; but, as far as my experience goes, it more fre¬
quently takes place in the involuntary muscles than in
those that are under the control of the will. Why it should
be so, I will not nowr venture an opinion. In the museum of
the Royal Veterinary College, there are numerous specimens
of this peculiar transformation of involuntary muscles. There
are several cases in which the walls of the auricle of the heart
of the horse are so affected, wholly or partially ; and another
very fine specimen of the kind has lately been added to the
collection, but there is not one in which this change of tissue
has taken place in a voluntary muscle. We are therefore
the more indebted to Mr. Stephenson for a case wherewith
to enrich the records of pathological anatomy, and also the
shelves of the museum of the College.

So completely had this muscle undergone change in struc¬
ture, that only a small portion of the upper tendon retained
its normal character; the rest of it, including the lower
tendon, being completely transformed into osseous tissue,
although possessing as near as possible its original form.
Mr. Stephenson states that the horse had been used for slow
work, and was not observed to have been actually lame. This
I can conceive to be true if the horse was made to travel no
faster than a walk. The upper tendon was nearly normal,
and its under surface played over the trochlea of the humerus
without any impediment to its motion. The ossified muscle,
although apparently one continuous bone, was nevertheless,

ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE OF THE COLON. 683

on a close investigation, found to be composed of three seg¬
ments closely connected together by fibrous tissue, thus
forming several pseudo joints where motion could take place
during progression. Had this not been the case, the move¬
ments of the limb must have been most defective, even in the
walk.

The practical anatomist is well aware that the muscle in
question contains only a small amount of contractile or mus¬
cular tissue as compared with any other muscle in the body;
its bulk, consequently, consists chiefly of white fibrous tissue.
Both in structure and function the flexor brachii therefore
resembles a ligament, and ligaments are well known to the
pathologist to be particularly prone to take on the ossifying
process ; indeed, this is the case with all organs composed of
white fibrous tissue, and especially those that are exposed to
injury or over- tension, which disposition is much greater in
old animals than in young ones.

This case is well worth recording, as it, above all others
that I have met with of this class of disease, beautifully
illustrates the morbid changes that often take place in the
tissues composing the animal body.

I regret Mr. Stephenson did not give the cases he
alludes to of a similar nature to the above, as I have no doubt
but they would have been interesting. On some future
occasion I hope to be favoured with them.

LARGE ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE

OF THE COLON.

By R. S. Hardy, M.R.C.V.S., Sleaford.

Dear Sir, — I have forwarded to you a large tumour
taken from a gray horse, four years old, that was found dead
on the 10th ult. The particulars of the case are as follows.
The animal was the property of H. Bissell, Esq., surgeon,
of this town.

My attention wTas first called to the horse on the 5th of
July. On my arrival I found him showing symptoms of
abdominal pain, frequently lying down, rolling on his back,
turning his head to the left side and pawing. Pulse 70 and
weak; respiration increased ; visible mucous membranes in¬
jected ; ears and extremities cold ; no action of the bowels, he
having passed no faeces since the day previous. Upon inquiry
I found that he had been living upon green food up to within

684 ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE OP THE COLON.

three days of being thus attacked, when dry food was substi¬
tuted. Considering the case to be one of constipation of the
bowels, caused by the sudden change of food, I administered
purgatives, followed by sedatives, and applied fomentations to
the abdomen, threw up enemas, and had him well clothed, and
the legs bandaged. He was then placed in a loose box, with a
pail of gruel by him, and quietude enjoined.

6th. — My patient is much worse. Pulse 90; breathing
accelerated; membranes injected; no action of the bowels :
violent abdominal pain. He is frequently pawing, lying
down, rolling upon his back, and continually turning his
head to the left side. I repeated the medicine, and ordered
enemas every three hours. In the evening he was easier,
but still in pain. Gave instructions for the enemas to be
continued.

7th. — A great improvement has taken place. All the
symptoms are more favorable, and the bowels are acting
nicely. The horse has drunk a little gruel, and stands in his
natural position.

Up to the 11th he continued to improve, when I adminis¬
tered tonic agents, and ordered soft diet, such as mashes, &c.

On the 16‘tli my attention was again called to him, when
I found a recurrence of the symptoms, which were precisely
the same as before existed, with the exception of the abdo¬
minal pain being more acute and tympanitis being present. He
still kept his head to the left side, and sometimes he would
stand for ten or fifteen minutes perfectly quiet, and then sud¬
denly throw himself down in violent pain. I adopted the
same treatment as before.

On the 17th the patient was much worse, and I then gave it
as my opinion that some lesion existed, the precise nature of
which it was difficult to determine, but I thought it might be
either a tumour or a calculus, and that there was verv little
hope of recovery.

18th. — Animal better ; all the symptoms more favorable,
the bowels responding to the action of the medicine. Gave
tonic agents up to the 24th, and ordered him to be kept en¬
tirely upon soft diet.

On the 30th my patient had another attack, though not so
severe as the last. The treatment adopted was the same as
before, and in the course of two or three days the bowels
were excited into action, and the animal seemed to be better.

On August the 4th and 8th he had two more attacks. The
treatment resorted to again relieved him.

On the 10th, the owner proposed turning him out, and on
the morning of the 11th he was found dead in the field.

ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE OF THE COLON. 685

I may add that three weeks previously to the first attack I
fired him on both hocks. He was then living on green food,
was slightly relaxed in his bowels, and rather reduced in
condition.

With much interest I proceeded to make a post-mortem
examination, as I was anxious to learn the nature of the
disease and cause of the poor animal’s death. Upon open¬
ing the abdominal cavity an extensive rupture of the colon
presented itself, through which a large quantity of faeces had
passed into the cavity. Where the rupture had taken place
the coats of the intestine were very much ulcerated and easily
broken down by the finger. The other portions of the intes¬
tines, and also the stomach, presented no marked abnormal
change. The tumour, weighing seventy pounds, was situated
principally in the left hypochondriac region. It was attached
closely to the colon, and slightly to the ileum.

The animal had been in Mr. Bissell’s possession eighteen
months, was regularly worked and always appeared to be
healthy. I shall be happy to have your remarks as to the
nature and cause of the tumour, also the time you suppose
it would require for its formation.

I remain,

Yours respectfully.

To Professor Varnell.

REMARKS ON THE ABOVE BY PROFESSOR VARNELL.

The tumour referred to in the above communication was
globular in form and slightly nodulated on its surface. From
its great size it must not only have occupied a large space in
the abdominal cavity, but also have mechanically interfered
with the function of the viscera. It is very seldom that we
meet with so large a specimen of the kind.

In attempting to diagnose cases of this description we
labour under great difficulties ; in fact, it is often not
until we have had the patient some few days under treatment
that we are led to suspect the existence of an abdominal
tumour, and even then its precise situation is doubtful, and
its nature even more so. This difficulty Mr. Hardy no doubt
experienced; nevertheless, on the 17th day of July,
twelve days after he was first called in to see his patient, he
gave it as his opinion that a tumour existed in the abdomen,
or a calculus in some part of the intestines, which was the
probable cause of the animal’s illness, and that there was
very little hope of recovery. Such was Mr. Hardy’s prognosis,
based upon the best diagnosis he could make ; and under the

686 ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE OF THE COLON.

circumstances which then existed, the most experienced
member of our profession would scarcely have ventured to
have given a more definite opinion. The human surgeon
has great advantage over us in diagnosing such cases. He
can with great facility place his patient in a position the
most convenient for the purpose of manipulating the abdo¬
minal walls, and of judging of any deviation from their
natural form when in such a position. If, however, we do
accomplish this at all, it is always far from being satisfactory.
In the first place, the uncontrollable nature of our patient,
and secondly, the usually thick parietes of this cavity, render
a delicate manipulation impossible. Still, if the symptoms
are such as to suggest the existence of an abdominal tumour,
these means may be resorted to so as to assist us in diagnosing
the case ; and should it happen that the walls of the cavity
are moderately thin, which they will be if the animal is
much emaciated and the tumour large, a tolerably correct
opinion may be formed. Percussion will also materially
assist us ; but, as we lose the aid of the organs of vision, we
can only judge of the character of these growths by learning
the history of the case, and even this may shed a doubtful
light upon it. I am not attempting a dissertation on
abdominal tumours, or the mode of diagnosing their pre¬
sence and nature ; nevertheless, I venture to make this re¬
mark — based on my own experience — that there are very
few instances in which their positive existence can be de¬
termined with that certainty which would warrant the prac¬
titioner in advising that the horse be destroyed. He will
doubtlessly take a far safer course by continuing to treat the
case until the general symptoms are such that he is persuaded
it is a hopeless one. Such is the course which Mr. Hardy
seems to have adopted in this instance, and to my mind it
was a very proper one.

I have before stated that the tumour was globular in form.
Its weight is given by Mr. Hardy, and its bulk, therefore, can
be readily imagined, particularly by those who are familiar
with morbid growths of this description. In colour it was of
a grayish-pink, mottled, here and there, by ecchymosed spots;
and, when pressed upon, it was found to be moderately firm
in consistence. In order to examine its interior I made a
section through it in two different directions, and upon looking
to the cut surfaces I found them to vary both in colour and
density. The greater part of each exposed surface was of a
pinkish-straw colour, darkened here and there by effused
blood, or engorged blood-vessels. Some places near to the
outer margin of each section were much lighter in colour.

ABDOMINAL TUMOUR AND RUPTURE OP TIIE COLON. G87

and also firmer to the feel, but the dark-coloured parts were
soft, and easily broken down by pressure. There were also
several cysts, which were chiefly situated near the root of the
tumour; some of these were larger than others. They all
contained a glairy kind of fluid, which in some instances was
of a deep-straw colour, and in others of a much darker colour.
The outline of enlarged mesenteric lymphatic glands could be
distinctly traced, the centre of each being dark in colour and
easily broken down, while their margins presented the same
aspect as the greater part of the tumour. The spaces between
these bodies, the blood-vessels, and other organs, were filled
up by effused material which had become partially converted
into structure. Blood-vessels, lymphatics, and nerves, could
without difficult}^ be traced from the root of the tumour
throughout the greater part of its substance. The large
arteries and veins were not visibly diseased, but the smaller
vessels, with their capillaries, were in many places enlarged
and engorged with blood.

Such was the general character of the tumour. It must
have been situated at the root of the anterior mesenteric
artery, which, with its numerous branches, it surrounded,
and, by these going from that vessel direct to the colon, it
became firmly attached, as Mr. Hardy describes it to have
been. We can thus very easily understand how7 the tumour
mechanically interfered with the function of that intestine,
by arresting the passage of the ingesta.

The symptoms described by Mr. Hardy correspond with
this idea, and I further believe that the rupture of the colon
with the consequent death of the horse was due to this
mechanical interference, and not wholly to a weakened con¬
dition of the coats of the intestine from ulceration.

I have thus briefly described the appearance of the tumour
as far as the unaided eye enabled me to do. I have not
investigated any part of it microscopically, although it would
have been extremely interesting as wrell as instructive to have
done so; but, judging from the physical appearance of the
w hole mass, and the history connected with the case, I am
inclined to think it is scrofulous in its nature, and that it
did not depend, as is sometimes the case, upon entozoa
located in the mesenteric artery and its divisions.

688

ON SOME OF THE DISEASES OF THE RESPI¬
RATORY ORGANS OF THE HORSE AND
OTHER ANIMALS.

By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., London.

[Continued from jp, 514.)

Sounds produced during respiration, consequent

UPON HABIT, OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE

animal's WILL.

Our last observations referred to those peculiar cases of
unsoundness in which the sounds emitted by the animal
during respiration, were either occasional, or otherwise re¬
quired some peculiar movements to be made before they could
be elicited.

In one instance it will be remembered, the horse gave
evidence of being a “ roarer," only after being ridden over a
fence; and in the other case, the very decided “whistler" or
“roarer" of one day was sound the next, unsound again a
few days afterwards, and so on repeatedly.

However remarkable and obscure these cases may be
deemed, and whatever explanation may be given of the
circumstances, there was nothing to lead to the belief that
the noise produced resulted from the exercise of the horse's
will in either instance ; nor could habit be considered to have
anything to do with the peculiarities evinced by both the
animals. Frequently, however, certain sounds are produced
during respiration, of such a nature, and attended with such
circumstances as to lead to the impression that they are
voluntarily made, or at least are the result of habit.

First, the noise known as “ fluttering " is most palpably
of this kind. The horse addicted to the habit is usually,
indeed invariably, of high courage, in horse language “ hot,"
and in his trot or canter seems to manifest his impatience by
blowing the air through his nostrils in such a manner, that
the false-nostrils are caused to vibrate rapidly, and a very
curious fluttering and blowing sound results, precisely
similar to what may be produced by blowing through the
mouth and causing the lips to vibrate quickly at the same
time; such a movement will soon become habitual, and as a
proof we may advert to what doubtless most persons have
noticed, viz. a tendency among bipeds to emit peculiar sounds
when their attention happens to be concentrated on some

DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

C89

work in hand. The strapper for instance, during the time
he is dressing his horse, or cleaning his own boots, gives
utterance to the habitual hissing, occasionally varied by a
modification of sound very nearly allied to “ fluttering/5 the
man all the time being evidently unconscious that he is doing
anything peculiar.

Horses that are addicted to the habit of “ fluttering 55 are
occasionally in dispute. The noise is sometimes so exces¬
sively loud as to excite attention to an inconvenient degree,
and suspicion of unsoundness being aroused, the veterinary
surgeon is called upon to decide.

In most cases there will be no difficulty in forming an
opinion of the nature and cause of the alledged defect. First,
the sound is very characteristic, and quite unlike roaring or
whistling, or other sound consequent upon disease of the air
passages. Secondly, the “ false nostrils 55 may be seen to
vibrate while the noise continues, and to become quiet as soon
as it ceases. Thirdly, the sound is occasionally interrupted
while the animal continues to maintain the same speed, or
even to increase it, rendering it evident that the will has
some influence over the production of the noise, which cer¬
tainly would not be the case were it the result of disease.

An extended examination would show that pace has little
or nothing to do with the matter. In his quiet humour the
horse may be trotted, cantered, or galloped without any oc¬
curence of the sound, while at other times when excited he
will emit it most energetically in his walk, or rather that
uneasy jolting pace which is his substitute for a walk under
such circumstances.

Unsoundness cannot of course be alledged against an
animal addicted to this habit; it is certainly an annoying cir¬
cumstance to the owner, and to a nervous man it would be
intolerable, but it does not interfere with the respiratory
capabilities, it in no way diminishes the horse’s usefulness,
and is not the result of disease, therefore, while it might be
deemed by the examiner of sufficient importance to justify
an allusion to its existence, and might probably disqualify the
animal in the mind of the intending purchaser, it could not
be construed into an unsoundness.

Sounds of a more equivocal character, whose origin is not
so apparent, are often produced by the horse under such cir¬
cumstances as to leave no room for doubting their voluntary
character. A very peculiar instance happened a few years
back. A valuable hunter was sold, and soon afterwards
returned as a roarer; no professional opinon had been
sought, because it was considered that such was unnecessary

690 DISEASES OF THE .RESPIRATORY ORGANS.

on account of the very decided character of the noise made
by the animal in the field. The seller, who had himself
ridden the horse for some time, having formed a different
opinion about the matter, sent the animal to be examined.
On submitting him to the usual test, a very loud, roaring
sound was emitted during a canter across a ploughed field,
it presently, however, ceased, the animal still continuing
the pace ; then again it occurred, and again ceased when the
horse was compelled to gallop.

Considerable time was devoted to the examination on more
than one occasion, in order to ascertain if possible, whether
the sound was in any way connected with a diseased condition
of the respiratory organs. And the result was the establish¬
ment of a conviction of the animaFs soundness.

The noise emitted could not be distinguished from that
produced by a very bad i( roarer but there was this very
important difference in the circumstances under which it oc¬
curred ; viz. it was entirely independent of pace. Sometimes
the horse would gallop half through a long run without
giving utterance to the least noise ; then again during a
canter or quiet trot, the sound would suddenly become
audible ; and on several occasions it was produced in the
course of a walk ; but usually the animal would start off in
a canter, roaring loudly for a few seconds, then breathe quite
calmly for some time, and again indulge in a repetition of the
noise, and again discontinue it according to his fancy ;
although it happened occasionally in his adverse mood he
would sustain the character of an inveterate “ roarer ” during
the whole time he was in the field, whether walking, trotting,
or galloping.

In this very remarkable case the opinion sent back with
the animal, was to the effect that the “ roaring ” was a vo¬
luntary act, unconnected with disease of the respiratory
organs, and that consequently the horse was not unsound.

It is worthy of remark, that all voluntary sounds seem to be
produced during the expiration, just as all vocal sounds are
produced naturally, while on the other hand, abnormal sounds
invariably occur during inspiration, not necessarily being
confined to that act, as they may sometimes be distinguished
during expiration also ; but the sounds voluntarily emitted
have always been audible, so far as we have observe them,
only during expiration.

Many varieties of sounds belonging to the voluntary class,
will be noticed in different animals ; some evidently are pro¬
duced by movements of the nostrils, others seem to arise
from some action of the velum palati ; and many, doubtless,

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

691

are consequent upon laryngeal action ; but all of them are
distinguished by certain general characters, or produced
under such conditions that they are not likely, excepting from
a very superficial examination, to be confounded with ab¬
normal noises.

In obscure cases the patience of the examiner will often be
severely taxed, the more so as the animals in question seem
to possess the inconvenient faculty of knowing when they
are particularly required to make the sounds, and steadily
refusing to utter them according^. Several examinations
may be necessary before the noise complained of can be
elicited at all. The matter is meanwhile often rendered more
unpleasant by the fact of the owner not comprehending that
his horse may behave differently under different circumstances,
and being, therefore, dreafully disgusted that the professional
examiner fails to detect what he had previously discovered
without difficulty. All these disagreeables, and many more,
are incidental to that most unthankful and unsatisfactory
business of the veterinary surgeon, the examination of horses
as to soundness; but as “ Argus ” very justly says, i( if
people will submit their horses to our examination, and pur¬
chasers will not buy without it, what can we do?”

(To be continued .)

OBSERVATIONS ON “ SOUNDNESS.”

By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford.

(Continued from p. 455.)

Most of the horses brought to us for inspection are the
property of the breeder, who is, in nine cases out of ten, a
farmer. When we bear this fact in mind, we can readily
understand how it is so few feet are in a healthy state, so far
as regards the outer or horny parts.

The wall is found in one instance perfectly smooth ; in
another, roughened and full of ridges ; in which latter case
some agency has been in operation to produce them. Counter
irritation, wet, soft, and boggy places, will assist in promoting
the growth of horn, and we are all aware how common it is
to turn out a horse into some soft land when there is want of
development in the horny structures of the feet. This, then,
as well as some other things, will produce the kind of hoof

692

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

we so often meet with in our examinations. Formerly it was
considered a suspicious affair when rings were observed upon
the wall of the foot. It was supposed, the subject of it had
been recently recovered from an attack of laminitis. At the
present day, I think, we have become wiser, and have almost,
if not entirely, dropped the suspicion. This has, however,
given place in some minds to another and graver affair. It
has been said that horses found to have rings upon the hoof
are suffering from navicular-thritis, or some other severe
affection, and that laminitis has no existence at all, except, as
the result or consequence of some other complaint. If this
be true, there has been a large amount of malpractice during
the last half century. Doubtless this is to be found in some
cases, indeed, we know it to be so. There is one particular form
of foot I frequently see at the breeders’ homesteads ; the
upper two thirds of the hoof apparently well formed and
well developed, and the lower third, and sometimes more,
turned upwards from the ground surface. I am now referring
to feet without shoes, and more particularly to unshod feet A
little management would prevent all this. We occasionally
find breeders’ colts so far neglected up to two years old, that
the growth of horn on one side has so outgrown the other
that malformation of limb is the consequence, and much
time, trouble, and expense, are necessary before the parts
interfered with have assumed their perfect form ; and in some
cases the feet never regain their original shape.

Thrush or Frush.

By some writers the latter term is employed for this disease,
which is of frequent occurrence, and as there is such a diver¬
sity of opinions with reference thereto, it may be advisable
to dwell a little upon the consideration of the nature of the
disease and its tendencies. Markham, and most of the
ancient writers, have named the disease “ Frush.” Percivall
has also given to it the same appellation, and moreover, he
has advanced an authority for using that term in preference
to the word <e Thrush.”

I have before had occasion to remark, it matters but little
as to terms employed by us so long as we understand each
other. At the same time, it is well to make a proper appli¬
cation of all terms.

Smart gives (t Frush” as the English of the German
“ Frosch a sort of tender horn that grows in the middle
of the sole of a horse’s foot; the same as frog . 2nd. A
discharge of a fetid or ichorous matter from the frog of a

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

693

horse’s foot ; also called thrush. Good gives the following
explanation of the word “Thrush;” <fAn affection of the
inflammatory and suppurating kind in the feet of the horse,
and some other animals.” Oliphant writes as follows;
“Thrush is the inflammation of the lower surface of the
inner or sensible frog, and the secretion or throwing out of
pus, is almost invariably accompanied by a slight degree of
tenderness of the frog itself, or of the heel a little above it,
and if neglected, leading to diminution of the substance of
the frog, and separation of the horn from the parts beneath,
and the production of fungus and canker, and ultimately a
diseased state of the foot, destructive of the present, and
dangerous to the future usefulness of the horse. A thrush is
an -unsoundness” In page 430, Percivall’s ‘ Hippopathology/
article “Frush,” that author states, “ Everybody's horse has
a frush, and yet nobody appears to be concerned about the
matter. Horses, in general, seem to go as well with fl ushes
as without them ; hence the reason of so little or no notice
being taken of their presence ; added to which, the circum¬
stance affords a pretty convincing proof that the judge in
a court of law, uho, in former times, pronounced frush to
constitute unsoundness, erred most egregiously in his fiat
justitia ” Again, in same page, “A Frush is not to be
accounted unsoundness unless it produce lameness, which it
rarely does . Were a frush to be viewed as un¬

soundness, there would be found perhaps more unsound than
sound horses in the country; in fact, according to such a
notion, hardly anybody would possess a sound horse/’

I think, then, we may make use of the term frush in reference
to the diseased state of the horse’s frog which has heretofore
in vulgar parlance borne the name of thrush. One good and
valid reason for employing the term frush will be found in
the fact of the ignorant not being misled to the belief that
the bird of that name, thrush, could in any way be understood
to be alluded to as the source from whence the term was
derived.

The opinions advanced in Mr. Percivall’s book are those I
am anxious to guard against. He distinctly states that frush
must not be regarded as unsoundness. ,

Such an opinion as this becomes very dangerous, and is
likely to lead to disputes. If one disease is unsoundness,
and another must not be considered so; how are we, or the
public to reconcile such opinions ? Indeed, it is difficult
under any circumstances to know how to receive them. It
is just this sort of thing which causes the opinions of the
members of our profession to be questioned. There are, I

694

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

believe,, about 1500 members of the Royal College of Veteri¬
nary Surgeons ; each and every one of whom, according to Mr.
Percivall’s theory, has a right to act in the capacity of a judge.
Now suppose all the attorneys and barristers in Great Britain
had the same privilege, that is to say of giving their opinions
as legal men, and those opinions not to be questioned ; I am
inclined to think the law, and those who put their trust in
lawyers, would be thrown into a fix very frequently. The
members of the legal profession are certainly far in advance
of us ; the legislature has provided them with laws by which
they must be guided, although various are the views taken by
them as to the translation or interpretation of some of them ;
still, they can easily be understood as a general rule. We
have no code of laws to guide us in our decisions ; every
examiner as to soundness has an opportunity of offering an
opinion in every case he is called upon to look at. If our
profession possessed a set of laws as to what constituted
soundness and unsoundness, it would to a man be relieved of
many a difficulty.

Mr. Percivall declares positively that frush is not an
unsoundness, except under certain circumstances. Mr.
Oliphant, on the other hand, makes no distinction whatso¬
ever; but places the word unsoundness unqualifiedly against
the name of the disease. This state of things is perplexing
in the extreme, and must sooner or later be amended.

I cannot fix the date when Mr. Percivall penned his remarks
upon this disease. Were he now living, I have no doubt he
would materially alter the opinion expressed by him in the
page above alluded to ; I mean as to the number of unsound
animals to be met with in the present age. It is, I believe,
very generally remarked that the greater number of horses
in existence now are unsound in some way or another. This
will refer more particularly to legal soundness. If this be
true, it will be obvious how necessary it is for us to be able
to classify our definitions as to soundness ; and by so doing
we shall in all probability remove much that is objectionable.
It is no uncommon remark to hear that Mr. So-and-so never
takes notice of such trifles. The courts of law afford much
information in these matters, and it would benefit all those
members of our profession who are in active practice if they
would study these recorded cases, and write their views with
regard to the fiat of the judge. It is by knowing the opinions
of the multitude that the few are enabled to form properly
digested codes of laws. There are few acts of parliament but
will, and do admit of alteration and improvement, and so will it
be in regard to the law as to soundness, unless the profession

PROVINCIAL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 695

agree to constitute, and the legislature to accept the two
modes of examination referred to in some of these papers,
which, if adopted, would be the means of preventing much of
the unpleasantness to which many persons are now liable.
One veterinary surgeon will pass a horse as a sound one with
frushes in all his four feet, a second declares the horse un¬
sound. Again, a man exercising his calling as a member of
the profession will state a horse to be sound with ossified
lateral cartilages, and so on. These things should not be, it
is high time a change was effected in some way ; and, until
some decided step is taken, we shall not — as a profession—
be found to keep pace with the times.

[To he continued .)

PROVINCIAL VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATIONS.

Letter from J. Mitchell, M.R.C.V.S., Leeds.

Gentlemen, — I observe in your number for the present
month (September) that Mr. Dray, in a post-prandial speech
at Newcastle, made use of words to the following effect : —
“ He knew a veterinary surgeon at the present time, in one
of the largest towns in Yorkshire, who is not a member of a
veterinary medical association.” As I do not belong to
any existing veterinary medical association, a d as probably
the remarks were intended to apply to me, may I beg of you
space in your forthcoming number to explain how it is that
I am in such a position. It is well known to the members
of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society, and to none
better than to its president, that I objected ah initio , and do
still object, to its being constituted as it is. I contended that
gentlemen who had not conformed to the requirements of
the Charter of Incorporation — which was obtained at con¬
siderable expenditure of time and money, and was looked
upon as the first step towards obtaining for the qualified
veterinary surgeon his proper status in society, but which I
fear is not appreciated as it should be — were not, and ought
not to be admitted into any veterinary medical society upon
an equality with those who had so conformed. Therefore I
ceased to take any part in the so-called preliminary meeting
the moment the proposition t( admitting as members veteri¬
nary surgeons holding the diploma of any recognised

696

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

veterinary college ” was carried, and I declined membership
solely on that account.

Anxiety is expressed on all sides for the advancement of
the veterinary profession; and as “ a house divided against
itself cannot stand,’5 I do hope that veterinary surgeons,
who have not already done so, will, so soon as may be, become
members of the corporate body; for, as the leader in the
Veterinarian expresses it, “ their abilities having been tested,
why should they not become members of the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons '/’5 Why not? indeed, say I.

I have felt it my duty to make the above remarks, and I
assure you that no one is more anxious for the well-being
and the proper position of the veterinary profession than,

Gentlemen,

Yours respectfully.

To the Editors of * The Veterinarian

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

Reply to Mr. Greaves’s Letter on “ Laminitis and Navicular
Disease in the last number of the Veterinarian, p. 573.

By Mr. W. Williams, V.S., Bradford.

My dear Sir, — I think that the morbid condition of the
feet termed laminitis may with safety, and with advantage to
the illustration of its pathology, be studied under two distinct
heads, viz., the acute, and that which is developed by a
slower process, or is the result of an acute attack, and called
chronic .

Acute laminitis may occur to an animal with almost any
form of foot. I do not think that the shape has much to do
with it. It arises from some well-defined and understood
cause. Speaking from my own experience, I have seen it
result generally from over-exertion, and from what is called
metastasis. I maintain that there is no hereditary tendency
to this form ; in fact, I discuss it apart from the question of
hereditary taint in the economy. Here we find that the soft
parts only are affected, the morbid action very often passing
off without the bony structure being at all involved. Can
you not bring to your recollection many a case that threatened
to be a most severe one of laminitis, after a few hours of suffer¬
ing pass off, and the animal become quite w’ell again? This

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE. 697

is congestion of the feet — a state that I often meet with asso¬
ciated with an unhealthy condition of mucous membrane,
most generally that of the intestinal canal. Are we to think,
for a moment, that what is plainly the result of accidental
error, perhaps in the feeding, is due to something undefined
and obscure in its nature, as you describe in the first part of
your letter ? You know my views upon what is termed
metastasis — that such an occurrence as a translation or trans¬
ference of this disease from one part to another does not take
place. In my opinion it is simply an extension of diseased
action; that the skin and mucous membrane, being con¬
tinuous and analogous, and the laminae of the feet are
folds of the derma, and these folds participate in the general
irritation of the mucous membrane through the medium of
the skin, and being confined within the horny box of the
feet, this confinement prevents swelling, and pain, most
violent and acute, is the result. Let the mucous membrane
primarily affected be restored to its healthy state, and you
sometimes have a removal of the morbid action from the feet;
but from the injury done to the laminae and sensitive sole,
by the pressure of the horn, this does not always follow.
Congestion of the feet arising from this cause must be
treated as an effect of a cause existing in the mucous mem¬
brane; that from severe over-exertion, or some abuse of the
foot itself in shoeing, as a disease sui generis. If congestion
does not pass off it runs on to inflammation, and this charac¬
terised by its true character, that of exudation of liquor
sanguinis, thrown out from the surface of the sensitive
laminae and sensitive sole, giving rise to that form of foot
termed pumice. You will generally find this to occur in
about three days from the attack, and by carefully cutting
down through the sole this exudation will escape. It will
be found most -abundantly at the toe, which is due to the
greater vascularity of this part, and to gravitation. Iii
consequence, the sensitive and insensitive laminae are sepa¬
rated from each other, and the os pedis is pressed down¬
wards and backwards, and the crust upwards and forwards,
causing the concave appearance of the front part of the wall ;
you have a displacement of the pedal bone, an altered con¬
dition of parts leading to important and grave pathological
alterations in the osseous structure, and true ostitis now sets
in. Let me be understood: whatever changes take place in
the bony structure is a result of disease of the soft parts,
resulting in exudation, in forcible displacement of the os
pedis, by this exudation separating it from its attachments
with the horny laminae, particularly at the toe; pressure
xxx vn. 45

698

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

upon it when the foot is on the ground from this change of
situation, and absorption of its most prominent inferior mar¬
gins; nature evidently removing what is a cause of violent
pain.

We have now the same condition of parts resulting from
acute laminitis, or more accurately peditis, as we find to be
present in the second form, viz., chronic laminitis, or peditis,
or that resulting from a gradual alteration of the feet without
at first severe lameness. The feet become gradually flat-
soled, slightly convex, increase of convexity, and appearance
of decided and generally incurable lameness, or, as you
describe in your excellent letter, “ this tendency has been
gradually assuming a condition more and more favorable to
lameness for some time before actual lameness has shown
itself.” I agree with you in this matter of everyday obser¬
vation, but when you go on and state “ that the economy
and condition of the bony structures have been undergoing
a certain change, and that in the absence of any active inflam¬
mation, a sort of atrophy,” I am at issue with you, and think
you are not using a correct term when you call it mollifies
ossiuin. In order to arrive at correct ideas we must inquire
what are the causes leading on to this state of parts, and
what kind of animal is the most subject. The most prominent
causes are, weakening of the hoof by undue paring, or by
rasping of its wall; standing for a long time idle in the
stable often is a cause of non-secretion of horn ; thus the feet
become weak, and do not afford sufficient support to the
weight of the animal. As to what breed of horse is most
liable, I must say that although I have found it in Welsh
ponies that had never been worked, and in animals of all
breeds, the heavy Lincolnshire dray-horse, with naturally
broad flat feet, is most subject; but generally, in whatever
kind of animal it has existed that I have observed, it is asso¬
ciated with a very obese condition ; the horses have been
loaded with fat. In the case of Welsh ponies, they were
actually one mass of fat, and when this condition was taken
away, the feet more or less regained their pristine form, and
they became serviceable. Now, after careful observation,
seeing this state generally present, and the absence of other
causes, I can arrive at no other conclusion than that the
alteration of the feet is simply due to the great weight they
have to bear (there is another class of horse very liable,
viz., the animal that has been bred for harness or saddle pur¬
poses, and has become too heavy for his breeding — here the
feet often give way) ; this great weight, not, as you suppose,
causing direct alteration of the bony structure, but a gradual

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

699

separation of the sensitive and horny laminae, a slight exuda¬
tion filling up the spaces so caused, descent of the os pedis
at the toe, flatness and convexity of the sole, lameness, in¬
flammation of the bone, ostitis, absorption of the margins of
the bone, and, as the disease advances, extension of the
absorption over the whole plantar surface. That undue weight
will cause this, is borne out by the fact that in cases where
one foot or limb is violently injured, and the animal com¬
pelled to bear his weight upon the opposite foot ; you have
laminitis, more or less severe, often as a result. The bone
now participating in the morbid action, we find that the can¬
cellated tissue — and we have little else in the coffin-bone —
undergoes a great change ; the Haversian canals dilate or
become opened up, and the result of this enlargement is the
conversion of the contiguous canals into one cavity, hence
the increased porous appearance of the os pedis in chronic
laminitis, an appearance which you evidently think gives the
disease the characteristics of mollities ossium. I maintain
that this is not at all analogous to degeneration of organs
from malnutrition, or from any undefined change within the
bony tissue itself primarily, but simply through an alteration
of the structure of the soft parts from the causes above
described, viz., great weight of carcase, over-exertion, want
of exercise, undue paring or rasping weakening the horny
support of the animal ; for in reality the horn and laminae
are the true weight-supporters. The coffin-bone cannot bear
any direct weight upon itself.

You state that the subject of laminitis is almost certain to
be exempt from any tendency to formation of bone-spavin,
sidebones, ringbones, splint, &c. I can only state that your
experience and observations are different to mine, as I find it
associated with all sorts of exostoses, and the specimens I
have that show the most extraordinary changes in the os
pedis through absorption, are combined with very large
sidebones.

NAVICULAR DISEASE.

I think that the pathology of this lameness is easily under¬
stood. Professor Dick has taught, and still teaches, what I
conceive is the simplest yet grandest solution of a problem
that has puzzled many earnest and able inquirers. His
teaching is indelibly impressed upon my mind, and had he
done no more toward the advancement of veterinary surgical
pathology than investigating this disease alone, the profes¬
sion is under a heavy tribute of gratitude to him. He says,

;oo

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

and l unhesitatingly endorse his opinion, that navicular
lameness is due solely to a strain of the flexor pedis as it
passes o\er the navicular bone, and that all the changes of
structure that follow are due simply to this lesion. You
state that there is a congenital tendency in the majority of
these cases. This is undeniably true, but I think that this
tendency depends more upon conformation than upon any
taint. It is the animal with upright pastern and strong
stumpy lower articulations and foot. An upright pastern
should be always looked upon with distrust in all horses re¬
quired for speed, and this because, in a leg of this description,
the flexor pedis forms a much more acute angle in its course
from the pastern over the navicular bone to its insertion into
the os pedis, than in a leg with sloping pastern ; this acute¬
ness of angle being the reason why it presses more violently
in its upward movement on the navicular bone, as the foot
is lifted off the ground, and hence its liability to strain or
laceration of its fibres. 1 maintain that this may occur in-
stantaneouslv, but sometimes distinct lameness does not
become apparent until after repeated slight abrasion of the
surface of the tendon. Inflammation of all the tissues
forming the navicular capsule or bursa is the consequence,
and novvatrainof processesare set up, leading on unfortunately
to destruction of the integrity of parts. The lacerated ends
of the tendinous fibres rub against the articular cartilage of
the navicular bone, ulceration of the cartilage is the result, or
the cartilage is merely rubbed off, and the articular laminae of
the bone itself are exposed. Sometimes the progress of the
disease is stopped at this stage by a deposit of bone being
thrown out in its stead. This deposit is found to consist of
small nodules of bone, varying in size from a pin’s point to a
millet seed, and sometimes larger. Although the animal is
permanently lame, this lameness is not always excessive, and
does not increase, if he be carefully used. I have proven this
point to my own satisfaction by post-mortem examinations of
cases that I had known for years before death. Supposing
the disease advances, ulceration of the bone is found to exist :
this morbid process goes on within the bone, from inflamma¬
tion of its structure having been excited by injury from with¬
out; ulceration of the bone commences within its cancellated
structure, and extends to the articular surface by removal
from within of the hard outer covering of bone which closes
the cancelli on the surface covered by cartilage. I maintain
that you interpreted wrongly this morbid process when you
state that ulceration of the bone takes place without ective
inflammation of the articulation. I agree with you when

COMMUNICATION FROM B. CARTLEDGE, M.R.C.V.S. 701

you state that it is notorious that ahorse shall show lameness
for the first time a clay or two after he has been new-shod,
he having been standing idle some time previously, though no
fault can in any way be attached to the shoeing. The very
fact of the horse having been new-shod strengthens my
argument that it is a strain, more particularly if he has been
resting. During rest there is a want of sufficient secretion of
synovia in the joints and bursae; this dry condition renders
the parts liable to give way to injuries from causes that are
trivial in themselves. Now, how does the shoe produce this?
Simply because a new shoe has a sharp edge to its ground
surface at the toe, and this by increasing, however so little,
the resistance to the action of the flexor muscles to raise the
foot from the ground, this increase of resistance is fatal to
the integrity of the flexor tendon at its weakest part, and
this is where it passes over the navicular bone.

1 remain, my dear sir.

Yours most sincerely,

W. Williams,

Hon. Sec. Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society.

Tiios. Greaves, Esq.,

President of Lancashire Veterinary Medical
Association , Manchester.

COMMUNICATION FROM B. CARTLEDGE,
M.R.C.Y.S., SHEFFIELD.

Market Street;

Sept. 23, 1864.

Gentlemen, — Mr. Henry Jackson, F.R.C.S., to whom I
showed the ivory tumour, an account of which appeared in
the Veterinarian for February last, p. 81, writes the enclosed.
You are at liberty to make what use of it you think proper.

I may add that Mr. Jackson takes great interest in patho¬
logical specimens of all kinds, and he has frequently done
me the pleasure of seeing cases of peculiarity with me.

I am, Gentlemen,

Very faithfully yours,

B. Cartledge.

To the Editors of 1 The Veterinarian *

702 COMMUNICATION FROM B. CARTLEDGE, M.R.C.V.S.

St. James’s Row, Sheffield ;

Sept. 22, 1864.

My dear Sir, — I am very much obliged to you for the
opportunity of examining the interesting specimen of the
ivory tumour from the nostril of the horse, and also for the
perusal of the Veterinarian in which there is an account of it.

I fully agree with the statement of its appearance as given
by the editor, and also with Professor Tuson's analysis, which
proves the true nature of it, but I cannot agree with the
statement that “the tumour had originally been formed
within the maxillary sinus.5' I object to this on the follow¬
ing grounds, which I submit to your judgment. There is
very little enlargement of the cavity of the sinus, which
would inevitably have taken place had a bony formation
originated in it, and gone on increasing in size until it
produced absorption of the wall, and then escaped into the
nostril ; and there would, in that case, have been some bony
attachment in the sinus, of which there is no appearance
either in the cavity or on the tumour itself. And, again,
had such been the case, there would not have been the small
bony peduncle by which the tumour was attached to the
bony septum of the nose. It is not in the nature of these
tumours to form bony attachments in any other part than
the seat of their origin. They arise from one base, be that
base broad or narrow, and have no tendency to form adhesion
to any bone with which, in the progress of growth, they
come in contact. Their course is eminently destructive,
making everything yield by the process of absorption to
their pressure, of which your specimen is a very good
illustration.

In my opinion the tumour originated on the left side of
the bony septum of the nose, as appears by the small and,
indeed, only bony peduncle. In its growth it caused ab¬
sorption, by pressure, of the wall of the maxillary sinus on
the left side, and gradually also caused absorption of the
alveolar processes of the two molars, the fangs of which have
likewise been absorbed. Consequently its growth has been
from within to without , and not, as stated in the Veterinarian ,
from without to within .

It is a matter of regret that the previous history of the
case, during life, cannot be obtained.

I am, my dear Sir,

Yours very truly,

Henry Jackson, F.R.C.S.

B. Cartledge, Esq., M.R.C.V.S.

703

CASE OF TYMPANITIS.

By H. Crofts, M.R.C.V.S., Calcutta.

The subject of the above disease was a gray Arab horse,
a patient of mine, a few months since, when he was brought
to me for treatment for bone spavin. This I had successfully
treated, and was about to discharge the animal, when I was
informed by the syce (groom) that, about 2 p.m. in the day,
the horse's belly was much swollen, and likewise he was
rolling on his back in the box. On proceeding there, I
found the animal with his abdomen much distended, and
griping pains accompanying it. I at once administered Liq.
Ammon, fort. 3SS, Sp. Ether. Nit. Sij, largely diluted with
water, ordered friction to the abdomen, and soap and water
enemas to be given, with gentle exercise. At 3 p.m. there
was no abatement of the symptoms ; I therefore repeated the
draught, increasing the Liq. Ammon, to 5 j, and directed the
friction to be repeated, and the enemas. At 4 p.m. the dis¬
tension of the abdomen had increased, and the breathing
become quickened, when I again repeated the draught and
the other aids as before prescribed, and ordered the animal to
be placed in his box. At 5 p.m. I found the horse lying on
his left side, and unable to rise ; the breathing was laboured,
profuse perspiration covered the body, the pulse was small
and quick, the extremities cold. The owner being at hand,
I advised, as a last resource, to puncture the abdomen with
the trocar (paracentesis abdominis), intimating to him the
probable consequences. He readily consented, when I made
an incision in the skin of the right flank, drawing it on one
side, then forced in a trocar six inches long and seven six¬
teenths of an inch in diameter. A small quantity of ingesta
immediately came through the canula, followed by a large
volume of gas (C, 02). The canula being withdrawn, the
walls of the abdomen receded, the breathing was relieved, and
the animal lay quiet for half an hour after the operation. I
withheld all food and water for twenty-four hours, and then
allowed mucilaginous drinks. Early in the morning following
the operation, I applied a mustard cataplasm over the right
flank, followed by a blister, and all went on well till the tenth
day after, when I perceived a stiffness in the off hind leg to
exist. Upon examination, I found an enlargement at the top
of the scrotum, on the same side, which fluctuated. This I
lanced, and gave exit to a large quantity of pus. In two days
afterwards I found it necessary to remove the testicle, from

704

INFLAMMATION OF THE DUODENUM.

the descent of the pus into the scrotum. Six weeks from the
time of the first operation I was enabled to discharge the
animal quite recovered, and since then he has continued to
work and do well.

The pus in the scrotum must have found its way from the
wound inflicted in the abdominal muscles down the in¬
guinal canal. There was no discharge from the wound
externally.

I must confess that this is the only case of the kind in
which I ventured to perform the operation. The flatulency
appears to have been confined to the large intestines.

INFLAMMATION OF THE DUODENUM THE RE¬
SULT OF IMPACTMENT, ASSOCIATED WITH
A FATTY TUMOUR.

By J. Gr. Cattrall, M.R.C.V.S., London.

On the 20th of June last, at 9 a.m., I was requested to see
a brown pony, about thirteen hands high, and aged. He
was the property of Mr. Benham, of Park Lane, Piccadilly.
On my entering the box, the animal showed symptoms of
tympanitis; and on making inquiry as to the food partaken
of, I was informed by one of the men that the horse had had
free access to some tares. This I considered sufficient to
account for the above symptoms, and I accordingly gave him
stimulants, consisting of

14 Ammonise Carb., ;

Sp. Ether. Sulpli., ^ss ;

Aq. Ment. Pip., 3viii ; in haustus ;

and threw7 up enemas of soap and water until the symptoms
had abated, and the animal was apparently convalescent. I
then left my patient, with strict injunctions that his diet
should consist of bran mashes, with tepid w7ater and hay.

June 21st, 11 a.m. — I sawr my patient again, and he was
apparently going on well, and continued to do so until the
following day, when to my utter surprise a messenger came
to inform me that the pony was again seized writh gripes, at
11 a.m. On my arrival I found him to be very uneasy; his
respiration much accelerated; the pulse numbering from
85 to 90 in the minute, much oppressed and somewhat
wavering in character; the visible mucous membranes in¬
jected, with the exception of the Schneiderian membrane, on

INFLAMMATION OF TIIE DUODENUM.

705

which were petechial spots somewhat isolated and of a dark
colour; the tongue and buccal membrane were dry; the
extremities cold, the eyes assuming’ an amaurotic aspect; the
bowels were much constipated ; a total suppression of urine,
and he walked continually in a circle within his box,
occasionally neighing and halting at intervals.

Treatment. — I gave immediately Decoct. Aloes co. f ' 3 i i j
Hydr. Chlorid. 5j, Pulvis Opii 5ss, in the form of draught, and
applied sinapisms over the abdomen and chest, and threw up
injections of soap and water. At 5 p.m. no visible change
was present, beyond that of the vital powers being more
prostrated. 1 considered the case as being one of structural
disease of some part of the alimentary tract, but the precise
portion of which it was impossible to say, or to what extent
it existed. Of course I considered the case as being hope¬
less, and told the owner my opinion. At the same time 1
suggested the desirability of venesection being resorted to,
and which was had recourse to, to the amount of three
quarts, without, however, affording the least relief. Viewing
the case as a purely professional one, I advised the owner
to consult Mr. F. Mavor, M.R.C.V.S., who, having very
carefully examined the animal, diagnosed it to be a case
of rupture of some of the internal viscera, and considered it
altogether hopeless. The horse lingered on until after twelve
o’clock the same night, exhibiting symptoms of the most
excruciating agony, but still conscious until death took
place.

Post-mortem appearances. — As soon as the rigor mortis was

complete, the knacker, who had been waiting for some time
in anticipation of the prognosticated result, proceeded to open
the abdominal cavity and remove the contents thereof. The
entire course of the intestines were healthy, excepting about
three inches at the pyloric end of the duodenum, which was
in a state of partial decomposition and much circumscribed,
with a few ecchymosed patches somewhat isolated ; no doubt
the result of active inflammation. On cutting through this
viscus, I found a few rough vegetable fibres on the mucous
surface enveloped in effused fibrine, and at the extreme
upper and inferior part of the same viscus was attached a
large fatty tumour weighing upwards of two pounds. It was
somewhat irregular in outline, and slightly convoluted,
assuming a pallid pink aspect, which no doubt was the result
of the hematine of the blood being exudated by pressure on
the capillaries. All the organs of the thorax were perfectly
free from disease.

I submitted the morbid specimen to Professor Varnell,

706 IRREGULAR STRANGLES. - PURPURA HAEMORRHAGIC A.

■whose opinion perfectly accorded with mine, that the case
was a hopeless one from the commencement, and that medical
treatment could be of no avail. He considered the case
would be interesting to the profession, more especially to
the junior members thereof, affording them the means of
making a correct diagnosis in the event of their being called
in to treat a similar one, since our professional reputation
greatly depends upon our correctly diagnosing diseases on
which our prognostic opinion necessarily rests, thus tending
very much to give our clients that confidence in us which is
essential to our future success in practice.

IRREGULAR STRANGLES.— PURPURA
HEMORRHAGICA.

By G. M. Marshall, Y.S., Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Messrs. Editors, — I was looking over a few former
volumes of the Veterinarian the other day, when I happened to
see some cases of irregular strangles recorded by the late Pro¬
fessor Barlow, which brought to my mind similar cases that
occurred in my practice. If you think a brief description of
them worth a corner in your journal, it is at your service. I
also send you three cases of purpura haemorrhagica, in
which I adopted a course of treatment that I have not heard
of before in such cases, and with success. I don’t mean to
say, however, that others may not have used the same medicine
in similar cases.

Irregular Strangles.

Feb., 1858. — A brown mare, four years old, the property
of Mr. Weglaughlin, Myrtle Grove, was placed under treat¬
ment for strangles, having great tumefaction of the sub¬
maxillary glands, which were blistered and poulticed, and
in due time, suppuration being established, the swelling was
lanced, and it quickly subsided.

10th.— A large swelling appears on the left shoulder, to
which I ordered hot fomentations with woollen cloths to be
applied ; which was continued until the 17th, when I lanced
it, and gave exit to a large quantity of pus. Subsequently I
gave tonic medicine. Up to the 3rd March she gains very little
flesh, but on that day a very large swelling makes its appear¬
ance over the loins and sacrum, inclining principally to the

IRREGULAR STRANGLES. - PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA. 707

left side. On exploring the rectum, up which I could scarcely
get my hand, I found an enlargement lying along the side of
the rectum. Ordered hot fomentations to be continually
applied by means of large woollen cloths over the loins and
sacrum. I expect I shall have to pass a trocar through the
side of the rectum, so as to allow the matter to flow through
the canula, as I fear the abscess will break internally.

19th. — On visiting my patient this morning, I was agreeably
surprised to find the swelling pointing at the side of the anus.
Into it I plunged my lancet, giving exit to an enormous
quantity of pus, which flew out with great force a considerable
distance against a wall behind. I should say there must
have been about a gallon that escaped, and from this time
the animal gradually recovered.

About the same time a gray horse belonging to the same
person had the operation of tracheotomy performed, being
threatened with suffocation from tumefied parotid glands. It
was performed by my son. The animal recovered without
being a roarer, or making the least noise in his breathing
afterwards.

Purpura Hremorrhagica.

The first case I will give you from memory. It occurred
a few years ago, the subject being a bay mare, the property
of the Rev. A. S. Irwin. She had an attack of influenza,
from which she had so far recovered that Mr. Irwin drove
her into town, about two miles, to get her shod at my place.
The next day she was sent in to me again, having five or six
large swellings between her fore legs and on the sides of the
sternum. Being from home when she came in, the mare was
put into a stable to await my return in the evening, during
which time all her four legs had become so much swollen
that she could with the greatest difficulty walk out of the
stable. I administered a mild purgative, and sent her home,
with directions to foment the swellings with hot water and
woollen cloths. The following day the swelling had extended
to the abdomen, and to such an extent I have seldom seen;
a profuse discharge also issued from both nostrils. I scarified
the swellings, and gave tonics combined with diuretics. A
few days afterwards a large swelling (flattened) nearly covered
her ribs, and on the following day or two it would seem to
leave the body and appear along the sides of the neck,
leaving this part again in like manner, and going to the ribs
as before. The swelling of the abdomen continued to increase
until it looked almost like a second belly suspended to her ;

708 IRREGULAR STANGLES - PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA .

the lips were also swollen, and bright scarlet patches of
petechial spots existed over the nasal membrane ; the skin of
all four heels had sloughed, and she had become a loathsome
object to look upon or to handle. One morning Mr. Irwin
came into town, and called to tell me that he had left men
digging a grave for her, as he would shoot her on his return.

I begged a reprieve for her for a few days longer, to try the
effect of different treatment, and to this Mr. Irwin assented.

1 then sent out some doses of Hyd. Potassae to be given her,
continuing the tonic and diuretic medicines as before; and I
must say that the result appeared almost magical, so speedily
did she recover. She was afterwards sold, and worked in
the Coleraine mail for some time, when I lost sight of her.

Case 2. — A brown mare, aged, the property of Mr.
Stevenson, merchant, of this town, was under treatment in
September last for influenza, for which her throat was blis¬
tered, and such medicine given as the case required. The
case progressed very satisfactorily until the night of the
2nd of October, when I was sent for to her, as a number of
large, soft, diffused swellings, had made their appearance on
several parts of her body, head, and thighs. She was dull,
pulse feeble, and a number of petechial spots existed on the
nasal membrane. I gave a mild aperient, and, after its opera¬
tion, directed Hyd. Potassae in solution, and a tonic diuretic
ball to be given, the former in the morning, the latter in the
evening, occasionally combining with the latter a small por¬
tion of purgative mass. The swellings would suddenly dis¬
appear, and as suddenly reappear in other places. Suffice to
say that this treatment was continued till the 26th of October,
when the animal was struck off the sick list, and soon got
into splendid condition.

Case 3. — The subject of this case was a bay cart-horse,
aged, the property of Mr. Robert Burns, of Ballynakelly.
The animal had influenza, as in the case of No. 2, when
suddenly large patches of swelling appeared in a number of
places over his body, breast, and legs, out of which oozed a
quantit}r of serum ; the nasal membrane was also covered
with petechial spots, as in the former case. The same treat¬
ment was adopted in this instance as the others, and with
the same result.

70J

CASE OF RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH, ASSO¬
CIATED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF A LARGE
TUMOUR ON THE ILEUM.

By G. J. Gould, Veterinary Student, Southampton.

Tiie patient was a bay mare, seven years old, the property
of Mr. Donkin, shipbuilder, of this town. She was admitted
into our infirmary on Saturday afternoon, the 27th August,
suffering from an acute attack of colic and tympanitis. The
pulse was strong and quick ; the visible mucuos membranes
much injected ; and the indications of abdominal pain very
severe. The spasms were most extreme and prolonged ;
indeed it was the worst case I had seen for some time, both
in the duration and also in the rapidity of the attacks. An
ordinary colic draught was administered; and as the bowels
were constipated, I removed the faeces from the rectum and
threw up a clyster. No relief being obtained, and the
pulse becoming harder, l elected to bleed her, which I did
until the heart’s action was diminished. Two hours after¬
wards, the mare being no better, I administered another
draught. By this time her sufferings had so much increased
that she scarcely kept quiet two minutes together, and I
began to lose all hopes of saving her.

In about an hour, however, after the exhibition of the last
draught she was more composed, and freer from pain ; but
this alleviation of her symptoms did not last long. Very
shortly a great change for the worse came on, and was
quickly followed by vomiting ; the ingesta escaping by the
nostrils. Cold perspirations, quick breathing, tremors, a rapid
and indistinct pulse, &c., succeeded ; and she gradually sank,
and died in the course of the evening.

On making a post-mortem examination the next morning, it
was found that the immediate cause of death was a rupture
of the stomach. The rent was a very large one, and all the
ingesta had escaped into the abdominal cavity. A large
tumour was existing on the ileum, inclining to one side and
attached to the peritoneal surface. It was about six pounds
in weight, and was one of the largest 1 had ever seen. It had
not, however, apparently interfered with the passage of the
aliment through the intestine.

The owner informed me that he had heard that the mare had
been sold and resold by two or three different persons lately,

710

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

and that they all had sold her because “they knew she would
die suddenly some day or other.” I believe this opinion was
based on the fact that she very often suffered from acute
abdominal pain, which doubtless depended on the tumour
pressing upon the intestines, and causing transient obstruction.

To me this case is very interesting, not only from the
existence of the tumour, but from the time it must have
been forming without causing obstruction of the intes¬
tine. I have recorded the case briefly, but I hope sufficiently
exact, and I send it to your most valuable medium of veteri¬
nary science — the Veterinarian — hoping you will give it a place
in its pages.

Facts and Observations,

Mortality among Army Horses in America. — The
report of Dr. Turner, late chief veterinary surgeon of the
army, gives some interesting facts in relation to the mortality
among the horses of the army. In the Eastern department
alone the mortality is 3000 per month, and an equally large
number is condemned. The 72,000 horses per year cost the
Government nine millions of dollars. Add the losses in
other departments and the number killed in battle, and we
have some insight into the vast expenditure involved in the
present struggle.

Formation of Nitre in the Soil. — According to M.
Boussingault, nitre is formed by the slow combustion of
azotized organic matters in the earth, analogous to humus,
and the oxidation of a small amount of nitrogen from the
atmosphere, these furnishing the acid ; the detritus of crys¬
talline rocks yield the alkali.

Test for Sugar in Urine. — M. Cailliau states that
when urine containing sugar is violently shaken with half its
bulk of chloroform, the mixture becomes milky, and separates
into two layers; the upper one being clear and almost
colourless, the lower one white, thick, and gelatinous. If the
upper layer be removed and left to evaporate in a porcelain
dish, the liquid becomes syrupy as it evaporates, and after
some days the sides of the dish become covered with masses
of sugar of the form of warts.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

711

Experiments on the Respiration of Plants,, &c.
— At a late meeting of the Munich Academy of Sciences,
Baron Liebig presented an interesting paper on certain
experiments he had made with an apparatus constructed at
the expense of the King of Bavaria for estimating oxygen in
various bodies. These experiments prove that not only is
oxygen disengaged from the atmosphere by plants, but also,
and in considerable quantities, by the decomposition of water
in the bodies of carnivorous animals. Baron Liebig is of
opinion that this fact will throw new light on the phenomena,
at present so little understood, of nutrition and digestion.

Periods when Carbonic Acid is Liberated from
Plants. — There are two periods during the life of a plant
when the liberation of carbonic acid gas goes on with great
energy. One is during the germination of the seed; and here we
can distinctly trace the object which is gained by the abstrac¬
tion of the oxygen from the surrounding air, and by the con¬
version of it into this gas, so opposite in its properties. The
conditions requisite for the germination of the seed are
warmth, moisture, and the presence of oxygen. The process
is also favoured by darkness. The influence of each of these
will be readily understood. No vital action can go on with¬
out a certain amount of heat, and where this is not produced
within, it must be derived from without. The germination
of the seed is as much dependent upon warmth, therefore, as
the hatching of the egg of a bird, though the amount it
requires is not nearly so great. Moisture is also evidently
required for the conversion into a fluid state of the dry nutri¬
ment which has been previously stored up in the seed, and
no change can commence until this is supplied. The presence
of oxygen is necessary, because the conversion of starch into
sugar requires that some of the carbon of the former should
be set free, and this can only be accomplished by the union
of it with oxygen, so as to form carbonic acid. This process
is favoured by darkness, because light has a tendency to
produce the contrary change — the fixation of the carbon
within the structure.

New Albumenoid Substance in Milk. — At a late
meeting of the Academy of Sciences of Paris, MM. E. Millon
and Commaille gave an account of (i A New Albumenoid
Substance in Milk.” They separated casein from cow's milk
by means of acetic acid, filtered the liquor, then heated it,
and obtained a new’ coagulum which they found to possess
the external characters of albumen, and also to contain the

712

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

same amount of nitrogen. They call the substance provision¬
ally lactoproteine . There appears to be but a small quantity
of this substance present in milk, but, it may be precipitated
by the careful addition of acid nitrate of mercury.

Electricity applied for the Reduction of Tu¬
mours. — The foreign correspondent of the Chemical News
states, that M. Nelaton has lately applied voltaic electricity
to the reduction of tumours of various kinds, more especially
of polypus in the nose. The platinum electrodes of a small
battery are inserted in the tumour, which gradually gives
way under the decomposing action of the current, coagulation
taking place at the positive pole; liquefaction at the negative.
The pain caused by the operation is comparatively slight,
and six applications of the powerful agent were sufficient
to destroy a polypus that had resisted all endeavours to
remove it.

Tincture of the Common Buttercup a Vesicant. —
The same authority informs us that M. Pavesi, of Mortara,
has lately been experimenting on the vesicating properties of
an alcoholic tincture of the fresh leaves, stalks, and flowers of
the common buttercup. Every one knows, says M. Pavesi, that
this very neglected plant contains an acrid juice, but I am not
aware that it has ever been ulilised up to the present time. The
tincture preserves its epispastic qualities for a long time, and
is much cheaper, of course, than cantharides, and besides has
no action on the urinary organs. A weak solution forms an
excellent rubefacient.

Action of Aconitia. — Aconita, says M. E. Hoilot, has
the same physiological properties as the root of the plant.
The irritant action of aconite, usuallv attributed to an acrid
principle, belongs to aconitia. Its action is exerted on the
mucous membranes.

The absorption of aconitia by the intestinal canal is more
rapid than is that of curara and strychnia by the same tissue,
and this explains the rapidity of the death of animals to whom
even small doses of aconitia have been given.

Aconitia acts on the nervous centres, and successively on
the bulb, the spinal marrow, and the brain.

The symptoms manifest themselves in the following order;
suspension of respiration, of general sensibility, of reflex
sensibility, and of voluntary movements.

Aconitia disturbs the action of the heart by acting on its
nervous tissues.

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

713

The effects of aconitia on men are the following : — irri¬
tation of the mucous membranes, salivation, nausea, muscular
weakness, prickling sweats, heaviness of the head, pain in the
track of the facial nerves, dilatations of the pupils, slow
respiration, depression of the pulse, and weakness of
sensibility.

Aconitia is a powerful sedative, and in external forms
it has been applied with success in calming neuralgic and
rheumatic pains.

In conclusion, M. Hollot cautions physicians and pharma¬
ceutists in relation to the variable nature or power of com¬
mercial aconitia as made by different processes.

Composition and Characters of Milk. — Dr.
Voelcker, in an article in the Quarterly Journal of Science,
states, “Milk is the secretion derived from the blood supplied
to the mammary gland of the female animal of the class
mammalia. It is never produced in any quantity until after
parturition ; but during the latter part of utero-gestation it
occurs in inappreciable amounts, and instances are on record
where it has been obtained from the gland of an animal
previous to impregnation. The fluid secreted before partu¬
rition, and for some time afterwards, is called colestrum, and
contains a number of large corpuscles filled with oil-globules,
distinguished as the c colestrum-corpuscles.’

“Milk is white in colour, opaque, and has an agreeable
sw’eetish taste : the odour is faint, but peculiar.

“ Its density is greater than that of water. Cow’s milk, of
good quality, has a specific gravity of about 1030; human
milk, 1020; goats’ and ewes’ milk, 1035 to 1042; and asses’
milk, 1019, compared with water at 1000.

“The decimal reaction seems to be in a measure dependent
upon the food, as might reasonably be expected ; carnivora
giving milk possessing an acid reaction, and herbivora an
alkaline milk. Although apparently homogeneous, it may be
separated into cream (which consists of oil-globules formed
by their envelopes of casein (curd), enclosing the fats of
butter), curd or casein, albumen, milk-sugar, and mineral
matters, consisting chiefly of phosphate of lime and mag¬
nesia, as bone-earth, and salts of potassium and sodium, with
some oxide of iron.”

XXXVII.

46

714

THE VETERINARIAN, OCTOBER 1, 1864.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

ADDRESS TO STUDENTS.

“ Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime.

And, departing, leave behind us
Eootprints on the sands of time.”

The opening of tlie Scholastic Session at our Alma Mater,
on the 3rd instant, when the Introductory Address will be
delivered by the Principal, Professor Spooner, and at which
wre trust many of our friends will be present, as heretofore,
is our apology, if one be needed, for this address to the
student of veterinary medicine. "VYe are under no appre¬
hension that our intentions in writing it will be miscon¬
strued, or ourselves charged with a desire to assume the
dictatorship. It may be, however, that our experience
makes us somewhat bold ; albeit, w'e hope not unwarrantably
so, while a familiarity with the subject, from a lengthened
connection, enables us to write and advise with some degree
of confidence.

We are no strangers to what has been done, and what is
doing, to advance the interests of the aspirant; and we
trust, indeed, we have a well-grounded assurance, arising
from what has already taken place, that this will continue
to be augmented as circumstances call for it. We can look
back to the time when the system of education wras very,
very different to what it now is, and not at all approaching
what it ought to have been. But an admirable, and in
every sense desirable, change has been effected, only, as we
have said, still to be added to.

Nevertheless, while this has been the case, it must not be
forgotten that the student has his part also to play — his
duty to perform ; and this is the more important, since
without it be done all that the teacher can do will prove

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

715

perfectly futile. To every section of liis studies he will
consequently have to give sedulous attention, and he
should avail himself of every means to acquire knowledge
during the as yet too limited period he is required to
attend the lectures and other instructions given at the
College. What these are will be best left to the respective
teachers to communicate. Occasional examinations, also,
are doubtless very profitable, as by them the reasoning
faculties are awakened ; and the memory strengthened by
accumulating facts, which it is necessary the mind
should retain as in a storehouse, hereafter to be withdrawn
as emergency may arise. The cultivation of the intellectual
powers is likewise thus aided, since the judgment has to be
exercised, and thought called forth, by which the real man
is built up.

The plan we are now advocating is altogether opposed
to mere learning by rote, as well as to the system of “ cram¬
ming,” by which only a superficial acquaintance with things
is gained, and to be lost almost as soon as gained. Very
specious is this system, but very deceptive.

Moreover, occasional or periodic examinations as to pro¬
gress will arouse a spirit of healthy and laudable competi¬
tion, which is of no mean worth if persons are striving to
obtain an object, since they will call into requisition all their
energies, not so much for the mere possession of the object
itself as from a desire to be known to excel. Especially is
this to be desiderated at the present day, when local ex¬
aminations are being instituted by Government, and prizes
are given to the middle classes for competence, in the
sciences generally. On this account it is, emphatically, an
age in which the march of mind, so patent to all, may be
said to be a race ; and he who is contented to leave his
nobler part uncultivated and untrained must take the con¬
sequences. Into the race he cannot, with any hope of
winning, enter, or should he, he will be sure to be distanced.

It is true this love of knowledge is rarely born with us ;
it is not innate, but generally result of mind-culture,
although it must be confessed it has much to do with the
intellectual faculties and their correct training ; the last-
named being almost wholly within our province to direct.

716

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

But, for this to be correctly done, we must take into con¬
sideration the capabilities of the mind — although this is com¬
monly greater than many, and especially the idle, will be
willing to concede — and also the temperament of the indi¬
vidual. Nevertheless, it is astonishing what might be
effected by a judicious direction of the mental powers. On
this account don’t be ever afraid of doing too much. The
mind will bear the strain if judgment only be exercised.
One of our most celebrated statesmen has said that he
believes those who injure their health by over-study are not
those who labour steadily and at a moderate pace, but those
who neglect healthy exercise and care in other respects, and
more especially those who, having been idlers for the greater
part of their time, try to make up the lost ground by a
desperate push at last.

The age in which we live is, unquestionably, one of un¬
paralleled activity and progress. Men live fast now-a-days.
As much may be said to be accomplished by us in a decade,
as was effected in a century by our ancestors. And we
must move on with the times — not “rest and be thankful,”
but on the contrary be up and doing, all our energies being
subordinated to our mental advancement. Such, then, being
the case, every opportunity that presents itself should be
seized and rendered available to the end in view. Nor
must it be forgotten by you that the improvement of the
mind is but another kind of labour — labour of the most in¬
tense and exhausting nature, if not judiciously resorted to —
yet you must, if desirous of advancing in life, assiduously
follow it, and be contented patiently to wait the result. At
the first there will be difficulties to contend with, but these
prepare the mind for an easy triumph ultimately, by im¬
parting to it strength of thought and systematic action. It
has been well said, “All things are full of labour; man
cannot utter it, so inconceivably full of work is the world.
Consider the works of man since time began, in the sub¬
jugation of the globe, in reducing its wilderness state to
order and civilisation. Think of the work in changing one
territory alone, such as England, from its primitive state of
wide-spreading forest, swamp, and oozy morass, into its
present form of one exquisitely- tended farm or garden.

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

717

Consider tlie works of men upon the materials furnished by
nature from her surface or her depths — mineral, animal,
vegetable — the whole sum of human manufactures. Think
of the labours of mankind in the fine arts, in architecture,
sculpture, painting, and music ; the unspeakable sum of
human endeavours in literature; and lastly, the untold
amount of work expended on government, legislation, and
war.” Taken in the aggregate, all this is truly stupendous ;
yet it lias been accomplished by individual and collective
exertion — man having been by his Creator endowed with
powers fitted for this purpose, and unless he rightly employ
these he does not answer the end of his existence on earth.
Labour, therefore, to be useful, remembering that temper¬
ance, self-control, and earnestness will yield their practical
results, while the work of the slothful and careless hand
always betrays its origin. “ The soul of the sluggard
desireth, and hath nothing ; but the soul of the diligent
shall be made fat.” Shakspere says, “ Increase of appetite
grows by what it feeds on ;” and there is this broad dis¬
tinction between animal and intellectual pleasures — while
the one wearies to satiety, the other will grow and increase,
and the longer they are followed the greater becomes the
amount of satisfaction and profit derived from them. De¬
pend upon it there is nothing more healthful for the mind
or body than well-directed labour ; to have the hand on the
plough, and the feet in the furrow. Wonderful and beautiful
as the structure of the body of man unquestionably is, the
mind is nobler still : they are as the casket and the jewel.
“I think,” says a modern writer, “the happiest ideas which
are suggested by an examination of the human body are its
union with the soul, and the mutual dependence of its
various parts. We may admire the ease and grace of
motion, the beauty of form and feature, the exquisite chisel¬
ling of the structure ; but our highest conceptions and our
best emotions are awakened when we view the body as the
home of a thinking principle, and mark how harmoniously
all its powers work together, each aiding the others, and
thus serving the end to which they were ordained.”

The poet has truly said,

“ The mind’s the stature of the man.”

718

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

Of man’s complex nature there can be no doubt. cc The
body, made of the same material which it treads so proudly
beneath its feet, is the finest organization of matter that can
be found in the wide creation. It stands erect, and moves
at the bidding of its illustrious tenant ; the brow beams with
intelligence, the eye flashes with a strange fire, the features
express the state of the soul which animates them, and the
whole piece of perfect workmanship is an honour to the
Maker. Who but God would have planned anything like it ?
Why might we not have lived in a body as simple and
unpretending in its organism as the trunk of an oak ? Why
all these nicely-moving joints, these strong ligaments of
muscles, these thousand nerves, so delicate and sensitive,
this beating heart, so curious and so busy, these blue veins
which carry the vital blood through all the system, these
fine adaptations and striking illustrations of design and fore¬
thought ? The structure and organism of plants is wonder¬
ful, but the skill displayed in the human body surpasses all
other evidences of wisdom. The face which beams with the
beauty of thought and affection has been called by the poet
divine ; what hinders all the parts from being equally divine ?
But we rightly attach more importance to it, and look more
deeply into its wise arrangements and workings, by reason
of its union with the soul, that loftiest part of man. The
home of the viewless, thinking, feeling spirit must be
glorious.'” The mind has been likened to the sun, the great
awakener of force. The heaven-sent beam, itself silent,
calls into life a thousand loud activities ; sending the hus¬
bandman to the furrow, filling the city street with noise,
and bidding the hammer ring upon the anvil. So a great
mind stirs into genial activity ten thousand lesser minds,
and over nations and hemispheres the energising influence
spreads. Let this be withdrawn, all becomes a moral and an
intellectual waste — ’tis mental midnight. But the sun shines
not for itself. To other celestial bodies it imparts its
invigorating beams, and by its attractive power causes them
to move each in its determined orbit, thus maintaining the
beautiful order known to exist in the universe — the “ har¬
mony of the spheres,” — whilst throughout nature its beneficial
influence is seen.

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

719

Nor must it be forgotten by you that, once a student,
always a student ; ever learning, and still to learn ; and
having put on the harness, you must never think of turning
back in the day of battle, or you can never conquer. Some
few of the secrets of nature, it may be, you will be privileged
to discover and make known, but many more will for ever
lie hidden in depths unfathomable by mortal ken. The
arcana of Nature cannot be exhausted, nor all her mysteries
explained, the curtain that enshrines them being impene¬
trable. This, however, is no barrier to investigation, but
rather an incentive thereto. In early life we are apt to be
struck with something that is to us new, and perhaps we
may even boast of our powers of penetration, but we soon
find it is only another aspect of a thing long before known ;
so that with Solomon we are constrained to agree, when he
says, “ Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this
is new ? it hath been already of old time, which was before
us.” At the most the wisest of us can only say, with Sir
Isaac Newton, “ I have been only a little more fortunate
than my fellows in selecting smoother pebbles on the shore
of the ocean of truth.”

As to your general comportment during the period allotted

for the acquirement of knowledge, we have but little to

advance, feeling assured that with the many your previous

education will direct vou in a consistent course. An old

*

poet has somewhat quaintly said —

“ Come wealth or want, come good or ill.

Let young and old accept their part ;

And bow before the Awful Will,

And bear it with an honest heart,

Who misses or who wins the prize ;

Go, lose, or conquer as you can ;

But, if you fall, or if you rise,

Be each, pray God, a gentleman !”

But this is not enough ; there is moral as well as intel¬
lectual culture, and —

“ If good we plant not, vice will fill the mind,

And weeds despoil the place for flowers designed.”

Moreover, a step once taken in the road of deviation from
duty, leads to another and another, until the impetus gained

720

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

becomes so great that, unless a higher power interpose, we
fall to rise no more. Be, therefore, ever on your watch-
tower, and guard against the first appearance of evil ; check
it, and all will be well. Remember —

“ There is hope for all ; though not for all

To sail through sunny ripples to the end,

Chatting of shipwrecks as pathetic tales.

* * * *

All are not born

To touch majestic eminence, and shine,

* # m *

But, through transcendent mercy, all are born
To enter on a nobler heritage
Than these, if each but wills to rightly choose
In serving Duty, man’s prerogative.

Which is far pleasanter than paths of flowers,

Than warmest clustering of household joys,

And prouder than the proudest shouts of fame
That follow actions not in conscience wrought.”

To aim at attainments, and thus to enter upon the stern
realities of life, will now be your duty. To advance not
only yourself, but the profession you have chosen, your one
object steadily to be kept in view, remembering that the
one secures the other. Nor must you allow yourself to be
a laggard, but for evermore be contented to do battle with
those enemies that would rob you of the means you possess
to acquire knowledge. In your investigations, instigated
by a love of research, let truth be your guide; nor be
daunted at seeming failures at the onset. Let the conclu¬
sions to which you may arrive be such as will bear exami¬
nation, lest proof be demanded of you ; remembering that
the true path of all philosophical inquiry leads up to Truth,
from which it emanates. Lord Bacon has said, “ A little
philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth of
philosophy bringeth it back to religion."

Again we say, avail yourself of the present opportunity
to obtain information, for, of all fleeting things, it has been
said, opportunity is swiftest in its flight. It rivals time,
and may never recur. “ Seize the opportunity," was a
motto suspended at the Roman feasts, and although applied
by the Epicureans to luxurious indulgence and pleasure, let

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

721

it be by you applied to a far nobler purpose. Remember,
too, that each has his gift, although all cannot be great.
Yet the poet has told us —

“ Some must be great. Great offices will have
Great talents. And God gives to everv man
The virtue, temper, understanding, taste,

That lifts him into life, and lets him fall
Just in the niche he was ordained to fill.”

Each, therefore, has his duties to perform. These may and
do vary. It is a law in mechanics that no two bodies can
occupy the same space at one and the same time. Now,
although the less ponderable body will give way to the one
possessing greater might, still room must be found for
both, since matter is not indefinitely compressible. Nor is
that which is the most noisy or clamorous the most effec¬
tive. The physical forces, though silent and unseen, are
the most powerful. The light which comes from the sun
and gems with beauty all nature, is more effective than the
brilliant flash of the meteor, or the forked lightning; and
the deeply flowing stream in its course proves productive of
more good than the rushing mighty waterfall.

Likewise, do not ever forget that it is only by diligence
and perseverance you can hope to excel. Shakspere
has said —

<c Perseverance

Keeps honour bright. To have done , is to hang
Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail
In monumental mockery.”

By patient labour and research alone men of the most
transcendent genius have succeeded in making great dis¬
coveries, and arrived at a knowledge of those fundamental
truths which lie at the foundation of all true science. Be
it yours, then, not so much to have your names enrolled in
the annals of fame and mighty achievements, as of useful¬
ness to your fellow-men, by honestly labouring in the sphere
that Providence has placed you. The knowledge we acquire
in after life is, without doubt, that which is most important.
In youth we have to sow the seed, and in mature years to

722

HIPPOPHAGY.

reap the fruit; but in the meantime we must not be idle,
or the harvest will fail to be plentiful.

<c Many are our joys

In youth, but oil ! what happiness to live
When every hour brings palpable access
Of knowledge, and all knowledge is delight.51

In concluding this address we would, above all, have you
remember that what we have stated respecting mind-culture
may not be attainable by you in your own unassisted strength;
yet despair not, if you are desirous of excelling, the power
will be given you from above, in reference to which the in¬
junction and the promise are united— “ Ask, and ye shall
receive.”

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals,

HIPPOPHAGY.

M. Decroix, one of the secretaries of the Society for
Protection of Animals, lately delivered a lecture at the
Garden of Acclimatisation of the Bois de Boulogne on the
alimentary use of horseflesh. After showing, by official data,
that the supply of butcher’s meat of all kinds, which is so
necessary to support the strength of man, and enable him to
bear fatigue and avert disease, is not equal to the demand,
he showed that if the flesh of disabled horses were introduced
into public consumption, it w’ould increase the present supply
of meat by at least one twelfth, and that in Paris especially
it might daily produce upwards of 2600 kilogrammes of good
meat, even admitting that the flesh of one third of the horses
slaughtered were rejected on account of their diseased state —
a proportion which he considered exaggerated. M. Decroix
reminded the audience that the illustrious Larrey, in the
course of his military career, had three times prescribed the
meat of horses for his patients, and that in Egypt especially
he had, by the use of this aliment, stopped a scorbutic affec¬
tion which had broken out in the army. More recently, he
added, in the Crimea, two companies of artillery had, by
Dr. Bauden’s advice, lived entirely upon the flesh of unser-

UTILISATION OF SEWAGE.

723

viceable horses, and thereby escaped the diseases which
afflicted the rest of the army. He further stated that at
Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Altona, and other towns, horse¬
flesh is eaten not only by the lower orders, but by all classes
of society. In order to confirm his theory by experiment,
the lecturer concluded his address with ordering in a large
tureen of broth made from horseflesh, and a dish of the latter
flavoured with spices, of which the company partook with
great relish. — Galignani .

UTILISATION OF SEWAGE.

The select committee appointed by the House of Commons
to inquire into any plans for dealing with the sewTage of the
metropolis and other large tow ns, with a view to its utilisation
for agricultural purposes, have published their report. Its
chief points are as follows :

f£ The committee has come to the conclusion that it is not
only possible to utilise the sewage of towrns, by conveying it,
in a liquid state, through mains and pipes to the country,
but that such an undertaking may be made to result in pecu¬
niary benefit to the ratepayers of the towns whose sewage is
thus utilised. That benefit may, in a few years, be greatly
increased ; for the amount of artificial manures is even at
present insufficient, and the sources w hence some of the most
important are obtained will, in a few years, be exhausted.
Other means of fertilising land must therefore be resorted to.
The committee, having examined the chairman and engineer
of the Metropolitan Board of Works, are of opinion that
more might have been done by that board towards the
profitable use of the sewage of London ; and that the com¬
pletion of the outfall sewerage of the metropolis ought, at
the earliest possible moment, to be followed by the adoption
of a system which may convert that sew7age from a nuisance
into a permanent and increasing source of agricultural fer¬
tility. Even if a pecuniary benefit were not to be secured,
yet such a consideration should not deter local authorities
from taking such steps as are possible to free rivers from
pollution. There can be no doubt as to the injury which
results from the practice of conducting sew7age and other
refuse matters into the rivers, from whence numerous towrns,
villages, and country populations derive their w ater supply.
It is imperatively necessary that such a practice should be
discontinued. No efficient artificial method has been dis-

724

UTILISATION OF SEWAGE.

covered to purify, for drinking and culinary purposes, water
which has been once infected by town sewage. By no known
mechanical or chemical means can such water be more than
partially cleansed ; it is always liable to putrify again. Pro¬
cesses of filtering and deodorisation cannot, therefore, be
relied upon to do more than mitigate the evil. Water which
appears perfectly pure to the eye is sufficient, under certain
conditions, to breed serious epidemics in the population
which drinks it. Soils, however, and the roots of growing
plants, have a great and rapid power of abstracting impurities
from sewage water, and rendering it again innocuous and
free from contamination. Mr. Ffennell, the Chief Inspector
of Fisheries, stated in his evidence that sewage water, in a
putrifying state, is destructive to fish ; a considerable increase
in the amount of food for the people, and of revenue to the
owners of rivers, would therefore result from purifying the
rivers of the United Kingdom which are now contaminated
by sewage and other matters. The removal of house refuse
to the land would now be much easier and cheaper than it
was formerly ; because carriage by suspension in a liquid is
the cheapest mode of transport. In many towns of Lancashire
there are to this day numerous cesspits. This is the case
with Manchester, where the local authorities expend about
£20,000 a year for emptying them and removing the con¬
tents to the land, and receive back 50 per cent, by the sale
of the material. We recommend that the important object
of completely freeing the entire basins of rivers from pollu¬
tion should be rendered possible by general legislative enact¬
ment, enabling the inhabitants of such entire districts to
adopt some controlling power for that purpose ; but it should
include a provision for compelling local boards to render the
sewage of their districts innocuous by application to the land
for agricultural purposes. The case of the valley of the
Thames (where the purification of the river, which has been
sought by the expenditure of enormous sums, is, to a con¬
siderable extent, counteracted by the increased discharge of
sewage from towns higher up the stream) requires special
and immediate attention.”

725

Translations and Reviews of Continental
Veterinary Journals.

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Annales de Medecine Veterinaire Academic des Sciences de Paris.

RESEARCHES ON PUTREFACTION.

By M. L. Pasteur.

Whenever animal or vegetable matter becomes sponta¬
neously altered, eliminating fetid gases, it is said there is putre¬
faction taking place. It will be, however, shown in the
course of this investigation, that this definition has two de¬
fects opposed to each other, viz., that it is too general, because
it groups together phenomena essentially distinct, and it is
too restricted, because it separates others which are of the same
nature and origin.

The interest and utility offered by an accurate study of
putrefaction have always been acknowledged. Some time
since it excited strong hopes that by the practical deductions
made from it, some light might be thrown on the production
of maladies, principally on those which the ancient physicians
called putrid. This was the idea that influenced the cele¬
brated English physician Pringle, who, in the middle of the
last century, devoted himself to the investigation of and ex¬
perimented with septic and antiseptic matter, in order to
clear up the observations he had made on the diseases preva¬
lent in armies. Unfortunately the disgust connected with
these labours, and their evident complications, have hitherto
deterred the major part of the experimenters from carrying
them fully out, so that nearly every thing remains yet to be
done.

My researches on fermentation, the author says, have natu¬
rally led me to that sort of study, and to which I have re¬
solved to devote myself without troubling much about the
danger and the disgust they inspire. If I wanted encourage¬
ment to follow out these researches, I would recall the words
spoken by Lavoisier at the Academy under somewhat similar
circumstances: — “ Public ' usefulness and the interest of
humanity ennoble the most repugnant labours, and show to
an enlightened world the zeal by which the disgust and the
obstacle have been surmounted.” The results which I have

726 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

the honour to lay before the Academy, have exclusive re¬
ference to the cause of the phenomena. This was the first
point to be elucidated, and I believe that I have succeeded.
It is, however, an extensive subject, and I am persuaded that
I shall have much to add hereafter to my first impressions.
I therefore ask the indulgence of the members of • the
Academy.

The more general results of my experiments are very
simple. They are that putrefaction is determined by or¬
ganized ferments of the vibrion genus. Ehrenberg has de¬
scribed six species of vibrions, to which he has given the fol¬
lowing names :

] . Vibrio lineala. 4. Vibrio rugula.

2. Vibrio tremulans. 5. Vibrio prolifer.

3. Vibrio subtilis. 6. Vibrio bacillus.

These six species were partly known to the microscopists
of the last century, and have been found by all who have since
occupied themselves with infusoria. I reserve the question
respecting their identity, or the difference of the species, also
the variety of their forms, subordinated to the change of the
condition in which they exist. I accept them provisionally,
just as they have been described. In whatever way, I arrive
at the conclusion that the six species of vibrions are six
species of animal ferments, and that these ferments are the
results of putrefaction. Moreover, I have discovered that all
these vibrions can exist without free oxygen gas ; further, that
they die when brought in contact with it, or when nothing
protects them from the direct action of it on them.

This fact, which I announced to the Academy for the first
time two years ago, and of which I have recently given
several examples, namely, that in ferments existed animal¬
cules of the vibrion species which could live without free
oxygen gas ; this being only a particular case, which belongs
to the mode of fermentation, and is perhaps the most general
in nature. The conditions under which putrefaction is
manifested may vary very much. Let us suppose, in the
first instance, that it is a liquid, that is to say, putrescible
matter of which all the parts have been exposed to the con¬
tact of air. Of two things one must occur, either this liquid
would be in a vessel protected from the air, or in an un¬
covered one, the opening of which would be more or less
wide. I will examine successively what takes place in both
cases. It is a well known fact that putrefaction is a certain
time before it declares itself. This varies according to cir¬
cumstances, depending upon the temperature, neutrality,

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 727

acidity or alkalinity of the liquid. Under the most favorable
circumstances it requires at least twenty-four hours before the
phenomena are perceptible by any external signs. During
this first period a sort of peristaltic motion takes place in the
liquid, which movement is in order entirely to remove the
oxygen of the air that is dissolved in the fluid, and to replace
it with carbonic acid gas. The total disappearance of the
oxygen gas, when the liquid is neutral or slightly alkaline, is
generally caused by the development of the smallest infusoria,
viz., the Manas crepusculum , and the Bacterium termo. A slight
disturbance is caused in the liquid because these little beings
travel in all directions.

When the first effects of the abstraction of the dissolved
oxygen is accomplished, they perish, and finally sink to the
bottom of the vessel like a precipitate, and if by chance the
liquid does not contain fecundative germs of the ferments of
which I am now about to speak, it would remain indefinitely
in that state without putrefying or fermenting in any way.
Such a case is rare, but I have, however, met with several
instances. More frequently when the oxygen, which was in
solution in the liquid has disappeared, the vibrion-ferments,
which have no need of this gas to exist, begin to show them •
selves, and putrefaction declares itself immediately. It ac¬
celerates little by little, following the progressive march of
the development of the vibrions. As to the putrefaction, it
becomes so intense, that to microscopically examine one
single drop is very painful, even if the examination only last
a few minutes. But I must here observe that the fetidness
of the liquid and the gas principally depends on the prepara¬
tion of sulphur, which enters into the substance undergoing
putrefaction. The odour is hardly perceptible if the sub¬
stance is not sulphurous. Such, for instance, is the case in
the fermentation of albumenoid substances which water may
remove from the yeast of beer. Such is also the case with
the butyric fermentation. For, according to the results
shown, but which appertain to my anterior studies, the
butyric fermentation is by the nature of its ferment a phe¬
nomenon exactly of the same order as regular putrefaction.
For this reason the view which lias been taken of putrefaction
is in some things to limited. The result of the proceeding
observations is that the contact of air is by no means neces¬
sary to the development of putrefaction. On the contrary,
if the dissolved oxygen in a putrescent liquid were not at
once abstracted by the action of special beings, putrefaction
would not take place, as the oxygen would destroy any
vibrions which might have been developed at the beginning.

728 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

I will now examine putrefaction in a case where air has
had free access. But what I have just stated might lead to the
belief that it cannot take place, as the oxygen gas destroys
the vibrions which excite it. Nothing of the kind ; and I
will even show that it is in accordance with the fact that
putrefaction in contact with air is a phenomenon more com¬
plete than that which takes place without it. Let us now
take a putrescent liquid which has been freely exposed to the
air, for instance, contained in a large shallow vessel open at
the top. The effect which I have just described, viz., the
obstruction of the dissolved oxygen from the mass of the
liquid, is effected in the same manner as in the first case, the
only difference consists in the fact that the Bacteriums , &c.,
do not perish after the abstraction of the oxygen, except in
the interior of the liquid; on the contrary, they continue to
propagate indefinitely on the surface, because of its being
in contact with the air. They cause the formation of a thin
pellicle, which increases in thickness until it breaks up and
sinks to the bottom of the liquid ; another now is brought to
the surface, and so on. This pellicle, to which are generally
attached divers species of Mucorii and Muciclinii , prevents the
dissolving of the oxygen in the liquid, and consequently
favours the formation of the vibrious ferments; the vessel
being, as far as they are concerned, as if effectually closed to
the introduction of air. They even multiply in the pellicle
itself on the surface, because they are protected from the air
by the Bacteriums and the Mucorii.

Against the too direct action of the atmospheric air* the
putrescent liquid becomes then the seat of two kinds of
chemical arts very distinct from each other, but which, in
respect of their physiological functions, have an affinity with
the two species of beings which they maintain. The vibrious,
on the one hand, live without the co-operation of the oxygen
of the air, determine in the interior of the liquid acts of fer¬
mentation, that is, they transform the nitrogenized matter into
products more simple but still complex ; the Bacterium or
the mucorii, on the other hand cause combustion of the same

* I reserve always, nevertheless, as I have done before, the question to
ascertain whether the ferments, notably the vibrious, do not become airobic
under certain circumstances from anairobic , as they were when in the state
ferments. I propose, with all sorts of scruples, these new words, airobic
and anairobic, to indicate the two classes of inferior beings ; one incapable
of existing without free oxygen gas, the other being capable of multiplying
ad infinitum when protected from the contact of this gas.

The new class of anairobic might be called the class of zymics (from
leaven ferment) that is to say, ferments. The airobics would constitute by
apposition the class azymics.

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 729

product to take place, which reduces them to the most simple
binary combinations, such as water, ammonia, and carbonic
acid. There remains still to distinguish the very remarkable
case of putrefaction in which the liquid has very little depth
with easy access of atmospheric air. I will experimentally
demonstrate that the fermentation and the putrefaction can
then be absolutely hindered, and that the organic matter will
yield only to the phenomena of combustion. Such are the
results of putrefaction effected with free contact of the atmo¬
spheric air. On the other hand, in the case of putrefaction
not in contact with the air, or without air, the products of
the inner part of the pellicle remain unaltered.

Just now 1 stated that putrefaction in contact with the air
was a phenomenon, if not always more rapid, at least more
perfect and more destructive of the organic matter than pu¬
trefaction not in contact with the air. But in order to make
this better understood, I will adduce some instances. Let
us allow the lactate of lime to putrefy, the air being excluded.
The vibrious ferments will transform the lactate into divers
products, amongst which will always figure the butyrate of
lime. This new combination is undecomposible by the
vibrions that have provoked it, and will remain in the liquor
without any change whatever. But let us repeat the same
operation in contact with the air. As fast as the vibrious
ferments act in the interior of the liquid the pellicle on the
surface burns up by degrees completely the butyrate of
lime. If the fermentation is very active, the phenomenon of
combustion on the surface stops, but on account only of the
carbonic acid disengaged preventing the access of atmospheric
air. The phenomenon recommences as soon as the fermen¬
tation is either completed or arrested. It is the same exactly
if you ferment a solution of sugar excluded from the air.
The liquid becomes charged with alcohol which is indestruc¬
tible ; while if you operate in contact with the air the alcohol,
after having become acidified, is burned up, and is entirely
transformed into water and carbonic acid gas ; then it is the
vibrions appear, and putrefaction follows, when the liquid
contains nothing more than water and nitrogenized matter.
Finally, in their turn the vibrions and the products of putre¬
faction are burnt by the Bacteriums or the Mucorii ; the latter
surviving cause the combustion of those wrhich have preceded,
and thus is accomplished the integral return of the elements to
the atmosphere and to the mineral state of organized matter.

Let us now consider putrefaction in solid substances. I
have proved recently that the body of an animal is closed, in
ordinary cases, against the introduction of the germs of
xxxvii. 47

730 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

inferior beings. Consequently putrefaction would at first be
established on the surface, after which it would gradually pro¬
ceed to the interior. Let us consider the entire carcass ot an
animal abandoned after death to itself, either in contact with
the air, or excluded from it. The whole surface is covered
with dust, carried by the air, that is to say, the germ of the
inferior organism. Its intestinal canal, where principally
the faecal matter is formed, is filled, not only with germs,
but with vibrions fully developed, which Leeuwenhoek has
already noticed. These vibrions are in advance of the germs
on the surface of the body. They are in the state of adult
individuals deprived of air, bathed in liquid, and fast multi¬
plying, and also in full activity. It is through them that the
putrefaction of the body, which has hitherto been preserved
by vitality and the nutrition of the organs, begins. Such is
the progress in the different forms of putrefaction.

The ensemble of the facts which I have enumerated will
hereafter be published in a memoir, with all the experi¬
mental proofs belonging to them, but these facts might be
misunderstood or misinterpreted if I were not to add a few
developments from them, "which the academy will no doubt
excuse. Let us consider, in order better to fix our ideas, a
voluminous mass of muscular flesh. What would happen if
putrefaction were prevented on the outside of it ? Would this
flesh preserve its structure and quality during the first hours?
Such a result cannot be expected ; it is, in fact, impossible, at
ordinary temperature, to subtract the interior parts of this
flesh from the reactions of the solids and the liquids on each
other.* There will always be a force or power in operation,
say of contact, an action of diastasis (if I am allowed this ex¬
pression) which developes in the interior of the piece of flesh
small quantities of new substances which will add to the
flavour of it their own proper flavour. Many things may
oppose the putrefaction of the superficial layer. It would
suffice, for instance, to envelope it with some linen soaked
in alcohol, and to place it afterwards in a close vessel (with
or without air, it matters not). As long as the evaporation
of the alcohol does not take place, putrefaction will not set
in, neither in the interior, because the germs of the vibrions
are absent, nor on the exterior, because the alcoholic vapour
is opposed to the development of the germs on the surface.
But I have ascertained that meat becomes tainted when

* In other words, death does not extinguish the reaction of the liquids,
and solids in the organism. A sort of chemical life, if I may so express
myself, continues to go on, in the same way as a fruit which ripens after
being removed from the tree. Gangrene is a phenomenon of the same
order.

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 731

in small quantity, and is gangrenous when in a larger or more
considerable quantity.

In my opinion this is one of the instances in which we err,
by giving too ample a definition to ordinary putrefaction.
There is no similitude of nature or origin between putrefac¬
tion and gangrene. Far from being putrefaction, gangrene
seems to be the state of an organ, or of part of an organ,
preserved from putrefaction, in spite of death, and of which
the liquids and solids react chemically and physically on each
other out of the pale of the normal acts of nutrition.

THE LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

(official report.)

The members of the above Association held their Eighth Meeting
at the Brunswick Hotel, Piccadilly, Manchester, on the evening of
the 14th inst. ; the President in the chair.

The following Veterinary Surgeons were present: — Thomas
Greaves, Esq,, Manchester, President : — John Lawson, Esq., Cutli-
bert Simpson, Esq., Peter Taylor, Esq., — Taylor, jun., Roger
Hampson, Esq., W. Haycock, Esq., G. Sermons, Esq., W. Dixon,
Esq., J. Haslam, Esq., N. Carney, Esq., E. Boyle, Esq., C. Raw¬
lings, Esq., A. L. E. Hunt, Esq., Birmingham, P.R.C.V.S., London ;

E. C. Dray, Esq., Leeds ; J. Broad, Esq., Bath ; W. A. Cartwright,
Esq., Whitchurch ; John Greaves, Esq., Altrincham ; James Brooks,
Esq., Pilkington ; James Howell, Esq., Rochdale; James Taylor,
Esq., Oldham; Roger Bridge, Esq., Bury; George Brown, Esq.,
Oldham; T. M. Leech, Esq., Bakewell ; W. Whittle, Esq., Worsley;
John Smith, Esq., Ormskirk ; G. Morgan, Esq., Liverpool ; John
Simpson, Esq., Liverpool ; J. Brydon, Esq., Liverpool ; W. Williams,
Esq., Bradford, S.Y.S. ; J. H. Carter, Esq., Bradford; W. Tool,
Esq., Lichfield ; W. Litt, Esq., Shrewsbury ; — Lee, Esq., Maccles¬
field ; — McTaggart, Esq., Halifax; G. Fleming, Esq., F.R.G.S.,

F. A.S.L., V.S., King’s Own Hussars; W. Taylor, Esq., Stockport;
and others.

The 'Presidents Address .

Having now disposed of the preliminary business, and before
calling upon our friend Mr. Lawson to favour us with his paper
upon tetanus in the horse, I beg leave to state the pride and
pleasure I experience on this occasion in being supported by so
large and influential a body of my veterinary brethren. On my
right I am honoured by the presence of the President of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons — a gentleman in every respect
worthy of that exalted position, the most honorable that any

7 32 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

can aspire to or can be placed in as a veterinary surgeon. On my
left hand I am honoured by the presence of another president, the
President of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society, a gentle¬
man deservedly respected and beloved by all who know him ; we
have also many others amongst us who are distinguished ornaments to
the profession to which they belong. But, gentlemen, great as is
this occasion, it does not surpass that memorable meeting in New¬
castle, on the 21st of July last, when the worthy President of the
North of England Veterinary Medical Association was supported by
three professors, three presidents, and thirty members of the
profession. Professors Simonds, Gamgee, and Varnell, spoke on
that occasion ; the first two alluded to provincial veterinary medical
associations in the most flattering and encouraging manner; now
we have Professors Spooner’s and Dick’s most gratifying letters. So
it will be perceived that, although we are not named in the Act of the
Royal Charter, nor do we meet under the auspices of the corporate
body, still we do assemble in this room under the banner of pro¬
fessors, and under the banner of the colleges. I call your attention
to that meeting chiefly to give me an opportunity to refer to that
magnanimous speech of their most excellent and highly respected
secretary, Mr. Armatage. He says : “ I look upon these provincial
veterinary medical associations, gentlemen, as one of those great
beacons which have been ignited and now indicating, by its power¬
ful flame, that eminence to which we as a body are wending our
way, and a distinguishing mark by which our profession may be
known.” Again, he remarks of Manchester : “ I have often heard it
said, if you get one of the Vets, there to make a proposition, depend
upon it, not only will it be on the strongest reasonable foundation,
but to a man will they carry it out. Again he says : “ This is the sort
of union we want, unity of heart, unity of purpose and design, not
unity of opinion merely, but unity of principle ; its tendency is to
show up a man in his true colours ; to cause him to extend the
right hand of fellowship, and no longer go on hating or envying
his neighbour without knowing why.” Now, gentlemen, I have
perused these pithy sentences, and am of opinion it is next to im¬
possible to improve upon them; these sentiments are an honour
to human nature, and they reflect infinite credit on Mr. Armatage,
and I feel assured you will not blame me for taking up your time
in reproducing them here. I maintain that a higher compliment or
a more honorable testimony could not be paid to anybody of men.
I congratulate you veterinary surgeons of Manchester upon the
high and honorable position you have acquired for yourselves. I
feel it the proudest act of my life to preside over a body of men so
much respected by their veterinary brethren far and wide ; I ask
you, let us do all we can to merit and maintain this good opinion ;
as by doing so we may not only be useful in our day and generation,
but our children’s children will bless us, and sometimes look back
upon our memory in silence, it may be, but with feelings of pro¬
found respect and satisfaction. But to the business of this evening.
I am sure it must be a source of great satisfaction to you all, as it is to

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 733

me, to know that that formidable and most difficult disease, tetanus,
is going to be grappled with to-night by the gentleman who has so
kindly undertaken the task — a gentleman whose clear perceptions
and extensive practical experience render him in every way so
eminently qualified. We all know him ; we know he is no idea-
oligist or visionary man. If he espouses and adopts a plan of treat¬
ment it is because it is sound in principle, and if after proving it he
finds it to be attended with a greater measure of success than he has
been accustomed to experience, it then affords him the keenest
pleasure to make it known to others. Thus it is his opinions have
stamped upon them a genuineness ; and their sound has always the
ring of the true metal. I invite you, gentlemen, to listen atten¬
tively to every word he utters, meditate upon them, and if they
commend themselves to your minds, carry them home with you ;
apply them in your practice ; and if his plan of treatment is at¬
tended with the same measure of success with you as it has been
with him, you will have just reason to bless the day you attended
this meeting. Let us approach the consideration of this subject
as a body of earnest men resolved to acquire more knowledge about
it ; for after all, gentlemen, the sublimest theory in the world, the
most refined, profound, scientific researches, if the result lacks the
element of success, it is of no more value than the grossest blunder¬
ing empiricism. I shall invite each of you to give me your own
views and opinions ; and I hope we shall be led to adopt the right
method ; that is always the best method. Gentlemen, the interest
and the dignity of our profession are at stake ; let us be in earnest.
We never find this disease trifling ; we find this antagonist always in
earnest. On our first visit we find he has got our patient in his
death grip ; let us endeavour to gain knowledge, so that the next
time we are called upon to try our strength with this antagonist we
may be found prepared. If, therefore, we are initiated into a suc¬
cessful method of treating this formidable and intractable disease,
the author of the essay will deserve well of his profession. I shall
tender him my best thanks; you as a body will, I am sure, most
willingly and proudly render him deep gratitude ; and poste¬
rity will look to the deliberations of this night as being one of the
noblest, brightest pages in the annals of veterinary science. Gentle¬
men, I have thought it right to make these few observations with a
view to induce a proper frame of mind for the reception of great
truths on this deeply interesting and very important subject. I
have now very great pleasure in calling upon my friend Mr. Lawson
kindly to favour us with his paper on “ Tetanus in the Horse.”

On Tetanus , by J. Lawson , LJsq.

Mr. President and Gentlemen, — I did not intend to have
brought the subject of this paper before you for some time to come,
but having made our worthy president a sort of half promise one
night, he put the other half to it himself, and thus compelled me
to appear before you with my views on the treatment of tetanus less

734 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

mature than I would otherwise have wished. I shall not waste the
time of the meeting with a preface, nor do I intend to lengthen this
paper with a minute description of the physiology and pathology of
the disease, simply because I have nothing either new or interesting
to offer you on these parts of my subject. I shall therefore content
myself with hurriedly sketching its leading features, that I may the
sooner get to that part which most of all others interests the
veterinary surgeon, viz., the treatment.

I am told by those learned in Greek that tetanus is derived from
a word in that language which being interpreted means “ to stretch,”
and may be described to be a disease in which the voluntary muscles
are in a state of rigid, lasting contraction, with paroxysms of brief
and painful spasms, alternating with irregular intervals of more or less
relaxation. I believe this to be a disease of the true spinal system,
and that the cerebruui in the horse is rarely if ever affected.
Different names have been conferred upon the tetanic condition,
according to the obvious effects of the spasms. Thus when it pro¬
duces a closure of the jaws, the affection has been denominated
trismus, when a curvature of the body backwards, opisthotonus ;
when forward and downwards, emprosthotonos; and when to one
side, pleurosthotonos.

These conditions are now treated as mere symptomatic diversities
of the same disease. In the horse, trismus and opisthotonus are the
most frequent ; indeed, I never saw a case of the other varieties.
Whatever form occurs, the disease may be either acute or chronic ;
the former a most formidable malady, seldom admitting of cure,
tending rapidly to involve the whole frame, and unfortunately the
more frequent in occurrence ; the latter generally milder in all its
phases, more inclined to be partial, and much more amenable to
treatment.

The disease is also said to be either traumatic or idiopathic, the
former following wounds, bruises, or other injury, and usually acute ;
the latter of spontaneous origin, without any external and assign¬
able cause, and usually more chronic. It has been thought by
some that tetanus will assume the epidemic form, as there have
been seasons in which it has so commonly supervened on injuries,
that practitioners have dreaded its appearance on every occasion
when a horse has been brought to them for scratches, or punctures,
or wounds of any sort. My own experience of this disease does not
bear out this idea. The most frequent form is that which is
traumatic and acute, and the symptoms and character of this may
be taken as typical of the disease in general. Various premonitory
symptoms are given by some authors, such as a peculiar brightness
of the eye, irritability, watchfulness, dislike to have the head
touched, constipation of the bowels, and a disinclination to feed as
well as usual. I think it not unlikely that such symptoms may
exist, but I must confess that I have never been able to detect or
even suspect the presence of tetanus until the indications were more
definite in their character.- The disease may be said to be esta¬
blished when there is a soreness about the throat, stiffness in the

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 735

upper and back part of the neck and of the head ; the nose a little
protruded, the ears erect, and the tail carried rather higher than
usual. On approaching the animal, he is unusually excited, and
the pulse becomes accelerated from nervous irritability ; if you
attempt to open the mouth the head is violently thrown up, the
muscles of the eyeball spasmodically contract, drawing it within the
orbit, and the cartilago nictitans is convulsively protruded. The
muscles of mastication next become affected, and the action of the
jaws are either much limited, or they are entirely closed. As the
disease advances, other sets of muscles become involved with those
of the back, loins, haunches, and tail. The head and nose are pro¬
truded, the nostrils are widely dilated and scarcely move during
respiration; the angles of the. mouth are drawn up, the eyes are par¬
ticularly brilliant and watchful, the eyelids are drawn asunder, the
muscles of the eyeball are in a state of continual spasm, which
causes the brow to be partly forced over the eyes, and the counte¬
nance altogether lias a most distressing appearance. The bowels
are said to be obstinately constipated, but I have not always found
this the case, and I have seen many a one die when the bowels have
been well opened and when constipation was never a prominent
symptom, although I do not deny that it is sometimes present.
The extremities now become stiffened ; the animal stands stiffly,
with his legs straddling widely apart, and should he be urged to
move, does so as if he had no joints ; he is altogether rigid as a board,
and the tail is erect and has a tremulous motion.

In almost any stage of the disease the slightest noise will bring on
a paroxysm of distressing spasm — opening the box door, lifting a
bucket, the entrance of another person into the box, one step taken
to approach the animal, the getting hold of his collar, or any attempt
to touch his mouth or muzzle ; indeed, almost any movement he can
see if taken hurriedly or noisily ; and in the stage of the disease I
have just been describing, the paroxysms are so severe that it is with
the greatest difficulty he can keep himself from falling, and should
lie do so he becomes fearfully excited ; one paroxysm follows another
rapidly: the pulse, rarely much affected in the early stages, is now
quick, weak, and almost imperceptible ; the power to swallow, always
difficult, is entirely lost ; the body is covered with perspiration, and
the breathing is laborious and increased to the utmost degree. I
have said before that this was a disease of the voluntary muscles,
but in the latter stage the involuntary are without doubt affected.
The scene may close by asphyxia consequent on spasm of the glottis,
or immobility of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles, or
from total exhaustion of the vital powers through excessive nervous
excitement and want of nutrition, or even sometimes from a
spasmodic seizure of the heart itself. This disease, in my expe¬
rience, has run its course in a single day, and I have known it exist
for a month and end fatally after all, but the more acute cases
usually live from four to eight days. 1 have not been able to assign
any other cause to my idiopathic cases than exposure, and many of
them I could easily trace to that source ; my traumatic ones have

736 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

supervened on taking away lampas, nicking, wounds, and pricks of
the feet, docking where the haemorrhage had been stopped by the
ligature, broken knees, scalds on the back, wounds both slight and
extensive, particularly about the flank, belly, and joints ; and I had
one case from extensive punctured wounds caused by the teeth of a
harrow on the hips. I have often heard of it following castration,
but have had the good fortune to escape it so far in my own practice.

Punctured and lacerated wounds are debited with most of my
cases, and the application of some irritating astringent to them has
in my belief been one of the exciting causes. The nerves at and
leading from the injured part sometimes show increased vascularity
and enlargement. On the other hand, cases are met with where all
traces of disease either in the nerves or spinal cord are entirely
wanting. The morbid appearances found after death are far from
uniform in their nature. The brain is usually free from disease.
The spinal cord generally manifests congestion, both in itself and its
membranes, and I have thought sometimes that the amount of
serum was preternaturally increased. The lungs are congested,
there is unusual vascularity of the air-passages and of the pharynx,
oesophagus, and stomach, and the mucous coat of the bowels is
often inflamed. I made a very careful post-mortem examination of
a case lately. The lungs were congested, and the mucous coat of
the bowels slightly inflamed. The brain was perfectly healthy, and
the spinal cord seemed to be darkened in colour and much con¬
gested about the loins, otherwise it was healthy. Some .authors
look upon this disease as simply a form of meningitis or myelitis ;
but inflammation of an organ seldom leads to such an excess of
function, hence one of the most common results of indammation
within the spine is paralysis. Dissection sometimes, but not always,
exhibits an injected state of the spinal meninges, and to a certain
extent of the nervous substance, hut this is only congestion, not
inflammation. It is in all probability the result and not the cause,
and I believe the usual state in which the lungs and bowels are
found is fully accounted for in the same way. It appears to me
that the phenomena, as well during life as after death, are best
explained upon the supposition that the disease is a mere irritation
of the spinal marrow and medulla oblongata. This irritation may be
propagated from the injured extremities of the nerves, as in wounds,
or from other sources of excessive irritation, such as the intestinal
mucous membrane ; or it may originate in the spinal marrow itself,
through causes acting on that structure, such as cold or rheumatic
influence. In all the course of my experience of this disease up to
the year 1857, I had only succeeded in saving one. It was a four-
year-old colt, the property of John Richardson, of Heaton Cottage,
and the case was a traumatic one, being the result of a torn wound
in the flank. I well remember nearly fighting the poor wretch to
death in my endeavour to get a dose of physic down his throat. I
gave him large doses of calomel and tartar emetic twice a day. This
treatment was tried often afterwards without success, and indeed
both before and after I had bled, blistered, physicked, applied sheep-

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 737

skins, given belladonna, &c., &c. ; but die they would, and did. I
heard of many cases being cured by homoeopathy ; and my next case
fell a victim to that system, although he lived about a month, and
I was in hopes at one time that he would have got over it. I was,
however, now convinced that, if tetanus was to be cured, it must be by
quiet means, and that no system would succeed where the patient’s
already overworked nervous system was continually excited with the
administration of drugs, the irritation of blisters, or the continual
necessity of going about him in any way. About that time I had the
good fortune to meet with the late Mr. Poet, then veterinary surgeon
to the 1st Dragoon Guards, and in the course of conversation on one
subject and another, tetanus was discussed, and he told me that
he had succeeded in saving his last six cases by the use of hydrocy¬
anic acid. I thought, even if I could have fifty per cent, of this
amount of success, it would be a great advantage over mine ; and I
determined to try it. My first case was a gray gig mare, about ten
years old, the property of Messrs. Jessop, steel merchants. Dale
Street, Manchester. This mare had broken her knees, and they
were treating her themselves, and finding that she could not feed,
nor get her head to the bucket to drink, I was sent for. I found
her with all the symptoms of acute traumatic tetanus ; the jaws
would open only about half an inch ; she was rigid all over, and
fearfully excited. The knees had rather a dry, inflamed, angry look,
as if some astringent had been used to them. She was in an excel¬
lent isolated loose box, and I ordered her to be kept as quiet as
possible, and that the box was not to be entered more than
twice a day, and entry was to be made as quietly as possible,
and every movement of the man in attendance was to be
made slowly and softly, so that all cause of shock or fear should be
avoided. She was ordered bran mashes with a little corn and
carrots, with a fair allowance of hay, and a bucket of clean cold
water hung up for her to drink when she liked. The knees were
poulticed, and half a drachm of the hydrocyanic acid given night
and morning, by means of a piece of gas-pipe about fifteen inches
long. The manner of using this pipe was as follows : — A cork being
put in one end, a little water was first poured in, then the acid, and,
lastly, the tube was filled nearly full of water ; the head was then
taken hold of and carefully lifted up as high as it could be got without
distress to the animal, while the tube was introduced into the mouth,
and when far enough in the cork was removed : the fluid disappeared
at once from atmospheric pressure. I now use another and more
scientific tube, which I have placed on the table for your inspection.
It was invented and presented to me by my friend Mr. Brown, vete¬
rinary surgeon, Oldham. This treatment was continued for a few
days before any marked change took place ; but the improvement
after that was gradual and satisfactory. The jaws had become a
little more open ; she was not so easily frightened. The paroxysms,
when she did have them, were less severe, and the body was alto¬
gether less rigid. She fed well, and greedily, and the bowels were
acted on by the bran and carrots apparently as much as if she had
been in a state of health. The knees were now dressed with arnica

738 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

lotion and healing ointment. They looked healthy, and had lost
entirely the dry, inflamed appearance they had at first. About the
fourteenth day she began to lie down, and, to my great satisfaction,
was able to get up without assistance. The treatment was continued
for about a month, when she was quite well, and at work shortly
after, and has continued so up to the present time. My second
case was a boat horse, the property of Messrs. Henworthy and Co.,
carriers, Manchester. It was also a traumatic one, being due to a
wound in the flank ; it was not so acute at any time as the first
case, but it took about the same time to cure. Number three was
a large waggon horse, the property of Messrs. Charles Faulkner and
Co., carriers of this city, and was caused by a large sore on the back.
I see that he was admitted to my infirmary on the 3rd of December,
1859. He had the same treatment, and was right in abouta month.
He alarmed me many a time with getting down ; his legs used to be
stretched out like pillars, and appeared perfectly rigid ; we had to
get a lot of men to help him to get up on several occasions. He
has done a deal of work since then, and may be seen in the chains
of a lurry in Water Street, any morning at nine o’clock. Case num¬
ber four was an idiopathic — a large gray horse belonging to Mr.
Edwards, the proprietor of Wombwell’s Menagerie ; he was admitted
in the month of April, I860, and had the same treatment ; and it
was about a month before he had quite recovered. My fifth case
was traumatic, and terminated fatally. It was a beautiful high¬
bred brown mare, the property of G. Andrews, Esq., of Compstale
Bridge ; she had received a prick in the belly in hunting ; the groom,
not thinking there was very much wrong with her, had her to him¬
self for the first few days, and when I was called in she was very
bad. My treatment seemed to be of no use ; and she died on the
morning after I had first seen her. My first visit was on the 10th
of November, 1860, and she died on the 12th. Number six belonged
to the Manchester City Omnibus Company, and was a gray horse,
well bred, and five years old. He had run away with his previous
owner, broken his knees and wounded himself about the hind fetlock-
joints, and other parts of the body. He entered my place on the
16th of November, 1860, and left cured on the 10th of December.
Number seven was a dark bay cob about fourteen hands high, the
property of Charles Clark, of this city ; he had run away in the
carriage and injured one of his fore legs to a fearful extent, the me¬
tacarpal bone being laid bare for several inches. In the course of
his being treated for this wound he took tetanus ; but the acid and
quietness had the desired effect, and he was free from tetanic spasms
for about eighteen days. Number eight was a large and very beauti-
tiful black horse, the property of Mr. Greenwood, of Manchester,
and kept by him for funeral work. The case was idiopathic, and
yielded to the same treatment in about a month. My ninth case was
a very small child’s pony, the property of Arthur Lyon, Esq., of
Bowden. The groom, a very knowing fellow, could not make out
what was wrong, and sent me word : he thought he must have hurt
his back, as he was very stiff across the loins, and could not eat.

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 739

He was put into a box some distance from the other horses, had ten
drops of the acid three times a day, and was all right again in about
a month. This case was idiopathic, and due, in my opinion, to ex¬
posure in the field in the month of January last, when it was very
cold. My tenth and last case was an old, well-bred brood mare,
the property of William Joynson, Esq., of Sale ; it also occurred in
the month of January last, was idiopathic, and due to exposure and
poverty. The treatment in this instance was not so successful ; she
was under its influence for about a fortnight, and was certainly no
better, but by no means much worse, when the owner, fancying she
was not in foal, and not having much hope of recovery held out by
me, thought it best to have her destroyed. In addition to these
cases I may mention that, while my son was attending the Veterinary
College at Alfort, in France, a case of idiopathic tetanus was under
treatment there, and it having got to the ears of Professor Bouley
that I had been unusually successful in the treatment of this disease,
he sent for my son and gave him charge of the case. He carried
the key of the box in his pocket, and only allowed it to be entered
twice a day by the groom ; and the acid was given as before de¬
scribed, and the horse cured in a month, to the surprise of the
authorities at Alfort. As the cases begin to improve, I may mention
that I feed liberally on boiled barley, and give plenty of grass in
summer, and carrots in winter. I was taught to give lots of physic
in this disease ; and indeed most veterinary authorities of the present
day set great weight on its usefulness ; still, to me it has never been
of the slightest service. I have often had the bowels well opened
and purged without a shadow of relief to the poor patient ; on the
contrary, his sufferings have been increased by the irritating effect
of the aloes on the nervous coat of the bowels. In my humble
opinion the true principles by which to treat this disease are, to remove
the patient as far as possible from all causes of excitement, let not
even the light shine on him ; give him a sedative such as I have
used, or a better if it can be found ; but it must be easily adminis¬
tered, or it will do more harm than good, and you will, I am con¬
vinced, meet with as large an amount of success and gratification as
fell to my late friend Mr. Poet, or myself.

Such, Mr. President and Gentlemen, are the few remarks I pro¬
mised to make on my treatment of this formidable and most fatal
malady, and I trust you will permit me to add that I have neces¬
sarily refrained from details which, while of no great practical
utility, would but have embarrassed my paper and entrenched upon
the brief space of time allotted for interesting discussion. I have,
every reason to be grateful for the attention and kind consideration
with which you have received these remarks, and for which I
beg to thank you most sincerely.

740

Veterinary Jurisprudence.

BODMIN GUILDHALL.— Friday.

Before the Mayor (J. Oke, Esq.), Captain Hamley, R.N., Lieut.

Liddell, R.N., J. Ward, and H. Mudge, Esqs.

BARBAROUS CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

John Palmer Yeo was charged with cruelty to two dogs, and with
assaulting Mr. William Brabyn, of Lanivet, on the 18th of June.
Mr. Preston Wallis appeared for the defence.

It appeared from the evidence that on the day in question Mr.
Brabyn was in Back Street, when he saw the defendant setting two
dogs to fight. On his interfering, and requesting that the dogs
might be separated, Yeo struck him on the chest. — The magistrates
thought the evidence was not sufficiently strong, but fined the de¬
fendant 10s. and the costs for the assault.

Richard Yeo, a brother of the defendant in the last case, was sum¬
moned by the Rev. C. M. E. Collins, of Trewardale, for cruelty to
a colt. Mr. J. B. Collins appeared for the prosecution, and Mr.
Preston Wallis for the defence.

From the opening address of Mr. Collins, it appeared that the
defendant’s brother, John Yeo, was a horse-trainer, residing at
Bodmin, and that in May a colt was placed in his hands by com¬
plainant for the purpose of being trained. That the defendant, who
is either a partner or in the employ of his brother John, had treated
the colt with such great cruelty that the complainant felt bound, on
public grounds, to prosecute him. Mr. Collins then called

Mr. J. Mudge, veterinary surgeon, who said — My place of busi¬
ness is in Back Street. Yeo’s stable is also in that street. On
Monday, the 30th of May, I saw at the railway wharf Richard Yeo,
riding a colt. There were many people collected. He was spurring
and beating the colt violently. I could hear the lashes from my
shop — fifty paces distant. It was in the latter part of the afternoon.
The treatment was not such as was necessary to train a colt. It
was barbarous and cruel. The sides of the colt were spurred a good
deal. There were places stripped and bleeding as large as my hand.
The flanks were stripped, and the further side was much rubbed or
beaten. I have seen Mr. Collins’s horse since, and believe it to be
the same that Yeo was ill-using.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis . — It was a bay horse, with black
points. Defendant’s flogging it called my attention on the day in
question. I could hear the flogging at a distance of fifty paces.
There were several persons there, but I don’t know who they all
were. The gelding had what is called a broom tail. It did not
reach as far as the hocks. The horse was Mr. Collins’s. If Mr.
Collins had not summoned the defendant for the cruelty, I should
have done so. Yeo had on spurs, and had a straight jockey whip.
He was beating the colt under the belly and on the fore legs, thighs,
and flanks. The wounds could not have been inflicted in any other

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

741

way than by whip or spurs. I am not very friendly with the Yeos.
I do not offer them insult in the street. I am not on bad terms with
them. I don’t know that Yeo is a veterinary surgeon.

Jonathan Maker said : I keep a blacksmith’s shop at the bottom
of Back Street. I recollect Yeo’s riding a horse there about a
month since. He had trouble with it. He was whipping and
spurring it. He whipped it over the hips, shoulders, and head.
There were marks on the off leg, which appeared to be whip marks.
I should not think the treatment necessary for training the horse.
There were several people there. I saw Mr. Collins’s horse in Oliver’s
stable on Midsummer day, and believe it to be the same. There
were dry wounds on it then.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis. — It was on a Monday I saw Yeo
riding the horse. I believe it was the 30th May. Mr. Mudge was
there. The horse was ill-treated. Yeo had trouble with it. He
struck it on the head. Mr. Collins asked me to go and see the
horse on the 25th of June. I believe it to be the same horse. The
tail did not come below the hocks. Yeo was riding a horse, not
a mare.

William Phillips said: I recollect the occasion in question. I
was in Maker’s shop. I saw Yeo riding the horse. He was whip¬
ping and spurring it. It was kicking, and he had trouble with it.
The sides were bleeding. Yeo was trying to get it up Chapel Lane.
After some time it went up out of our sight. I saw the same horse
on the day after Midsummer day.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis. — Yeo was riding the horse to and
fro. It was troublesome. I think it was ill-treated. It was a
dark bay horse. The tail did not reach to the hocks. It was on a
Monday ; about a month ago.

William Harvey said — On the 30th May I saw young Yeo with
a colt coming up Chapel Lane. He was spurring it tremendously.
He then went down the lane, and got off the horse, and beat it
about the head. He beat it savagely. I saw six or seven blows. I
could hear the sound, though I was at the top of the lane, and am
also rather deaf. I was obliged to turn away, for I could not look
any longer. I saw a horse in Oliver’s stable, and believe it to be
the same.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis. — It was on a Monday or Tues¬
day. I don’t think the horse was giving Yeo trouble. I saw him
get off the horse and beat it. It was with its hind part against
the wall when he got off. I heard the horse was in Oliver’s
stable, and went down to see it. The tail reached not quite to
the hock.

John Truscott said : I am a carpenter. My shop is in Chapel
Lane. I recollect about a month since seeing Richard Yeo there
with a horse. It was near Captain Alms’s door. He got off the
horse and beat it with a stick about the head. Mr. Harvey was there.
I thought the treatment was unnecessary. I considered it cruel
treatment. Yeo had a stick.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis : I did not see Yeo before he got
off. It was a bay horse.

742

VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE.

George H. Lcrnb said: I am a veterinary surgeon, living at
Liskeard. I have been attending Mr. Collins’s horse. I saw it
first after it had been ill-treated on the 7th of June. It was then
at Trewardale. The sight of the near eye was gone. There was a
blemish on the outer side of the off knee, and another on the side
of the off hock. The sides were cut up a good deal, apparently by
spurs. The off side was cut with a whip or stick. There was a welt
on one of the thighs. The hair was gone from one pin, and also
from the thighs, evidently from rubbing against a wall. I have been
treating the horse ever since. The eye will be lost, in consequence
of external injury of some sort. That injury might have been caused
by blows. When I first saw the horse it was suffering much, and
standing on three legs only. It was much emaciated. I have seen
it to-day. I was in Yeo’s stable on the 3rd of June, but did not see
it. I have seen it there before that.

Cross-examined by Mr. Wallis. — I remonstrated withYeo for not
having consulted me, as Mr. Collins was away. The wounds were
caused by a whip or a stick. The injury to the eye might have been
caused by the horse falling on a stone or nail. I have also treated
the horse for lameness. The state in which I have described it could
not have been caused by that lameness.

Mr. Wallis addressed the magistrates for the defence, and
called

John Palmer Yeo, who said : On the 4th of April I took Mr.
Collins’s horse to train. About the same time I had one from
Mr. Paul. They were both geldings, and of the same colour. Mr.
Collins’s horse had been in the hands of a trainer last year. The
fourth time of riding it commenced kicking, and smashed my window.
Two days after it became lame, and was laid up for three weeks.
Mr. Lamb attended it. I went to Trewardale on the 27th of May
with the horse. Mr. Collins mounted and rode it, and so did his
son, and Jones, his groom. Jones said he was pleased with it. Mr.
Collins intended riding the horse to Bodmin, and got on it for that
purpose. When he got down to the gate, he was not willing to go
to Bodmin, but afterwards went on. The horse kicked several
times that day whilst Mr. Collins was with me. It was not saddled
after that day until Monday, at four o’clock, when I rode it around
the yard. It was kicking all the time. At last it threw itself over
with me, and, in falling, knocked its eye against the corner of the
wall. Harvey, who assists me, then rode the horse around the
yard, and it kicked itself over again. My brother Richard then
mounted, and rode it round the yard. It was kicking all the time.
Its hips, hocks, legs, and eye were injured that afternoon. The horse
did not go out of the yard saddled that day. Mr. Paul’s horse
was stubborn, would kick, and was very sulky. I succeeded in curing
him, principally by whip and spurs. Mr. Collins’s horse was never
ridden after Monday, the 30th, and then not out of my yard. On
Monday afternoon my brother rode Mr. Paul’s horse.

Cross-examined by Mr. Collins. — Mr. Collins’s horse was taken
on the 4th of April and returned on the 4th of June. It was quiet
in the stable. I went to Trewardale on the 27th of May to make

MISCELLANEA.

743

arrangements for taking it home. It was not fit for a quiet or a
nervous gentleman. It was only fit for a gentleman with a good
nerve. The horse was not finished with, but I took it home at Mr.
Collins’s request. I told him a gentleman eighty years old might
ride it at a walking pace. I was glad to get it out of my hands. I
did say to Mr. Collins it had not kicked for ten days ; that was not
true, as it had kicked on going out there that day.

Robert Harvey said : I sometimes work at Yeo’s stables. I re¬
collect the two geldings — Mr. Collins’s and Mr. Paul’s. John Yeo
rode it around the yard on the 13th of May. It kicked very much,
threw itself over on its head, and cut its eye. I then rode it. It
kicked all the time, and threw itself over again. Richard Yeo rode
Mr. Paul’s horse the same afternoon. Mr. Paul’s horse was sulky,
but the whip would conquer it. Mr. Collins’s horse was not taken
out saddled on Monday, the 30th of May.

Cross-examined by Mr. Collins. — I know it was Monday because
the horse threw me off. It had thrown me off' before. It threw
John Yeo the same day. I go to* Yeo’s frequently. I ride horses
for him. I recollect your sending for me, but did not go. The
horses were the same height.

Henry Marshall said : I go to Yeo’s sometimes. I recollect Mon¬
day, the 30th of May. I saw John Yeo mount Mr. Collins’s horse,
and ride him around the yard. It kicked, and after a time threw
itself over and fell with its eye against the wall. In rising it kicked
John Yeo. John Yeo cut off a piece of its tail. Richard Yeo rode
Paul’s horse. It was stubborn, and required whipping. I was in
the stable in the forenoon and in the afternoon.

Cross-examined by Mr. Collins. — It was about four o’clock when
John Yeo rode the horse round the yard. Paul’s horse is stubborn,
stops, kicks, and won’t go unless whipped.

John Bray said: I saw Richard Yeo with Mr. Paul’s horse in
Chapel Lane, on the 30th of May, between three and four o’clock.
He was leading it, and said it had thrown him. I rode it home.
I have ridden it before. It required the whip.

Cross-examined by Mr. Collins. — I saw Richard Yeo out with
Paul’s horse. I have ridden it. I know it was on that day Richard
Yeo rode it, because I heard there would be mayor’s work about Mr.
Collins’s horse. Mr. Collins’s horse would kick when urged to a
trot. I worked for Yeo, and rode the horses for him.

The defendant was fined 40s. and costs ; or in default of pay¬
ment, ordered to be committed for a month, with hard labour.

MISCELLANEA.

MANURING PROM THE AIR.

There are, however, other methods by which land may be
manured than the visible substances placed upon it by the
farmer. Most persons are not aware that soils are able to
imbibe a vast amount of manure from the atmosphere, if put

744

OBITUARY.

in a proper condition. They will absorb from the air nitro¬
gen in the form of ammonia and nitric acid, and the atmo¬
sphere itself gives to the land every year in the form of rain
a very large quantity of these substances. This at once
raises the subject of draining, for if land is clogged up with
water to the surface, it is unable to benefit by the valuable
manures which descend in the rain, which, instead of soaking
through the ground, is compelled to run off the surface with¬
out giving half their manuring value to the crops. Again,
undrained land is unable to extract the manures from the
air, for this process is only carried on by reason of its porosity,
and therefore, if the water cannot pass readily away, the
ground remains full, the air is unable to pass among it, and
thus it is unable to derive any benefit from it. — ffibberd’s
Gardener’s Magazine .

OBITUARY.

It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Mr.
John Ellis, M.K.C.V.S., of Liverpool. He died on the 22 nd
September, at his residence, Hale Bank, after a very short
illness, aged 53 . His diploma bears date August 9th,
1832.

Mr. Ellis was among those of whom in early life we enter¬
tained high hopes. Nor have these been blighted; but he
has been cut down while yet in full maturity, and when* as
we think, still richer fruit, ripened by age, might have been
obtained had he been spared. How true is the simile of
the prophet, Man is as grass, or the flower of the field, which
may be smitten by the rude blast as it passes over, or
withered by the scorching sun-ray ! But if escaping these, at
eventide he will be cut down by the inexorable mower —
Death.

“ Thus friend after friend departs —

Who has not lost a friend ?”

In addition to the above, we have likewise to record the
death of Mr. Wm. Cook, M.R.C.V.S., Willesborough, Kent,
which took place on the 22nd September, after a very short
illness. His diploma is dated May 24th, 1853.

EEEATUM IN NO. 441.

Page 672, line 2 7, for cancer read canker.

the

VETERINARIAN.

V°No.443XVIL NOVEMBER, 1804.

Fourth Series.
No. 119.

Communications and Cases.

OPENING OF THE SESSION OF THE ROYAL
VETERINARY COLLEGE.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR SPOONER.

It is a time-honoured custom to commence the session of
lectures in this theatre with a few general remarks which
may serve to introduce new students to the course which
they have to follow, and to impress the old as well as the
new students with their duties and responsibilities both to
themselves, to the institution which affords them its best in¬
struction, and to the profession which many, if not all of
them, we hope, will one day adorn. Although these in¬
augural addresses are so frequently repeated, yet does it seem
that there is something fresh to be said to each succeeding
generation of students, something that grows out of the pro¬
gress of the age, or, as we may say, out of the advancing
necessities of the time; for we live in a very “-fast” period
of the world’s history. The word “ fast” has different inter¬
pretations. In one sense, it means a recklessness of health,
pocket, reputation, and appearances ; and to a youth with
this spirit within him, all those who are doing their work
painstakingly, prosecuting their studies persistently, valuing
their hours, lengthening their days, and limiting their appe¬
tites, are contemptuously looked upon as plodders. But this
is only the bad and false sense of the word, for the persons
comprehended under it are generally slow in all the grave
business of life ; slow in work, slow in study, slow in acquire-
xxxvii, 48

746

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

ment ; and often, if they do well at last, they are a great
deal slower than others in taking the places their talents
ought earlier to have assigned to them. Nevei’, therefore, be
laughed out of plodding by any “fast” individual of this
kind, for you may be sure that with all his showy colours he
is but a snail so far as progress on the right road is con¬
cerned. But there is a true sense of the word “fast and
every calling in life is more and more subject, year by year,
to be brought under its conditions. The meaning, as I
would apply it, is, that every profession, with each season
that rolls over, has to do more for the community, to stand
firmer in common sense, to be better equipped in education,
to pay more rigorous attention to science, and to be more
amenable to public opinion. This is especially the case with
the newer professions like our own. The law and human
medicine, even were they not competent for these things,
could at least plead a high antiquity ; and the public,
holding these professions in high esteem, ivould allow this
plea of justification, to a very great extent. But when you
come to a new calling like ours, a new creation, as it
were, of art and science, only dating back, in this country,
about three quarters of a century, when this institution was
first founded, it obviously has no justification but its effi¬
ciency and utility to the existing wants of the age. The
questions, Who are you ? and What are you ? stare it in the
face, and sheer public service is its only answer. So it is
that we are obliged, session after session, to require more of
our students. Human medicine has been and is doing the
same, though it has such long annals to excuse it, and so
many laurels on its brow ; and we, who are comparatively
but of yesterday, and who to some extent have our public
place yet to come, cannot expect to escape from the same
conditions.

The first thing that we are obliged to ask of you is so
much previous training, so much scholastic education, as is
implied in writing correctly to dictation, and being fairly
versed in arithmetic. This is not asking much of our
students as a preliminary to entering upon their studies here.
Yet, perchance, important results are involved in this exac¬
tion, and it will, I feel assured, be viewed by all as a step in
the right direction. I have said already that the profession,
the active study of which some of my young friends before
me are this day for the first time about to enter upon, de¬
pends upon itself — that is, its present and future action —
more than upon its illustrious ancestors for the social consi¬
deration which it shall enjoy; and I hesitate not to assert,

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

747

that the first beginning of all social estimation is a sound
English education, and if it extends to the classics so much
the better. The longer you live the more you will discover
that if a man can write correctly and speak well, provided he
possesses the other qualifications necessary to success in life,
it will be impossible long to exclude him from the position
which a gentleman ought to occupy. Of how great import¬
ance this will be to you in your career through life it would
be superfluous for me to dwell upon ; I may, however, state
that it will inevitably lead to your social elevation in the
scale of society. But again, this amount of preliminary
learning which we ask of you, and which on the one hafid
points you exactly, according to its cultivation, to your place
in society, on the other introduces you definitely into the
mysteries of art and science. For the first difference you
will discover, between the unscientific man and the man of
science, is a difference of language. In the case of science,
distinct appearances have distinct names, and can, therefore,
be described exactly by the terms that belong to them, and
the description can be transmitted in writings and books to
distant places and future times; and each person who is in
the science will know precisely what the words of the descrip¬
tion mean. Nothing of this kind is possible without these
terms and the knowledge of them. For instance, to take an
example in pathology, suppose that an ulcer is to be charac¬
terised, and that the person who has the task of describing it
is not master of the scientific vocabulary, and does not know
how to apply its wrords to the facts before him ; in that case
all he can say is, that there is a sore place” on the surface,
wherever it may be. But many morbid conditions are at¬
tended with “ sore places,” and therefore this description
gives you no information as to whether there is a breach of
the surface by abrasion or by the more hidden process of ulce¬
ration. Yet two professional men acquainted with terms will
instantly characterise the ulcer as correctly as if they had
possessed a correct painting of it; and hence the one can
communicate the facts of the case to the other. You can
apply this in a thousand other instances, and you will find
how widely the use of scientific — that is to say, well-chosen
and definite — language ranges, and how great are its results
to accurate knowledge, and consequently to the practice of
your art. It is true that current English will not carry you
through the knowledge and use of the scientific terms of
anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, and the other sciences
in which you will be examined for your diploma ; for the
most of these terms are derived from Latin and Greek, the

748

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

preliminary knowledge of which, although we do not at pre¬
sent require it of you, would doubtless be of material
assistance in your studies. But then it is to be borne in
mind, that the habit of regarding words definitely, of atten¬
tion to correct spelling, of carefully minding grammatical
construction — in short, of studying the language which you
write and utter, will render it comparatively easy for you to
fix in your memory the terms of science, and to apply them
accurately, according to their usage, in the works from which
much of your knowledge will be derived. I therefore advise
you, in all your readings to keep your minds alive to the
sentences and the composition of your author, because this
will lead to the results I have particularised, both social and
scientific.

Moreover, when you enter the profession, you are any of
you liable to become public men for a time on important
occasions — for instance, in the witness-box, when causes per¬
taining to the soundness and value of horses are tried — and
in such an event, you may either lessen or improve your
standing, by the quality of what comes out of your mouth.
And bear in mind that no one can be a correct speaker who is an
incorrect writer of his mother tongue. Furthermore, we, who
are getting old in the service of our profession, cannot but
look forward to a time when some of you, perchance some of
the youngest amongst you, may be commissioned to adorn
the profession with works that shall worthily carry on the
labours of your predecessors ; we heartily wish you then to
stand well and firmly upon the sure basis of a sound educa¬
tion.

It is my duty to announce to you that after much care and
thought for your benefit and the progress of the profession,
the Governors of the College have determined, by gradual
stages as to its requirements, to constitute an educational
“matriculation,” such as I have been endeavouring to deli¬
neate. Passing now onwards to your studies in the College,
we have first to invite you to make an intimate acquaintance
with the structure, functions, and habits of all your patients
— the domestic animals. Your occupation in the profession
will consist chiefly in forming a correct opinion and minis¬
tering to the alleviation of their diseases, a large portion of
which attack the internal organs of the body ; and hence no
mere surface knowledge will answer your purpose. You
must resort to anatomy to enable you to follow disease wher¬
ever it may appear. The possession of a knowledge of
anatomy is indeed the first and most striking difference
between the scientific regard of your subject and its vulgar

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

749

and superficial apprehension. ’A man’s knowledge of disease,
physically speaking, is deep or shallow, according to the
fineness of that knowledge. Without anatomy the mind has
no materials to work upon in that faculty of thought which
should actively accompany every case under treatment. The
first requisite, then, the very key by which you open the door
of veterinary science, by which you go inwards, so to speak,
and away from superficiality and common ignorance, is dili¬
gent dissection. I cannot, therefore, too earnestly impress upon
you the importance of your duties in the dissecting-room.
The field of knowledge which is there thrown open to you is
immense, and at first sight its very amplitude may discourage
you. But by patient perseverance day after day, and week
after week, you will gradually get accustomed to the multi¬
plicity of the objects before you ; a fresh resource of memory
will be opened up, enabling you to retain the particulars
which your scalpel discovers ; a pleasure of discovery will
add its zest to your labours, and you will be enabled
to count your gains of knowledge, and to find that in a
little time they amount to no inconsiderable quantity. Every
lecture on anatomy to which you listen in this theatre,
every demonstration, will be instructive to you in pro¬
portion to your own personal labours in the dissecting-
room, and therefore we cannot over-estimate the import¬
ance of dissection ; we cannot be wrong in regarding
anatomy as the scientific basis of your knowledge of the
veterinary art.

I would warn you, however, that the dissecting-room is a
place where the moral force of the student is tried by the
circumstance that dissection is a personal service, and hence
your individual industry in the College primarily depends
upon your steadiness at the dissecting-table. In the lectures
you are passive; in the practice of the College you are
observers, or lookers-on; but dissection you must do for
yourselves. So it is that those pupils who are of weak
character and industry break down in the dissecting-room,
if anywhere, and make it an arena for gossip and irre¬
levant amusement. I would therefore urgently request all
those who are determined to be diligent not to tolerate any
play or distraction in a place which ought to be studiously
consecrated to the principles and beginnings of their profes¬
sional life. The practical pursuit of anatomy, although it
may have its disagreeables in dealing with the decomposing
parts of the animal organism, yet bear in mind it is a searching
after truth, and as truth is pure and clear, so anatomical
science, as a principal minister to the grand art of healing,

7 50

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

lias an honour and a dignity which the more they are respected
by the student the more profoundly will his best powers be
attached to its study. Guard well, then, the diligence and
the decencies of the dissecting-room, and you will find that
all your other collegiate pursuits will be advantaged from the
correct bearings of this foundation.

Anatomy, in the state in which it is now presented to us,
embodies the accumulated industry and explorations of many
centuries. In fact, it has been slowly growing ever since the
ages of science first dawned upon the world. How long ago
that may be I am afraid to speculate upon, for as the high
antiquity of man is substantiated the ancient existence of all
the great sciences of observation may also be presupposed.
At any rate, since the time of the Egyptians and the Greeks
anatomy has flourished. Perhaps the frequent sacrifices of
animals in the temples of the gods led, in the first instance,
to observations of their organism, and lighted up that first
torch of curiosity which is the earliest guide to the vast sub¬
terranean vaults where are buried the treasures of science.
Be this as it may, it is instructive to notice that the science
of anatomy has, I repeat, taken hundreds of years to attain
its present accuracy and completeness. And why has it
taken this time? I answer, because the same laws guide,
the same success attends, the same conditions accompany
the work and will of man as a whole, as those which exist
in and control the career of a single individual. And what
is this law ? Evidently this — that intensity of curiosity, in¬
tensity of pursuit, and intensity of work are only gained by
time, just as it requires time, according to the weight of the
train, for the locomotive to get up her speed ; and it has re¬
quired all these centuries to waken and to fire us up into the
intensity wherewith anatomy has been cultivated during the
last fifty years. If you look to the works of the great
Aristotle, you will find that he has written on anatomy, but
his remarks are often poor and casual as compared to those
which we meet with in the works of modern authors. He
and all the people of the age in which he lived were evidently
only just awakening to the light of science; yawning and
stretching to the light, but not walking in it. They were
satisfied with a little knowledge, and began to theorise from
that little at once, which is a sure sign of being tired of
searching after facts ; yet they bequeathed the results of their
curiosity, their facts and their rate of progress, to the next
ages, and all these have gone on gradually increasing ; but it
is only in modern times that we are beginning to taste the
fuller pleasure, and to appreciate the immensity and velocity

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

751

of the sciences. So you see that if the world is a very old
world, as geology shows ; if its surface required vast periods
for the changes it has undergone before it became fit for
human habitation, so the human mind is subject to the same
divine laws ; and even science, or the knowledge of facts, grows
upon the same gradual, patient, but sure principles. “ Sound
knowledge,” says the Bev. Edwin Sidney, (( seldom takes a
great leap when it first comes amongst us ; it enters by slow
and sure movements. The light of genuine science first
appears as a spark which subsequently is fanned by industry
into a flame ; false speculations, on the contrary, are mostly
a blaze of straw.” Yet, gentlemen, observe that the sooner you
awaken personally to your labours, the more rapid and entire
your acquisitions will be. For if you can put on intensity of will,
you can learn in one session more, and more brightly, than
any dawdling and lethargic mind can learn in its whole
existence.

Firstly, you have to be acquainted with descriptive anatomy
— that is to say, with the parts, and the relative position of
the parts, of the animals you dissect. By this means you
learn the mechanical and physical structure [of the organiza¬
tion, the associated forms of the bones and muscles, blood¬
vessels, and nerves, and all those parts more or less subject to
the volition of animal life, also the forms and connection of
the viscera, parts destined to supply and elaborate the
materials necessary for the repair, perpetuation, and repro¬
duction of the organism, and ministering to instincts and
feelings which may be said to be the forces of animal intelli¬
gence. Now, the more you are at home in your knowledge
of anatomy, the more readily can you trace diseases to their
seat, and the better will be your diagnosis ; that is to say,
your accurate distinction of one disease from another. For
disease, gentlemen, is for the most part anatomical, by which
I mean that some special organ is generally primarily
attacked. You ought, in the first place, to be aware of this
fact ; and in the second, to look out for those signs which in¬
dicate the locality of the suffering organ. Obviously your
competency to exercise such a faculty depends upon your
anatomical knowledge. Moreover, you will require the same
knowledge in the practice of surgery ; for often in an opera¬
tion some nerve, or blood-vessel, or vital organ, requires to be
skilfully avoided by your knife, and you cannot effect this
unless anatomy has taught you where they are situated.

Besides descriptive anatomy, histology or structural anatomy
must claim some share of your attention, as teaching you the
more minute constitution of the organism. This branch of

752

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

knowledge has been developed by slow degrees, and may be
justly said to be a child of the present age just beaming forth
into manhood. It has mainly depended for its advancement
upon the discovery and improvement of the microscope. The
study of histology is a natural consequence of the ardent
pursuit and progress of anatomical knowledge ; for when all
the larger parts of the organization have been examined and
described, when the relative position of the muscles and the
ramifications of vessels and nerves have been accurately deter¬
mined, the next thing is to inquire, by the eye and the mi¬
croscope, what is the constitution of them — what the minute
and intimate parts of their structure are, and, in short, of
what ultimate visible atoms they are composed. Roundly
speaking, we may say that the frames of all organic beings
consist primarily of so many infinitesimal cells, or organic
beads, ranged and strung by the vital principle into all the
varied forms that constitute the bodies of animals, and of man,
of course. Between the primordial cell and the tissue that is
made of such cells there are numerous stages of transforma¬
tion, aggregation, and composition, affording a vast field of
intermediate research, on the border of which you may stand,
as on the shore of a sea, and learn some little about it without
departing from the terra firma of more practical, science. It
is useful for you to study this branch of science, in order that
your thoughts may not be too limited in a calling that
depends for much of its success upon intuition and the free
play of the mental faculties. In short, though many things
may look useless to us in practice ; this is their justification,
that they encourage, enfranchise, and embolden the mind,
exercise it gymnastically, and so fit it to overcome difficulties,
and fill it with skilful resources. This justification applies
very pertinently to a microscopic examination of the fluid
constituents of the body, of which, without a minute investi¬
gation by vision assisted by art, almost nothing could be
known. For instance, take the blood. Common observation
reveals nothing more than that the blood is a variably red
fluid, which, when drawn from the body, gradually coagulates,
dividing into a clot and a limpid fluid called serum, and that
the clot on its upper surface has a yellow appearance, while
its lower part assumes a red hue. There is not much to
reason upon^ here. These observed facts are coarse and
scanty ; and as I may say, they merely open to us the gate of
further inquiry. The microscope, however, comes and ex¬
hibits to us a wondrous fluid mechanism, all the parts of
which are connected together by vital attractions, and have
their necessary functions. It shows to the eye the preva-

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

753

lence of certain elements in healthy blood, and detects its
deterioration in disease. So likewise every other fluid yields
up its visual secrets to the same pursuit of science, and you
are enabled ultimately to gain something like a view of
the many-patterned structure which the life of the being
inhabits. When you have got to this stage of investi¬
gation, without having spent too much time upon it, I
think you will all admit that you must be very different
beings in mind, in insight, and in capacity of veterinary
thought to the mere charlatan who only knows the animal he
professes to treat by its external contour. Such a one is
only fitted to wade and puddle in the shallow and turbid
stream of imitation, and can never hope to enjoy the luxury
of swimming in the deeper parts of the ocean of knowledge.

The fact is that self-respect constitutes a great part of the
success of the practice of any profession, or of any worthy
calling in life ; and knowledge of this nature, knowledge of
the works of the Creator, cannot but ennoble the conscious¬
ness of the being who possesses it, and make him do better,
and dare more to advance the good of his calling and the
happiness of his fellows. Therefore I say to you, while
you should not make a hobby of co-relative branches of science,
to the neglect of the more practical pursuits of your pro¬
fession, you are not to despise them merely because you do
not see their immediate bearing upon everyday practice.

Now, after having by anatomical research made yourselves
acquainted with the animal organism, taken it to pieces and
reconstructed it in your own knowledge, the mind is inevitably
led to ask what is the use of this wondrous mechanism, not
only in its entirety, but also in the various parts of which it
is made up? The answer to this question introduces us to
another science — physiology — which, even when restricted in
its application to animal life, is a wide and also a most specu¬
lative sphere of study to enter upon ; by its practical utility,
however, to the healing art, and (inasmuch as our patients
are mute) I should say more especially to the veterinary
branch of that art, can scarcely be overrated, for without a
knowledge of the functions of organs how can we be expected
to be able to understand and correctly to minister to their
diseases ? Suppose, for instance, we were unacquainted with
the contractile action of the muscles and their antagonistic
forces : many cases of lameness and distortions in our patients,
which by our physiological knowledge we can now readily
explain, must ever remain a mystery. Anatomy and phy¬
siology are so closely interwoven and dependent on each
other, that they may justly be termed twin sisters, and it is

754

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

fortunate for us that the search after the one stirs up the
mental faculties to the exercise of lofty and noble reflections
of the other. A complete physiology would describe physical
health in all its orbits and revolutions, and as a brilliant
because a living fact. Therefore physiology, in proportion
as it is attained, is the life of anatomy, and as such you will
readily discern, from what I have said, that it also must
constitute a most important branch of your studies in this
institution.

Then there is pathology, which embraces morbid anatomy,
and also the physiology or doctrine of disease ; and let me
add, to complete the definition, the rational connection
of the appearances after death with the symptoms which had
existed during life. This is an important subject, and I
earnestly impress upon you to seize all the occasions that
present themselves to dissect for disease, and thus to trace the
physical alterations that have been produced by inflammation
and other morbid agencies upon the organization. You will
not find it very difficult to add this interesting study and
experience to the subjects which have already engaged our
attention ; for once in possession of some knowledge of
anatomy and physiology, the morbid alterations, as they will
be pointed out to you by your teachers, will easily strike
your minds, will connect themselves with the cases in which
these results have occurred, and with the symptoms of those
cases ; and thus you will have the best and most complete
view that can be afforded of the proximate nature of disease.
You will find, however, that we do not always treat diseases
strictly according to pathological science, as treatment has its
own field of experience ; yet is pathology most valuable, as
indicating the precise seats of maladies and their nature. It
gives us specific, or, in other words, accurate knowledge, and
such knowledge is available for practical skill. Besides which,
as I had occasion before to remark concerning physiology, it
imparts to the mind power over the whole subject of disease,
and introduces it deeply and rightfully to the very sphere and
element of our calling.

We now come to the more directly practical part of our
instruction, as you will observe it from day to day in the in¬
firmary of the College ; and I need hardly tell you that it is
your bounden duty to attend with the utmost diligence to our
daily rounds and examinations among our patients. I would
advise you to take minutes of each case, and to form a record
of any remarks that may be made by the professors during
its progress, and also to note down any impressions which
from time to time may suggest themselves to your own minds.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

755

for you will find that the habit of writing down cases will
give you an earnest interest about them, and an accurate
comprehension of the symptoms and treatment. The memory
is materially assisted and rapidly improved by such registra¬
tions of facts, and when a case is read over in its complete¬
ness, it is more easy to see the hearings of the symptoms
from the beginning, and to consider the means that have
been employed for the relief of the patient. There is so
much necessarily to be done in this main department of vete¬
rinary medicine, so many improvements to be made by time,
and study, and casual suggestion, that even as students you
may hope, almost at once, not only to learn, but also to con¬
tribute to the general stock of practical knowledge in your
profession. Practice, gentlemen, if we must confess it,
though success in it is our main aim and our greatest
triumph, is very peculiarly situated in its relations to science
and empiricism— nay, sometimes the best practice is the most
empirical ; but then that is precisely a reason, if we are
forced to be empirical in this, why we should be scientific in
other particulars. Let me explain myself to avoid misappre¬
hension. A case comes before us betokening internal
disease, and a certain medicinal treatment is suggested on
the mere ground of previous experience, and not from any
mathematical certainty or reasoning upon the absolute prin¬
ciples of science as to the modus operandi of such medicine,
for the fact is that drugs are frequently used by us simply
because they have been found to answer the end in view, and
for no other reason. Now this is empiricism ; but then
science stands round it to make it safe — that is to say,
to prevent us from doing too much, and to teach us that
if vre cannot cure we should not kill. Science also tells us
that we must make our empiricism large enough to cover
the whole field of art, and if we are obliged to borrow
remedies from the instincts of animals sometimes, and from
savage tribes which have traditions of the virtues of drugs,
and from quacks and nostrum vendors, let us sweeten this
bitter pill, and complete the circle by adopting all the means
that are good and useful, and attested as pointing to cures ;
for the bad name — the evil and dishonesty of empiricism —
ought rather to attach to the men who take up some narrow
and insufficient mode of practice, and obstinately refuse to
look at everything else, than to those who make it their sole
principle to be guided by the success of the treatment of their
professional brethren generally. To the latter class, which
embraces all the widest observers and the most profound
thinkers, I would have you belong during your walks in the

756

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

College in preparation for becoming members of the same
worthy corporation in your after-walks in life.

In Rules YII and YIII of the “ Rules and Regulations
relating to Pupils,” you will find that in your second session
you are required to act as “ clinical clerks,” and that if
diligent in this duty you will receive a certificate from the
professors. In preparation for your clinical attendance, from
the first, you will take care to attend regularly the lectures
upon pathology which will be delivered in this theatre, and
also to study such works as treat particularly on this
subject.

Intimately connected with veterinary practice are the com¬
bined sciences of chemistry and materia medica, which teach
us the chemical and physical constitution of the drugs which
we employ. Chemistry, indeed, is not limited to any de¬
partment, but embraces the substances of the whole universe
in its grasp, and if we were asked to point to the most tri¬
umphant branch of modern experimental knowledge, it is
probably chemistry that we should feel constrained to name.
Only look at the immense range of its powers. It is not
many years since, in the hands of Liebig, it commenced the
analysis of soils and manures, and laboured to improve the
constitution of our mother earth, and to point out the true
foundation of agricultural science, adding, out of the generous
lap of chemical supply, whatever the ground by successive
crops had lost from among its needful elements. The farmer
and the stockowner, the labourer and the landlord, all took
refreshment for their several positions from the electric, en¬
livening touch of this new-born agricultural power. The
science of food has been improved by the same potent in¬
fluence, and the agriculturist has become more and more
enterprising in proportion as the science of chemistry has
opened up his mind to fresh resources in the earth's produce.
These facts, however, only show you to a slight extent what
chemistry is, and how great is its realm ; they nevertheless
point to the study of this science as an integral branch of
veterinary medicine. Materia medica is that department of
chemistry which specially applies to a knowledge of medi¬
cines, their nature, action, and uses ; and I would advise you
to make yourselves well acquainted with the appearances of
all the genuine drugs which we employ, for you will find it
very useful to be able to discriminate a good from a bad
specimen when you have to obtain and administer them
yourselves; and recollect that they are the chief weapons
upon which we have to rely in combating disease. They
sustain, undoubtedly, very important and very definite rela-

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

757

tions to the organism, and in many instances have specific
powers of acting on various parts of the animal frame. The
more you are acquainted with these powers, the more certainly
you will be enabled to treat successfully the various maladies
to which in practice your attention will be drawn. Medicines
also possess general powers, as purgatives, diuretics, sudori-
fics, &c., which, by influencing the whole animal frame, tend
to remove diseases, even when they are localized in special
organs; so that both the doctrines of local and of general
treatment are approved by experience. My advice to you is
to make no hobby of either systems, but carefully to study and
firmly to stand upon what experience has shown to be sub¬
stantial in both.

There are many other subjects upon which I could dwell,
but time, and I fear also your patience, warns me to be brief.
I will simply, therefore, now announce to you that in the
ensuing session, as heretofore, Professor Simonds will deliver
the lectures on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of
the domestic animals, excepting the horse. Professor Varnell
will give the- course on descriptive anatomy and physiology ;
Professor Tuson on chemistry and materia medica. Sir.
Pritchard will give you practical demonstrations on anatomy,
and generally assist you in the dissecting-room; while it will
be my duty to act as your pioneer on the structural anatomy,
physiology, and pathology of the horse. You will also receive
daily clinical instruction in the practice of the College from
Professors Simonds, Varnell, and myself. Gentlemen, let
me bespeak your kind attention for all of us who have the
responsible offices of teachers in this College. Let me assure
you that your punctuality, your diligence, your interest in
your studies, and your intelligence in the pursuit of them,
will make our task easy and pleasant, will impart that agree¬
able consciousness between teachers and taught which sym¬
pathy engenders among friends, and will cause us to remem¬
ber your faces and your presence here with encouragement
and satisfaction long after you shall have quitted these
walls.

In the library of the Veterinary Medical Association,
of which I trust you will all become members, you will find
an ample store of veterinary literature, embracing all the
collateral subjects and sciences requisite to assist you in your
studies. It will be necessary also that you should possess
certain books for daily reference, a list of which you can
obtain in the office of the College.

In the Association itself you will have the means, at its
evening meetings, of exchanging ideas, and giving and im-

758

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

parting information, upon the various departments connected
with your studies. The comparison of facts thus made will
he deeply impressed on the mind, and constitute a valuable
preparation for your ultimate examination. Moreover the
Association, rightfully employed, will train you to habits of
definite and gentlemanlike speech, and thus educate you in
public address, which is a very important power for every
man to possess in some degree. Lastly, the Association is a
free and pleasant occasion of reunion between you and your
professors. Your career as veterinary surgeons is stimulated
to usefulness and excellence by more motives than success in
private practice and the obtainment of that status in civil life
for which by your education you are fitted, and by your
conduct it is to be hoped you will all zealously aspire to, as
the army also opens its doors to you, and admits you into its
ranks as commissioned officers ; and it affords me no little
gratification to be able to state that the services of the vete¬
rinary surgeons in the army have many times been acknow¬
ledged and extolled by persons high in authority. The prin¬
cipal veterinary surgeon to the army, J. Wilkinson, Esq.,
who I am proud to see has this day honoured us with his
presence, will, I doubt not, one day, on your acquitting your¬
selves to the satisfaction of his court of examiners, be pleased
to enrol the names of many of you as candidates for that
branch of the service over which he so ably presides. I may
here be permitted to state, as a proof of Avhat worth will
attain to in our profession, that Mr. Wilkinson has recently
been unanimously elected a governor of this institution.

As students, you have many incentives to carry you
forward in the path of your studies. There is the Coleman
prize, for which you have the opportunity of competing, con¬
sisting of a silver medal, a bronze medal, and a certificate of
merit, which is awarded for the best answers in wrriting to
questions submitted to you by each of the professors. The
Governors of the College have, moreover, determined to give a
prize for the highest proficiency in Cattle pathology ; and the
Veterinary Medical Association offers prizes for the best
anatomical preparation, and for the best essay on a subject to
be determined by the Council.

At the end of the second session there will be a general
examination by all the professors, for passing those who
desire to present themselves before the Boyal College of
Veterinary Surgeons as candidates for examination. Bear in
mind, gentlemen, that these days of examination will inevitably
come, but if you have acted upon the advice I have tendered,
you will without fear at the last, and without “ cramming/'’

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

7 59

have enough knowledge to enable you to acquit yourselves to
the satisfaction of your teachers, and obtain from them the
certificate of admission to the Court of Examiners of the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for your final examina¬
tion for the diploma of the College ; and we trust that before
that body success will crown your efforts, and that you will
be admitted into the ranks of the incorporated members of
the veterinary profession.

I am happy to be able to proclaim the prosperity of this
institution — our Alma Mater of veterinary seience and art in
this country. In regard to the number of students, our
average of late years has been higher than heretofore, and
our scholastic forces greater than they were, for whereas for
many years we had but two teachers to supply the exigencies
of the class, we now have five. The patients in tbe infirmary
have also increased fourfold, hence the opportunities of prac¬
tical observation are quadrupled. Nor does this happy state
of things end here, for our subscribers and general re¬
sources are not only steadily but considerably on the increase.
In view of this our prosperity we are adding greatly to the
College buildings. We think, therefore, that as students of to¬
day you will find yourselves possessing far greater advantages
than those who years ago occupied the same benches which
are now fdled by you.

For many years past the College has been intimately asso¬
ciated with the English Agricultural Society, and every
effort has been made to meet the wishes of the council of that
body. The alliance of that society with the College represents
the inevitable relation which subsists between the live stock
of the country and the arts and sciences that have for their
object the health, condition, and improvement of that
stock.

It gives me pleasure also to record that this institution has
recently received a legacy of £ 21 , bequeathed to it by the
late B. Botfield, Esq., M.P. for Ludlow. Besides this it has
been publicly announced through the papers, under the head
of “ Wills and Bequests,-” although as yet the governors have
received no official notification of it, that the late Captain
Randall, of Tooting, w ho for many years attended the lectures
at the College as an amateur student, has left to the College
the handsome legacy of .61000.

Gentlemen, throughout my remarks I have considered the
various topics brought before you in a general way, because
it is the business of the first day of a new term for the lecturer
rather to inculcate the right spirit into the class of students
than to dwell upon any details of their studies. And now I

760

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

would say to you, let that spirit be a humane and a noble
one, and remember that character is more lasting than intel¬
lect, and if intellect be not associated with industry and
honour, character is sure to beat it, even in acquirement, in
the long run. Cultivate humanity in all that you do, and in
all that you make your patients undergo ; and set your faces
away from cruelty, all through your lives. Do not suppose
that art and science derive any power for good from the
hideous practice of dissecting living animals, so frequently,
and to my mind brutally, had recourse to in some of the
veterinary schools on the Continent, and with no better plea
for its justification than that it accustoms the operator to the
sight of blood and the writhing sufferings of his victim. Do
not believe, gentlemen, that sound medical knowledge can be
elicited from animal torture, which there is too much reason
to fear is also to some extent still tolerated in this country,
in spite of the very energetic and laudable exertions of the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Believe,
on the other hand, that in the cultivation of all that is best
in your hearts, characters, and lives; in soberness, tem¬
perance, and chastity ; in the recollection of God above, and
of the homes from which you have come ; of the parents who
are anxiously and lovingly watching your progress, you have
sources of power, and skill, and success, which will conduct
you in happiness to a clear and definite goal, where each one
of you will enjoy that which is the best preparation for all
functions — the consciousness of being the right man in the
right place.

I should be doing a violence to my feelings were I to
conclude this address without acknowledging with the
deepest feeling of thanks the high honour conferred upon
me by the presence here to-day of many of my professional
brethren, some of whom have come long distances to listen
to my imperfect remarks, and to afford me that support of
which, after more than thirty years' service as a teacher in
connection with this institution, I still stand so much in need.
Amongst so many I dare not particularise ; but permit me to
say that your countenance on this occasion, to my mind, be¬
tokens a coming good. It is an evidence of an approach to
that unanimity of action, oneness of thought, and freedom of
social intercourse, without which we are but as a rope of
sand, which may by the slightest blast be scattered to the
winds; but possessing which, we may be likened to a metallic
coil of strength and persistency, which shall enable us to
maintain and support ourselves in that position in society to
which we have a right to aspire, and act as a telegraph of
veterinary science of future ages.

761

INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINES
OF TWO POINTER PUPPIES.

By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College.

During the month of April last Mr. T. M. Leech,
M.R.C.V.S., Bakewell, forwarded to the College for my
inspection the abdominal viscera of a young pointer puppy,
which had died from intussusception of the small intestines,
that had occurred in no less than four distinct places. The
case was a very interesting one ; but what made it more so
was the circumstance that another puppy of the same litter
had died from the same disease, and at about the same time ;
its bowels being also invaginated in the same number of
places. At the time the morbid specimen was sent I re¬
ceived a letter from Mr. Leech, detailing the full particulars
of the cases, but this has unfortunately been mislaid. Since
then I have received the following brief account, which I
here insert :

Bakewell ; Sept. 17, 1864.

Dear Sir, — The cases referred to in my former letter
occurred in two pointer puppies, which died from the effects
of intussusception of the bowels. The singularity of these
cases is that intussusception existed in no less than four
separate places in each dog . I have never before seen this
lesion in more places than one, either in the dog, the horse, or
any other animal.

Yours faithfully,

T. M. Leech.

I am not aware that intussusception is more common in
the dog than in other animals; indeed, I have always thought
that the dog was comparatively exempt from this affection.
Unfortunately, in whatever animal it occurs, it is one of
those maladies which we are unable to diagnose correctly, so
nearly do the symptoms resemble those arising from other
causes. But even if we were able to assert that the symptoms
in any particular case depended upon intussusception of the
bowels, we know of no certain means of affording relief. If
a cure is effected at all, it takes place very often in the same
way as the invagination had occurred, viz., by accident.

In many diseases also of the intestines which arise from
other causes we are not unfrequently in the same dilemma ;
for instance, in strangulation of the intestines from the
xxxvii. 49

762 INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINES.

bowel being twisted upon itself, or from a knuckle of it
having passed through a rent in the mesentery, or from the
pedicle of a tumour being twisted around the gut, thereby
producing a like result. Within the last few days two
very remarkable cases of strangulated bowels have come
under my notice, but in neither of them did the symptoms
indicate, so far as I could judge, the precise nature of the
disease. The direct cause of the strangulation was very
unusual, each case being found to depend upon the mesentery
being firmly twisted upon its own axis.

Again ; interruption to the free passage of the ingesta
through the intestinal canal, which may be produced in
various ways — as, for instance, by a calculus or calculi, or by
impaction of hardened foecal matter — may produce similar
symptoms. Spasm of the muscular coat of the bowels will
also not unfrequently give rise to very nearly the same class
of symptoms. The two affections, however, last alluded to,
are, by the aid of therapeutic agents, somewhat under
our control. Still it is not always that we can effect a
cure, and in making a post-mortem examination of the
animals which die, we not unfrequently discover, to our sur¬
prise, that the bowel is invaginated in one, or even more
places. Intussusception may, and often does, happen during
the struggles of the animal just previous to death, and it may
even occur, I believe, immediately on death taking place.
Indeed, I have seen one portion of intestine slip into another
after the viscera had been removed from the abdomen ; but
of course the parts involved in any of the latter-named
instances would not present the same pathological changes
which are observed in those cases in which death actually
depended upon the intussusception. This is so self-evident
that it needs no comment; nevertheless, these facts should
be borne in mind, or the cause of death may be attributed to
such a circumstance, and the true one be entirely over¬
looked.

The causes which give rise to intussusception are by no
means well defined ; indeed, they are at best only con¬
jectural. Irritating substances in the alimentary canal, or
the existence of parasites, are believed to be exciting causes,
and I think it not at all improbable that the presence of worms
might have had much to do wTith the invagination of the
intestines of the puppies in question.

In commenting on this lesion I may be permitted to
digress from these particular cases, and make a few ob¬
servations on the immediate cause of intussusception, and
explain why it usually proves fatal. To understand the

INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINES. 763

former it is necessary to have a clear conception of the
peculiar vermicular movement of the intestines called the
peristaltic action. Unless this is understood, it is difficult to
conceive how invagination can take place. To assist, there¬
fore, the tyro in science, into whose hands these remarks may
fall, and who may be only imperfectly acquainted with the
way this function is performed, I will briefly describe it.

The peristaltic action consists of alternate contractions
and dilatations of successive parts of the intestinal tube, both
being effected by its muscular or middle coat, which is com¬
posed of two orders of fibres, one taking a circular and the
other a longitudinal direction. At any one point of the
tube — say, for example, the anterior — the circular order may
be in a relaxed and the other in a contracted condition,
the bowel being in consequence dilated at this part. In
this condition, having received some of the ingesta, the cir¬
cular fibres contract first anteriorly, then gradually onwards,
pressing thereby the contained matter in a direction towards
the anal opening ; these fibres then relax and the others
contract, the tube being thus dilated and ready to receive and
grasp, as it were, a fresh supply of ingesta, which, in its turn, is
likewise moved onwards in the same way. Thus, by a series
of wave-like movements throughout the whole length of the
intestinal canal, not only are the contents passed gradually
onwards, but also all their component parts are exposed to
the absorbing surface of the mucous membrane. Now, as
the muscular coat of the alimentary tube is under the in¬
fluence of the nerves, so, if it be not unduly excited, the ver¬
micular motion goes on regularly, and without any pain or
inconvenience; and as the action of this coat is alternate, so
are we led to the conclusion that the supply of nerve force is or
must be the same, at least in degree. But as these alterna¬
tions are in harmony with each other, no evil result will
follow. If, however, on the other hand, the nerves sup¬
plying the intestine be unduly irritated as a whole, or even
in places only, abnormal action will be the result. General
increased action of the whole of the muscular coat of the in¬
testine may be induced by some disturbing cause, primarily
affecting the ganglia from whence the nerves proceed ; or
the peripheries of the nerves themselves, as distributed on
the inner coat of the bowel, may be firstly excited, and thus
affect, but by a more circuitous route, the muscular coat. The
contents of the canal would thus be hurried onwards at a rate
incompatible with health, and even diarrhoea maybe thereby
produced. But I can conceive that this increased action of
the muscular coat of the intestines may be partial, and, con-

764 INTUSSUSCEPTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINES.

sequently, that at one part it may be excited to increased
action, while at another, even closely adjacent to it, it may be
very sluggish in its movements. I can also conceive that
the supply of nerve force may be so irregular that the con¬
traction of the circular order of fibres at one part will be un¬
usually prolonged, while that of the longitudinal fibres will
be comparatively of short duration. Such irregularities
would lead to intussusception, which may occur in the fol¬
lowing way, viz., a contracted portion of intestine may
protrude into a dilated part posteriorily, or even anteriorily,
to it (depending upon whether this abnormal action is pro¬
gressive or retrogressive), dragging with it a portion of the
mesentery. The circular fibres of the outer part of the
bowel, forming, as it were, the sheath, immediately contract
upon the invaginated position, and prevent its return. It
is important to bear in mind that the part of the bowel thus
affected will, by its being folded upon itself, have three
thicknesses of its coats in apposition to each other — this is
at once seen by inverting a portion of the finger of a glove —
and, further, that there are four surfaces in contact with each
other, viz., two peritoneal and two mucous. Now, in con¬
sequence of the impediment to the return of blood from the
vessels of the invaginated intestine and mesentery, extensive
serous effusion takes place, resulting in swelling and intense
redness, or even blackness, from the blood-vessels being so
much engorged. The most serious result of this effusion is
that the plasma of the effused serum glues, as it were, the
surfaces of the inverted bowel firmly together, preventing
thereby the possibility of its returning again to its normal
position.

Other parts of the intestines may become similarly affected,
either at the same time, or subsequently. If the former, the
lesions would be the same in character; but if the latter, the
morbid changes would not be so intense. These phenomena,
however, are only discovered on making a post-mortem ex¬
amination. The invaginated portions of the bowels of the
dog examined by me distinctly showed that the vessels of
the one anteriorly placed were much more strangulated than
those of the others. This fact suggested to me the probability
of the invagination having occurred primarily at one place
only, and that it was subsequently followed bv the others
and also that the affection was progressive, and not retrogres¬
sive. This, however, was not easily to be determined by
the appearances of the parts.

765-

BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.
By \Y. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby.

{Continued from p. 572.)

Ranunculus ficaria (Lesser Celandine, Pilewort). — “ Leaves ,
heart-shaped, stalked, angular, very shining. Sepals, 3.
Petals, 9.” (Lindley.)

This perennial plant, of which we here give an illustration,

is found growing in moist meadows, and on the banks of
hedges in most parts of the country. It is distinguished by
its bright green, heart-shaped leaves; its one-flowered stem,
and the peculiarity of its root, which consists of numerous
long, somewhat fig-shaped, fasciculated tubers. Its flowers,
which are of a bright yellow colour, often tinged with green,
appear towards the beginning of April. uIt is on the bright
days of spring when this plant chiefly delights to open its
yellow star-like blossoms to the sunlight, gemming the banks

766 BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE.

with its green and gold.” It possesses all the acrid proper¬
ties peculiar to this tribe of plants.

A very interesting account of its effects upon animals was
recorded by Mr. Flower, M.R.C.V.S., of Derby, in the
Veterinarian for July last, in which the death of three valuable
heifers had been caused by the plant. Through the kind¬
ness of Mr. Flower I had the great pleasure afforded me of
making, in conjunction with himself, an examination of the
herbage, &c., growing in the pasture in which the animals
had been kept, which investigation resulted in the con¬
clusion that the death of the animals had been caused by the
Ranunculus ficaria. In no pasture that I had hitherto ex¬
amined had I found this plant growing in such luxuriant
abundance. A few plants only were in flower, but several
parts of the pasture, upon which the animals had recently
been feeding, were thickly covered by the bright-green
foliage of the plant, which at this time was possessed of its
. most active properties. There are many more varieties of
the Ranunculus, all more or less possessing the same acrid
properties, which are considerably influenced by the soil and
situation in which they grow. The following general re¬
marks respecting the Ranunculaceae, by Sir Gilbert T.
Burnett, from his 6 Outlines of Botany/ which appeared in
the Veterinarian for April, I860, may not be out of place
here: — “ Nearly two hundred species of Ranunculus are
known, and these have been distributed into five or six
sections, err sub-genera. The whole have pretty, and some
very showy blossoms. They are remarkable for their general
acridity ; some are violent poisons, such as R. scutatus, which
was formerly employed by the Swiss hunters to envenom
their darts with which they shot the wild beasts; and others,
such as R. sceleratus and acris, are scarcely less virulent.
They excoriate the skin, and form ulcers that are difficult to
heal; and even carrying specimens for a short time will
occasionally inflame the hand. The water crow-foot (R.
aquatilis) is less acrid than any of the rest, and Dr. Pulteney
extols it as a wholesome and nutritious fodder. In some
parts of the country, as near Kingswood, on the banks of the
Avon, the cottagers support their cows and even their horses
almost wholly on this plant ; and in wet situations, where it
abounds, it would become, were its properties generally
known, of considerable economical importance. Cattle will
also eat the R. arvensis , but it is a dangerous food ; and its
juice is so poisonous that M. Bruynon says three ounces
killed a dog in four minutes, and sheep have been poisoned
by feeding on it near Turin,”

767

PROVINCIAL VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATIONS.

Letter from Mr. E. Coleman Dray, President of the
Yorkshire Association, Leeds.

Gentlemen, — I should not have troubled you with this
communication had I not seen my name mentioned in a
letter to you in this month’s (October) number of the Veteri¬
narian, from Mr. John Mitchell, of Leeds. Believing myself
to be on friendly terms with my professional brethren of this
town, I am surprised that Mr. Mitchell did not ask me — as
I frequently see him — if I had alluded to him in my “ post¬
prandial” speech at Newcastle. The following is what 1 said
at that meeting : — “ I know a veterinary surgeon at the pre¬
sent time in one of the largest towns in Yorkshire, who is
neither a member of a veterinary medical association, nor
does he take in a periodical in connection with his pro¬
fession.”

Now, I beg to assure Mr. Mitchell that these remarks did
not apply to him. It appears, however, that the cap fitted;
and I regret exceedingly to know that there are two veteri¬
nary surgeons (instead of one) to whom my observations are
applicable. In these days of progress any comment of mine
would be supererogativc.

With regard to veterinary medical associations, they have
now become an established fact. During the formation of
the Yorkshire Association I consulted Professor Morton on
the point mentioned in Mr. Mitchell’s letter, and he (Pro¬
fessor Morton) was of opinion that all members possessing
diplomas of recognised schools were eligible to become mem¬
bers of veterinary medical associations. Mr. Mitchell some
time ago published his reasons for not joining our associa¬
tion, in the Leeds Mercury ; but as I did not consider a public
newspaper to be a proper medium for medical discussion, I
did not reply to his letter. Before, however, coming to this
decision, 1 asked two or three members of our association
w?hat their sentiments on the subject were, when they unani¬
mously agreed in wishing me to take no notice, for they did
not consider Mr. Mitchell would be any acquisition to our
society.

I can easily imagine that Mr. Mitchell feels isolated, and
re2:rets the step he has taken. I maintain “ our house is not
^jyided against itself,” for, with only a few exceptions, all the
veterinary surgeons in Yorkshire are members of our asso-

768 SUPPOSED FRACTURE OF THE OS CALCIS.

ciation, and even some of those who have stood aloof have
promised to join us. I think the “ status” of our profession
is more likely to be improved by co-operation, and by veteri¬
nary surgeons conducting themselves as gentlemen, and
avoiding pursuits of a degrading nature, than by taking such
a ground of objection as Mr. Mitchell has done in his letter

to vour Journal.

•/

Yours respectfully.

To the Editors of £ The Veterinarian .*

CASE OF SUPPOSED FRACTURE OF THE OS

CALCIS.

By “ QuiEsiTOR.”

Fracture of the os calcis is, I believe, very rare, and, as
far as I am aware, an unrecorded accident. A supposed
case of the kind came under my notice last week, the sub¬
ject of which was an aged, well-bred mare, addicted to the
habit of kicking at night. Some six or seven weeks since,
the groom, on going to the stable in the morning, found the
mare very lame, and in consequence of this she was placed
under the care of the local veterinary surgeon, who continued
to treat her. At the end of the time named I saw her, and
found that she was very lame when walked out, but did not
appear to be in much pain. After repeated and very careful
manipulation, I came to the conclusion that the os calcis had
been fractured, and that a partial union had taken place.

A friend to whom I showed the case thought — and I
believe still thinks — that the bone was not fractured, but
that a lesion of the tendons of the gastrocnemii muscles had
taken place. In fact, he considered that a split from the
seat of curb to about three inches above the cap of the hock
had taken place, and that each time the animal moved, the
tendon slipped off the apex of the os calcis; but he did not
quite make me understand how it got back into its place
again. Certainly, the action of the tendon was very peculiar,
and somewhat difficult to describe. But, supposing my
friend's diagnosis to be right, this would still leave unac¬
counted for the very evident lateral motion of the bone
detectable on the application of pressure.

The mare will probably be put to the stud, so that for
the present the case must remain in doubt; but, it being so
unusual a one, I thought that, though very imperfect, you

COMMUNICATION FROM MR. GADSDEN.

769

mio’ht consider these remarks of sufficient interest to give
them a place in the Veterinarian*

As to treatment — owing to the difficulty there would be
in fixing the limb so as to allow of the fractured edges being
kept in apposition long enough for them to unite, I ima¬
gine that little or nothing can be satisfactorily had recourse
to. The case must, therefore, like many others, be left
principally to the curative effects of nature alone.

COMMUNICATION FROM MR. GADSDEN,
M.R.C.V.S., BRACKNELL, RELATIVE TO
MR. FORBES' CASE OF DIFFICULT PARTURITION.

“ Reigate County Court, May 19, 1864.

“ Before W. Furner, Esq.

“ DIFFICULT PARTURITION, — ACTION FOR THE VALUE OF A MARE.

“ FREDERICK ISAAC V. MATTHEW BLAKER FORBES.”

Gentlemen, — In your July number you published a
case headed as above, under the section a Veterinary Ju¬
risprudence," which was, no doubt, read by a great many
veterinary surgeons with disgust, especially as they could
form no fair opinion who was in fault, Mr. Forbes for Ids
want of skill, or the learned judge for the justice of his
verdict. On the 29th of September last this case was tried
again at the Reigate County Court, when the judge had a
jury to assist him, who, after patiently listening to the par¬
ticulars of the case for about five hours, gave their verdict
for the defendant, Mr. Forbes, thus reversing the verdict
given on the 19th May.

The case was one of the most difficult we can meet with,
the presentation being as follows : — Head, neck, both fore
legs, and one hind leg, protruding from the vagina. The
mare also was a very small one, being only thirteen and a
half hands high. It was, as your readers well know, not a
very agreeable case for a man to attend in the middle of the
night, when it was pouring with rain, and the mare out in a
meadow. Mr. Forbes did his best under the circum¬
stances, and, in the opinion of Mr. Gregory, M.R.C.V.S.,
Tonbridge, Mr. Legge, M.R.C.V.S., Dorking, and myself,
there was no want of skill on his part. We heard the whole
of the evidence on both sides, and formed our opinion from
it. Trusting that your sense of justice will be a sufficient
excuse for my trespassing on your pages to lay these facts
before the profession, I am,

Gentlemen, &c.

To the Editors of c The Veterinarian .’

770

Facts and Observations.

Employment of Electricity in Bright’s Disease.
— By the application of galvanism to the loins of a patient
for half an hour, M. Namias found the obstacle to the
separation of urea from the blood to be removed, and the
quantity of urine increased. More albumen was also secreted,
but M. Namias considers this to be of small consequence,
compared with the benefit resulting from a greater elimina¬
tion of urea.

Action of Tobacco on the Pulse. — M. Decaisne
states that in the course of three years he has met with
twenty-one cases of intermittent pulse occurring among
eighty-eight incorrigible smokers, and independent of any
organic disease of the heart. He calls this affection
thus induced by the abuse of tobacco “ narcotism of the
heart.”

New Source of Potash.— Professor Church has
analysed a mineral of a coral-red colour, stated to have been
obtained from Cheshire, where it probably overlies the salt-
beds, and finds it contains 25' 7 per cent, of chloride of potas¬
sium. It has been suggested that it is the result of the
drying up of the nncient seas.

Constitution of Matter. — Some speculative ideas have
been recently advanced by Mr. T. Graham, F.R.S., respecting
the constitution of matter. He says it is conceivable that
the various kinds of matter, now recognised as different
elementary substances, may possess one and the same ulti¬
mate or atomic molecule existing in different conditions of
movement. The essential unity of matter is an hypothesis
in harmony with the equal action of gravity upon all bodies.
We know the anxiety with which this point was investigated
by Newton, and the care he took to ascertain that every
kind of substance, metals, stones, woods, grain, salts, animal
substances, &c., are similarly accelerated in falling, and are,
therefore, equally heavy. Let us imagine one kind of sub¬
stance to exist — ponderable matter ; and, further, that matter
is divisible into ultimate atoms, uniform in size and weight.
We shall have one substance and a common atom. With
the atom at rest, the uniformity of matter would be per¬
fect. But the atom always possesses more or less motion,
due, it must be assumed, to a primordial impulse. This

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

771

motion gives rise to volume. The more rapid the movement
the greater the space occupied by the atom, somewhat as the
orbit of a planet widens with the degree of projectile velocity.
Matter is thus made to differ only in being lighter or denser
matter. The specific motion of an atom being inalienable,
light matter is no longer convertible into heavy matter. In
short, matter of different density forms different substances —
different inconvertible substances, as they have been con¬
sidered.

Fecundity of Chinese Sheep. — The correspondent
of the Chemical News, writing from Paris, says, “Your readers,
who, like myself, tasted Chinese mutton at one of the late
banquets of the British Acclimatization Society, will be glad
to hear the Chinese ram and ewe that were presented to the
French Acclimatization Society last year are increasing and
multiplying. Last year the ewe dropped four lambs. She
suckled three, and the remaining one, to whom she took a
most unaccountable dislike, for it was one of the prettiest
lambkins ever seen, had to be brought up by hand. Last
January she dropped three more, making seven altogether,
all of whom are thriving. The mother is again in that con¬
dition in which Chinese ewes like to be who love their man¬
darins, and seems in no way to have suffered from being in a
state of confinement, or rather, I should say, captivity, for
fear of being misunderstood when speaking of these very
prolific creatures. Besides their fecundity, they possess the
advantage of making most delicious meat, and growing wool
of great fineness and length of staple.^

Vivisection. — The editor of the Quarterly Journal of
Science , after adverting to the visit made to the Veterinary
College at Alfort by delegates from the English Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the adhesion of the
director of that institution, so notorious for its torturing
practices, being secured ; also, that the Emperor promised
the deputation that he would institute a scientific commission
on the subject, which promise he has kept, though the result
appears not to have been unmixed good, goes on to observe —
“ In anticipation of the struggle about to take place between
the advocates of the two systems, a regular correspondence
has been opened between the different academies of Europe,
and the opinions of scientific men of all countries are eagerly
collected. The first communication, recently made to the
institute, was from Professor Lusana, of Pisa, who described
the processes by which he had succeeded in extracting the
pneumogastric nerve from dogs and rabbits, after numerous
attempts. The result of this frightful operation appears to

772

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

be that the victim becomes insensible to the strongest
poisons, and that even strychnine may be introduced into
the stomach with impunity. But, however curious and in¬
teresting this fact may be to the physiologist, we cannot see
that any very practical results can be drawn from it, and we
trust that the more humane physiologists who engage in the
controversy may not be dazzled by the spurious brilliancy
of such a discovery into the reprehensible practice of
systematic torture of dumb animals.”

Correlation of Physical and Vital Force. — The
life of man, says Dr. Carpenter, in an article on the above
subject, in the Quarterly Journal of Science, or of any of
the higher animals, essentially consists in the manifestation
of forces of various kinds, of which the organism is the
instrument ; and these forces are developed by the retrograde
metamorphosis of the organic compounds generated by the
instrumentality of the plant, whereby they ultimately return
to the simple binary forms (water, carbonic acid, and
ammonia) which serve as the essential food of vegetables.
Of these organic compounds, one portion is converted into
the substance of the living body, by a constructive force,
which (in so far as it is not supplied by the direct agency of
external heat) is developed by the metamorphosis of another
portion of the food. And whilst the ultimate descent of the
first-named portion to the simple condition from which it was
originally drawn becomes one source of the peculiarly
animal powers — the psychical and motor — exerted by the
organism, another source of this may be found in a like*
metamorphosis of a further portion of the food which has
never been converted into living tissue.

Thus, during the life of the animal, the organism is re¬
storing to the world around both the materials and the forces
which it draws from it; and after its death this restoration is
completed, as in plants, by the final decomposition of its
substance. But there is this marked contrast between the
two kingdoms of organic nature in their material and
dynamical relations to the inorganic world — that whilst the
vegetable is constantly engaged (so to speak) in raising its
component materials from a lower plane to the higher by
means of the power which it draws from the solar rays, the
animal, whilst raising one portion of these to a higher level
by the descent of another portion to a lower, ultimately lets
down the whole of what the plant had raised; in so doing,
however, giving back to the universe, in the form of heat
and motion, the equivalent of the light and heat which the
plants had taken from it.

773

THE VETERINARIAN, NOVEMBER 1, 18G4.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE OPENING OF THE MEDICAL SESSION AT THE ROYAL

VETERINARY COLLEGE.

The commencement of the Scholastic Session at the
Royal Veterinary College, on the 3rd ult., was inaugurated
by the delivery of an address by Professor Spooner. Of
late years the profession has evinced the greatest interest in
this event, and has been accustomed to assemble in numbers
far too large to be accommodated as it ought to be within
the area of the lecture-theatre. The present proved no
exception to the rule ; nay, we never remember to have
seen a greater gathering. Friends from all parts of the
country were present ; indeed, it appeared not only that
every county had sent its representative veterinary surgeon,
but almost every town. Both new and old students mus¬
tered also in great force, and the whole thing gave indu¬
bitable evidence of success, and augured well for the ad¬
vancement of veterinary science. One or two novelties —
things which we have advocated — movements in the right
direction — were introduced on this occasion. We hail
them as auspicious events, and no doubt our professional
brethren will do the same. Firstly, one of the Governors
of the College, J. J. Wilkinson, Esq., presided over the
meeting ; and, secondly , at the close of the lecture, he, in
the name of the Governors, presented the medals and certi¬
ficates of merit which had been obtained by the successful
competitors of the previous session.

When we come to remember the long list of noblemen
and gentlemen — headed by His Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge — who officiate as Directors of the College,
even such things as these, trifles as they may appear to
some, are well calculated to invest the opening of the

77 4

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

session with a dignity not otherwise belonging to it, and to
stimulate the students — the future members of the profes¬
sion — to increased exertions in the obtainment of knowledge.
We may here ask a question, which w'e have asked before,
viz., whether these annual gatherings should not be turned
to some other useful account? Every event which brings
the scattered members of a profession like ours together
should be seized upon for the accomplishment of good. As
things are at present, they are in great measure lost.
Heartily would we give our support to an attempt to in¬
augurate the opening of the session by an evening meeting,
at which some practical paper, in connection with veterinary
science, should be read and discussed. Nor would we end
here, but rather crown the whole by the good old English
custom of assembling around the festive board, as Governors,
Council, Examiners, Professors, Practitioners and Pupils, of
a rising and important profession. Much real good would
result from such a reunion — more, in reality, than many
among us are inclined to believe. It requires only for
some one to take the initiative, when all will be found easy
indeed of accomplishment. Here is work for the Council.
Let the question be mooted there.

To return. In another part of our Journal we have in¬
serted the introductory address in extenso, which renders it
unnecessary for us to speak of its general merits, or its special
adaptation to the occasion. One announcement, however,
which it contains will give universal satisfaction. Rightly
carried out, it will do more to enhance the profession in
public estimation than the obtainment of all the legislative
measures ever devised by those who are so solicitous for
Parliamentary recognition beyond what we now possess. It
is that, for the future, no student shall enter the College
unless he be subjected to a preliminary examination which
must be passed to the satisfaction of the Governors and
Professors. The standard at present is not placed very
high, but still high enough to secure men of fair English
education alone becoming members of the profession. The
Royal Veterinary College deserves well of the country for
having taken this step, in the face of open and cheaper

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS.

77 5

schools. We hail it as the wisest and best she has ever
taken, and one which will be duly appreciated and supported.
Already she has had proof that her interests cannot suffer
by being closer identified with the requirements and rapid
progress of the age. Let progression continue to be her
resolve, and ere long the science she teaches will take its
rightful place, and be in truth regarded as the honoured
sister and helpmate of human medicine.

THE PRESIDENT’S DINNER,

We beg to draw attention to the report of the dinner of
the President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
to the profession, which will be found in our present
number.

Meetings like these are too few among us ; and of late
years those who have filled the office now held by Mr.
Hunt have ceased to honour it by assembling the members
of the Council or the profession, either around the festive
and friend-cementing board, or at a scientific and social
gathering.

We congratulate the President on his resolve to break
through the trammels of precedent ; and we doubt not his
example will be followed by others who will be called upon
to fill the chair he now so worthily occupies.

PROEICIENCY IN CATTLE PATHOLOGY.

The Governors of the Royal Veterinary College have
determined that, for the future, a medal shall be awarded
to the pupil who, at the close of his studies, shall pass the
best examination on Cattle Pathology — scientific and
practical. We doubt not that this resolve will give great
satisfaction to the agricultural community,

776

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS, YORK.

Agricultural Section.

THE SALE AND TRANSPORT OF CATTLE.

The Rev. Dr. Burgess, of Chelsea, read a paper, written
by Captain O'Brien, of the Mount, Yrork, on u The Sale and
Transport of Cattle.5' In the outset of his paper he referred
to the prevalence of panics about unwholesome food which
came like gusts of wind across the minds of the British public.
Among these he classed the reports and statistics recently
circulated as to the frequency of fatal cases of pleuro-pneu-
monia, and as to the foot-and-mouth disease being found in
every parish. The trumpet of alarm, he said, was blown
long and loud by a learned professor in Edinburgh ; and the
excitement might be fairly described as approaching to panic,
if the anecdote, given in evidence, were true, that, in the
discussion of these matters in the Town Council of Edinburgh,
an old gentleman, one of the magistrates, declared he believed
that he was now breeding tapeworm himself. As a summary
of the evidence given before the late Select Committee, the
writer gave the following : — Pleuro-pneumonia appeared in
this country about 1842. It spreads very rapidly, either by
infection or contagion, and breaks out suddenly without
apparent cause. It is intractable, and sometimes very fatal,
carrying off occasionally three fourths of a herd. It is aggra¬
vated by local circumstances (the loss on cows in the town
dairies being very great) and also by atmospheric conditions.
It may remain latent for a month, and then suddenly develop
itself and kill the animal in twenty-four hours. The foot-
and-mouth disease appeared first in 1839. It is an eruptive
fever; the gums, mouth, and tongue, are affected; the animal
slavers at the mouth; the hoofs crack, bleed, and in bad cases
actually come off. It is seldom fatal, and is easily cured,
though it greatly reduces the condition of fat animals. It is
an epidemic, and also extraordinarily infectious or conta¬
gious. It is incredibly prevalent, from one third to one half
of all the animals at a fair being affected by it. It may
remain latent for three weeks, and then be suddenly deve¬
loped by exposure to wet and cold, by change of weather, or
by local causes. With dairy cows it produces an eruption on

SALE AND TRANSPORT OF CATTLE.

777

the teats, by which the milk is affected. The most horribl e
of all cattle maladies are the parasitic diseases, caused and
subsequently propagated by eating diseased meat, chiefly
pork. Measly pork contains the embryos of tapeworms ;
and when these pass into the human body they develop into
complete tapeworms. After some further remarks descriptive
of the evidence as to the injury done by the trichina , a small
worm, and also of what the writer termed “ the horrors of
pig-feeding,” which were beyond belief, Captain O’Brien
went on to quote a series of statistics produced in support of
the bills introduced into Parliament last session, which have
already been published, after which he gave an abstract of
the leading provisions in these bills as originally introduced,
and of the objections brought forward to the Cattle Diseases
Prevention Bill by the Highland and Agricultural Society.
He then went on to maintain that all the statistics which had
been adduced must for the present be deemed wholly unre¬
liable as a basis for legislation, as both parties in the late
controversy had proved that nothing could be more fallacious
than their opponents’ facts except their figures. He passed
over the whole subject of dead meat, including parasitic
disorders, to come at once to the great question whether the
meat of an animal affected by pleuro-pneumonia was or was
not fit for human food. On this point he maintained that
medical testimony absolutely unimpeachable placed beyond
doubt that this meat, at all events in all but the latest stages
of the disease, was perfectly fit for food. This fact was of
the last importance, not only in reference to the public
health — for this meat was used in every household- — but in
regard to the spread of the disease. The bill was therefore
not necessary on the ground of the public health. Still, it
might be expedient as a means of preventing disease. Its
general character certainly raised a presumption against it.
It was a bill of restrictions and penalties, the effect of which,
in the judgment of the men most competent to form a
sound opinion, would have been to raise the price of meat
25 per cent. The foundation of all measures for preventing
the spread of disease among living animals must be in¬
spection, and the magnitude of the scale on which inspection
must be established presented serious practical difficulties.
The veterinary surgeons had no reliance on the butchers, the
butchers had no confidence in any but themselves, and the
largest salesman in London “ does not attach to veterinary
evidence the importance he does to practical experience.”
And yet the inspectors must be numerous, competent, above
influence, and inspire confidence in their judgment. The
xxxvii. 50

77 8 SALE AND TRANSPORT OF CATTLE.

expense of such inspection would probably be greater than
the country would submit to. Inspection, too, would infal¬
libly break down where it would be most wanted — at such
great fairs as Weyhill, Ballinasloe, or Falkirk Tryst, where
the number of animals collected together was so enormous —
the sheep at Ballinasloe amounted to 70,000 — as to render
real inspection an impossibility. The whole system of legal
regulation rested on inspection, and no one had yet suggested
a practical way of dealing with the inspection of living-
animals ; while those in the trade now state that they would
place no value either on the inspection or the opinion of the
inspector, and, in fact, scout the whole thing as an absurdity.
Next in importance was the separation of infected from
healthy cattle — that was, indeed, a cardinal point. Farmers,
however, would never tolerate the interference of inspectors
and constables on their own farms. Moreover, “ unenclosed
land ” meant all the Highlands of Scotland, half of Ireland,
and large districts in Cumberland, Westmoreland, Norfolk,
Wiltshire, and Hampshire. After some further criticism
adverse to various provisions in the bill, chiefly on the
ground that they were unworkable, and that they would
seriously injure the trade in cattle without preventing the
spread of disease, Captain O’Brien proceeded as follows : —
The foot-and-mouth disease is so catching that precautions
by Act of Parliament against its spreading are vain. Being
easily cured, the general opinion is that it should be left to
the owners of the stock, whose pecuniary interest it is to
take the best measures medical skill can devise to arrest the
disorder. Pleuro-pneumonia, though not so prevalent, is far
more fatal. With fat cattle the best and cheapest remedy is
the knife the moment the disease appears, when the animal is
not yet reduced in flesh, and while the meat is still good and
wholesome, and will bring a fair price. If, as proposed, the
sale of such meat had been prohibited, it would have been
impossible to have got rid of the animals, and a great impulse
would have been given to the spread of the disorder. Lean
beasts present a difficulty. The only thing to be done is to
send for the veterinary surgeon. There is little fear of their
being sent to market, as one diseased beast would injure the
sale of the whole lot, and possibly those of the owner on
future occasions. The example of foreign countries is far
from conclusive, especially as, in point of fact, their elaborate
system of regulations had failed to stop the spread of pleuro¬
pneumonia. Mr. John Honck, a large importer of foreign
cattle, said that in Slesvig and Holstein, where the govern¬
ment had really taken the matter in hand, the remedy was

INOCULATING SHEEP FOR THE SMALLPOX. 779

worse than the disease, as the precautions had not had the
least effect in exterminating the malady, and had given the
greatest dissatisfaction. The disease itself was one of those
epidemics which from the earliest ages had occasionally
passed over Europe and after a time disappeared. There was
already good reason to believe that this one would resemble
its predecessors ; that it was of a milder type than when it
first appeared, and would gradually die out. The whole of
the recent inquiry had again taught the good old English
lesson that individual effort was better than Government
assistance, that Government could hardly ever interfere in the
course of trade without doing mischief, and that more could
be effected by attention, care, and skill, than by all the most
stringent regulations of an Act of Parliament, or even an
Order in Council. It certainly was very remarkable, and
spoke volumes in favour of the good sense of the gentlemen
who undertook the task of legislation, that, though they en¬
tered upon it with the view of enforcing regulations, much
impressed with the necessity of doing something, and
anxious to shape the crude proposal into a measure of some
real utility, the only practical result was a recommendation
to relax an Order in Council with reference to the examination
and detention of foreign cattle. — North British Agriculturist.

ON THE ADVANTAGE OF INOCULATING SHEEP POE THE

SMALLPOX.

By Jostah Deacon.

Only lately returned to England after very many years5
residence in Russia, I was both surprised and gratified on
reading Professor Simonds5 able lecture on (i Smallpox in
Sheep ;55 surprised that the question had not been long since
decided, gratified at his masterly and conclusive treatment
of the subject. I venture now to add my humble testimony,
derived from twenty-five years5 experience in the steppe
country of Mid and South Russia, where I have had landed
estates under my administration with flocks of merino sheep
varying from a few thousand head to upwards of twenty
thousand. On these inoculation was systematically em¬
ployed with unfailing success. Although the sheep under
my charge were perpetually exposed to contagion, from the
existence in our immediate neighbourhood of flocks in which

780

INOCULATING SHEEP FOR THE SMALLPOX.

thousands have died from the neglect of this precaution, I
never lost an adult animal from the ordinary smallpox.

In order to show the impossibility of avoiding contagion, I
may state that the only boundary mark between properties
in the open steppe country is a deep furrow made with the
plough, which is soon overgrown with grass. The shep¬
herds are accustomed to meet on the border to chat with
their neighbours. However strict the orders were not to
approach a neighbour’s frontier when his sheep were tainted
by this disease, I have myself more than once caught the
shepherds returning from, or close to the frontier, when
such a flock was in sight. Detection is, however, very diffi¬
cult, as twenty thousand sheep would be spread over a space
of some forty or fifty thousand acres, divided into many
farmsteads.

I have heard of sheep which had been inoculated having
caught the infection, but have frequently traced the cause to
imperfect inoculation, which was not unfrequent so long as
the operator merely passed an impregnated thread through
the ear of the animal; but, as soon as the plan of making
the puncture under and on the fleshy part of the tail became
general, such failures were less common. I was as par¬
ticular in insisting on the careful inoculation of our lambs as
on the vaccination of the children of the peasants. Our
losses of lambs from inoculation were so trifling that we
never kept a separate account; they were merged in the
general total of yearly losses.

The only precaution considered to be necessary was not to
inoculate during very hot or cold weather; the latter, in par¬
ticular, proved fatal by preventing the free formation of the
pustules and driving the disease inwards. Those who have
the general charge of large flocks in Russia are mostly
Germans, who have some knowledge of the veterinary art, and
I never yet met with one of them (I have had many under my
orders) who doubted for one moment the efficacy of inocula¬
tion ; on the contrary, it is considered by them to be one of
their most important duties to perform that operation with
success. The German sheep-inspector, who is always well
paid and is intelligent, would as soon think of being without
his pipe as without his inoculating needle l

I shall be most happy to give any further information on
this head to any one requiring it ; my address will be with
the worthy secretary of the society. — Journal of the Royal
Agricultural Society of England •

781

THE LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

DISCUSSION ON MR. LAWSON’S PAPER ON “TETANUS.”

( Contin uecl from p. 739.)

In our last number we inserted a paper on “ Tetanus,” read by Mr.
Lawson, at a meeting of the Lancashire "Veterinary Medical Asso¬
ciation, on the 14th of September. As the subject is an important
one, we now furnish our readers with “the official report” of the
discussion which followed the reading of the paper.

The P resident (T. Greaves, Esq.), in inviting discussion, remarked
that, when in London in May last, at the annual general meeting,
being in the company of several distinguished members of the pro¬
fession, the conversation incidentally turned upon tetanus, when
one of the gentlemen stated that he had cured the last five cases
which came under his care, and that his brother had been even
more successful than he had. Ilis plan was to give no medicine
whatever , and never to bleed, blister, or purge, or give injections.
His great reliance was on perfect quietude, darkness, and time. He
(Mr. Greaves) said to himself, we must have this man at our meet¬
ing in Manchester, when Mr. Lawson’s paper on tetanus comes on,
and it gave him the greatest pleasure to inform the members of the
association that that gentleman had in the kindest manner possible
complied with his invitation, and had come all the way from Bath
on purpose to be present with them this evening. By way of com¬
mencing the discussion, he would therefore call upon the gentleman
to whom he had alluded — Mr. Broad, of Bath — to open the discus¬
sion.

Mr. Bvoad , of Bath, said he had treated six cases. One was
idiopathic, and the patient died. The remaining five belonged
(o the traumatic class. The first of them was a hunter, that
had received an injury to his heel. It was a very severe case.
The patient was put into a quiet loose box, and, as he could not
swallow anything wrorth mentioning, no medicine was administered.
It proved to be a very good case. The next patient was a brewer’s
dray-horse, which had injured one of his feet with a nail. The
disease appeared in a very severe form after the mishap. He had
the animal in his own stables, and it eventually recovered. The
next case was a butcher’s horse, that had run away and knocked
itself about so much that tetanus ensued. He had the animal put
into a loose box, and allowed no one to see him until his recovery.
The next case was a colt, whose mother had kicked it. This patient
was brought in just as the wound healed, and had been turned
out again when tetanus set in. It was a very severe case, but after
removing the animal from one box to another, which was quieter,
and getting it up when it fell, he succeeded in bringing it round.
The next case was the result of exposure to the weather. Sedatives

782 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

were given, and the animal recovered. He (Mr. Broad) liad pre¬
viously been in the habit of trying belladonna, and had recovered
several patients with it. He gave two or three drachms between
the lips, but he had been induced to discontinue the use of the drug.
When chloroform first came into use he gave trial to it, but, instead
of improving the patient, it brought on the symptoms again, and
entirely upset the case. In another case he had some difficulty in
keeping the patient quiet by the belladonna treatment ; he gave
two drachms of aloes, which revived the animal so much that he
was left alone, and sometimes he seemed as if he would recover.
He began purging, but got down, and knocked himself about so
much that he had him destroyed. He also adopted the belladonna
treatment some years ago in another case, where a farrier was in
attendance. A dose of physic was administered, superpurgation
ensued, and the patient dropped down and died. With regard to
quietude in the treatment of patients for such a disease as tetanus,
he thought it was highly essential. No person should be allowed
to see them.

Mr. Hunt , of Birmingham, corroborated much of what Mr.
Lawson had stated in his paper. This destructive disease had baffled
many of their predecessors, who had resorted to all kinds of treat¬
ment. At any rate, for tetanus a greater variety of remedies had
been used, and, perhaps, wTith less success, than for any other affec¬
tion, with the exception, probably, of glanders. When chloroform
was introduced it was regarded as another panacea. In looking
through the writers on tetanus he found some singular and remark¬
able instances. One French veterinary surgeon actually castrated a
horse, seeking to cure him by that means. In another case the
amount of blood taken from the animal was perfectly fabulous —
from eighteen to twenty quarts in the course of six or nine days.
Mr. Broad’s remarks, to a considerable extent, corroborated what he
(Mr. Hunt) was about to say. Some twenty years ago he had
seen hydrocyanic acid administered to a great extent. The doses
wrere larger than those which Mr. Lawson had advocated, and pos¬
sibly to that cause might be attributed the absence of success. The
amount of excitement consequent upon administering large quan¬
tities of acid was great. Mr. Lawson would, perhaps, state whether
he had found that to be the case.

Mr. Lawson replied that, in the first case he tried the acid, he
gave a dose three times a day, but as it created very great excite¬
ment he discontinued it.

Mr. Hunt (resuming) said attention had been directed to the
acute and subacute symptoms. Of late years, he found that the sub¬
acute had outnumbered the acute cases. Whether the disease had
lost some portion of its former character he was not prepared to say.
A few years ago he had a case which recovered, and, being anxious
as to what the ultimate result might be, he purchased the horse.
The animal carried his (Mr. Hunt’s) partner for two seasons, and was
then used in harness, doing very well. Alluding to quietude, he had
a case at that moment just recovering. The disease belonged to the

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 783

subacute class, and all he had done was to keep the animal quiet.
Hydrocyanic acid was a most valuable medicine, though he had
discontinued its application for some years. He was very glad to
take part in this discussion, because it was always desirable that,
in their experiences and opinions, they should corroborate each
other, in order that they might together find an effectual remedy.
From his own experience, he certainly advocated the quiet treat¬
ment, and if medicine had to be administered he thought hydro¬
cyanic acid was the best.

Mr. Brown , of Oldham, had adopted Mr. Lawson’s method in
three cases with success. He used half a drachm of acid twice a
day.

Mr. Bray, of Leeds, President of the Yorkshire Y.M.A., expressed
his regret that he was unable to confirm the good effects of the
treatment which Mr. Lawson had suggested. He (Mr. Dray) had
not tried hydrocyanic acid, but he had had several patients that
had recovered — cases of idiopathic and traumatic tetanus. His
first case was a valuable mare, the property of the grandfather of
the present Earl of Harewood. The patient was removed to an
isolated dark box ; but he fell into an error by using sheep-skins
to the loins, and by endeavouring to rouse the bowels into action
by exhibiting croton seed in sloppy mash. The mare got well, but
whether she would have recovered sooner if there had been an
absence of the excitement which he produced he was not prepared
to say. He was quite convinced that the profession had been in
error a long time, and that Mr. Lawson’s opinion was correct, that
quietude was the main agent to effect a cure. He had treated three
cases successfully, but he would not presume to say that he cured
them. Hydrocyanic acid might be of great service, although any¬
thing of an exciting nature was highly prejudicial. During the
whole of his practice he had had six cases that recovered from
tetanus ; but, on the other hand, the deaths were innumerable. He
did not agree with Mr. Hunt in considering that the violence of the
disease had abated of late. Frequently the veterinary surgeon was not
called in soon enough. The physician was sent for when the
undertaker ought to have been called in. The veterinary surgeon
was often sent for as a dernier ressort in these cases.

Mr. Haycock, of Manchester, said that Mr. Lawson had learned
one thing from homoeopathy, which was that they, the allopathists,
were necessarily on the wrong tack so long as they employed vio¬
lent remedies. It often took a man half a lifetime to learn an im¬
portant fact like that. One of the most important matters was also
to keep an animal quiet, not in tetanus merely, but in most other
diseases. Mr. Lawson had spoken of the pathology of the disease.
He (Mr. Haycock) had found congestion of the nerves and a pecu¬
liar change in the spinal cord itself. He had found both the dark
or gray matter and the white matter in a congested state. He
believed that in one case these conditions were absent. They could
not always detect the change by the eye alone.

The essayist had also stated that he had found the lungs congested.

784 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

That might be expected. Often, indeed, had congestion in tetanus
and other diseases been mistaken for inflammation. Mr. Lawson’s
cures reflected very great credit upon his method of treatment.
He (Mr. Haycock) had met with a moderate share of success in the
treatment of tetanus, hut it was not to be compared with the essay¬
ist’s. He had had eleven cases. Of that number six died and five
recovered. Of the recoveries, several were very violent cases. The
first was a traumatic case. The patient was a mare, with a wound
in the ischium ; she lived three weeks. The second had sustained
a similar injury ; it was a horse, and was only ill eight hours.
The next was an animal belonging to Lord Harewood ; tetanus
resulted from docking. He saw the patient in the evening, and it
was dead before morning. The fourth belonged to a livery-stable
keeper in Yorkshire. The disease was brought on by the animal
being plunged into snow. It died in the course of fourteen hours.
The fifth case also occurred in Yorkshire. The patient had been
ill a fortnight when he was called in. He had also had under his
treatment, in Manchester, a little blood-horse, which died in twelve
hours. Of the recoveries, one patient came from a livery-stable in
Leeds, with broken knees ; a second was a serious traumatic case.
The animal belonged to a gentleman in Yorkshire. Both of them
recovered in a month. They were treated with arnica and bella¬
donna internally, and arnica externally. The next case arose from a
wound in the ischium of a very severe nature. At the outset the
wound was very hot and swollen. It was treated with belladonna,
chloroform, &c., administered in gruel. The animal recovered in
about a month. He had also effected cures in two other cases,
making a total of six cures against seven deaths.

With regard to purging, Professor Dick used to say, in his lec¬
tures, “once purge them, and they are sure to recover.” During
that time, however, that he (Mr. Haycock) was at college, three or
four cases occurred in which purging was effected, and all of the
patients died. Mr. Hunt had spoken of subacute types of the
disease. He, however, thought that the cases of tetanus were not
so severe as they were formerly, as the patients were left more to
themselves, and dreadful forms of disease which used to be seen did
not occur because they were not produced by violent treatment. The
better way was to let them alone. It had been said that there was a
change in the disease ; he believed that the change was in the treat¬
ment. Mr. Lawson had informed him that death followed principally
on injuries to the flanks and broken knees. It was desirable to ascer¬
tain what class of injuries in particular localities was mainly con¬
cerned in the production of fatal cases of the disease. He had
found that injuries of the knees, flanks, and some other parts of the
body, were not of a very severe nature. The worst forms of the
disease which he had seen appeared in consequence of a "wound in
the ischium, and a gathering in the hind foot, caused by a nail.

Constipation was another great bugbear. He never administered
physic in these cases. It would always be found that, when an
animal was attacked by a very acute form of the disease, there was a

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 785

closing-up, as it were, of every organ ; all the natural functions
ceased at once, and the whole system, having become alarmed, so to
speak, at the attack thus made upon it, concentrated all its powers
in order to resist the shock, and to obviate the danger which fol¬
lowed. Hence it often happens that the surgeon was called in at
this stage, and the patients were treated for constipation of the
bowels instead of the disease itself.

When the disease was once subdued, the natural functions returned.
Quietude he had often insisted very strongly upon, and he was very
glad to find that they were beginning to believe in the necessity of
that measure. With regard to treatment, they would find even in
4 White’s Farriery ’ a statement to the effect that animals had been
treated with sheep-skins, small doses of aloes, and quietude, and that
no bleeding was resorted to. With reference to Mr. Lawson’s
remedy, he (Mr. Haycock) was doubtful as to the action of hydro¬
cyanic acid. He did not think that it had any action, except in
very large doses.

Mr. MacTaggart would, to some extent, confirm that opinion.
Half a drachm had no effect. Perhaps Mr. Lawson would express
his opinion with respect to that point.

Mr Laivson thought that the amount of success which had
attended his treatment with half-drachm doses of hydrocyanic acid
was a sufficient answer to Mr. Haycock’s query. The action was
proved by the good effect produced.

Mr. Broad said he had been in the habit of giving two-drachm
doses, and, although they were administered as quietly as possible,
they produced considerable excitement. The effect of the first dose
was scarcely observed. Formerly he did not insist upon quietude,
which he had subsequently found to produce so good a result.

Mr. P. Taylor, of Manchester, inquired in what way the dose
was administered.

Mr. Broad replied that he used a small bottle ; and that gene¬
rally the symptoms passed off in a month.

Mr. P. Taylor — who complained that Mr. Lawson had not
entered more into the pathology of the subject — said he had, in the
course of nineteen years, treated ten cases, and that the majority of
them were of the traumatic class. The first patient died soon after
purgation took place ; the second was treated with hydrocyanic
acid, but, owing to the extensive nature of the wound and con¬
sequent excessive weakness, the patient died. He subjected the
next patient to a treatment which was described in the Field as
having been applied with success. It was bleeding the patient to
the extent of eight or ten quarts, placing the animal in a quiet
place, and wrapping the whole trunk in hot blankets. He tried
it for four days, but never saw the slightest alleviation of the
symptoms.

Another patient received a dose of physic, and got well. A two-
year-old colt — an idiopathic case — was put into a dark place, and
succumbed to the disease. No medicine was given. He was of
opinion that there was no medicine that would overcome extreme

786 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

irritation sooner than hydrocyanic acid. Whether that drug would
prove to be the philosopher’s stone with which to cure all cases of
tetanus he could not say, but he hoped that the discussion that
evening would be the means of our being able to overcome a dread¬
ful foe.

Mr. Williams , of Bradford, said he had comparatively little to state
relative to this disease, inasmuch as he had met with poor success.
With regard to the use of hydrocyanic acid ; he had tried that drug
for other diseases, and he found drachm doses of Scheele’s strength
produced such violent symptoms that the patient seemed as if it
were at once going to die, so that they might rest satisfied that
drachm doses of that medicine had some power in its application to
tetanus. In most cases of traumatic tetanus cicatrization of the
wound was nearly completed when the symptoms appeared. It
was supposed by some that the exciting cause was a neuromatous
formation on the injured nerve, which had become entangled in the
dense cicatrix, thereby producing irritation. This morbid condition
had been found in tetanic cases ; these neuromatous formations
were simply tumours partaking of the nature of fibrous tissue, con¬
sisting of dense plastic matter lodged amongst the fibrils of the ner¬
vous tissue. The fibrillse were thereby separated, and usually ren¬
dered the seat of perverted sensation. Most frequently they
formed on the truncated extremity of the divided nerve. He
agreed with Mr. Lawson on one point, viz., that the nerves at, and
leading from, the injured part showed some sign of increased vas¬
cularity and enlargement after the inflammatory process had taken
place. It was in the nerves of the injured part that that inflamma¬
tory change was to be looked for, rather than in the spinal cord ;
for the disease was to be regarded as an example of extreme irrita¬
tion of the whole of the true spinal system, induced by inflammatory
products being lodged in the seat of the injury. There was no
doubt that inflammation of the cord produced symptoms of a tetanic
character, though those symptoms were different from tetanus itself.
Tetanus closed the jaws ; for, according to good authority, tetanus
included almost every form and variety of this disease, and he was
of opinion that a wound either in the ischium or ilium was often
followed by tetanus. It would be well to probe the wound in the local
treatment of the disease. He was of the same opinion as Mr. Hay¬
cock, that there had been no change in the disease, but that any
apparent modification of it was to be attributed to a change in the
treatment.

Mr. Fleming , King’s Own Hussars, was sorry that, like the last
speaker, he had very little to say with respect to tetanus. He had
had fourteen cases in eight years, and all the patients died within
three days of their removal to the stables. The majority of them
had wounds in the feet caused by marching, whilst five might be
ascribed to exposure to the weather. He had observed some of
those cases very narrowly. The extraordinary rapidity with which
the disease spread left him in doubt altogether as to its pathology.
He thought the reason why they were unable to form a proper idea

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 787

of the nature of tetanus was that their knowledge of the physiology
of the nervous system was so limited. One thing appeared to him
quite certain, namely, that the disease was not caused by in¬
flammation of the nerves ; at any rate, he had not been able to dis¬
cover such a cause. He had noticed that, of his fourteen cases,
eleven were males. He should be glad to have the sense of the
members present upon this point. He thought that some useful
inferences might be drawn if it could be ascertained whether either
sex was more liable than the other. He would gladly adopt Mr.
Lawson’s mode of treatment, which was quite reasonable, considering
the irritability of the nervous system which existed. They must
find some means to abate or remove excitement.

Mr. P. Taylor stated that Messrs. Wood and Watson had said
that a man had a larger amount of nervous energy than was pos¬
sessed by any female.

Mr. Haycock found that of the thirteen cases he had noticed, nine
were males.

Mr. Hunt said the larger proportion of his patients had been
males.

Mr. J. Simpson , Liverpool, in stating the result of his experience,
mentioned three successful cases. To the first patient he gave
aloes and croton seeds in a little gruel ; the second — a chronic case
— he treated in the same way ; to the third he administered half
a pint of linseed oil for two days. The last was the best case.

Mr. P. Taylor remarked that a week or two ago Mr. Taylor, of
Nottingham, informed him that the treatment he adopted was very
successful. He put the animal in a quiet place, gave drachm doses
of croton-seed in a mash, and also linseed oil. The result was that
eight out of ten cases recovered.

Mr. T. Leech , of Bakewell, had treated two cases. The first was
a mare ; she fell in the box, and soon died. The second was a horse,
a big black animal, that was unable to stand in the yard, but after
taking a quart or two of ale he was removed to the box and put in
slings. He recovered. The treatment consisted chiefly of the exhi¬
bition of aloes.

Mr. Morgan, Liverpool, had met with several cases of the disease
in Scotland ; they were chiefly of the traumatic class, and one was
an idiopathic case. He had had the usual proportion of recoveries.
He resorted to quietude, used belladonna, and sometimes also he had
given as much as twelve drachms of aloes, which produced a decided
effect. He thought that the bowels might be relieved without the
aid of medicine, because he believed it was an attack upon the
muscular portion of the intestines that produced the constipation.
He had never tried hydrocyanic acid. In some cases he slung his
patients, and in two or three of them had done so with great
benefit.

Mr. MacTaggart, of Halifax, had found that belladonna was
insufficient of itself to effect a cure, excepting when the brain was
affected. He frequently used nux vomica, and with considerable
effect ; also arnica and other medicines,

783 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

Mr. Dixon had, during twenty years’ experience, seen several
cases, and adopted various remedies with a very uncertain result.
He should certainly give trial to Mr. Lawson’s plan in any future
case which came under his care.

Mr. Carter , of Bradford, mentioned several cases. He had used
aloes with some success. He had had a case succeeding on docking,
which recovered, through the use of hydrocyanic acid, in two-
drachm doses, given per rectum.

Mr. Toll , Lichfield, had met with seven cases ; four belonged to
the traumatic class, and all of them died. The others were of the
idiopathic class, and only one of them recovered. His treatment
for the successful cases was aloes, besides which very little medicine
was used. A sloppy diet was allowed. He had seen hydrocyanic
acid given with some effect in two cases.

Mr. Hoivell , of Rochdale, gave the particulars of one or two
cases.

Mr. Fleming wished to add to what he had already said that, in
a regiment of 400 horses, about four fifths were mares, and there
was not a single case of lock-jaw among them. It would appear
that the disease was more prevalent among one sex than the other.
He had been very much impressed with the tone of Mr. Lawson’s
excellent paper. He (Mr. Fleming) thought that if there was one
thing more than another that tended to raise the profession it was
their extreme solicitude for the sufferings of their patients. Hu¬
manity was a principle which they ought to exercise towards all
animals.

Mr. Smith, of Ormskirk, gave the result of twenty years’ expe¬
rience. The balance, he said, was on the wrong side. There had
been more deaths than recoveries. He fired one patient’s back all
along the spine, but the animal died. Another patient recovered
under the use of prussic acid and occasional purgative medicine,
the whole body being wrapped in turpentine blankets. His own
practical experience convinced him that all the cases he had brought
round would have recovered had they been merely put into a loose
box, and kept perfectly quiet.

Mr. John Greaves , Altrincham (having been requested by the
President to state the result of his experience), said that he had not
met with much success of late. He had lost most of his patients
during the last few years, although he had tried hydrocyanic acid ;
but, perhaps, the absence of success was owing to his having ad¬
ministered it per rectum. Formerly, his plan was, if the pulse
indicated it, to bleed, give physic, use counter-irritation and injec¬
tions, with quietude. He had cured one case with turpentine ad¬
ministered through the nostrils in four-ounce doses. He had also
used opium with success, and had tried tincture of aconite, but did
not approve of it. He had seen tetanus in two, two-year-old, colts
brought on by exposure. Both died in about eight hours from the
commencement of the attack. A year ago he witnessed two cases
of idiopathic tetanus in cows ; they also died. The cases he had
seen recover, generally speaking, were, as far as he could remember,

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 789

of the subacute kind. Mr. Lawson would, perhaps, state his
opinion as to administering the acid by the rectum.

Mr. Lawson , in replying, said Mr. Taylor had found fault with
him because he had not entered more into the pathology of the
subject. lie (Mr. Lawson) did not give more information on that
point simply because he did not know any more, and it was doubt¬
ful whether any one knew much more than he did. He had not
used aloes since he adopted this system, nor had he ever given
hydrocyanic acid per rectum, but always by the mouth. He
should not be exaggerating if he said that before resorting to this
method, of twenty patients, no fewer than nineteen died. With
regard to the use of the acid, lie did not wish to hold out that drug
as a specific for tetanus. He simply wished to give the result of
his own experience of its use. He had found it to answer the re¬
quired purpose much better than any other drug he knew of.
Others would probably adopt this treatment ; but, at the same time,
he should be very glad to hear of some gentleman bringing forward
another mode of cure, that might be of as much, or even of more
service to the profession. It should also be remembered that he
did not wish to convey the idea that the application of hydrocyanic
acid in cases of tetanus was his own discovery. He was indebted
to the late Mr. Poett, Veterinary Surgeon, 7th Dragoons, for the in¬
formation. He (Mr. Lawson) did not think there was anything
which would cure all cases of tetanus. He had found that, of
eleven patients subjected to this treatment, nine were cured, whilst
the remaining two were almost impracticable cases. To a remedy
that would effect as much as that they were bound to accord great
credit, and to continue its use. He did not use aloes for tetanus
because it did nothing but harm. Most of the cases he alluded to
in his essay were of the subacute class, and two or three of the
acute. He thought a great deal depended upon keeping the animal
quiet, but he was quite certain that hydrocyanic acid, given in small
doses, possessed great action in relieving the spasms, and also in
allaying the nervous irritability and excitement. He felt confident
of that, When he tried three doses in a day, the patient became
excited, and was very much the worse for the additional quantity.
He discontinued it, and substituted a dose night and morning, and
all went on well afterwards.

Mr. P. Taylor asked if Mr. Lawson slung his patients.

Mr. Lawson replied that he did not. He let them lie down, but
if they became excited when down he got them up directly. If,
however, he found that a horse could not stand he would not hesi¬
tate to put him in slings, but, if possible, he would refrain from it,
in order to avoid irritation.

Mr. Broad remarked that he lent his slings to a neighbouring
practitioner who had a horse down. The case turned out successful,
and he believed no medicine was used. He (Mr. Broad) had tried
strychnine in one instance. It was administered in rather large
doses, which made the horse very excitable. It was a somewhat

790 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

aggravated case. He used grain doses three times a day. The first
dose relaxed the spasms, and eventually the patient died.

Mr. Lawson said that in one case lie gave nux vomica and
belladonna, and managed better than he had done before. The
patient had the appearance of doing well for about a mouth, but, at
last, it became worse and died.

Mr. Haycock rose to speak of the action of hydrocyanic acid.
He said that he had tried it on the healthy animal, and had arrived
at the conclusion that it had but little effect. When he gave large
doses, disturbance sometimes ensued, but the effect of that dose,
whether it was given by the rectum or by the mouth, was not a
direct proof that the acid could produce effect beyond what
anything else would produce, say an ounce of gruel given in the
same way. He had seen very serious disturbance follow the admi¬
nistering of warm water by injection. It was, therefore, scarcely
conclusive to say that hydrocyanic acid produced disturbance in
consequence of its medicinal action. With regard to his own treat¬
ment, he had tried aconite, and found it to be a powerful sedative.
He had resorted a good deal to Fleming’s tincture of aconite, in
two- or tliree-drachm doses, largely diluted with water. In using
strychnine he found the effects to be such that he determined not
to resort to it again ; but upon reducing the quantity of the dose
he found great benefit from it. With regard to trituration, he
thought what was called the third trituration was the best prepara¬
tion that could be used. By giving small doses of strychnine in the
same way a decisive effect was produced upon the bowels. He had
given belladonna in two cases with benefit, using the plaster exter¬
nally, and daubing the wound with it. Opium he had also used,
but, deriving only little benefit from it, he did not resort to it again
for a long time. Chloroform he had seldom used without benefit ;
but with respect to that drug, as with many others, the full benefit
would not be derived unless due regard was had to the time of
giving it. If drugs which might be of benefit when given within
ten days or a week were administered at the commencement, they
would produce no effect whatever. He remembered a case of idio¬
pathic tetanus which he treated first with nux vomica and bella¬
donna. On the sixth day he gave chloroform, which produced a
stop, and no further change took place until the spasm seemed to
fall back again. He then administered the drug in thick flour
gruel, and the effect was marvellous. The animal began to improve
at once, and the use of the drug was continued until she was quite
well. In all cases where he had recourse to chloroform for tetanus
he had found that the system seemed to get, as it were, used to its
action ; but there was one fact which should be borne in mind — he
had never found any benefit when it was given at the commence¬
ment. The way he administered it was two ounces of the drug, by
measure, to two quarts of thick cold flour gruel, to be shaken well,
and given in doses of two or three small horns, which held about
two ounces each, several times a day. The application of drugs by
the rectum he had tried often enough, but he had not much to say

LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 791

in favour of that method. The use of aloes he had discontinued
years ago, and he did not believe in that drug at all. His father
cured a traumatic case by brandy in large doses, besides which only
two small doses of aloes were administered. The patient was about
a month on the way. Cold water he (the speaker) had tried in
every mode that had hitherto been conceived, but he had nothing
to urge in its favour. He had also tried hot water and the steam
bath. In one very severe case he adopted the latter course. The
case was of the traumatic class, and a mare. She was treated with
all the gentleness that could be devised. A temporary bath was
constructed for her reception. Steam was let into it, but the expe¬
riment produced no beneficial effect, and eventually the patient died.
His most successful treatment was with small doses of aconite,
chloroform, and Fleming’s tincture, two or three drops diluted with
water, and given two or three times a day.

Wounds he invariably lanced, if there was heat, disturbance,
or unnatural dryness about them. To the remarks he had offered
on the use of hydrocyanic acid he could only add that, if they ever
got a healthy patient that had to be destroyed, they had better try
the effects of a double quantity. By that means they would be
able to ascertain what effect the drug produced upon an animal
in a healthy state, as well as in a state of£ disease.

Mr. Cartright , of Whitchurch, said it seemed to him as if there
was something inexplicable in the subject, for it was a most extra¬
ordinary fact that, in the course of forty years’ practice, he had met
with only one case of tetanus, and that was during his time at col¬
lege. The patient was a pack-horse, whose tail, being curved, was
amputated high up, The animal died. He had seen a case of
tetanus in a dog.

Mr. Broad remarked on the great difficulty of administering
the medicine to these patients, and made some suggestions on the
subject.

The President then drew the discussion to a close. He said that
it would be quite unnecessary for him, at this late period of the
evening, to sum up at any length, or even to make any observation,
though he could refer to several successful, as well as many unsuc¬
cessful cases which had been under his treatment. Ilis thirty
years’ practice had been attended with scarcely anything but non¬
success in tetanus. He had had recourse to bloodletting and the
application of slieep-skins, blisters, and mercurial ointment, from the
neck to the tail. In one patient he used rowels in the thighs in
addition, and this case recovered ; hut when other patients were
subjected to the same treatment they died one after another. He had
lately had an opportunity to put Mr. Lawson’s method of treatment
into practice. The case occurred in a large well-seasoned cart¬
horse. He commenced with him in its early stage; he gave six
drachms of aloes, which, however, neither nauseated nor purged.
He then administered half-drachm doses of the acid twice a day.
The animal lived twelve days. He believed the patient would have
eventually recovered ; the jaws were considerably relaxed, and he

792 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

would eat four half-pailfuls of boiled barley in a day ; but be unfor¬
tunately got down, and the spasms were frightful. In this case the
rigidity was most marked in the loins. The violent symptoms in¬
creased so alarmingly that the owner begged that the patient might
be destroyed. The animal was raised up, but was so prostrated that
he got down again. He was then put into slings, and properly
steadied upon his legs for half an hour ; but the prostration was so
great that he had to be let down or he would have died in them.
Both his fore and hind legs failed him. In this stage the slings
appeared to do more harm than good ; they increased the excite¬
ment and brought on more violent paroxysms. Through the kindness
of the essayist he had been enabled to make an inspection of this
horse’s brain and medulla spinalis. He found the brain to all ap¬
pearance perfectly free from disease, and that the medulla spinalis was
of one uniform colour throughout its entire length, excepting about
six inches of it, which was located in the sacrum. Here it was much
darker in colour, and its structure was completely broken down ;
in fact, it was approaching putridity. The horse had been dead
about twenty-eight or thirty hours.

Soon after this, through the kindness of the same gentleman, he
had an opportunity of seeing another medulla spinalis from a horse
in whom tetanus had not existed. In this animal the same length
of time had elapsed after death as in the case of tetanus ; but he found
that throughout its whole length the medulla spinalis was of one
uniform consistency and colour. It was very much denser and
firmer than the other; in fact, its structure appeared perfect. It is
true the specimen had been in alum and water for several hours ;
but he could not for one moment believe that that circumstance caused
the great difference in its condition when compared with the other.

With regard to Mr. Lawson’s instrument, he could assure the gen¬
tlemen present that it is most simple, and it offers the most gentle
mode of administering medicine ; but even with it, and using all the
care and gentleness possible, you cannot avoid causing some alarm
and excitement, and most likely some paroxysms, because you are
obliged to raise the head a little. He found that he could give the dose
better when he used a small brass or ivory syringe tipped with a
quarter of an inch gutta-percha piping, about ten inches long.
This he quietly passed into the mouth, and gently raised the head and
injected every drop. The smaller the dose the more easily can it be
taken, and less will be wasted — say two table-spoonfuls of water and
half a drachm of the acid as the maximum dose. Experience had
shown him that any treatment which produced excitement of the
patient was the worst plan that can be resorted to. The experience
of gentlemen present has shown that seclusion, quiet, and a dark
place, are the best remedies ; that bleeding, purging, blistering,
fomentations, and slieep-skins, did much more harm than good.
Drenching through the nostrils was an act to be deprecated. Slings,
judiciously applied, so as not to annoy or alarm, might prevent the
patient getting down, which must always be avoided if possible.
Where medicine is considered necessary, the use of the drug which

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 793

has been so strongly recommended by the essayist is the best known
for the purpose at the present day. It would appear that it is not
essential to success to pay attention to the bowels in these cases.

On the motion of Mr. Broad, seconded by Mr. Bray, a vote of
thanks was awarded to Mr. Lawson for his excellent paper. A
similar compliment was also paid to the President, and the proceed¬
ings terminated.

Mr. Howell, of Rochdale, kindly volunteered to read a paper on
“Puerperal Fever in the Cow,” at the next meeting, in December.

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

The fourth quarterly meeting of this Society was held on
Friday, October 21st, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and was tolerably well
attended.

Amongst other business which occupied the attention of the
members was the subject of holding meetings alternately at New¬
castle, Durham, or other towns, as may be decided upon by a
majority of the members at a preceding meeting. A notice of motion
to this effect was laid on the table for being finally dealt with at the
next meeting. The full importance of such a step on the part of
the Society was readily admitted by all present ; and it was deter¬
mined to meet the proposition with all the consideration which it
deserves, under the hope that those practitioners in the south part
of Durham county will come forward and meet their professional
brethren of the Association, and thus aid in perfecting a great prin¬
ciple so successfully commenced, viz., that of cementing together
one whole brotherhood in one common bond of union, good feeling,
and desire for advancement.

It was also agreed that, at the general annual meeting to be
held on Friday, January 20th, 1865, when the election of the
officers for the year takes place, and other business of importance
is transacted, the members shall dine together.

Mr. Hunter, of Newcastle, afterwards read his promised paper
on “ Navicularthritis,” from which we extract a few points.

Mr. Hunter said —

“ It does not occur that I have anything novel to advance with
regard to this disease ; but rather that I am anxious to have it
thoroughly ventilated by a free discussion and statements of the
members present. It is only by such means that we can arrive at
an approximation of the truth.

“ I believe this disease to be very generally prevalent wherever
there are hard roads, and horses are required for quick work.
Being recently in Antwerp and other Continental towns, I was
quite astonished at the number of lame horses which 1 saw, mostly
cab-horses, many of them suffering from this disease. It is in this
xxxvii. 51

794 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

class of horse that navicularthritis mostly prevails, partly owing to
the nature of the work assigned to them, and also to their being
condemned to the same after having previously contracted the affec¬
tion elsewhere.

“ The seat of navicularthritis is the navicular joint or capsule,
which is formed by the perforans tendon as it passes over the os
navicularis. The structures entering into its composition, and sub¬
ject to the changes constituting the disease, are — bone, fibro-car-
tilage, tendon, ligament, and synovial membrane.

“ It may originate from a variety of causes, all, however, tending
to the same result, viz., ulceration of one or more of the structures
already named. Hereditary predisposition has a great deal to do
with its production, less exciting causes being required for its com¬
plete development ; conformation may also be classed among the
predisposing causes, animals with short upright pasterns, stumpy
low articulations, being more liable ; fibrous laceration of the tendon
on its passage over the bone, forming a more acute angle in such
states, also inevitable ; or the bone itself is bruised, and undergoes
the process of inflammation, which, if not relieved, results in
ulceration of its cancellated structure, and gradually extends from
within outwards, until the dense covering of bone and cartilage
becomes involved in the same action.

“ In animals of this formation there is greater probability of the
disease assuming a chronic character, from the peculiar modifica¬
tions given rise to.

“ Although I believe it to occur in animals of the formation
alluded to, it is frequently met with in others of quite the opposite
form — with good open feet, bulbous frogs, and in flat feet with low
weak heels. In such cases I consider it to arise from a direct
bruise from below, as by suddenly coming down upon a loose
stone in progression. Animals that have been kept in a state of
inactivity for some time and afterwards put to severe exertion,
are rendered more prone to contract the disease, owing to the
secretion of synovia being diminished from absence of the stimulus
of movement.

“The symptoms indicative of the disease are lameness in one or
both fore feet ; seldom in both to the same extent. Contraction is
only associated with confirmed cases. If the foot be lightly struck
with a hammer over the seat of disease the animal will wince. He
goes on his toes, and, when standing in the stable, points with one or
both feet. The temperature of the parts is variable. In progression
he goes best up rising ground, the step being short and quick. The
sole becomes concave, foot and pasterns more upright, and general
action stilty or groggy.

“The treatment required will depend greatly on the stage. In
the primary condition antiphlogistic measures are called for —
bleeding from the foot, hot fomentations and poultices, the sole
having been well thinned previously with the drawing-knife. The
animal should also be kept quiet, and cathartic and fever medicine ex¬
hibited. If the parts are not relieved thereby, counter-irritants should

NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 795

be applied to the coronets. By adopting these measures I have
frequently succeeded in arresting the progress of the disease.

“ In other instances the disease has continued without the slightest
impression being made upon it ; in which case I resort to the intro¬
duction of a frog-seton as the most likely means of affording relief,
by bringing our treatment more directly in contact with the parts
under the diseased action. I must state, however, that even this
treatment I have found very uncertain ; perfect success gained in one
case is no sure guide to the same result, or a valid reason for its
subsequent adoption, in a second. If, after all these means have
failed, and our patient probably of very little service, we have
recourse to the operation of neurotomy — in performing which it is
necessary to take into consideration the suitability of the foot to
undergo the wear and tear to which it will be subject afterwards —
if it is a good strong foot there will be comparatively little danger
of after ill-consequences ; if a thin, weak foot, it would be very
liable to become bruised, and sloughing to take place as a natural
result.

“ The immediate effects of the operation are instant relief from
pain ; and as a result, probably, ulceration may be arrested, granu¬
lations and plastic lymph thrown out, joining the tendon and bone
together, thus preventing motion, and causing the animal to go
stiffly, a termination probably brought about by the extra weight
now imposed.

“ If ulceration of the tendon or bone has proceeded to any con¬
siderable extent, either is likely to give way under the weight
thrown upon it.

“ Sometimes one posterior branch of the nerve below the fetlock
alone is divided, thus depriving the foot partially only of its sensa¬
tion, a plan which finds favour with some practitioners.

“ In all cases where navicular disease is decidedly in existence, I
think it very desirable to shoe with leather soles and stopping.

“ In concluding these remarks on navicular disease, I cannot but
think that its existence is by no means so frequent as generally sup¬
posed, and that other pathological conditions of the feet, the nature
of which have not been so much investigated, are confounded
with it.”

The discussion which ensued occupied the whole of two hours,
and was ably supported by the President, Messrs. Thompson,
Dudgeon, M‘Gregor, Hunter, Armitage, and many others, the
remarks of the President being worthy of great reflection.

Mr. Armitage spoke of the evidences which had come- before
him, indisputably claiming for the disease hereditary tendencies ;
but of its frequent occurrence among our hard-worked town, trade,
cab, harness, and dray-horses, &c., that state which had been so
confidently asserted as being in these animals navicular disease
he was disposed to deny. Many cases treated as such, and, of
course, unsuccessfully — thereby stamping the character of incu¬
rability and intractability to a disease which has no other evi¬
dence of existence but in imagination — if properly examined, their

796 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

previous history obtained, and the maltreatment to which the feet
had been subjected in shoeing fairly considered and contrasted
with the requirements and adaptation of the parts — in a word, phy¬
siologically appreciated — would undoubtedly be found to be disease
of the laminae, coffin-bone, & c., with their concomitant effects.
The system of shoeing he felt convinced worked irrecoverable ruin
upon our hard-worked horses ; and where exemption from these
consequences are fortunately present, it has resulted chiefly from
what has not been done, rather than from pursuing the system of
reducing of the feet for the so-called purpose of preparing the foot
for the shoe, a practice indulged in to the detriment of a large
per-centage of our town horses in a special degree. It is a practice
too common among our horse-shoeing community, and is best
known as being the principle of “ breaking a man’s head, and
putting on a plaster afterwards.” The feet are reduced by that
modern invention, the drawing-knife, in an unnatural and unwar¬
rantable degree ; and, again, by the nails, both from their form and
manner in which they are being driven ; this course, repeatedly
carried on without a corresponding reproduction being possible
between each shoeing, is compensated for by leather soles and
stopping. The foot properly kept needs no stopping. The system
of“ thumbing ” the sole, as advocated by Mr. Miles, is a most absurd
practice, and only actuated by an entire ignorance of the nature of
the parts. Paring the feet of animals to such a degree in these
cases of lameness is productive of a greater aggravation of the
disease ; a proper system of shoeing being the best preventive as
well as remedial treatment.

Mr. D. Ml Gregor much approved of the practice followed and
taught by Mr. Gamgee, senior, viz., to avoid such paring, but to
protect the foot by nature’s provisions, and agreed with the iast
speaker in the tenor of what had been said.

Mr. Thompson believed it to be a safe rule to dress out the feet
both for shoeing and treatment of these cases of lameness, the
exceptions to which, however, being those feet with thin weak
hoofs.

Mr. Dudgeon agreed in some measure with Mr. Thompson, and
advocated the use of stopping to horses’ feet to prevent their be¬
coming hard, which he considered was a forerunner to diseases.

Mr. Hunter very ably replied at the close to the various argu¬
ments adduced by the speakers, and supported the views pro¬
pounded in his paper.

As to treatment of navicularthritis, it was generally acknowledged
but few good results accrued from that mostly adopted and recom¬
mended ; neurotomy in a majority of cases offering the greatest
chances of success, though by no means without great objections
to its general adoption. Frog-setons afford but very temporary
relief, but are greatly assisted by rest and blisters to the coronet, &c.

The President concluded the discussion by a lengthened consider¬
ation of the subject under discussion, and an analysis of the state¬
ments which had fallen from the speakers, urging his conviction that

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

79 7

navicularthritis was not so prevalent as supposed, and that most of
the diseases existing in horses’ feet, and confounded with it or mis¬
taken for it, arose and are aggravated by the system of cutting
away the feet as described by previous speakers, states being in¬
duced thereby which proved as intractable as they were aggravated.

A very interesting specimen of horny tumour in the hind foot
was exhibited by Mr. Armitage, which went far to illustrate the
ideas he entertained towards foot diseases, and created an animated
discussion upon the nature of such occurrences. There was also
added a folding balling-iron for the pocket ; a contrivance for putting
a triangular point to pins used for sutures, and a pocket balling-
gun for foals, all having for their recommendation simplicity, por¬
tability, and effectiveness for the several purposes for which they
were intended. A vote of thanks proposed to the essayist and
President respectively, being carried unanimously, the proceedings,
with which each member was highly satisfied, were brought to a
close.

Mr. Armitage promised to bring forward a paper for the next
meeting.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

QUARTERLY MEETING OE COUNCIL, held October 5, 1864.

Present : — The President, Professor Spooner, and Messrs.
Braby, Broad, Brown, Cartledge, Ernes, Greaves,
Harpley, Harrison, Helmore, Lawson, Mavor, Moon,
Pritchard, Robinson, Seeker, Thacker, Wilkinson,
Withers, and the Secretary.

The President in the Chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and con¬
firmed.

A copy of the letter of condolence to the widow of the
late Professor Miller was read, together with Mrs. Miller’s
reply, thanking the Council for their kind expression of
sympathy in her late bereavement.

The Secretary read the correspondence which he had had
with the Secretary to the Scotch Board of Examiners relative
to a breach of the Bye-laws in the case of Mr. James Taylor,
who had been examined, and obtained a diploma, without
having strictly complied with the provision of Bye-law 27.

On the letters being read, a short discussion took place,
when

It was moved by Professor Spooner and seconded by Mr.
Proton- —

“ That, as Mr. James Taylor had been admitted to his

798 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS.

examination for the diploma of the College, and passed by
the Court of Examiners, without having given the required
notice to the Secretary, in accordance with Bye-law 27, he be
admitted a member of the corporation ; but that the decision
of the Council in this case — if in the affirmative — be not
considered as constituting a precedent/’ — Carried.

The Registrar notified that five deaths had been returned
to him during the last quarter, viz. Mr. Thomas Burton,
London; Mr. John Brown, Warwick ; Mr. William Cook,
Willesborough ; Mr. Robert Ousey, Ashton-under-Lyne ;
and Mr. John Ellis, Vice-President and Member of the
Council, Liverpool.

The Registrar also laid on the table a proof of the Addendum
and Revised List of the Members of the College.

On the report being received, It was moved by Mr, Ernes
and seconded by Professor Spooner —

“ That 50 0 copies of the Addendum and Revised List be
printed, and that they be distributed gratuitously, with the
Registers now on hand.5’ — Carried.

It was also moved by Mr. Wilkinson , and seconded by
Mr, Seeker —

“ That an advertisement be inserted in the journals, stating
that the Register can he had gratuitously on application to
the Secretary.55 — Carried.

Mr. Lawson directed the attention of the Council to the
correspondence he had had with Dr. Struthers, relative to a
remuneration for his future services as Secretary to the
Scotch Board of Examiners.

A considerable discussion ensued as to the duties of the
office, and also with reference to the distance that Dr.
Struthers now resided from Edinburgh.

It was moved by Mr. Ernes and seconded by Mr. Wilkin¬
son —

“ That the Secretary furnish the Council at its next meet¬
ing with full particulars of the duties required, and that the
question of the appointment and remuneration of a Secre¬
tary to the Scotch Board of Examiners be postponed until
then.55 — Carried.

The subject of the continuation of the allowance to Mr.
Gabriel was next brought forward, when the Secretary read
a letter which had been received from Mrs. Gabriel to the
effect : — That owing to her husband’s increased infirmity of
body and mind, she regretted being under the necessity of
asking for a renewal of the grant so generously conceded
by the Council in former years, the continuation of which
was of the greatest importance to him.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 799

It was moved by Mr. Wilkinson , and seconded by Professor
Spooner —

“ That an allowance of £50 to the late Secretary, Mr.
E. N. Gabriel, be granted for another year.” — Carried.

The Finance Committee reported that they had examined
the vouchers and receipts of payments during the preceding
quarter and found them correct. The quarterly balance
sheet of the Treasurer’s account showed that the liabilities
for the quarter ending October 1st, amounted to £71 14s. 8 cl.,
which they recommend should be discharged. This would
leave a balance in hand of £598 18s. 9 d. The Committee
also drew the attention of the Council to an outstanding
account of Mr. S. Garrard, the legal adviser of the College.

It was moved by Mr. Cartledge , and seconded by Mr.
Brown —

“ That the Renort of the Finance Committee be re-

A.

ceived.”

On this being carried, it was then moved by Mr. Ernes ,
and seconded by Mr. Helmore —

“ That it be adopted.” — Carried.

It was next moved by Mr. Ernes , and seconded by Mr.

Lawson —

“ That Mr. Garrard be requested to furnish the particulars
of his account.” — Carried.

It was moved by Mr. Ernes , and seconded by Mr. Braby —

“ That an examination of the pupils take place in the
week before Christmas.” — Carried.

It was moved by Mr. Braby, and seconded by Mr. Lawson —

“That the Treasurer be authorised to draw a cheque for
the Examiners’ Fees.” — Carried.

Notice of motion in connection with Bye-law 27 was
given by Mr. Braby having reference to an increase of the
Examination Fee. It was ordered to be suspended in the
Board-room for three months.

At the conclusion of the general business, Mr. Laivson
expressed the deep regret which the Council felt at the loss
the profession had sustained by the lamented death of Mr.
Ellis, and moved — “ That a letter of condolence be forwarded
from the Council to his widow.” The motion was seconded
by Mr. Seeker, and was carried unanimously.

Cheques were ordered to be drawn for the current ex¬
penses.

By order of the Council,

William Henry Coates,

Secretary .

800

THE PRESIDENT’S BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

The President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Mr.
R. L. Hunt, invited a large number of its members to a banquet, at
the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Edgbaston, on the 28th instant.
Amongst those who attended were Air. William Field, London, late
President of the College ; Mr. J. Sampson Gamgee, Surgeon to the
Queen’s Hospital, Birmingham ; Air. Lawson, Manchester, and Air.
Cartledge, Sheffield, members of the Board of Examiners for Scot¬
land, and of the Council ; Air. Greaves, Alanchester, President of
the Lancashire Veterinary Medical Society, and member of the
Executive Council ; Air. Charles Hunting, Durham, and Air. C. E.
Dray, Leeds, respectively Presidents of the Veterinary Medical
Associations of the North of England and of Yorksliire; Mr.
Walters, Air. J. Marston Parker, Mr. E. Stanley, Mr. Davy, and
Mr. Tailby, Birmingham ; Air. Blakeway, Stourbridge ; Air. Harbor,
Kidderminster; Mr. Perrins, Worcester; Air. Rose, Warwick;
Mr. Elkington, Coventry ; Mr. Huntriss, Dudley ; Air. Cartwright,
Wolverhampton ; Air. Woodger, London ; Air. Litt, Shrewsbury ;
Air. Carless, Stafford; Air. J. C. Broad, and Mr. J. B. Henderson,
London ; Air. T. D. Broad, Bath ; and Mr. Leech, Bakewell. The
loyal toasts having been duly honoured, the President proposed
<£ The Royal College of Wterinary Surgeons.” In doing so he
observed that he quoted the corporate title in its widest and most
correct sense. He doubted if all the members who honoured him
with their presence, much more the general body of the profession,
formed a just estimate of what was implied by the legal designation
of the Veterinary Aledical and Surgical body, incorporated in the
seventh year of our most gracious Sovereign’s Reign. Many
imagined that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons was merely
the institution in Red Lion Square, London, where the Executive
of the profession regularly transacted business, and the annual
meetings were held ; whereas that was only the official head¬
quarters of the body corporate. The Royal College of Veterinary-
Surgeons consisted of the entire profession, as by law established
throughout Her Alajesty’s Dominions. The charter of incorpo¬
ration gave to each member admitted into their body, after test of
his education and proficiency by the Board of Examiners, full and
equal share in the electing of the Council, and in the custody and
furtherance of the general interest. Lest his memory should betray
him, the Chairman begged permission to quote, in support of his
interpretation, the exact words of the charter, which declares, that
“ all persons as respectively now are, and may hereafter become,
students of the Royal Veterinary College of London, or of the
Yreterinnry College of Edinburgh, or of such other veterinary
college, corporate or incorporate, as now is, or hereafter shall be,
established for the purposes of education in veterinary surgery,
whether in London or elsewhere in our United Kingdom, a,nd which
we or our royal successors shall, under our or their sign manual,

president’s BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

801

authorise in that behalf, and shall pass such examination as may be
required by the orders, rules, and bye-laws, which shall be framed
and confirmed pursuant to these presents, shall, by virtue of these
presents, be ‘ members of, and form one body politic and corporate ,
by the name of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' ” After
granting privileges relating to succession, the common seal, the
power of legal representation and purchase and sale of property,
the charter proceeds to enact, that the veterinary art, as practised
by the members of the said body politic and corporate, shall hence¬
forward be recognised as a profession ; and further, that the Uoyal
College of Veterinary surgeons shall “ act and do in all things
relating to the said body politic and corporate, as fully and effectually
to all intents, effects, construction, and purposes whatsoever, as any
other of our liege subjects, or any other body politic and corporate
in our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.” The Pre¬
sident contended, that by these and the other very wise and liberal
stipulations of the lloyal Charter, the veterinary profession was
put in possession of that which for many years had been, and still
was, the undisguised want of the medical profession — a deed of
incorporation with equal constitutional power and representative
faculty to members. He trusted that he might be excused sug¬
gesting, that if every legally qualified veterinary surgeon would
study the charter, and form an independent and sound opinion of
the advantages it conferred upon him, their annual meeting in May
would be more numerously attended than was generally the case,
and that they would be strengthened whenever they had to seek
extended privileges from the State, by the conviction that they had
duly valued, and put to use, those they now enjoyed. It was per¬
fectly true, that the first thought of every member of a society
should be the discharge of duty in the particular sphere in which
he is placed ; but it is equally true, that no amount of industry and
ability displayed by individual labourers in their own interest,
exempted them from the obligation of doing something in their
corporate capacity, for the general benefit of their brethren. In
the position in which the members of their Council were pleased to
place him, he felt very weightily the responsibilities attaching to
the honorable office of President, which, he never for a moment
forgot, was the highest open to any member of their body ; in fact, it
was the highest dignity to which any of them could aspire; for
what honour could equal that conferred on a man by his most com¬
petent judges — his fellow-labourers in the same calling? At the
same time he admitted, and he desired to do so most cordially
and gratefully, that his task had been greatly facilitated by the
example of preceding Presidents ; one of the most distinguished
of whom had been good enough to favour the meeting with his
company that evening. Mr. Field’s family had been first in
their ranks from the earliest days of the London Veterinary
College ; and they all remembered how, in the many corporate
offices he had filled — as member of Council and of the Board of
Examiners, as Vice-President and President — Mr. William Field

802 president's BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

had given them the full benefit of his learning, of his great
experience, and of his high social position. That gentleman’s pre¬
sidential year would ever be memorable in the annals of our body,
for the presence of Royalty at the annual banquet at the Free¬
masons’ Hall in the metropolis. No doubt the Duke of Cambridge,
in graciously coming amongst us, was actuated to some extent by
his estimate of the importance of our profession, more especially in
connection wdtli the artillery and cavalry of the great army so ably
commanded by the Royal Duke ; but it cannot be doubted, that the
chief cause of the visit of the Duke of Cambridge was his desire to
testify the high esteem in which he held the President, Mr. William
Field. A scarcely less memorable event in the same year was the
conversazione in Red Lion Square, where Mr. Field assembled to
meet us a large number of those most famous in the Sciences, Lettres,
and the Arts. He (the Chairman) could not hope entirely to follow,
much less to rival such an example, but he had done his best ; and
not his least desire was, whilst endeavouring to worthily fill the
presidential chair, to promote the social intercourse of his brethren
in a manner deserving their unquestionable merits. He had much
pleasure in proposing “ The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
and Mr. William Field.”

Mr. Field, in acknowledging the toast, succinctly referred to those
great changes in the profession of which he had been a witness, and
gave expression to his implicit hopes for the future, provided the
members of the corporation followed his friend the President in
endeavouring to act up to the spirit of the charter.

The Chairman, in proposing the next toast, said he had to ask them
to drink success to the Veterinary Medical Societies of England.
Their table that evening was honoured by the presence of the Pre¬
sidents of three of those bodies, and to prove the utility of unions
of this kind he had only to bring to mind, what no doubt was fresh in
the memory of many of them, the remembrance of the parent society
that was in existence in their College days, when their indefatigable
preceptor, Professor Morton, was its guiding star, and which,
no doubt, had done much to provoke the thought of establishing
these branches in later days. He (the Chairman) had had the privi¬
lege of being present at one of the meetings of the North of England
Association at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and also at one at Man¬
chester, when Mr. Lawson brought before the members of the Lan¬
cashire Society his very able paper upon Tetanus ; and although the
scientific facts elicited upon these occasions were of immense value,
still the utility of these meetings extends further, by bringing
together, in friendly intercourse, the members of a district, dispelling
the little coolnesses that might otherwise exist, giving opportunities
for consultation, business arrangements, and other details, that all
tend to cement men together in one common cause. He hoped that
a Midland Counties Association might be formed ; not that it was
needed in this town on the score of unity ; for he thought that
Birmingham rivalled any town in England for the kindly feeling of its
practitioners. At that moment there were no less than six members
out of the seven present, and the absentee had by letter expressed

PRESIDENT^ BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM. 803

his regret at being detained by urgent professional business. He was
glad to have the opportunity of expressing his deep sense of grati¬
tude for the uniform consideration that be bad always received
from the bands of bis brother practitioners. He would propose
success to the “Veterinary Medical Associations of England/’ and
the health of Mr. E. 0. Dray, of Leeds ; Mr. Greaves, of Man¬
chester ; and Mr. Hunting, of South Hetton.

Mr. Edward Colmon Dray said — For the very kind manner in
which his health had been proposed as President of the Yorkshire
Veterinary Medical Association, lie begged to tender his best thanks.
The chairman, in wishing continued success to Veterinary Medical
Associations, had expatiated in such an able manner on the ad¬
vantages derivable from these societies, that it was needless for him to
add but a few observations. The object of these associations is the
advancement of our profession, and he firmly believed the founda¬
tion of them is now correctly and permanently laid, and hence will
follow the sure and gradual extension of the superstructure. The
periodical meeting together of the members of our profession must
necessarily be productive of good ; there now exists a bond of union
which was much required before these associations were established.
They have a tendency to check backbiting or ill-natured remarks, and
the oftener we meet, we not only become better acquainted with each
other, but the constant interchange of opinions, stating the results of
our different modes of practice, will inevitably bring not only lore to
the mind, but raise our status. He felt certain that the time
would come when any one would feel ashamed if he had to acknow¬
ledge that he was not a member of a Veterinary Medical Associa¬
tion. He therefore advised, not only that those who are not members
be enrolled, but an extension, or formation of more associations in
other counties. The power and support these associations may be
able to give the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Sur¬
geons of England, no one can foresee. As Mr. Greaves and Mr.
Hunting will address you on the same subject, I beg leave, in con¬
clusion, to state that since I have had the honour of being President
of the Yorkshire Association perfect unanimity and harmony have
marked our meetings.

Mr. J. Sampson Gamgee , in proposing “The Boards of Examiners
of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,” expressed regret that
neither Professor Gamgee, senior, nor Professor John Gamgee, had
been able to absent themselfes from Edinburgh to share the enjoy¬
ment and honour of that evening’s entertainment. I cannot but
feel (Mr. Gamgee continued) that it would most probably have been
impossible to propose this toast but for the action of our President.
I do not mean by his invitations to this splendid banquet ; but
by his influence, first, as an independent member of the body corpo¬
rate, and subsequently as a member of Council in securing scope for
the operation of the Scotch, as well, as the English, Board of
Examiners. The northern Board, be it remembered, had practically
ceased to exercise its functions for some years before the annual
meeting of 1858, when Mr. R. L. Hunt asserted and maintained
the right of every member to discuss the report of the Council,

804

PRESIDENTS BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

The feeling which our President then initiated soon resulted in the
emancipation of veterinary education from fetters which had all but
fatally paralysed the corporate life, by Royal Charter, given to the ve¬
terinary profession. I make this allusion solely as a matter of historical
interest, for nothing is further from my intention than to revive the
memory of struggles happily past. I, for one, feel that great and
ennobling as is the pleasure experienced in contention for great
principles, it must yield to the enjoyment of a spirit of conciliation,
once the battle is over, and the object won. Nevertheless, dis¬
passionately and impartially, do the events of history require to be
called to mind for present instruction and future guidance ; and it is
because the period and events to which I am now referring are full of
interest to the body corporate of which, in common with yourselves,
I have the honour of being a member, that I trace this retrospect,
and take a glance at its causes and probable results. So long as the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons obtained its candidates for
membership from two schools, of which one headed a schism of
the young profession, and the other pursued a scarcely less disas¬
trous plan of action, our Council was under such coercion, that in¬
dependent action was out of the question. That anomalous state of
things ceased, once and for all, with the incorporation of the New
Veterinary College of Edinburgh; for by that Royal Act the mono¬
poly of the schools was destroyed. You will, I am sure, gentlemen,
pardon me in referring to the course adopted by my brother,
Professor John Gamgee, at the critical period to which I am allud¬
ing. With the example before him of the old schools, and examin¬
ing their policy to the profession, he felt that it was high time a
new path should be struck out. The difficulties seemed insur¬
mountable, and the temptation to avoid some of them was great,
but he never swerved from the straight course in endeavouring to
advance veterinary education, and to consolidate and foster the cor¬
porate interests of the profession. How far these objects have been
attained, it is not for me to judge, but the words of the toast, and
the presence amongst us of two distinguished members of the
Scotch Board of Examiners, remind me that, at any rate, with
the incorporation of the New Veterinary College, the great object
was gained of establishing our corporate profession on the sound
basis of a plurality of schools awakened to the pressing necessity
of self-preservation by the healthy stimulus of unrestricted compe¬
tition. Nevertheless, it cannot be doubted that some at least of
the professors continued to cherish the idea that the charter gives
no power to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to interfere
with veterinary education ; this is certainly true in the sense that
the President and Council have no right of interference within the
precincts of the existing schools, but it is equally true that our
Boards of Examiners are unfettered in the exercise of their discre¬
tion as to the standard of competency to qualify for admission to
membership, and as to the process by which it is to be tested. I
am of opinion that when this latitude of examining power shall be
duly understood, your Council and their specially appointed ex¬
amining officers, will powerfully stimulate veterinary education

PRESIDENTS BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

805

and increase the activity of rival schools to fit their pupils for the
standard appointed by the constitutional representatives of the
profession. When it is desired to improve a breed of animals, or
an agricultural operation, exhibitions are organized, prizes offered,
and judges appointed to award them. Reliance is placed on the
spirit of rivalry, and on the ambition to excel, implanted in the
human breast, and the result in practice amply supports the propo¬
sition, that if a reward or distinction be offered for an improved
article, efforts will be made to produce it in direct proportion with
the magnitude and importance of the prize offered. The work
must necessarily be of slow development ; but provided the exami¬
nations were so framed as to elicit knowledge of the right kind, I
have no doubt that in a very few years the effect in the schools
would be most perceptible. Much as it is to be desired that the
more essentially scientific part of the educational course be better
cultivated, great care must be taken not to neglect those useful, and
mistakenly termed humbler branches, without which the stock of
professional knowledge cannot be complete. By all means let a
candidate for the diploma be versed — the more profoundly the
better — in anatomy, physiology, and the allied sciences, but very
good care must be taken that he is soundly informed on such great
and fundamental subjects as lameness in horses, and the domestic
management of cattle in health and disease. The laudable desire
to raise the profession, and to be esteemed gentlemen, has, I fear,
misled some well-intentioned but narrow-minded persons, who have
taught young men that, by taking off their coats and soiling their
hands, they would lower their dignity. Such men have mistaken
their vocation. As a surgeon, I deem myself bound to do every¬
thing, for even the poorest of my hospital patients, that can contri¬
bute to the cure of disease or to the relief of pain. What more
ennobling after aspiring to the comprehension of nature’s highest
truths, than to practise the great teaching of nature in all her
works — completeness in every detail — neglect of nothing, however
seemingly trivial, that can contribute to the attainment of the end in
view. It is this knowledge of detail and thoroughness in practice,
as well as acquirement in learning, that it is to be hoped that the
Boards of Examiners maybe instructed by our Council to test more and
more fully, and to stimulate the cultivation of. Happily we may
be quite confident that, in whatever measure the Boards of Ex¬
aminers of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for England
and Scotland can help the progress of veterinary education, and of
our corporate interests, they will never be found wanting, so long
as they are composed of such distinguished men as those who now
form part of them. Mr. President and gentlemen, I have much
pleasure in proposing “The Boards of Examiners,” and to couple
with it the name of my friend Mr. Lawson.

Mr. Lawson , on rising, said — I regret that you have not coupled
the name of my friend on my right, Mr. Cartledge, with the health
of the Court of Examiners, as I am sure he would have been able
to respond to it much more efficiently than myself. This is more

806

PRESIDENT^ BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

particularly necessary on the present occasion, after the very eloquent
and discursive manner in which the toast has been proposed by
Mr. Gamgee. I certainly am of opinion with Mr. Gamgee, that
the progress of our profession in a great measure, if not entirely,
depends on the degree of education and general intelligence existing
among its members ; and that the united efforts of the various
schools, together with those of the Council and the Boards of
Examiners, are more than ever necessary to achieve and maintain
this most desirable result. Reference has been made to the relations
existing between the Examining Boards, the Council, and the schools.
Now I think these are pretty well defined. The duties of the
examiners are simply those calculated to elicit the amount of pro¬
fessional knowledge which it is expected a student ought to possess,
to qualify him to practise the veterinary art successfully, and to see
that the public, as well as the profession, is protected against the
mischievous results that would ensue, were improperly 'educated
men allowed to practise, with the authority of the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons. It is indeed a source of much regret,
that the curriculum of study at present enforced at our schools
should be so limited, as to prevent the Examining Boards looking
for more practical knowledge from the candidates who present
themselves ; but I trust the day is not far distant when a more en¬
lightened era will be inaugurated, by the introduction of a more
thoroughly practical and extended course of study. I am sure my
fellow-examiners will coincide with me as to the urgent desirability
of this step, for nothing strikes us more forcibly at these examina¬
tions, than the need there is for improvement in those branches of
knowledge which are essentially of a practical character. Let it
not be understood for a moment that I wish to detract from the
value of those more scientific studies on which our profession is
based. On the contrary, I think their value cannot be overrated ;
but, at the same time, theory must be judiciously combined with
practice, science with utility, and the functions of the brain with
the use of the hands. Therefore, gentlemen, in returning you my
most sincere thanks, and those of my coadjutors in the Courts of
Examination, let me assure you that the welfare of the profession
is ever before us, when we assume the responsible functions with
which we have the honour to be invested ; and if any proof of
this were necessary, I need only point to the sacrifice of time we
can so ill afford to make when fulfilling those important duties.

Mr. Edward Colman Dray, on rising, remarked that the toast
that had been intrusted to him deserved more eloquence than he
possessed, and he also begged to state that he was unaware, on
entering that room, that he should have either to propose or respond
to a toast ; ergo, this circumstance must be his apology for the
few very crude and disconnected remarks that he had to offer. He
certainly could not help feeling highly flattered by having the
honour of what may certainly be considered the toast of the evening
intrusted to his care. He was sure the language of Cicero or De¬
mosthenes could not do justice in expressing how much we are

PRESIDENTS BANQUET IN BIRMINGHAM.

807

indebted to our worthy President and the Council for their indefatig¬
able exertions in the cause of our profession ; their sacrifice of time
and money demands our best thanks and gratitude. The Council
did honour to themselves when they elected Mr. Hunt as their
President ; they must all coincide with him they could not have
chosen a gentleman better qualified to fulfil the duties ; he not only
possesses the suaviter in modo , but the for titer in re. He felt cer¬
tain that the interests of the profession will progress under his
judicious management ; words are inadequate to express his high
opinion of his capabilities. The recherche entertainment presented
by the excellent President to them this evening must be felt by all
as a most graceful compliment, which he was sure was highly appre¬
ciated. The kind and hospitable manner in which he has treated
his friends this night will make it long remembered. They had
had proof this evening of the combination of his qualities in a social
as well as a professional view — his ability to preside over a feast of
reason or a flow of soul ; and he trusted they would join him
heartily in wishing long life, happiness, and success to our President,
and the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Mr. Hunt replied that he deeply felt the kind words and earnest
manner of his friend Mr. Dray, but was sorry to say that he had
greatly overrated his powers and his merits. In the course of his
speech he had alluded to the compliment paid to them by the invi¬
tation that evening. He (Mr. Hunt) begged them to believe that
the compliment was on their side, not his. When he looked round
that table, and saw visitors who travelled hundreds of miles to be
present on that occasion, he might well feel proud to think that he
had such a claim upon them as to induce gentlemen, all of whom
were actively engaged in professional pursuits, to, at great loss of
time, personal inconvenience, and expense, throw aside all these
considerations, and honour him with their company. There needed
no further evidence than this of the value of continuing these social
gatherings so worthily commenced by Mr. Field, as alluded to at a
previous period this evening. He (Mr. Hunt) was not egotistical
enough to look upon this as a personal compliment; it was one paid
to the office that he had the honour to hold. It needed no blandish¬
ments of his (so flatteringly portrayed by Mr. Drav) to make these
meetings popular, and he was selfish enough to wish that occasions
of this kind were more frequent in the profession than they are. From
the kind words expressed, and from the look of his friends around,
he was induced to believe that no man would leave that room with
a worse opinion of his neighbour than when he entered it, and that
acquaintances had been made, and friendships formed, that he
hoped would be limited only by their lives. Before sitting down,
lie would again harp upon that string that he always touched when
an opportunity occurred ; and if they really respected the Presiden¬
tial chair and the Council as much as the hearty reception of the
toast implied, pray let them show it in other ways — support the
Council more numerously at the annual meetings in May, and have
a voice in sending to that body men who will do their duty in that

808

OBITUARY.

assembly, and honour the profession. lie begged to thank them
sincerely for the Council and himself.

The concluding toasts were — “ The Metropolitan Practitioners and
Mr. Field,” proposed by Mr. Cartledge , responded to by Mr.
Field ; “ The Provincial Practitioners and Mr. Stanley of Birming¬
ham and Mr. Broad of Bath,” spoken to by Mr. Field , and
acknowledged by Mr. Broad and Mr. Stanley ; “ The Vice-Chair¬
man,” by Mr. J. C. Broad, with reply from Mr. J. Sampson
Gamgee. The meeting was most fittingly brought to a close in an
admirable little speech from Mr. J. B. Henderson, under whose care
the President had placed “ The Ladies.”

a iv r i ' . ' y * ! ' ' ■ ."* * * i * ■

BEQUESTS TO THE ROYAL VETERINARY

COLLEGE.

We have much pleasure in announcing that the following
bequests have just been made to the Royal Veterinary Col¬
lege :

By B. Botfield, late M.P. for Ludlow, twenty guineas,
being the amount of a life subscription.

By Captain Randall, late of Tooting, £1000.

, . , K . ***--•• .

MISCELLANEA.

IMPOUNDING OF CATTLE.— DEFECT IN THE ACT.

At the Banbury Petty Sessions, last week (September
30th), the district surveyor having summoned several persons
whose cattle he had impounded, with a view to recover the
penalty of £3 in each case, it was discovered that the amended
Act of last session, while enacting that the owner of stray
cattle should be liable to fine, had entirely repealed the only
clause in the old Act which gave authority for impounding
them, and had omitted to re-enact it. The cases were, con¬
sequently, dismissed.

OBITUARY.

Died recently, Mr. Robert Ousey, Ashton-under-Lyne.
His diploma bears date May 31st, 1843.

THE

VETERINARIAN.

VOL. XXXVII.
No. 444.

DECEMBER, 1864.

Fourth Series.
No. 120.

Communications and Cases.

A CASE OF UNUSUAL DISEASE OF THE LUNGS
AND CHIEF ARTERIAL TRUNKS.

By Robert Littleii, V.S., Long Clawson/ Melton Mowbray.

October 1th , 1864.

Dear Sir, — I forward for your inspection a piece of a
mare’s lung, and the left side of her heart. I also send you
the following brief history of the case :

Sometime in July of the present year, a fine cart-mare,
rising four years old , belonging to Mr. Orson, of Harby, was
observed to be losing flesh, to feed badl}r, to breathe quickly,
and to sweat and tire more than usual while at work. At
first the persons having the care of her attached’no import¬
ance to these circumstances, as they considered they were
connected with some temporary defect of the molar/teeth,
and as such she continued in work, which was easy,"until|tlie
evening of the 3rd of September, when she was submitted
to my examination. On this day whilst at work she trem¬
bled very much, and manifested more than usual weakness, as
also a great difficulty in breathing ; she was also heard to cough
occasionally.

I found the mare apparently in fine condition, full of flesh,
sleek in her coat, and possessing an animated appearance.
Her skin and extremities were warm ; the mucous membranes
healthy in appearance, and the mouth moist and of a natural

xxxvii. 52

810 DISEASE OF THE LUNGS AND CHIEF ARTERIAL TRUNKS.

temperature. The pulse was 62 in the minute, full, but soft and
regular. The respiration was, however, greatly accelerated,
being not less than 56 in the minute, but the inspirations and
expirations, as to time of performance, were equal, that is,
each occupied the same period. Nothing remarkable was
observed in either the alvine or urinary evacuations. Auscul¬
tation of the chest afforded decisive evidence of disease. On
either side the vesicular murmur was scarcely audible, whilst
the bronchial respiration, although exceedingly feeble, might
be distinctly heard in every region. Percussion elicited a
clear sound from every accessible part of the chest. The
heart was regular in its action ; but there was an evident
weakness in its impulse, and its healthy sounds had been
replaced by a single sound — a murmur much resembling a
strong puff.

A soft diet was ordered, diuretic and alterative medicine
given, and a strong blister applied to the breast. From the 3rd
to the 12th the mare's appetite improved considerably, and she
was seldom heard to cough; nevertheless, her breathing was
not observed to undergo any change whatever. On the
latter-named day, however, her appetite began to fail, and
her breathing became more accelerated and also irregular.
It was 65 and sometimes 72 in the minute, while each expi¬
ration was attended with a faint grunt. The pulse was
smaller and more frequent, numbering 66 in the minute.
It was, however, neither intermittent nor irregular. The
chest still gave a hollow sound on percussion, and the bron¬
chial respiration was better developed, being somew'hat
rougher and stronger. The heart's impulse and murmur had
suffered no change. The mucous membranes retained a
healthy colour, and the skin and extremities continued warm.

26th. — There has been rapid wasting of flesh during the
last ten days. The appetite is now gone, and the mucous
membranes have become of a pale colour. The pulse is
72, small and jerking. The respiration numbers 76 in a
minute. The heart, even now, acts regularly, but its impulse
is more feeble, and its murmur consists simply of a faint
whiff, scarcely audible. The mare has never been down
during her illness. She continued until the morning of
the 4th of October, when she expired.

Post-mortem examination. — Four tumours possessing a glo¬
bular form, and differing but little in magnitude — each being
about the size of a cricket-ball — were found at the root of
the mesentery. They w ere in close contact with each other, as
also with the spine, and the large blood-vessels of the intestines.
On cutting into them. I found that they consisted of a pale-

DISEASE OF THE LUNGS AND CHIEF ARTERIAL TRUNKS. 811

yellow substance, which was easily broken up into a pulpy
mass. The material was soft in the centre, and contained a
little calcareous matter in a granular form scattered through

it.

When the cavity of the chest was opened the lungs
collapsed but very little. They had a dark mottled appear¬
ance, were also much enlarged, almost filling up the whole
interior of the chest ; besides which they were consolidated
throughout. The cause of this consolidation was apparently
the same in every part of the lungs as in the piece sent
you. The pericardium and the exterior of the heart pre¬
sented nothing unusual; but the interior of the left auricle
and ventricle — as you will notice — exhibited a very rare ap¬
pearance. The serous membranes of these cavities appa¬
rently contains a deposit of calcareous matter, and a similar
deposit was found to exist throughout the posterior aorta and
the external and internal iliac arteries, and also throughout
the anterior aorta and the right and left anterior innominata.
The serous membrane of the pulmonary veins showed the
same morbid condition as that which you will observe in
the serous membranes of the left auricle. The right side of
the heart furnished no indications of disease.

This case is to me one of an uncommon form of disease.
It undoubtedly has had a constitutional origin. Is the dis¬
ease of the lungs cancerous in its nature ? Are the circu¬
latory organs loaded with atheromatous deposit undergoing
chemical change ? I should be glad to know your opinion
as to the nature of the morbid condition of the parts, and
to have any remarks you may make on the case.

I am, &c.

To Professor Varnell.'

REMARKS ON THE ABOVE CASE BY PROEESSOR YARNELL.

The case to which the preceding letter refers is closely
allied to two, the particulars of which were published in the
May number of the Veterinarian for the present year. They
are similar, not only as far as the nature of the disease is con¬
cerned, but also as regards the age of the several animals
affected. The symptoms likewise, in each of these cases, both
in the progress of the disease and its duration, were very much
the same, a circumstance we cannot be surprised at when we

consider their close identitv.

%!

I believe the disease to be cancerous in its nature, and that
in all probability it had its origin primarily in the lymphatic
glands of the mesentery, from whence its germs found their

81

o

.'W'

DISEASE OF THE LUNGS ANI) CHIEF ARTERIAL TRUNKS.

way into the circulation, and were thus carried to the lungs
and diffused throughout their substance. Numerous col¬
lections of these cells being thus formed, they by their rapid
growth and multiplication eventually involved the whole
of the lung-tissue, obliterating the air-cells, either by pressure
from without or by filling them up internally, thereby
destroying the lungs as breathing organs. When this
abnormal process was completed to an extent incompatible
with the functions for which air is admitted to the lungs,
death necessarily took place.

The development of this disease must have been so con¬
tinuous and steady that, could its existence have been deter¬
mined during the life of the animal, I can fancy that its rate
of growth might almost have been ascertained by the gradual
increase in the number of respirations per minute ; for, as the
capacity of the lungs to admit air became less, so would the
respiration be in proportion quickened, to compensate for
the loss of their aerating surface. In supposing that the
same pathological changes in the structure of important
organs like the lungs would be accompanied with nearly the
same symptoms, allowance, of course, must be made for
variations in the age and condition of the animal affected, as
well as the temperature in which he is placed and the
management which has been observed towards him, circum¬
stances which ought always to be considered when the
symptoms of similar diseases are compared one with another.

There is one point in which the disease of the lungs in
Mr. Littler’s case slightly differs from that described in the
May number of the Veterinarian , viz., that in the centre of
most of the little masses of diseased deposit which pervade
the substance of the lungs a few granules of calcareous
matter were found, giving to these spots a yellowish aspect.
I am inclined to think, however, that this peculiarity is
simply the result of the disease in this case being in a more
advanced stage; local circumstances having favoured a con¬
tinuance of life for a little longer period.

This case is also rendered the more interesting from the
fact that, in addition to the abnormal state of the lungs and
mesenteric glands, the left side of the heart and the blood¬
vessels connected therewith were affected with a disease
which, although apparently dissimilar from that existing
in the lungs, I am inclined, nevertheless, to think was
closely allied to it.

Mr. Littler has referred to this affection, and described it
as atheromatous, which designation to a very great extent I
agree with. Without doubt it is one of the stages of the

DISEASE OF THE LUNGS AND CHIEF ARTERIAL TRUNKS. 813

disease known as atheroma which is so frequently met with
in the inner coats of the arteries. The inner surface of
the left side of the heart, aorta, and its divisions, for about
ten inches from the base of the heart, were found to be
extensively covered with a deposit of earthy matter. Mr.
Littler considers this deposit to be beneath the lining mem¬
brane, but I am led to a contrary opinion from not being
able to detect the slightest trace of membrane upon the free
surface of the calcareous matter, and from the fact of the
vessels conveying arterial blood being only affected. So far
as I am aware, there is nothing in the structure of the coats of
the blood-vessels connected directly with the left side of the
heart in particular which would predispose them to be thus
affected, and consequently one is led to the inference that
the arterial blood either contained a greater amount of effete
material depending upon defective excretion than the
venous blood, or that the rapidity of its flow favoured the
deposit in question. The latter circumstance, however, does
not explain the cretafication of the pulmonary veins. Here
and there I noticed, and more especially on the endocardium ,
some milky looking opaque patches, which had a gristly
consistence, and were studded in places with granules of
earthy matter, as though the animal matter had become
dissolved by disintegration and been carried away by the
stream of blood, leaving the earthy matter behind it. This
hypothesis seems to be borne out, to some extent, by the
appearance of the earthy deposit in several other places,
especially where it was thickest. Here the surface was com¬
paratively rough, and looking as though one part of the
originally deposited matter had been dissolved and removed
from the other, which had been left behind in a granular
form .

I further observed that the slight depressions, as also the
ridges which existed, mostly ran in a longitudinal direction
with the vessel, vhereas the bony plates which are met
with in cases of ossification of the inner surface of the
middle coat of an artery, show lines which take the same
circular course as the fibres of this coat, which to my
mind is an indication that such deposit did not result from
the current of blood in the vessels. If these remarks are
at all feasible, it appears to me that they establish a con¬
necting link between the disease of the mesenteric glands,
the lungs, and that of the blood-vessels and left side of the
heart.

In conclusion, I may add that the nature and peculiarity
of this affection, its steady advance, as also its duration and

814

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

well-marked symptoms, are all points of the greatest interest,
and worthy the consideration both of the pathological anato¬
mist and the practitioner. Although my remarks are brief,
and do not set forth all which I recognised in my investigation,
they may nevertheless tend to excite a desire to examine
more closely these and similar cases which may come under
the notice of the veterinary practitioner.

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.— REPLY

TO MR. WILLIAMS.

Ry T. Greaves, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester, President of the
Lancashire Veterinary Medical Association.

October 8 th, 1864.

Dear Sir,— -If there be one condition which more than any
other makes controversy interesting and instructive, it is the
conducting it in an enlightened manner, and with* an absence
of all desire to gain a victory at the expense of principle ; I
think I can discern this spirit throughout your able reply. The
question upon which we still entertain different opinions is
principally the nature of these diseases ; you deny the heredi¬
tary taint, whilst I still maintain it; and, with a view to
establish my opinion, I beg to offer a few additional argu¬
ments. I do this because I could as soon doubt the exist¬
ence of insanity in a family in which various members have
been known to be idiotic or lunatics, or of scrofula or con¬
sumption in families of which various members have fallen
victims to its certain and fatal influence ; therefore, for the
purpose of arriving at correct data, let us endeavour to divest
the question of everything that may have the semblance of
fallacy. I am not going to say it is a very easy matter to
refute this view of yours, but I do think it is not based upon
sound physiologicalconclusions,and I will tell you why I think
so, and in doing this I could wish that I possessed more ability
and perspicuity to enable me to express myself more tersely
and more forcibly than I amable,for it is in this particular where
the pith or gist of the whole argument exists-— it is here where
the principle is involved. You say all these diseases result
from extraneous causes, and are wholly independent of here¬
ditary predisposition ; whilst I say it is true some few of these
cases do result from excessive violence done to the foot, but
that in by far the majority of them they are constitutional.

LAMINITII5 AND NAVICULAR DISEASE. 815

Now, let us bring sound physiological doctrines to our aid,
and let the first question we ask ourselves be —

What are Hereditary lendencies ?

Medically speaking, it may be proper to define them as
“ a strong proneness in the constitution to assume the same
characteristics that existed in one or both of the parents/*
It will be perceived that this definition will comprise the
mental as well as physical peculiarities, the excellences as
well as the defects in the constitution, as I take it for
granted it is a conceded point that numerous satisfactory
examples can be adduced of excellence and talent as well as
of the weaknesses and vices of the parents being transmitted
to their offspring. Animals may be born free from disease,
but with peculiar textures in certain localities of such imper¬
fect kind as to become morbidly affected by causes which
would produce no effect whatever on limbs or textures
soundly and normally developed. Whenever any special
organisms undergo a change, such, for instance, as bone
becoming soft, or cellular membrane becoming scirrhous,
such changes depend entirely upon organic combination;
some special elements have been withdrawn, or have been
introduced into it ; for aught we know, the carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen, and various earthy matters, have varied in their
proportions, and, been so arranged, that they have created
the developments nature is silently but irresistibly working out,
and this, too, wholly and entirely irrespective of any particular
conformation whatever as a predisposing cause. All physio¬
logists know* that the body I possess to-day is an entirely
different body to that which I possessed a few years ago,
and that every atom of the structures of which this body is
composed to-day will be totally and entirely changed in a
few years hence, if I am still in existence. Decay and repro¬
duction are actions constantly going on in every living body ;
as an apposite example, if you crush your thumb-nail, and
it comes off, you will find in eight or nine months an entire
new nail will have been produced ; it would have been repro¬
duced the same if the old nail had not been crushed off; it is
nature*s process, an inflexible condition of vitality going on
throughout the entire constitution. But what of the idiosyn¬
crasies? They continue to operate in their own secret,
silent, mysterious, but never- varying courses. It is very
questionable to my mind whether any known method of
treatment can possibly prohibit the development or natural
progress of any morbid condition in its legitimate locality ;

816

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

I am strongly impressed with the idea that it is a pre-exist¬
ing germ, as certain as the oak is contained in the acorn.
Nature^s laws are wise; physical defects must assert them¬
selves; the creature has no power to change the inherent
conditions of its nature ; nature can fully accomplish her
task, but she always stops at the limit of her destination ; the
inalienable attribute w?as stamped upon the foetus in utero,
and cannot be forged by human invention.

Acute or chronic diseases, properly speaking, belong to a
different type to those of an hereditary origin : acute diseases
are generally referable to extraneous and violent causes and
are comparatively of short duration ; chronic diseases are
generally referable to the continuance of causes inadequate
in themselves to induce acute diseases, but hereditary dis¬
eases are referable to no apparent cause, they are a natural
condition in the development of the animal. I could illus¬
trate this truth by multitudes of living examples. A mare I
w7as attending the other day for gripes — she is now seven
years old — was born a cripple, so lame of the fore feet and
legs that for several weeks she had to be held up w7hilst she
sucked ; she had spelks, laced boots, and various contrivances
to assist her to stand and walk ; she got to walk straight
and work well, but has never been free from lameness a day.
Her sister, nine years old, has been a cripple ever since three
years old ; their mother was a sad cripple from six months
old, and the grandmother w as also a cripple. There are no
appearances whatever to account for the lameness, only
navicular disease. These were each of them long-legged,
long-jointed animals, the reverse of stunted upright pasterns.
Mr. Pratt, V.S., of Mashan, has kindly furnished me wdth a
number of wrell-authenticated cases of navicular disease being
transmitted to several generations, and where the navicular
bones wTere found, in several instances, to be hollow7, and
an absence of disease in the joint. I also remember a mare
that was shod a great many years at my forge ; she had a
strange unconquerable aversion to be shod; she w^as not
exactly vicious, but it was exceedingly difficult to keep her
foot; all her colts had the same propensity, exactly the same
knack of getting their feet from the smith, and the same
aversion to be shod.

In the second place, let us inquire into the particular
tissues affected.

What is Laminal Tissue ?

It is that extremely highly organized structure which
connects the coffin-bone to the hoof; one of the most vas-

LAMINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

817

cular and highly sensitive tissues in the whole body. This
condition I presume you concede ; then I go on a step
further, and lay down the principle which I believe all
physiologists are agreed upon, that the rapidity with which
intense inflammatory action destroys the vitality of tissue is
in an exact ratio with that tissue being in a high or low
state of organization. Are we agreed upon this point? If so,
we will proceed to the next step, and put the third question.

What is Inflammation , and its results ?

Inflammation may be said to be perverted natural action, —
congested capillary system in the part affected — causing
swelling, heat, redness, and pain ; the results or terminations
are resolution, suppuration, ulceration, tumefaction, and
mortification. Now, it has been my lot to be daily occupied
with cases of lameness during the last thirty years, having
had four forges during a considerable period of that time. I
have been constantly engaged with lame horses, suffering from
sandcracks, treads, bruises, crushes, pricks, nail-bounds, &c.,
(Sic., and it has been an everyday occurrence to witness the pro¬
gress, step by step, of the phenomena of inflammation proper.
Nothing can be more familiar to a veterinary surgeon with
large shoeing experience than lame horses, some from in¬
juries with nails; let us take this case for our illustration.
The point of the nail penetrates and wounds the highly
organized tissues, or it may be two or three nails have thick
holds, and bind upon these sensitive laminae. What is the
result? Pain, lameness, inflammation, — inflammation proper.
And what follows ? This natural high state of vascularity is
intensified, the inflammation runs its stages rapidly ; in three
days suppuration has taken place. Exhaustion of vitality
and death of these highly organized tissues follows, not so
much because they are between two hard surfaces so much as
owing to their extreme vitality. You rasp the hoof thin, as
thin as tissue paper, opposite to the decaying laminae ; you
remove it, and give exit to the imprisoned matter, and there
you find that the laminae contiguous to the wounded portion
are all dead and decaying from inflammation, and also a small
portion of bone exfoliating. These are evidences that cannot
be disputed as pure results of true inflammation ; it is what
practical experience teaches. Allow the decaying tissues to
slough away, and all is soon well ; but in this severe
inflammatory action, the true nature of which is positive
and cannot be controverted, we have had no laminitis
proper, or exudation. We will next inquire —

818

LA3VJ INITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

Do the same Phenomena attend Laminitis ?

We have pain — intense, excruciating pain — but there is an
absence of the natural law or phenomenon accompanying and
attendant upon true inflammation or inflammation proper ;
or else we must have, as an inevitable consequence, the neces¬
sary result — it is a natural process. We must have pus form
all around the foot, decay, destruction, and sloughing of the
laminae in every severe case; this result we could not help;
everyday facts show us the truth of this theory. In those
cases of laminitis where the disease rages with the utmost

intensity we never have the true terminations of inflammation
•/

resulting; we have debility in the sentient vessels, bulging of
the inferior surface of the bone ; effusion. A train of processes
are set up, but none of them resemble those attendant upon
true inflammation. We will now inquire —

If Laminitis is not Inflammation , what is it?

I have endeavoured to show that it is not attended with the
same phenomena that attend true inflammatory action ; I be¬
lieve, with that distinguished teacher Professor Spooner, that
it is to all intents and purposes belonging to the rheumatic
class of disease, and I also believe that it is essentially of here¬
ditary origin. You call my attention to “ a severe case of
laminitis, which after a few hours of suffering, passes off/* Do
you believe that most severe inflammatory action can take
place in such a tissue as this, and quit it radically upon the
instant ? No ; let me tell you, in such a case as the one
you mention, if there is no obvious cause of it, such as new
tight shoes, &c., I take it for granted it is a proof of morbid
susceptibility and defective condition of the feet. Can you
say that it is not a precursor, or is incompatible with the exist¬
ence of disease in the feet in one form or another ? We must
not be over-confiding ; disease is delusive ; in a few weeks the
same symptons occur again; it is intermittent; in a proba¬
tionary state. Depend upon it, it is a temporary cropping out
of a permanent defect; it is at all times critical; it is por¬
tentous. I have no sympathy with the philosophy which
looks with complacency upon an ominous symptom, although
it may be, on this occasion, temporary, as indicating a defect,
and allowing it to drift on to permanence. To me such an
instance would intimate a tangible, apparent constitutional
defect, although of an unsettled existence. We will now
ask ourselves the question —

LAMINIT1S AND NAVICULAR DISEASE,

819

What is Rheumatism ?

This disease is not, strictly speaking, peculiar to itself. It
partakes of, and is confounded in some of the characteristics
of inflammation. It partakes of both the acute and chronic
form, but its attacks are always confined to the white fibrous

j *

tissues. Its great distinctive peculiarity is its remarkable
migratory or oscillatory characteristic, and it is conceded by
all pathologists to have a constitutional ,if not an hereditary,
origin ; it differs from inflammation in its nature, not being
reducible or removed by the same treatment, neither is it
the same in its terminations, scarcely ever producing suppu¬
ration or destruction of the tissues attacked. The most reliable
knowledge we can acquire of its nature and effects is from
our fellow-man who may be the victim to it; he can tell us with
almost unerring certainty when a change in the weather is
about to take place. The morbid susceptibility of the affected
tissues are so acute and delicate as to be acted upon by con¬
ditions which are wholly inappreciable to our senses ; but to
assume that the increase or decrease of pain and lameness is
caused by the change of the weather, or to some slight dis¬
ordered state of the digestive organs, is, to my mind, very
inconclusive indeed. I am rather inclined to the opinion
that the one primary cause — whether it be a peculiar electrical
state of the atmosphere, or whatever else it may be — that
brings about the change in the weather, affects in like
manner man and animal that is the subject of this peculiar
disease.

Is Navicular Disease of an Inflammatory Nature ?

I have studied carefully the character of navicular disease — •
its stealthy, subtle progress; its concealed advances. I have
seen it in foals and in colts unshod. In others it has
made itself patent during breaking. In plenty of cases I have
felt quite satisfied that no injury to the joint or laceration of
the fibres of the tendons had taken place; no laceration
of fibre could possibly have ever occurred, but simply and
purely a radically defective condition of the bones, and the liga¬
ments connecting the bones together. The theory of rubbed-
off cartilage is very ingenious ; but I have seen colts perfectly
free from lameness or navicular disease, and whose navicular
bones were covered with the small nodules of bone of the size
of millet-seeds you speak of, in which there was a perfect
absence of inflammation. In all cases of navicular disease you
have stiffness and rigidity of the ligaments, and in many cases

820

LA.MINITIS AND NAVICULAR DISEASE.

disease in the interior of the bone. In some few, as you
very correctly observe, ulceratibn of the surface exists ; this
latter state may be the result of severe compression or con¬
cussion, but I do not believe it is necessarily so. In the
next place, let us examine the —

Post-mortem Evidence .

In 1855, when I wrote my former papers on laminitis, I
made numerous examinations of feet affected with this dis¬
ease. During the interim I have never ceased to feel a deep
interest in the subject, and have frequently procured the feet of
some familiar cripple after death ; and now, again, during the
last six months I have selected at the knackers' yards about
a dozen of the worst cases of convex feet, and carefully ex¬
amined them: and what do I find? Do I find evidences of
destroyed laminae at some former period, the hoof or sole
attached to the bone by some scirrhous structures in the
place of laminae? No, nothing of the kind; I find beau¬
tiful, fine, delicate laminae, perfect to all appearance. There
is, however, in every case, outside the horny laminae, —
between it and the crust — a defective state of horn, like an
extensive seedy toe, but besides this there is a wasting of the
bone; I never have seen a case in which the bellying out, or
bulging, of the under surface of the coffin-bone was not the
most prominent characteristic, and the bone very much
roughened upon its anterior and superior surfaces. That
beautiful arch, described by Mr. Gaingee, at page 78 of
the Veterinary Review , has been broken down. The horny
sole and the bony structure, having become defective in firm¬
ness, have yielded to superincumbent pressure. I refer
you to the paper I have alluded to, also to page 20 5,
and all the other papers on the foot by the same author,
as being the best productions in our own literature. In
my examinations into the navicular joint of numbers of well-
known old cripples, cases that all experienced practitioners
would call chronic navicular disease, it has been found that
a morbid state has existed involving the whole of the parts,
causing thickening and stiffness, and general rigidity in the
soft parts, and wasting in the bones. In only a limited
proportion of them have I found evidences of disease having-
existed at all in the outer circumference of the bone itself.

I remain, &c.

To W. Williams, Esq., Y.S.

821

OBSERVATIONS ON “ SOUNDNESS.”

By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Torquay.

(Continued from p. 695.)

Now and then we meet with a horse "which we suspect to
be labouring under that disease termed by some modern
nosologists navicularthritis.” It is highly important that
we diagnose one of three, or even more diseases, or we shall
most likelv fall in a for a share of odium if we mistake the
disease which the subject of our examination labours under.
If, for example, we see a horse resting or pointing his foot, it
is at once believed by some that the navicular joint is the
seat of disorganization. A second practitioner will affirm
that the joint situated above is the part affected ; while a
third will declare it is a chronic case of laminitis; and a
fourth believes that neither is right, that the pointing is
referable to a small splint which he discovered situated very
posteriorly, and that this small bony growth is the sole cause
of the pointing. We have, no doubt, all been alive to this,
and have watched its progress. In some horses the symptom
has been seen for years, during which time they have worked
hard and well. This, it may be argued, is no proof of the
healthiness of the navicular joint; nor is it any guarantee
that the other structures and parts before mentioned are
respectively the seat of disease ; one thing only is certain,
that the horses have been free from lameness.

These papers being intended to bring out opinions, &c., as
to soundness , they must necessarily fall short of interest as a
work on pathology ; still, they may go some length in adding
to the stock of knowledge which we already possess. A
faithful record of cases as we meet with them in practice
will be of infinite service to all wTho have only had the oppor¬
tunity of practising but fora short time; and it may serve our
purpose if I relate the particulars of a case which recently
occurred, bearing upon this particular symptom — point¬
ing. Although the case may not deserve great merit,
it affords an opportunity of knowing howr those persons
assuming the name of veterinary surgeon without being legally
qualified to possess it, will sometimes treat those who hold
the College diploma.

A few months ago I wfas directed to examine a black
gelding, the property of a gentleman, for an army officer.
The horse wTas a hunter. When I went to the box in

822

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

which the horse was tied I was just in time to see the
near fore foot in advance of the body, some twelve or four¬
teen inches. The voice of the groom, together with the
noise of opening the upper door, caused the animal to with¬
draw the foot quickly ,&but not sufficiently so, as I had caught
sight of it. I made no remark, but put the animal under
examination. During the trial I fancied he stepped short
occasionally; this I mentioned to both the seller and buyer.
As a last test, I rode him about the street; sometimes he
trotted decidedly lame, at others he seemed sound. A dif-
ficulty having arisen, I informed the two gentlemen what I
had observed before the horse left the stable. The owner,
distinctly asserted that he had never seen the horse point
his foot during the six months he had been his property,
and that he would give a warranty to the effect that
the horse had not been lame while in his possession.
The purchaser replied that he employed me to examine the
horse with a view of dispensing with warranties ; moreover,
he declared that he would not take the horse unless I recoin-
mended him to do so.

I requested that more time might be allowed in the exami¬
nation,, in order that I might again see the horse in a box-
stall. This was agreed to, and in the course of ten minutes
the same foot was advanced as before, which both gentlemen
witnessed. This rather staggered the seller, who, of course,
declared, as before, that he had never known any defect to
exist in the horse. A small splint was present, which
took its course behind the suspensory ligament, and which I
believed explained the symptoms. The horse was pur¬
chased, and carried the officer well for some months (twelve
weeks), when one day he met with an accident in jumping
over a fence, the near foot coming down among some large
loose stones, which caused much pain and lameness; so bad
was he that it was with difficulty he was walked home.
This being between thirty and forty miles from my resi¬
dence, a “ vet.” who does not hold the College diploma was
summoned to attend the animal at once.

Mr. “ Veterinary Surgeon” carefully examined the foot,
and was of opinion that a fracture had occurred to one of the
bones ; at which the owner became alarmed, and was de¬
sirous of having a second opinion. The “vet.” used the
c£ speedy-talking-wires,” and ordered another of his metal to
attend the summons, and to sit in conclave upon the case of
fracture.

The consultation between these wise men of the north

OBSERVATIONS ON SOUNDNESS.

823

lasted sufficiently long to enable them to agree that a frac¬
ture had taken place.

Three or four days afterwards, so I was informed, the horse
became comparatively sound, to the astonishment of the
resident “vet.,” who had been extremely attentive to his
patient, when all at once he came to the conclusion that
the case was some chronic affair, which he had made out
against the horse and against me .

It appears that this practitioner had made inquiries rela¬
tive to the animal, and learned that once upon a time he had
suffered lameness ; but being somewhat at sea as to the
true nature of this, and being desirous, of course, of
placing the onus upon my broad shoulders , he wrote a long
letter to the officer, detailing all he had heard with reference
to the black gelding. The owner became perplexed, and I
was favoured with a sight of the animal, in order to set the
matter right, as he asserted. I found the foot had been
reduced in size; the wall was fully one inch shorter than the
other; the sole had been pared extremely thin; all very
good treatment in his mode of practice, I dare say. And to hide
the effects of his knife he had carefully trimmed the hair
close to the coronary substance, so that the two feet should
be as nearly alike as possible, as he had heard that I was
to see the horse. I inquired of the groom who had exercised
his skill in the wav described, when he told me that it
was Mr. “Veterinary Surgeon.” I found the foot had re¬
ceived considerable compression and concussion during the acci¬
dent; that the anterior portion of the wall had been bruised
and cut through , and had caused injury to the lamellated
structure, which I supposed was the true cause of the exces¬
sive pain witnessed at the time the animal was first seen.
The treatment adopted was counter-irritation, and rest for a
week. While my servant was rubbing the vesicatory on the
coronet a large quantity of pus oozed through the wounded
horn, which was sufficient to show that the soft parts
aforementioned were injured, and not the bone.

In a fortnight the horse was sent to work, and in a month
from the time I saw him he was carrying the officer again
across the country as well as ever. All that unpleasantness and
malpractice, as shown by Mr. “Vet.,” was referable to the
symptom of pointing. It will thus be seen that some care is
required in the examination of the feet, and that hasty
opinions are at once at variance with sound practice.

Navicularthritis (this is an ugly word) is a disease to
be dreaded by owners of horses especially, nor are we at all
times placed in an enviable position with reference to it. We

824

PARTURIENT APOTLEXY IN THE COW.

will suppose a client has employed us to give an opinion as to
soundness, and the animal is believed to be sound, and our
client purchases him : the horse, in all probability, is shod
in our forge, and in the course of a few weeks the animal goes
lame from some cause or other, which, as a matter of course,
has the effect of ruffling the temper of our client, who either
complains that the horse has been improperly shod or that
some mistake had taken place in the examination. In either
case it is an unpleasant position for a veterinary surgeon to
be placed in.

After a careful examination of the limb we come to the
conclusion in our own mind that the navicular joint has suf¬
fered, although we hesitate to advance so much, as the owner
will at once jump to the conclusion that the case is of long
standing, and that an oversight had occurred at the examina¬
tion as to soundness. It is sometimes difficult to make a client
believe the disease in question can be, and often is, produced
in a moment, especially if he learns that the same animal has
at any former period been the subject of lameness in the
same foot. I repeat, it is sometimes difficult to make your
client believe the truth ; there are always, and everywhere,
kind-hearted (?) persons ever ready and willing to put in a
good word for us, as it frequently favours them with an
opportunity of advancing their own opinions to the detriment
of ours.

Navicularthritis may be produced in many ways, viz.,
over-jumping, a slip after a jump, a fall, a jar of any
sort, but more particularly, constant concussion upon irre¬
gular and hard surfaces. Before, however, we speak espe¬
cially of the causes and symptoms of this disease, it may be
wise to take a glance at its history. It is both interesting
and advantageous to do so, as the disease known as navicular¬
thritis in the present day, was supposed to be a different one
altogether, at the beginning of the present century.

( To he conthmecl.)

PARTURIENT APOPLEXY IN THE COW TER¬
MINATING IN PARALYSIS OF ONE THE
HINDER EXTREMITIES.

By W. P. Toll, M.R.C.Y.S., Lichfield.

Case 1. — On the 11th of November, 1 863, I was called
to attend a cow of the short-horn breed, the property of
Mr. Thomas Nicolls, of Fradley, near this place, which had

PARTURIENT APOPLEXY IN THE COW.

825

calved on the morning of the 10th. The presentation was

natural, and the labour an easy one.

/ •/

On my arrival I found the cow down, and in a state of semi¬
consciousness. She was very restless and making frequent
efforts to get up, although unable to stand even when assisted.
In addition to these symptoms the pulse was quick and
feeble ; the eyes staring, lids swollen, conjunctiva highly
injected, and tears running freely down the face. The
breathing was increased and laboured; bowels torpid, with all
the other indications of dropping after calving.

I administered a strong cathartic, combined with Pulv.
Zingib. Jiss et Ammon. Carb. 3iij in gruel ; stimulated the
whole. length of the spine with a liniment of ammonia and
mustard, and had the animal warmly clothed. On leaving I
gave instructions that she should be kept as quiet as possible,
and in eight hours take a second dose of medicine, and have
the liniment again applied to the back.

12th, 8 a.m. — Patient quite prostrate. Pulse scarcely
perceptible ; breathing slow7 and deep ; ears and horns cold ;
eyes closed ; tears flowing freely ; head turned back by her
side, and the tongue hanging out of the mouth. She was
quite unconscious. There was scarcely any milk in the
udder, and no action of the bowels.

I gave Mag. Sulph. gvij, Aloes Bbds. 3j, Pulv. Zingib.
3iss, et Ammon. Carb. ^iij, in gruel, as before, and repeated the
stimulating liniment to the spine. I. also removed the faeces
from rectum and gave an injection, which was subsequently
repeated several times during the next twenty-four hours.
Half-pint doses of brandy were likewise ordered to be given
every three or four hours.

7 p.m. — Still prostrate and unconscious; ears and extre¬
mities warm ; breathing not so deep ; no action of the bowels
excepting what comes away with the clysters. Give half the
dose of the cathartic medicine, and continue the brandy
during the night.

13th, 9 a.m. — Patient looking more favorably. Is able
to hold her head up and notice surrounding objects. She
has also taken some meal and water, and a little bran mash.
The bowels are acting freely and a fair quantity of milk
exists in the udder. The pulse and breathing are less dis¬
turbed, but she is unable to rise. A carminative powder
was administered and repeated at night. A liberal supply of
bran mashes was also ordered.

14th, 1 l a.m. — Patient going on well, but is not able to
get up. The bowels are acting freely, and the appetite as
good as could be desired. There is also a fair supply of
xxxvxi. 53

PARTUKI.KNT A tOVl.JSJC. Y 1NT THK COW.

milk- From this date she progressed favorably ; ate and
drank well, aud milked freely, but did not get up until the
24th, when it was found that she had lost the use of the
near hind leg from paralysis. She hobbled about on the
fetlock-joint with the foot turned back, up to the 23rd of
December, when I was again called to see her. I found on
examination that extensive ulceration had taken place at the

A.

fetlock-joint, and also at the point of the hock, and that
a large abscess was deeply seated in the gluteal muscles.
I advised her being destroyed at once, but it vras some time
before my advice was acted upon, as, strange to say, even
in this pitiable condition, she was yielding sufficient milk for
making eight pounds of butter per week, and absolutely
had laid on flesh.

Case 2. — The patient was a cow of the short-horn breed,
the property of Mr. James Thorniwork, about five miles
from this place, to which I was called on the 15th of March,
1864. I was informed that she had calved the day before,
had had an easy labour, and appeared to be going on well till
this morning, when she got down and could not be made
to rise. She could hold her head up, but not keep it steady.
The eyes had a peculiar stare. The pulse was not much dis¬
turbed. The extremities were cold and the breathing heavy,

A brisk purgative was given combined with Zingib. and
Ammon. Carb. in gruel. Strong liniment of ammonia,
with mustard, was applied to the whole length of spine, and
the body warmly clothed.

8 p.m. — Very little change had taken place. The medicine
was repeated, and also Jhe stimulant to the spine. Half¬
pint doses of brandy were likewise ordered to be given
several times during the night.

16th, 8 a.m. — Patient worse. The head is turned backwards
by the side. The breathing is slow and deep ; tongue hanging
from the mouth ; eyes closed ; ears and horns cold, and no
action of the bowels.

I repeated the medicine, and applied more clothing to the
body, and ordered the brandy to be given every three hours.
I also removed some faeces from the rectum, and threw up a
clyster.

6 p.m. — A decided improvement has taken place. She
holds her head up and is looking more natural. The body
is warm, and she has taken a small quantity of mash and
drunk a little meal and water. The bowels are not respond¬
ing to the medicine, but some soft faeces have come away
with the clysters*

PAR'LTJUKNT APOI'LKW l\ THE COW,

827

Gave Mag. Sulph, lb.ss. with Zingib. and Ammou. Garb.

17th. — I learned this morning that the cow had not been
so well during the night, but had rallied a little towards
morning. She would not, however, take anything. The
extremities were cold ; pulse feeble, and the breathing quick.
The bowels had acted a little.

Gave a carminative dose, and repeated the brandy.

7 p.m. — Patient better ; holds her head up. Has taken a
little scalded hay, and a bran mash. Bowels acting freely.
The quantity of milk increasing. Makes frequent efforts
to get up, but is unable to rise.

Repeated the carminative.

18th, 10 a. m — Going on favorably; bowels acting well;
eats and drinks freely, but is not yet able to get up. The
milk has increased in quantity.

12th, 12 a.m. — Patient is able to get up, but has lost the
use of the near hind leg. She eats and drinks pretty well
and milks freely. Bowels are getting rather costive, and as
such, a laxative dose was given, which was ordered to be
repeated as might be required.

The loss of her limb continuing, her owner soon became
discouraged, as a cowT with a paralysed extremity is not a
very desirable animal to a dairy farmer. I suggested that, as
she was doing so well in other respects and was giving a fair
quantity of milk, she should be kept to fatten the calf, after
which she could be slaughtered if no better. This plan was
determined on; and by the end of May she was so much
improved as to be able to walk out in the field during the
day, but was taken up at night. At this time she was giving
more milk than any other cow in the dairy, which she con¬
tinued to do all through the summer, when she was able
to walk any reasonable distance, but showed a little weakness
of the extremity. Her owner has put her to the bull again,
but with what prudence will be best seen when she calves.

The above cases are recorded rather with a view of calling
forth observations from the profession relative to paralysis of
one of the hind limbs as a sequela of dropping after calving
than anything else. They possess to my mind much interest,
and go far, I think, to establish the true pathology of this
disease.

[We regard these cases as a valuable addition to our accu¬
mulated facts relative to parturient apoplexy in the cow. The
sequelae of this disease are as various as can well be imagined,
and we have ourselves seen cases very analogous to the
one first described. Several instances of sphacelus of

828

CASE OF EXTENSIVE MELANOTIC DEPOSITS.

the mammary gland, and of deep-seated abscesses in the
muscular structure of the limbs, particularly of the hind
ones, which had been greatly pressed upon while the animal
was recumbent and in a comatose condition, have also occurred
in our practice. Cases like these go far, as Mr. Toll rightly
observes, to establish the true pathology of the disease, and
should teach the junior practitioner not to be over-confident
of the animal's ultimate and complete recovery, even when
the apoplectic symptoms yield, and the cow is restored to a
state of consciousness again. Apart, however, from all such
considerations as these, parturient apoplexy must ever prove
a very fatal affection. Death or recovery hangs on a very
slender thread, and chiefly, on the circumstance as to
whether the congested vessels of the brain give way or
not under the pressure which is put upon them. While
coma exists partial stagnation of blood may occur in any
one organ or part of the body, and all the ill consequences
of such a condition of the vascular system will follow, and
be in proportion to the amount and duration of the stagna¬
tion.]

CASE OF EXTENSIVE MELANOTIC DEPOSITS.

By T. Gregory, M.R.C.V.S., Tunbridge.

On April 27th, 1864, my attention was called to a four¬
teen-year-old white gelding^the property of Benjamin Brown,
Esq., of Roughway and Hampton Paper Mills, near this
town. The horse was in good condition, and very handsome
in appearance, but, to quote the words of the horsekeeper,
“ about two years ago a lump, about the size of a walnut,
was noticed on the front of the chest. It had gradually got
larger, although the horse fed and worked as usual until
the lump, from its great size, prevented his wearing his
ordinary collar.”

At the time of my visit the tumour alluded to was of the
size and shape of a large cocoa-nut It was situated just
above the point of the sternum, inclining to the off side. A
careful examination convinced me that it was of a melanotic
character; but, for several reasons, I did not consider the
extirpation of it judicious, even if practicable. 1st, the
age of the patient ; 2ndly, the constitutional nature of the
disease ; and Srdly, that the expense of keep and attendance
before the horse could be worked, even if all went on well.

CASE OF EXTENSIVE MELANOTIC DEPOSITS.

829

would be more than he was worth. The collar was altered,
and iodine and other agents applied locally, but without any
benefit. He was kept at his work, and I saw him only occa¬
sionally. The tumour slightly increased in size, and retained
the oval form, the patient during the time feeding, looking,
and doing well.

September 22nd. — Mr. Brown again consulted me as to
the propriety of removing the tumour, when I expressed my
conviction, that melanotic deposits existed internally, al¬
though even now there was little or nothing to indicate their
presence. After weighing in our minds the chances pro and
con., it was decided to let the horse take his chance, so long
as he did not work in pain.

27th. — I received a hasty summons, as “ my patient had,
after doing some ordinary work, been suddenly attacked with
alarming symptoms. He staggered, refused all food, shivered,
and sweated profusely.” On examination I found all these
symptoms present in an aggravated form; and, in addition,
the visible mucous membranes were blanched, the pulse im¬
perceptible, and every other indication of the animal’s sinking
fast from internal haemorrhage. He was removed to a loose
box, and lived about three and a half hours.

28th. — The post-mortem examination revealed the melanotic
tumour attached to thesternumtoweigfften and a half pounds,
a large quantity of blood in the abdominal and thoracic cavities,
and melanotic deposits within and upon the liver, kidneys,
stomach, intestines, mesenteric glands, heart and lungs. The
walls of the heart were soft and attenuated. The spleen was
enormously enlarged, its shape altered, and its thickness
increased to fully six inches in the centre by these deposits.
On being placed in the scales it was found to weigh no less
than six and a half stones, or fifty-two pounds. The brain
was not examined, as decomposition had set in so rapidly,
and the head and neck had become so much swollen The
carcase emitted an offensive and very unusual odour.

Melanosis is not an uncommon disease, but I have never
met with it in any coloured horse except either gray or white.
Is it always so? The largest spleen I had seen previously
to this was one of twenty-four pounds, taken from an old
white mare, at Arundel, in Sussex, in the year 1835. These
cases show to what a great extent the spleen may become
diseased without interfering either with the natural functions
or the usefulness of the animal, and are in this respect alone
of great interest to the pathologist.

830

THE UNREDRESSED GRIEVANCES OF THE
INDIAN ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS.

Dear Sirs,-— Will you please give insertion to the en¬
closed petition to Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for India
in the Veterinarian , in the hope that it may be the means of
inducing my ill-used professional brothers in India to follow
my example at as early a date as possible ? At the same
time, it is to be remembered that there must be no com «
bination . The petitions will have to be forwarded through
their respective commanding officers in quintuplicate.

1 am,

Yours faithfully,

F. G. Shaw,

Veterinary Surgeon ,

To the Editors of * The Veterinarian /

To the Right Honorable

The Secretary of State for India.

The Rumble Petition of

Veterinary Surgeon F. G. Shaw,

Madras Army.

Showeth — -

1. That your petitioner holds a commission in Her
Majesty’s Veterinary Medical Service, and prays that Her
Majesty’s Royal Warrant dated 1st July, 1859, may be put
into force in India, so as to entitle your petitioner to the
increased rank, pay, and pension, therein granted to vete¬
rinary surgeons.

2. That the Royal Medical Warrant published in 1858,
and subsequently held in abeyance, having been recently
carried into effect in India, your petitioner is emboldened to
pray that the Royal Warrant affecting the veterinary
department dated 1st July, 1859, and cancelled as regards
India by the order of the Governor-General of India,
gazetted Fort William, 3rd April, I860, may also be car¬
ried out.

3. That your petitioner entered the Madras Army on
6th February, 1857, and under the old rules still ranks as
a cornet in the receipt of eight shillings per diem, and must
continue to do so until he has completed ten years’ service ;
whereas, had the Royal Warrant dated 1st July, 1 859, not been
declared inapplicable toFebruary veterinary surgeons inlndia,
your petitioner would have been entitled from the date of
that Warrant to an increase of pay of two shillings per diem

COMMUNICATION FROM MR. MITCHELL. 831

till 6th February, 1862., and from that date to the greater
increase of three shillings and sixpence per diem, so that up
to this time your petitioner has been a loser of about £250
by the order of the Governor-General dated 3rd April, I860,
above quoted.

4. That, besides the loss of pay, your petitioner is also
likely to suffer from loss of rank, as February surgeons of the
Royal Army, according to the Royal Warrant of 1859, take
rank as subalterns on joining, and are eligible for pro¬
motion to the grade of {( first class/’ with the rank of
captain, after five years’ service ; whereas your petitioner
must serve ten years before he can attain the rank of
lieutenant.

5. That promotion on examination under the Royal
Warrant of 1859 has been withheld from your petitioner, as
within the last two years he has on three several occasions
made application for an examination to the Horse Guards,
through his Excellency the Commander in Chief of the
Madras Army, unsuccessfully.

6. That as the Royal Medical Warrant of 1858 has been
carried out with retrospective effect, so the Royal Veterinary
Warrant dated 1st July, 1859, still held in abeyance as far
as Her Majesty’s Indian services are concerned, may in like
manner be carried out with retrospective effect from the date
thereof.

And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

F. G. Shaw,

Veterinary Surgeon , Remount Depot,

Oossoor .

COMMUNICATION FROM MR. MITCHELL, IN
REPLY TO MR. E. C. DRAY.

Leeds ; Nov. 1 Mh, 1864.

Gentlemen, — I shall not trespass upon your space
further than to state that my professional brethren, whom I
have consulted, not only do not agree with the remarks of
Mr. Edward Coleman Dray in your last number, but con¬
sider them impertinent, and even unjustifiable. I may also
state, that they, being members of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons, were not a portion of the happy trio
who did “ not consider me any acquisition to their society.”

I am, Gentlemen,

Yours respectfully.

To the Editors of * The Veterinarian *

REMARKS ON VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSO¬
CIATIONS, AND THE POSITION OE THE
PROFESSION.

By George Poyser, M.R.C.V.S., Ashbourne.

I am tempted to say a word or two respecting the
formation of provincial associations and the position of the
profession, in consequence of some conversation I have
had with a member of the Lancashire Association, and
also from reading the letters in your Journal of Mr.
Dray and Mr. Mitchell of Leeds. The question at issue
between these gentlemen appears to be this — whether men
possessing the Highland Agricultural Society’s diploma,
or rather certificate, ought or ought not to be admitted as
members of these associations? I contend that all the
gentlemen who are practising as veterinary surgeons under
cover of the Highland Society’s certificate have been misled,
if they believe they are legally entitled to the name of
veterinary surgeon. The separation of Professor Dick from
the Body Corporate soon after the obtainment of the Charter,
and the circumstance of the Highland Society acting the
part of a foster-mother to the Edinburgh Veterinary College,
are to be regarded as the cause of the discord which now
exists, and which is }Tearly increasing in our ranks.

I am led to believe that every possible effort has been
made by the different Presidents, as well as by the Council
of the Body Corporate, to remove this objectionable state of
things, but without success. Now, however, that these pro¬
vincial societies are being formed, they too ought to direct
their influence in a proper channel, and thus help to arrest
the continuance of discord. It is not the gentlemen prac¬
tising with the Highland Society’s pseudo diploma against
whom the Body Corporate ought to make a stand, but
against the system which produces them.

I again assert that these gentlemen have been misguided
if they believe they are entitled to the immunities and dis¬
tinctions conferred by the Charter, although the Edinburgh
College and Professor Dick are mentioned therein. The
former is only a recognised school, while the latter can never
be said to constitute a President and Council in himself.
Where, then, exists his right, or the right of the Highland
Society, to elect a court of examiners? It has been said
that Professor Dick only fell back upon his original rights.
Who gave that right? What legally constituted tribunal?

REMARKS ON PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS.

833

To me it appears that Professor Dick, by being a party, of his
own free will to the obtainment of the Charter of Incorpora¬
tion, vested for ever in the Council, elected according to the
provisions of the Royal decree, his power of granting di¬
plomas. The Highland Society may feel great sympathy
with its veterinary professor, grant subsidies to his school,
institute orders of merit, and otherwise encourage scientific
attainments therein, but they too have no right to lead
the young men educated at the college to believe that the
certificate they issue is all that is required for legally con¬
stituting them members of the veterinary profession. It
is high time that the Body Corporate made a stand against
this innovation — this right of its Council. I know of no
other chartered body who would for a day — much more for
a series of years — allow such an infringement of its corporate
rights. But the want of union— a departure from the
motto of our arms — is the great evil of the veterinary Body
Corporate. If the members would individually exert them¬
selves with their Council, wrongs would soon cease to
exist or become visionary ; for with men, so with a cohort
of men, they who respect themselves, or their moral and
legal rights, are, and have them, most respected by others.

I can quite understand the feeling of kindness and con¬
ciliation that would dictate Professor Morton's reply to Mr.
Dray; but the “ diplomas of recognised schools" is but a
vague expression; ,in fact, it has no meaning in the sense I
have taken it to be used, for veterinary schools or colleges in
Great Britain have no right to grant diplomas. Even the
Royal Veterinary College of London is in one respect only a
“ school of instruction in veterinary medicine/5

The plan of action in this matter, as it appears to me,
would be to get the Council of the Body Corporate to pass a
resolution allowing all gentlemen possessing the Highland
Society's certificate, who are not already members of the
body corporate, to become so by passing a nominal examina¬
tion, with no fee save the expense of the diploma itself. I
would'*pave a way of honour for the escape of these mis¬
guided gentlemen from the anomalous position in which they
stand to the veterinary profession. I would peremptorily
discountenance the creation of any more, by petitioning the
Principal Veterinary Surgeon to the army to admit none in
future to military appointments who do not possess the di¬
ploma of the Body Corporate ; by petitioning the Home
Secretary of State upon the illegality of the matter, and by
showing the courts of law in Great Britain and Ireland that
gentlemen possessing the Highland Society’s certificate alone

834 NECESSITY OF MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATIONS.

are not legally constituted veterinary surgeons, and therefore
can neither sue nor be sued, nor are they entitled to the
emoluments and distinctions of such as are members of the
body corporate.

It is of no use for those who hold the Highland Society’s
certificate arguing about the examinations at the Edinburgh
College, or the position or attainments of some of their
number; their abilities have never been questioned. I
would ask them, as men of discernment and understanding,
men who can appreciate the sentiments of the human heart,
whether it is not more likely that prejudice exists where per¬
sonal and pecuniary interests are involved rather than with
those who seek for union simply on the ground of friendship.
Why, then, stand aloof from the Body Corporate ? Why
not make our profession one in heart and body? Why
countenance the perpetuation of discord among us? Come
and grace the table of a reunion , with hearts true, noble,
and kind.

THE NECESSITY OF MICROSCOPIC DEMON¬
STRATIONS.

By W. H. Crowhurst, M.R.C.V.S., Peasmarsh.

I cannot refrain any longer, after hearing Professor
Spooner in his introductory address speak so highly of the
use of the microscope and of the study of histology, from
suggesting that one of the best microscopes that London can
produce be placed at the College for the benefit of the
students, and also the professor himself. If properly managed
by one or other of the professors, the students would learn
considerably more thereby than by all the diagrams ima¬
ginable. The College may truly be said to take a high posi¬
tion; standing, indeed, second to none as a school of veterinary
medicine and a hospital for animals; and it is fitting that
within its walls the students should be enabled to micro¬
scopically examine and study both the fluids and solids
of the body. They hear of this being done, and are in¬
structed by some of the teachers in the revelations of the
microscope, but many of the students neither possess a
good instrument nor have sufficient opportunities of ex¬
amining for themselves either healthy or diseased structures.

I am sorry that I had not the opportunity when at
College of thus investigating the various tissues of the
body, although I was informed thereof, and instructed by

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

835

diagrams. There is nothing like seeing things for yourself.
If it be difficult to examine anything, as it is said to be, with
a microscope, this seems to me a greater reason why there
should be one at the Royal Veterinary College for the use of
the students.

Facts and Observations.

Do Bacteriums cause Disease ?— In a former num¬
ber we gave an account of M. Davaine's experiments, in
which death followed the inoculation of healthy animals with
a few drops of blood containing bacteriums, and taken from
other animals suffering from spleen disease. MM. Leplat
and Jaillard have communicated counter experiments to the
French Academy. They obtained bacteriums from vegetable
and animal solutions, and introduced them into the circula¬
tion of animals without producing any evil effects. From
this they conclude that in M. Davaine’s experiments it was
the diseased blood, and not the bacteriums, that caused the
mischief.

The question is, however, far from settled by the new ex¬
periments, and their authors are by no means entitled to
assume that, because vibrions are much alike in appearance,
their properties must be the same. It would be more in
accordance with observation to state exactly the contrary, and
affirm that very similar bodies of this kind are connected
with different kinds of fermentation and putrefaction.

Fresh Experiments on Bacteriums and Disease.™
M. Davaine has communicated to the French Academy ano¬
ther series of experiments on the propagation of disease by
inoculating with blood containing the bacteriums which he .
affirms to be always present in spleen disease (sang de rate).
The bacteriums causing the disease he proposes to call bac -
terides, and, so far from their being identical with bodies of
somewhat similar appearance, which act as ferments of putre¬
faction, he finds his bacterides perish when the blood putre¬
fies. He propagated the disease by causing animals to eat
portions of the liver or other viscus removed from creatures

836

FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS.

affected with the sang cle rate. Portions of putrid liver from
healthy animals did not, when swallowed by others, produce
anything like the mortality occasioned by pieces of non-
putrid liver containing the bacterides. Females with young
did not communicate the disease to their foetal offspring.

The Alkaloids of Opium. — M. Claude Bernard states,
in Comptes Rendus , that out of the six proximate principles
found in opium, only three, morphine , narceine , and codeine ,
produce sleep. Narcotine, papaverine, and thebaine, have no
soporific properties. Morphine produces the most profound
sleep. Codeine leaves the nervous system excitable, and
when the animal wakes up from its action it is in a natural
state, not frightened and scared as by morphine. Narceine
produces sleep in smaller doses than codeine, and the sleep
is sounder, but not so leaden as when morphine is employed.
There is also an absence of excitability by noises which is
noticeable in morphine sleep, and still more so in that of
codeine. The awakening is natural.

M. C. Bernard recognises three properties in these alka¬
loids — soporific, convulsing and exciting, and poisonous.
In soporific power narceine stands first, then morphine, then
codeine. The convulsive series runs — l,thebaine; ^papa¬
verine; 3, narcotine ; 4, codeine ; 3, morphine; 6, narceine.
The poisoning properties are shown in the order — thebaine
codeine, papaverine, narceine, morphine, narcotine.

A Source of Ozone. — Cosmos mentions a process of M.
Baelger for obtaining a continuous supply of ozone. He
mixes two parts by weight of finely powdered permanganate
of potash with three of sulphuric acid. A mixture of one
part of the permanganate with that of the acid is so powerful
an oxidizer as to produce inflammation and explosion if
brought into contact with essential oils.

Poisoning from Contact with Tobacco. — M. Namias
communicates to the French Academy the case of a smuggler
who suffered under strong symptoms of tobacco poisoning,
through hiding under his clothes, and all over his body, in
contact with his skin, a quantity of the leaves of that plant.

Fermentation of Wine. — M.Berthelot finds that theskin
of grapes bears on its surface, not only spoils of ferments, but
often actual globule s, and hence fermentation is easily excited
as soon as the grapes are crushed, notwithstanding any pre¬
cautions to exclude germs floating in the air.

837

THE VETERINARIAN, DECEMBER 1, 18G4.

Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROFESSION.

We invite attention to the “ communications ” of our
present number, which, apart from some interesting and
instructive reports of cases of disease, are of a nature to
demand much thought and consideration. It will be seen
that they deal with subjects of vital importance to the suc¬
cess of any calling, viz., the education , the position, and
the prospects, of its members.

Our present issue being, however, the “ index number,”
we are compelled to rest satisfied with a few passing remarks
on some of these questions ; for were we to attempt to
discuss any one of them in extenso, we should have to
draw far too largely on our limited space, and perhaps also
on the patience of our readers. A necessity for the special
education of the student of any art or science being made
as perfect as possible will not, we opine, be questioned ;
most assuredly not by any true friend to its advancement.
The means to accomplish the end may, however, be a
debateable question, as men are found to widely differ as to
what in reality constitutes an improved education. Some
contend that all improvement rests upon a better practical
acquaintance with the subject, while others affirm that a
more perfect knowledge of its fundamental truths is alone
required. We do not stop to discuss these postulates on
general principles, but pass on to remark upon the special
recommendation put forth by Mr. Crowhurst for the better
instruction of the students of veterinary medicine.

However desirable it may be for microscopical demon¬
strations of healthy and diseased structures to be made for

*

the complete understanding of the sciences of anatomy and
pathology, it is almost practically impossible for them to
be efficiently carried out in a class of upwards of one
hundred students. We know of no school of medicine in

838

E 13 IT OK 1 A L O 8 S E EVA T 1 0 N S .

which the plan lias been attempted with success, or, indeed,
where it is now practised. To be of real benefit, demon¬
strations of this kind can only be given to a selected few, or
to a class specially formed for the purpose. Even then several
microscopes are required, and a lecture theatre expressly
adapted for the object, on a plan analagous to that of the
Royal College of Surgeons. Besides the experience needed
in the use of the instrument, the time which is required
to prepare and properly exhibit specimens is immense, and
the slightest tampering with the instrument, or freak on the
part of those waiting for “ a look,” will upset the work of
hours, and perhaps do great mischief to the microscope itself.
Many other practical difficulties force themselves upon us,
which, however, we cannot now discuss. Those of the Pro¬
fessors of the College who possess microscopes have ever
shown a readiness to give an optical demonstration to an
inquiring pupil of any structure or object he especially
wished to investigate, and they have never failed to explain
to the class the general knowledge which they had them¬
selves thus acquired. It is true that a sight of an object
will make a more lasting impression on the mind than the
best description, and this, we contend, is not denied a pupil
seeking special information. “ A College microscope” could
only be made to supply the place of a private one, and be
employed in the same manner. It could not be that the
pupils should have free access to it, and as we have shown,
each of the teachers who make microscopic researches
is already in possession of an instrument of the best
construction.

We turn from the special education of the pupil to the
position of the profession. To improve this is a far more
difficult thing to effect, and it will require all the energy
and talent which Mr. Poyser has manifested in his first
communication on the subject, to be perseveringly adhered
to in attempting its accomplishment. We most fully agree
with him, that our position as a profession suffers greatly
from the present state of things. No house should be
divided against itself. Earnestly have we laboured to
effect a union, and shall still continue so to do. Would
that we saw the beginning of the end, but as yet we confess

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 8?>9

to be unable to do this. If a “ year of grace ” will unite
us, the sooner it comes the better; but come it never can
unless a faithful pledge be given that the abuse shall end.
Great faults have been committed on both sides, and we
regret to see even now a disposition to repeat some of them.
Forbearance was never more needed than at present, and
Mr. Poyser will find that he also has something to learn on
this matter, and that several of his views must be modified
and adapted to existing circumstances. We say this with
no wish to discourage; nay, we court the expression of the
opinion of all who desire, like himself, to effect a fusion into
one body corporate of a now divided profession. These ideal
droppings must suffice for this occasion. The subject is one
which will yet call for a free use of our pen, and we forbear
therefore from entering upon its further discussion now.

The third thing, alluded to by another of our corre¬
spondents — Mr. Shaw — is the prospect which the profession
has of justice being done its public services.

The Indian Army Veterinary Surgeon has good cause of
complaint, and we counsel no forbearance here. The peti¬
tion of Mr. Shaw must be followed by others ; nay, every
man must speak for himself, as well as act in concert with
his professional brethren. “ Agitate ” must be the watch¬
word, and no tongue be silent till full justice be done.
We need scarcely say that our pages are open, as they
have ever been, to all who seek to improve the standing of
the profession, and that wre shall not hesitate to use our
“ Lancet ” to extract “ cold blood ” from official veins.
Sir Charles Wood has done well to attend to what our
sharp-cutting contemporary has had to say of “ the deep
wrong inflicted on the Indian Medical Service by his
Warrant of May last.” While these remarks were
passing through the press, we have observed with much
satisfaction that, as Secretary of State for India, he has
superseded that Warrant and issued another, and thereby
repaired the injustice done the Medical Officers of the
Indian Army* Ee it remembered, that our complaints stand
on an equally just ground, and must receive a like
attention.

840

Extracts from British and Foreign Journals.

THE PROGRESS OE ZOOLOGY.

{Continued from p. 652.)

By Shihley Hibberd.

The facts accumulated by Darwin and his coadjutors in
this inquiry place the question of species in a very different
light to that in which it was regarded by Lamarck. External
influences and a power of adaptation to circumstances, are
terms that sound well and promise much, but they come to
little when severely tested. Felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere
causas. If the wading birds have acquired long legs by
treading tiptoe on the muddy flats where they seek their
food, how is it the ostrich has not, during more than 3000
years, accomplished a stretch of its wings ? for it flaps them
fiercely enough during its perambulations to cause growth if
they were conformable to the alleged law of modification by
circumstances. The fancy pigeons, which assume so many
forms that we almost doubt at last if they are pigeons, main¬
tain the specific characters of the wing almost unaltered.

The ibis of to-dav is the same in all its characters as the ibis

_ •

on the oldest Egyptian monuments ; the same is the case
with the African elephant as figured on ancient coins, and
it becomes now a question whether any departure from type
can long maintain its ground — whether, in fact, variation in
a marked degree is not the first step in the process of the
extinction of the race in which the variation has occurred.
The turnip and the potato as now cultivated in our fields are
varieties secured by artificial selection, and they appear to be
fast declining in vigour, so much so that farmers are seeking
substitutes for both, to fill the places in the routine of tillage
which they threaten soon to leave vacant. In these cases
the process of nature seems to be only permissive as regards
varieties, and that but for a season ; they must revert to type
or disappear.

In the applications of zoology, especially in connection
with physiology, which is the key to zoological secrets, this
question of species has more than a technical value. The
whole interests of civilisation are bound up with it. The
patriarch Jacob was evidently an adept in cross breeding and
the selection of races, and observed the law that “ like pro-

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

841

duces like/* with as much discretion as Mr. Jonathan Webb,
the modern master of the art of sheep breeding. Dr. Beke,
who has just traversed the country where Jacob grew rich in
tending Laban’s flocks, reports that “ ring-stroked, speckled,
and grisled cattle,” abound there, and apparently within such
a circumscribed range as to render it probable that the race
has maintained its integrity since the day of the patriarch's
servitude, which our marginal Bibles place at a date 3600
years antecedent to the present time. The tailless cats of the
Isle of Man, and the tailless poultry of Burmah, are scarcely
to be traced back to their parentage, and have all the charac¬
teristics of true species as far as their constancy of reproduc¬
tion is concerned. In his twentieth chapter Livingstone says,
(i Near Massangano I observed what seemed to be an effort
of Nature to furnish a variety of domestic fowls capable of
bearing with comfort the intense heat of the sun. Their
feathers were curled upwards ; thus giving shade to the body
without increasing the heat. They are here named ‘kisafu* by
the natives, and c arripiada', or shivering, by the Portuguese.
There seems to be a tendency in Nature to afford varieties
adapted to the convenience of man. For instance, a very
short-legged species of fowl was obtained by the Boers, who
required one that could be easily caught in their frequent
removals. A similar instance of securing a variety occurred
in the short-limbed sheep of America.” Such things as these
are matters of daily observation ; the question is, to what law
are they subject, or, in other words, what is the philosophy
of their occurrence? If Mr. Darwin had sent forth his book
as a collection of data, instead of as the statement of an
hypothesis, there would have been the same broad field for
discussion, but with the advantage of greater freedom ; for it
is in vain to seek for the philosophy of varieties until we have
arrived at an unexceptional theory of species, which we
certainly have not, unless it be the vague definition that a
species is a congenital expression of all the forces concerned
in its production. Our conclusions, for the present, are pro¬
visional, and each new conclusion arrived at simply pushes
the inquiry a stage farther back. The subject is as much
one for experiment as for inquiry into the accidents of nature.
The intermediate form between the horse and the ass is a
mule, which is infertile with another mule of the opposite
sex, and it is thenceforth concluded that all hybrids of a given
class are incapable of procreation among themselves. But
M. Rouy, of Angouleme, is reported to breed hybrids between
the hare and the rabbit by thousands for the market, and
these leporines are further stated to be fertile both with the
xxxvii. 54

842

PROGRESS OF ZOOLOGY.

hare and the rabbit, and with each other. Some of these
leporines have borne young in the gardens of the Zoological
Society, but whether they are of the first cross is at present
unknown. The differences between the two types are many,
yet they are rather in degree than kind. The heart of the
hare is nearly five times the weight of that of the rabbit, the
lungs are nearly four times as heavy, the calibre of the tra¬
chea three or four times as great. Furthermore, the period
of gestation in the hare is understood to be a month, that of
the wild rabbit three weeks ; the young of the rabbit are born
blind, those of the hare see; the rabbit burrows, the hare
seldom goes to earth. There is one great peculiarity of these
hybrids of very great importance as to the question at issue —
the males show a great disinclination to copulation, which is
very different to the males of the (so-called) species, and if
we were to suppose such a cross to arise in nature, we must
also suppose it would soon be lost through this very pecu¬
liarity. But much more interesting cases, bearing on the
same question, were commuhicated by Dr. Crisp, in the paper
from which we have gathered the above particulars. # Four
hybrid ducks were bred at the Zoological Gardens between
the summer duck (Anas sponsa) , the pochard (Fuligula ferina ),
and the ferruginous duck (Fuligula nyroca ). It is true that
in these instances the parent species are in structure and
habits very nearly allied, and the only difference of importance
is that the summer duck has eight pairs of ribs, the others
have nine ; but an extra pair of ribs is no proof of specific
distinctness, for in man an extra pair occurs occasionally,
and in the anthropoid apes there is sometimes a pair of ribs
and one or two vertebrae above the typical number, and the
ribs themselves are but elongations of processes with which
every segment of the vertebral column is furnished. But
these facts compel us to ask, still more eagerly, what is a
species? Are the three species of duck just named specifi¬
cally identical, and did the hare and the rabbit originally
proceed from the same stock ?

(To be continued .)

# Proceedings of Zoological Society , Feb. 12, 1861, paper bv Edward
Crisp, M.D., E.L.S.

VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

843

REPORT OE EXPERIMENTS MADE UNDER DIRECTION OE
THE LORDS OE THE COUNCIL AS TO THE VACCINATION
OE SHEEP, AND AS TO THE INELUENCE OE SUCH VAC¬
CINATION IN PREVENTING SHEEP-POX.

By James F. Marson, Esq., F.R.C.S., Resident Surgeon

of the Smallpox Hospital, and

Professor Simonds, of the Royal Veterinary College.

( Contin ued from p. 633.)

The vaccine disease in the sheep, even when developed to
its fullest extent, is very unlike the same disease in the
human subject. In the sheep it is but seldom anything
more than the production of a small papule, which occasion¬
ally results in the formation of a minute vesicle, or more
commonly a pustule, which is sometimes, although very
rarely, surrounded with a slight areola. Generally, how¬
ever, neither vesication nor pustulation follows, but a small
scab is produced, which soon falls from the site of the punc¬
ture, leaving no trace behind. The disease passes quickly
and irregularly through its several stages, so as to have
ended by the eighth or ninth day, or not unfrequently even
before this time. Lymph is but rarely obtainable, and never
but in the smallest quantity, and this on the fifth or sixth
day succeeding the vaccination. The effects are only local,
and the animal’s health never impaired. In man, on the
contrary, vaccination can nearly always be made to take
effect, a vesicle being formed on the eighth day, affording
regularly lymph for the vaccination of others, which is
always, or nearly always, followed by areola, the vesicles
being never so small as those observed in sheep, excepting
in what are called abortive or spurious cases, which, however,
in well-conducted vaccinations, are of very rare occurrence.

Our observations, therefore, fully confirm the remarks of
Mr. Ceely, of Aylesbury, who says, “That imperfect deve¬
lopment and premature decline, with little or no areola, is
the rule” in the vaccination of sheep.

Besides the 200 ewes, two rams were vaccinated. In one
ram, effects rather greater than those usually observed were
produced in four of the punctures, and in two of them in the
other ram. Both these animals were subsequently ovinated
and contracted the sheep-pox, passing regularly through its
several stages. Both recovered. Six lambs were also se¬
lected for vaccination, four of which were operated on with
Smallpox Hospital lymph, and two with primary lymph.
The Smallpox Hospital lymph took effect in all four

844

VACCINATION OF SHEEP.

animals, but the primary lymph failed in each case. The
six lambs were also ovinated with success, and all recovered.
No difference in the course of the disease produced by the
ovinations being observed between those in which the vacci¬
nation took effect and those in which it failed.

Besides the preceding instances of ovination after successful
vaccination, twenty -five sheep, which had also been success¬
fully vaccinated, were ovinated, and contracted the disease.
Two of these animals died ; and it is especially worthy of
comment that both of them had shown effect twice from vac¬
cination, thus proving the non-protective power of even a
double effective vaccination.

Sixteen sheep which had been vaccinated with success
were exposed to the sheep-pox and took it naturally ; and
out of this number no less than eleven died, thus proving
that the severity of the disease was in no way mitigated by
the vaccination.

Our experience of the vaccination of sheep therefore agrees
with that ofHurtrel D’Arboval.who gives the following details:

“ 1523 sheep, ” he says, “were subjected to the operation
of vaccination, and of these, 1341 contracted the vaccine
disease, and 182 were not affected. Out of the 1341 sheep,
429 were subsequently exposed to sheep-pox, either by
direct ovination or by being placed among infected animals,
and 308 of them were attacked with the malady/’ Hurtrel
D’Arboval infers that the escape of the remaining 121 sheep
was probably to be attributed to either their non-susceptibility
or to some defects in conducting the experiments ; and he con¬
cludes that “vaccination cannot be substituted for ovination/’*

There is an impression, nevertheless, on the minds of some
persons in France, as well as in England, with which, however,
we do not concur, that vaccination gives to sheep a short tem¬
porary immunity — say for a month to six weeks — from the
infection of smallpox. The following extract relating to this
subject, from Gasparin’s c Des Maladies contagieuses des
Betes-a-laine/ has been kindly furnished us by Mr. Ceeley :

“§ 151. On ne cite qu’un tres-petit nombre d’experiences
semblables, qui donnent un lueur d’espoir pour le succes
d’une telle operation ; mais les experiences qui lui sont con-
traires sont nombreuses et decisives. C/est ici, i’oppose de
ce qui nous arrive pour la clavelisation ; dans celle-ci, les
experiences affirmatives sont nombreuses, et on ne cite que
quelques experiences negatives.

“MM. Husson et Verrier vaccinerent 233 moutons dans
un troupeau ou venait de se manifester le ciaveau. Au bout de

Dictionnaire de Medeciue Yeterinaires.’ — Art. “ Clavelee.”

VACCINATION OF SIIEEF.

8 15

quelques jours, la maladie eclata surles betes chez qui la vac¬
cine i/avait rien produit, et ce ne fut que le quarante-cinquihne
jour quhl se declara sur celles qui avaient eti la vaccine; la
maladie v fut aussi facheuse que sur les autres; un grand
nombre de betes succomberent.*

Ci Cette experience semblerait prouver que la proprie'te preserva¬
tive existe pendant quelques jours, que ia peau a besoin de se
remettre de la reaction causee par la vaccine avant de se re-
devenir capable de contracter le claveau, et elle expliquerait
le pretendu succes des contEepreuves tentees par quelques
veterinaires.

“§ 152. Mais d'autres savans soumettaient aussi la vac¬
cine a des experiences tout aussi peu satisfaisantes. Brug-
none, a Turin, se prononcait contre ses pretend ues proprietes,
d’apres ses experiences. f Valois, a Versailles, vaccinait 50
moutons ; dans chacun eut de deux a quatre pustules bien
caracterisees, et trente-trois jours apres la majeure partie de ces
animaux fut atteinte de la clavelee. Elle fut benigne ou con-
fluente dans la meme proportion que chez les animaux non¬
vaccines; quatre y succomberent. if

iC Enfin plusieurs proprietaires, parmi lesquels nous cite-
rons M. Chancey, apres avoir vaccine des moutons, les
voyant ensuite attaques du claveau, en concluaient quails
avaient eu la fausse vaccine, quoiqii elle eut etc accompagnee
d’une areole tres-apparente .§

“ II fallait en concluire que la vaccine iTetait pas un preser-
vatif suffisant. Voila quels sont les travaux qui out ete entre-
pris relativement a la vaccination des troupeaux. I Is me
paraissent offrir des resultats fort clairs, et on ne peut plus
guere consever l’espoir d’aneantir la clavelee par cette me-
thode. Ce resultat est desagreable, sans doute, mais il n’en
est pas moins vrai.”

It will thus be seen that, in one instance, some vaccinated
sheep on exposure did not show the disease for forty-five
days, and in another instance for thirty-three days.

Even were it proved, but which it has not yet been, that
vaccination does protect sheep for one or two months against
contracting smallpox by infection, the owners of sheep, we
should imagine, would never have recourse to the trouble
and expense of having them vaccinated for so short a period
of protection, with the uncertainty also of only 35 per cent,
of them, on the average, taking the vaccine disease.

[To be continued .)

* ‘Rapport de la Socieie centrale de Vaccine/ 1811.

f ‘Memorie della Societa Agraria di Torino/ 1812.

X * Annales d’ Agriculture/ tome 58, page 00.

§ ‘Bibl. Brittan. Agr./ tome 10, page 210.

346

HEALTHY STABLES.

In the annual review of the progress of hygiene presented
to the Army Medical Department, by Professor Parkes, of
the Army Medical School, and lately issued, notice is taken
of the recent report on cavalry stables, made after an inquiry
into the subject by the Barrack Improvement Commission.
The question is entirely solved whether or not the men
should be placed over the stables. As regards the men,
there was much to be said against this arrangement, but
there was something to be urged for it. But the horse's
health has turned the scale. The stables cannot be properly
ventilated or lighted if the men's rooms are overhead. In
some of the cavalry stables examined, the air was so foul that
it was matter of surprise how animals could breathe it and
retain any measure of health. In the old troop stables at
Hounslow each successive horse, from the corners to the
centre, is supplied with air fouled more and more by the
other horses. Many animals would perish under the treat¬
ment inevitable in the older class of cavalry stables but for
two things — their daily exercise in the open air, and a certain
habit which their constitutions acquire of resisting air
poisoned by continued exposure to their action ; but this
resisting power of habit can only be trusted to temporarily,
and inevitably ends in loss of health and life. If the horse
is to be in health and strength, he must have a free diffusion
of the atmosphere, including absence of stagnation, abund¬
ance of light, good drainage, absence of nuisance, and suffi¬
cient space to live in. The inquiry has shown beyond
question that the best form of building is a one-storied stable
and one or two rows of horses; the ventilation to be by the roof,
and formed by a louvre 16 in. wide, carried from end to end,
and giving four square feet of ventilating outlet for each
horse. The stables recommended to be built in future would
give each horse 100 ft. of superficial, and 1605 cubic feet. A
course of air-brick would be carried round at the eaves, giving
one square foot of inlet to each horse ; an air-brick is intro¬
duced, about six inches from the ground, in every two stalls ;
there is a swing window for every stall, and spaces are left
below the doors. In this way, and by attention to surface
drainage and roof lighting, it is anticipated that stables will
become perfectly healthy. In old stables ventilating shafts
are to be carried up and air-bricks introduced. More window
space is to be given. — Times ,

847

Translations and Beviews of Continental
Veterinary Journals,

By W. Ernes, M.R.C.V.S., London.

Ann ales de Meclecine Veterinaire, May , 1864.

MORBID FERMENTS AND THEIR NEUTRALIZATION BY
THE ALKALINE SULPHITES; BEING AN ACCOUNT OF
SEVENTY EXPERIMENTS MADE BY DOCTOR GIOVANNI
POLLI, OF MILAN. FROM THE ITALIAN OF DOCTOR
JANSSENS, OF BRUSSELS.

In a series of articles published in 1861-2-4, the Belgian
medical press has drawn attention to the scientific principles
which serve as the basis of the new intro-chemical doctrine
formulated and defended by Dr, G. Polli. The theory of
ferments played a very important part in the pathology of
the last century, of which modern science has availed itself.
Stripped of its exaggerations, it is based on the most
recent discoveries in organic chemistry and experimental
pathology. The therapeutic applications to which it has
already led seem to presage a revolution, both in the inter¬
pretation and the treatment of most of the acute dyscrasic
affections which are constituted by a qualitative alteration of
the blood, and against which the so-called classic medicine
has hitherto been powerless, and has only shown the incer¬
titude of science and the impotence of our art. For these
reasons we are convinced that we are rendering a service to
science, as well as to our colleagues and humanity generally,
in propagating the knowledge obtained by these experi¬
ments, which support the doctrine of catalytic maladies and
morbid ferments. They serve to . remove all doubts on
the efficacy of the alkaline sulphites either to prevent or
combat the special alteration of the blood produced by
morbid ferments. To this end w7e publish now the first
essays made by M. Polli on dogs, to show that sulphites
administered to an animal really counteract the toxic effects
of certain substances which, introduced into the blood, have
the power to develop a catalytic malady. The results of
these experiments practised, in animd vili , united to the
numerous therapeutic applications of the alkaline sulphites
during the last three years, and which we have recorded in a
recent article in the Presse Medicate Beige , prove to every
impartial individual that the doctrine of M. Polli cannot be
compared with those speculative theories which are built at
pleasure, and are destined to live only a day; but merits, on

848 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS,

the contrary, the serious attention of all those who do not
profess a blind opposition to all inventions whatever, and who
do not confound, in an unjust condemnation, all rational sup¬
positions, the object of which is truth. Among the seventy
experiments made by M. Polli we will select some of the most
conclusive, in order to avoid a repetition of details nearly
identical; but we will, at the end, give a succinct summary-
of the whole of these experiments made by the author.

Experiments made with pus. — To a dog weighing four kil.,
ten grammes of sulphite of soda were given in the space
of five days. On the 19th of November, I860, at 3 p.m.,
one gramme of thick putrid pus was injected into the saphena
vein taken from an abscess on the back of an old man.
This pus had previously been diluted with an equal bulk
of water, to render it more fluid, and to prevent it forming
obstruction in the veins; immediately after the injection
the dog seemed stupefied, lay down, and refused all food
during that day. On the next day he had recovered his
liveliness and appetite. Two more grammes of the sul¬
phite were given in two doses. On the 19th another injec¬
tion of pus was made into thejugular vein. The same symp¬
toms of stupefaction and prostration appeared for a few
hours after the injection, but the next day the dog was
better. He was subjected regularly to taking two grammes
of the sulphite of soda until the 23rd. The dog rapidly
recovered his liveliness and his appetite, the wounds resulting
from the apertures assumed a favorable aspect and cicatrized
rapidly; so much so, that the animal might be considered as
perfectly recovered five days after the second injection of
pus ; and even during that time the general state of the dog,
as well as the wounds made for the injection, presented but
slight signs of derangement. On the 17th and 19th similar
doses of the same pus were injected into the femoral veins of
another dog, bigger than the former (weighing about eight
kil.), but to which no sulphite of soda was given neither
before nor after the injections. These operations were
easily accomplished, and the dog seemed to suffer very
little. After the first injection the dog was stupid and dull ;
the next day he had somewhat recovered, and took his
food; after the second injection he was very much dis¬
tressed, and had several watery evacuations; the next day
he lay down continually in his kennel; he refused all food.
The pulsations at the heart were feeble and accelerated
(140 per minute), the respirations frequent (14 per minute).
The following days he became much worse; he could
hardly move, and when made to walk he took a few steps

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 849

limping, and then fell down. The wounds extended and
assumed an unhealthy aspect ; the right hind leg became
tumefied; the typhoid state persisted; gangrene set in,
and the dog died ten days after the second injection.
Autopsy. — Lungs, heart, and liver normal; the mucous
membrane of the stomach presented a vivid red colour
towards the pylorus ; that of the duodenum showed some
traces of inflammation, and also some small ulcerations, the
largest of which was about a centimetre in circumference,
and was situated near to the pylorus; they affected the
intestine even to the peritoneum, which at that place pre¬
sented a violet colour. The colon contained soft ingesta of a
dark-red colour, and presented a great many slate-coloured
spots, some of which showed traces of suppuration in their
centre. The difference in the results of the experiments
practised on these two dogs cannot be more evident, and
cannot be explained otherwise than by attributing to the sul¬
phite taken by the first subject, before the injection, an
antiseptic effect which neutralized the effect of the purulent
ferment, while in the other it developed its morbid effect
without any obstacle, and to "which he fell a sacrifice. To
remove all doubts on the results of this experiment, M. Polli
wished to make a counter proof that the strength of the dog
who fell a sacrifice to the injection of the pus was greater
than the one "which resisted the effect after having been
treated with the sulphite. This w’as of great value, but he
wished still further to eliminate the influence depending on
the individual resistance of the inoculated animal, so as to
attribute to the remedy neither more nor less than that
which absolutely belonged to it. The same dog which
had, thanks to the protective influence of the sulphite,
so well resisted the injection of the pus, continued to
be in perfect health, was submitted to the following ex¬
periment five days after ' leaving off the sulphite; another
injection of one gramme of pus was made, and this was
repeated two days after, without, however, the administra¬
tion of the sulphite during the interval. A few minutes
after the first injection the dog seemed prostrated, he vomited
and had several evacuations, was dull, and remained lying
down the whole of that day. The next day he had recovered
a little of his vivacity ; but immediately after the second in¬
jection he was greatly prostrated, and remained down the
whole of the day ; the following day he was able to take
a little food; the day after, having remained prostrated
in his kennel and taken very little food, but drank a
great deal, he walked with great difficulty and limped; the

850 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

wounds where the inoculation had been made became en¬
larged, and had a bloody, fetid discharge. At the end of six
days the dog presented all the symptoms of typhoid fever ;
he began to recover a little, that is to say, after another six
days he regained his strength and appetite, the wounds began
to cicatrize, so that, twelve days after the last injection, he
might be considered convalescent. The dog was now killed by
a blow on the head with a hammer. At the autopsy traces
of old inflammation were found in the intestines, such as
injection of the mucous membrane of the duodenum and
vascular arborisation on the whole of the small intestines.

If in this second experiment the dog had died like the
others the conclusion in favour of the prophylactic and the¬
rapeutic virtue of the sulphite would have been certainly
more evident; but nevertheless it does not fail to give us an
important proof of the efficiency of the remedy, inasmuch as
in the first experiment the artificial poisoning of the blood
produced only a slight indisposition, and, on the contrary,
provoked a grave malady in the same animal when not under
the prophylactic influence of the sulphite. The experiment
confirms the necessity pointed out above, of always taking into
consideration the peculiar impressibility of the individual ope¬
rated on, so as to avoid the possibility of erroneous conclusions.

Experiment with putrefied hlood. — To a greyhound, weigh¬
ing eight kil., sixteen grammes of the hyposulphite of
soda were given in two days, in one-gramme doses. On
the 9th of March, 1861, at 3 p.m., two hours after the
administration of the last dose, three grammes of blood in a
state of putrefaction were injected into the femoral vein of
the right leg. The blood used in the five comparative expe¬
riments which follow7 was always the same; it was blood of
an ox clefibrinated and exposed to the air for a month
(November), and was quite putrid; it was afterwards pre¬
served during three months in a bottle corked up. It wras of
a red-violet colour, extremely fetid, and of an ammonial
odour; by the microscope some red corpuscles, fringed or
starred, as described by Richardson in ammoniacal blood,
were discovered. A few minutes after the injection the dog
vomited some mucous matter mixed with blood ; aftenvards
some whitish viscous matter; faecal evacuations also occurred
at the same time. Some balls in which the last doses of
the hyposulphite were incorporated were next administered.
After this the dog did not seem so much distressed ; he
remained seated in the usual way on his hind legs. On
taking him to his kennel he ran into it with alacrity, and
without limping. However, during the rest of the day he

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 851

appeared dull, and refused his food ; but towards evening he
drank a little broth, and lay down quietly during the night.
The next morning he was still a little stupefied ; he drank some
broth, and swallowed two balls of meat containing each one
gramme of the sulphite of magnesia; the third day he fed as
usual, was lively, but seemed inclined for repose; the wound
resulting from the operation wras red, dry, and of a healthy
aspect ; the fourth day the animal was considered recovered ;
he was lively, fed well, and the wound was progressing towards
cicatrization. On the same day, and nearly at the same hour,
three grammes of the same putrid blood were injected into
the right femoral veins of two other dogs, weighing from
seven to eight kil. each, to which no sulphite had been
administered. One of them directly afterwards was in a state
of stupor; he stood without moving, his head hanging down ;
his strength left him, he fell on his side, got gradually worse,
and died at the end of five hours. On the autopsy the
lungs were found to be covered with small ecchymosed spots,
the liver was marbled with black-violet spots, the right ven¬
tricle of the heart contained black fluid blood, the gastro¬
intestinal mucous membrane was coloured with a deep red,
and the small intestines presented a sanguino-mucous exuda¬
tion. The other dog, after five hours of sickness, during the
whole of which he refused his food, could not stand up, but
remained constantly lying on his side in a state of stupor; he
also died after the wound made for the injection had assumed
a gangrenous aspect.

The autopsy presented in the lungs, which were of
a bright-red colour, a great number of black, ecchymotic
spots, one of which showed a tendency, in the centre, to
suppurate; some grumous black blood was found in the
right cavity of the heart and large blood-vessels; in the left
ventricle there was a large fibrous coagulum, of a yellowish
colour, which extended like a polypus into the aorta ; the
intestinal mucous membrane was throughout much injected,
thickened, and covered in places with purulent matter.
Nothing can be more conclusive than this experiment. It
shows in these two dogs, inoculated at the same time, a dif¬
ference in the power of resistance to morbific action ; but
both succumbed with the same symptoms, and the same
lesions were found on the post-mortem ; while the dog which
had been sulphited, after having suffered from a slight
stupor, consequent on the operation, recovered his normal
state, and, after a few days, his perfect health. To show
more evidently that this dog was indebted for his safety to
the antifermentative action of the sulphite of soda, which

852 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS.

had been injected, M. Polli performed the following ex¬
periments, as other proofs. In a dog weighing seven
kil. he injected only one gramme of putrid blood on the
3 1st of January, J86l. The animal seemed very giddy
after the operation, he remained down, and was dull; he
refused his food during the five following days, and only
moved with difficulty ; when made to do so, he limped.
The wound extended and suppurated. Towards the sixth
day he began to recover, and to take a little food ; was
more active. In about a fortnight he became convalescent,
and recovered his usual vivacity, and the wound advanced
towards cicatrization. This experiment confirmed the uni¬
form deleterious effect of putrid blood, when introduced into
the circulation, and shows that, if the dose is not large
enough to kill the animal, it provokes a serious malady.
The same day (January 31st) he injected into the right
femoral vein of another dog, of the same size as the last, one
gramme of the same putrid blood, mixed with three grammes
of sulphite of soda in solution. After the operation the dog
remained stupefied; the whole of that day he did not move
out of his kennel ; about the middle of the next day he took
a little food and drink; the third day he was lively, ate all
his food eagerly, ran about, but holding up the leg on which
the operation had been made. The wound was dry, and had
a favorable aspect. On the 9th of February, 1861, the
same experiment was repeated on another dog, in which wras
injected into the femoral vein, first one gramme of putrid
blood; one minute after, one gramme and a half of sulphite
of soda, dissolved in five grammes of water; the animal
became somewhat stupefied, refused his food during two
days, but was not in a state of somnolence; he afterwards
became lively, and recovered his strength ; three days after
that he w’as again in perfect heath. These three experiments
evidently show7 that, though the introduction of putrid
blood, mixed with sulphite, affected two of the dogs, it only
caused in them a slight derangement, in which the typhoid
symptoms, or the signs of septic infection, were ascer¬
tained to be absent. This, however, characterised the ma¬
lady in the third dog, in which the putrid ferment was
injected without the sulphite. They also demonstrate that it
is really the effect of the sulphite on the putrid ferment
which neutralizes the morbific influence in the blood itself.
They also demonstrate that the sulphite of soda is not a
poison, for three grammes of the saturated solution had been
introduced in one injection, which is equal to two grammes
three demigrammes of the solid sulphite. In a dog weighing

TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 853

six kil. ten grammes of the sulphite of soda were adminis¬
tered daily, made up into five balls with bread-crumbs, for
three consecutive days. On the 9th of June, 1861, the dog
was in good health, and eight grammes more of the sulphite
were given to him. Afterwards, a gramme and a half of
putrefied human blood was injected into the right femoral
vein. The dog became stupefied, sad, and refused his food
during the whole of that day; the next day he was lying
down in his kennel, but without stupefaction. On the third
day after the injection he began to feed ; became more
active. On the fourth day he had completely recovered ;
the wound assumed a healthy aspect. Eight days after this
the dog died without having previously shown any sign of
illness, except great haemorrhage from the wound, which
took place during the night on which he died.

In order to make a comparison between the two preceding
experiments, one gramme of the same putrid blood was
injected on the same day in a small dog (weighing five kil.)
without being submitted to any preventive remedy. Directly
after the injection the dog vomited, and alvine evacuations
and tenesmus supervened. He seemed anxious and agi¬
tated, remained standing on his four feet, as if petrified, for
several hours, holding his head down. Death took place six
hours after the injection. At the autopsy the lungs were
found engorged, and presented ecchymotic spots on their
surface; black clots of blood were found in the right ven¬
tricle of the heart; the liver was of a dark-red colour; the
mucous membrane of the stomach was normal, but that of
the intestines was of a dark-red purplish colour in places,
even to the rectum, though a little less dark coloured in the
ileum. Thus it is shown that in the two other dogs the ad¬
ministration of the sulphite and hyposulphite of soda suc¬
ceeded in protecting the animals against the morbific effects
of a toxic substance, which in smaller doses killed another dog
not fortified by the same remedy. In order to give still
greater value to these results, the dog which had been pre¬
served by the hyposulphite was submitted to a counter¬
proof, the result of which was most conclusive. Eleven days
after this experiment, when the dog was considered in per¬
fect health, a fresh injection of one and a half gramme of
the same putrid blood was made into the femoral vein, without
any previous administration of sulphite. The dog died in
three days, from gangrene in the leg where the injection had
been made; the lungs were gorged and covered with ecchy¬
motic spots; there was extravasated blood in the stomach,
the mucous membrane of the intestines was purple, and

854

REVIEW.

there were traces of these lesions in the rectum. If
we are not mistaken, the interpretation of the facts which
constitute this group of comparative experiments would
appear difficult to us to demonstrate experimentally in a
more evident manner — 1st. The tolerance of the antica-
talytic remedy introduced into the blood, either by absorp¬
tion or direct injection. 2ndly. Its preventive effect on the
organism when the mass of the blood has been artificially
poisoned. 3rdly. The direct neutralization of putrid forms
in the blood itself, effected by inoffensive means.

Review.

sit pulchruin, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non. — Hor.

The Journal of British Ophthalmology } and Quarterly Report
of Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery. Edited by Jabez
Hogg, Assistant-Surgeon, Royal Westminster Oph¬
thalmic Hospital, & c. &c. London : John Churchill and
Sons, New Burlington Street.

Friends to the division of labour, from a conviction that
it is conducive to the perfecting of the whole, whether in
science or in art, we hail the appearance of the first number
of the above periodical.

Although with us it may be that the diseases of the
eye have not been so carefully studied in their various
forms as they deserve to be, because the occasional loss of
the organ in the lower animals is not attended with the
same inconvenience as in man, nor is merely partial
relief that may be afforded of any real good, yet we feel
convinced they would nevertheless amply reward the in¬
vestigator, while, by comparing the affections as they show
themselves in the human subject, and noticing the surgical
and other methods adopted for their removal, the loss of
sight might be prevented, and the usefulness of the animal
secured, as well as suffering lessened.

The introduction to the journal states, that it ts will be
a fair and impartial exponent of the views and practice of

YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

855

English ophthalmic surgeons . It will give prominence to, and
extended notices of, the additions constantly being made in
this special department of the profession among our country¬
men. At present there is no national organ of discussion in
which native worth is allowed fairly to compete with foreign
genius and pretension. The Journal of British Ophthal¬
mology is therefore projected to supply the much required
medium for the interchange of individual opinion, in the
freest course of which real progress can only be expected to
make good and certain way. Wherever this is active and
honest, it will always be accompanied with a desire to bring
experience, the basis of all knowledge, under the critical
notice of others less interested than the immediate agents
engaged, so that the true value of suggestions made, or
treatment adopted, shall satisfactorily appear in the dis¬
cussions raised.” . .

The work will contain original articles and cases, reports
of hospital and other practice, reviews and critical notices of
books and papers, with correspondence and other matters
relating to ophthalmology, British and foreign. It is well
got up, printed on tinted paper, and liberally illustrated with
woodcuts.

THE YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL

ASSOCIATION.

OFFICIAL REPORT*

The quarterly meeting of this Association was held at the Unicorn
Hotel, Ripon, October 10th, at 3 p.rn. The President Mr. E. C.
Dray, occupied the chair ; there were also present Messrs. Fryer,
Seeker and Carter, Vice-Presidents ; Richard Lord, Treasurer, and
William Williams, Hon. Secretary; Mr. T. Greaves, Manchester,
President of the Lancashire Association ; MacTaggart, Halifax ; Ed¬
mondson, Ilarmby via Bedale ; Pratt, Masham; Paterson, Dews¬
bury ; Bale, Otley ; Horne, Barnsley ; Broughton and Cuthbert,
Leeds; Thomas Seeker, Ripon, and Taylor, Wetherby. After the
preliminary business, viz., the reconsidering of the rules, &c., had
been transacted, Mr. Fryer read a highly practical paper “ On Hernia,”
this gentleman having met with numerous cases of hernia in its
several forms in his practice, and having been most successful in
his method of operating. Previous to the reading of the paper the
President made some remarks on the subject, observing that he felt
confident they should have from the essayist a most valuable and

856 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

practical description of hernia, in consequence of Mr. Fryer having
had many first-class horses under his care for this disease.

The discussion that followed was entered into by several of the
associates present, each freely giving his experience, his method of
treatment, and the success attendant upon his practice. Indeed, never
was the good of veterinary associations so palpable as at this meet¬
ing ; all freely and without any attempt at secretiveness laying
before the meeting what they considered best to do in difficult cases
of this kind.

The discussion being concluded, the retiring office-bearers re¬
ceived votes of thanks for their past services, and, as marks of ap¬
proval the President, Treasurer, and Secretary, were re-elected. The
Vice-Presidents, Messrs. C. Seeker, Fryer, and Carter, would
undoubtedly have also been reinstated in office had it not been felt
that this would be an injustice to the other members; and, as such
Messrs. MacTaggart, Halifax ; Naylor, Wakefield ; and Cuthbert of
Leeds, were elected Vice-Presidents.

The next meeting of the Association — the annual meeting — will be
held at Leeds, on the last Friday in January, 1865, at 1.30 p.m.,
when the Secretary will read a paper “ On Counter-irritation.” After
the business meeting, the members intend holding their first annual
dinner, to which the Professors at the different veterinary colleges,
and others distinguished in veterinary science, are to be invited.

(Signed) J. Williams, Bradford,

Hon. Sec.

LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION.

OFFICIAL REPORT.

A meeting of the above association was held in the Clarendon
Rooms, North John Street, Liverpool, on the evening of the loth
November. Present — Messrs. B. Briscoe, R. Lucas, Epli. A. Friend,
G. Heyes, J. Simpson, sen., J. Simpson, jun., Thos. Proctor, C.
Twist, G. Kirkham, J. Brydon, R. Chambers, W. x4, Wilson, Thos.
Harwood, W. Dobie, Tlios. Greaves, President, and Thos. Taylor,
Hon. Sec., of the Lancashire Veterinary Medical Association.

Mr. R. Lucas was unanimously elected President of the associa¬
tion, in room of the late Mr. John Ellis, to whose memory he paid
a well-merited compliment, referring in very appropriate and elo¬
quent terms to the great loss sustained by the profession generally,
and the veterinary surgeons in Li\erpool in particular, by the death
of so eminent and distinguished a member ; one, he said, “who
was not only an ornament to his profession, but a wise counsellor,
a firm support, and a warm friend to ail.”

LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 857

Mr. Greaves then delivered the following able address on ** The
advantages and tendencies of Veterinary Associations

Gentlemen, — It is proper and becoming that my first remarks
should be an expression of the sorrow I feel at the great loss your
Association has sustained, and which we all mourn, in the death of
your late respected President — Mr. Ellis — a gentleman highly and
deservedly respected, not only in Liverpool, but also in Manchester,
as well as in the Council in London ; not only as a man of honour
and integrity, but as a man of talent and a most distinguished
ornament of the profession to which he belonged. Rightly did my
friend Mr. Lawson remark, in the Council Chamber, that “ the pro¬
fession had no truer friend than was to be found in Mr. Ellis.”
Personally, I felt proud when apprised that you had done yourselves
the honour of electing him your President, for such a selection
may be said to have added a grandeur to your Association and to
the high office he had been so worthily placed in. The honour,
the interest, the usefulness and dignity, of the Association would
have been in safe keeping in his hands ; and full well do I know
that you will gladly and proudly take charge of his fame and revere
his memory.

I leave the question of his successor entirely with yourselves, but
I may be permitted to say it is very desirable that he should be a
man whose social and professional position commands respect ; a
man of kind conciliatory manners, and of a courteous and gentle¬
manly bearing ; but above all should he be sincere, intellectual,
indefatigable, and earnest, and have his heart and soul in the in¬
terest and welfare of his profession. Let it be held a sacred prin¬
ciple that this Association shall be conducted in a fair and proper
spirit, and that it shall require from its members the observance of
an honorable professional conduct. Let the straightforward con¬
duct of its officers be such as to put an irresistible check upon any
one who might be disposed to be so unscrupulous as to practise
any intriguing, dissembling, or foul play, which, alas, is occasionally
such a fruitful source of enmity and heartburning, especially in
large towns, where competition runs high. It is one of the main
objects of these associations to keep in check this overreaching,
unprofessional conduct, and to create a purer and higher tone of
professional honour. We do not expect to change the nature of
man, or to eradicate his evil propensities or sordid passions, but we
seek to keep them within reasonable bounds, so that wre shall not
go on like idle lads in the street scrambling for a few coppers thrown
amongst them.

I have, perhaps, had more to do with Provincial Veterinary
Medical Associations than any other man has had. I had the high
privilege to call together the first society of the kind in England,
fourteen years ago. That society existed only two years. Of the
twelve members of which it wras composed three only remain.
Speaking figuratively, this society may be said to have expired like
a smiling babe in its cradle, as if it were falling asleep and
dreaming of a glorious future. After a lapse of tw elve years I had
xxxvil. . 55

858 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

the high honour to call the society again into existence. I can compare
that calm and silent repose like unto the powers of a great nation for a
time laid aside — the sleep of the warrior, snatched during the interval
of action — a repose but to acquire fresh power and energy — the sleep
of a child, but the awakening of a giant. The society is now two years
old, and looks like a cedar of Lebanon planted by the river of Jordan.
Its roots strike deeper and deeper, and its wide-spreading branches
shoot up higher and higher. It can now shelter and protect those
who reared it, and who now meet under the most favorable aus¬
pices ; for our Association is a firmly established institution, acknow¬
ledged and encouraged by the professors and the colleges. Each
member is animated by a desire to advance the usefulness of our
noble profession. It encourages a personal goodwill, and we feel
individually fully conscious of the good fruits of thus associating
together. Emulation having been excited, the progress we have
made encourages us, nay, demands from us greater efforts and
greater intelligence. Every educated person who studies the times
in which he lives, and wishes earnestly to further the mission he
has to perform, feels a new stimulus in these associations, for they
undoubtedly exert an influence, unperceived by us at present, per¬
haps, but which nevertheless is doing good. The Providence which
governs this world creates nowhere success or prosperity for an
ignorant, indolent, individual society or nation, and we may be
assured that the highest interests of our profession and of its
individual members are identical. It is a dangerous symptom
when man becomes indifferent to the interest and welfare of his
fellow-man ; it is only ignorance and cupidity which prevent their
uniting to the common advantage of both. To dispel that igno¬
rance, and to show how advantageously to himself man can help
man, in the present state of civilised society, should be the aim of
every philanthropic person. We must remember, gentlemen, that
friendship is a tender, fragile plant, which can live only where it is
reciprocated. Our day of opportunity will soon be passed, and we
ought to take advantage of it, whilst it is here, to stimulate each
other to individual exertion. If we desire to make any consider¬
able progress in our profession, we should remember that no human
pursuit makes any material progress until science, quickened by a
stimulating intelligence, has been brought to bear upon it ; then
indeed, although it may have been slumbering for ages, at the
touch of her magic wand it advances with strides which amaze and
almost awe the beholder. Is it too much, my friends, to anticipate
such a future for our own profession, as the result of united
concentrated effort ? Let us, I beg of you, discontinue our icy
bearing towards each other, and henceforth treat one another with
kindness, gentleness, and charitableness. Do not discourage us,
do not frown upon us ; remember that an unkind word of
criticism may have the same effect upon us as a cold blast, which,
passing over some tender shoot, shrivels it up, and checks the flow
of the sap, which was rising to produce abundance of flowers and
fruit.

LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

859

I will now come more closely to the subject immediately before us.

I wish to speak as a practical man to practical men ; and I would
ask you individually this question — would it not be much better
and more agreeable for tlie members of our profession, especially
those who are in large towns, to shake off old reserve and exclu¬
siveness, to cultivate a more cordial feeling, and to feel that their
separate individual connections and businesses were more secure ;
that there was less to deplore in some of the members of the pro¬
fession, less of that secret, underhand influence working, which in
past times has been such a disgrace to our profession, and which
even now occasionally exhibits itself in its despicable character and
hideous deformity? If you answer, “Most certainly it would be
far preferable,” then I say to you, one and all, join this Association,
and see that it is conducted in a proper spirit. If you tell me that
the same spirit will still prevail and operate to the same extent,
even when the Association is in full force, I deny the possibility of
its doing so ; the mind is imperceptibly led to establish sympathies
wdiich will effectually prevent it ; if there is only one case of unpro¬
fessional conduct where there are ten now (which is what we
anticipate), surely that will be a great encouragement. Let us
banish the thought at once and for ever; let us dissipate
the delusion that there is no honour in the members of the pro¬
fession ; but if, unhappily, there should be a few nondescripts who
are still disposed to act unworthily, let us prove to them by our
example that “ honesty is the best policy ; ” let us force them by
very shame to follow in our wake. And here allow me seriously to
warn the young practitioner, aye, and the old practitioner too, of
the lasting injury he sustains by loss of confidence. The knowledge
soon spreads secretly amongst his fellow-practitioners that “ he is
not to be trusted “will do you a dirty action,” and not one of
your fellow-vets, dare to leave his practice in your care in his absence.
This character, once established, has its blasting influence upon
you throughout life ; no man can succeed with such a drawback,
for none can speak respectfully of him ; they all secretly dislike
him, and the public see it, and are influenced by the impression.
But the young practitioner, and his senior also, who is ever careful
to act wdtli strict integrity and honour, and who is true to
his fellow-practitioners, soon reaps his reward ; they one and all
respect and esteem him ; they feel a confidence in him, and experi¬
ence a pleasure in entrusting him with the care of their practice ;
they will any of them do him a good turn ; the public see it, and
are not slow in appreciating it, and his success in life is rendered
certain. If we will only act faithfully to each other, we have the
whole thing in our own hands ; there will be no more breaches of
professional etiquette ; we shall then have a confidence in each
other, a right spirit will prevail, and peace of mind will be enjoyed ;
our noble profession will then be a pleasure to follow ; it w ill be
elevated to a higher sphere, and estimated in society with more
respect, ai d hence it must occupy that status to which it legiti¬
mately belongs. Let our watchword be “ onward and upward,”

860 LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

and there can be no doubt but this our Association will soon be a
united, faithful, respected, and happy body ; then we shall feel a
pleasure and a deep interest in being in each other’s society ; we
shall be able to speak our minds freely, without reserve, for each
other’s good ; and not only will our connection and practice be
legitimately respected and safe, but our characters and our honour
will be safe in the keeping of our fellow-veterinary-surgeons. Thus
it must follow that this Association will become in reality everything
that its most ardent advocates can reasonably expect.

Practically, we know it will ever happen in the common order of
things that a customer will leave one practitioner and go to another,
and vice versa, owing to some whim or caprice of his own, to some
real or fancied superiority of one professional man over another, or
to any one of a thousand trifling circumstances ; and he has a
perfect right to do so without asking leave of any one. So long as
no illegitimate influence has been exercised, none but a very narrow
mind indeed would entertain ill-feeling towards the practitioner
who obtains the custom, neither would an educated and liberal-
minded man feel it to be a severe trial of friendship, but would look
upon it as an event which must be expected, and which will
occur, however clever he may be, and however attentive to his
business. If, however, a customer of mine has one of his most
valuable horses suddenly attacked with some serious illness, and
I cannot be found, or if found I can be of no service to him through
being in a state of intoxication, and this having unfortunately
•happened before ; or if I am found and am sober, but my knowledge
of my business is such as to lead me to adopt a method of treat¬
ment which is entirely unsuccessful, and this result has unfortu¬
nately happened repeatedly before, in such a case it is not to be
wondered at, nor is the employer to be blamed if he determines to
try another surgeon ; and I have no right to complain, or to take
umbrage if yon, my neighbouring practitioner, get the customer
and happen to keep him — “ this is legitimate If, on the con¬
trary, I am always on duty, always sober, and I adopt a plan of
treatment which is attended with as great a measure of success as
any other practitioner, and with which my employer is entirely
satisfied, and in this state of things some other practitioner ob¬
trudes himself unasked, unsought, and repeatedly solicits the
business, offering to do it at 10, 20, or 50 per cent, below the price
I am doing it for, and endeavours to raise himself by trampling
upon my fair name, this is what I characterise as mean , dastardly,
unprofessional conduct , richly meriting to be visited by the se¬
verest censure this Association can inflict. Let such a one, I say,
be “anathema maranatha,” for we maybe sure that the man so
acting is either a low-bred, unprincipled, necessitous fellow, or else
he is fully conscious of his own inferiority of ability, and offers the
article he has to dispose of at his own low estimate of it, as an in¬
ducement for the employer to make a trial of a cheap thing;
but long experience has taught me this lesson, that such bargains
are nearly always soon regretted, and never satisfactory ; they sooner

LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 8G1

or later bring their own retribution ; it is unrighteous and discre¬
ditable to both parties, and no man of an honorable mind could
stoop to do business in such a mean, disreputable manner. Depend
upon it, it is suicidal to our professional interests and honour ; you
are doing, so far as this act of yours goes, a gross injustice to your
fellow-man, and you are branding your own name with infamy ,
you are trying to bring down your own profession to penury and
ruin ; you must incur disrespect while living, and be despised when
dead. Is there any one within hearing of my voice, or who may
read these w'ords hereafter, ready to answer “ It matters but little
whether we possess the respect of our fellow-veterinary-surgeons
or not so long as we get our turn served, and it is a matter of sheer
indifference to us whether our memories are respected or disre¬
spected wrhen we are in our graves” ? To this despicable creed I
can offer no argument — it can only be met by silence ; but to
the individual entertaining such views, I can only say he is
utterly beneath the contempt of every man possessed of a well-con¬
stituted mind. There is no hope for such a one ; he may be safely
left to himself and to his own reflections (and this is the course I
should recommend). By his fellow-practioners he is sure to be
stigmatised as one alike devoid of honour and utterly unworthy of
sympathy.

I trust that in your Association, as well as in our owTn at Man¬
chester, there wrill never be found one single member to tarnish
its fair name, but that each will flourish as the • green bay-tree, and
much good be the necessary result. Let us hope that these institu¬
tions w ill become what their warmest advocates most ardently desire
them to be, viz., mutual improvement societies in every sense of
the vrord, and that the interchange of ideas which will take place at
the meetings will be fruitful of much good, as thereby we shall be
taught to respect ourselves, respect one another, and to love our
common profession ; and when life’s toils are over, and the things
of earth are fast fading from our vision, we shall be cheered by the
consciousness that no act of ours has tended to tarnish the fair
fame or honour of our profession ; but that, on the contrary, we
have on all occasions endeavoured to do our duty.

A unanimous vote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr. Friend,
awarded to Mr. Greaves for his excellent address ; after which,
Mr. Simpson, jun., read a carefully prepared paper on “ Colic and
Enteritis in the Horse,” which was warmly applauded, and followed
by an animated, interesting, and instructive discussion.

After a vote of thanks to the essayist for his able paper, and to
the President for his services in the chair, the meeting terminated.
Notice was given that Mr. Brydon wrould read a paper at the next
meeting on “ Laminitis.”

(Signed) George Morgan,

lion, Sec.

862

OBITUARY.

Died, at Weston Hill, Norwood, October 31st, E. N.
Gabriel, Esq., F.R.C.S. and Y.S., late Secretary of the
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, aged 64 years. His
diploma bears date July 3rd, 1822.

Perhaps few passing from among us will awaken more
regret. Yet, it may be, the event was not altogether unex¬
pected, as Mr. Gabriel* s health had been long impaired. He
became early connected with the corporate body, taking an
active part in associating with those who saw, and rightly
saw, that the obtainment of the Charter would prove the
means of raising the profession in the estimation of the
public, while at the same time it would promote a feeling
of friendliness and amity among the members of a body
long too much estranged from each other.

On the retirement of Mr. T. W. Mayer from the office
of Honorary Secretary to the Council, he undertook the duties
and responsibilities thereof, performing them much to the
satisfaction of the Board, and receiving from time to time its
hearty acknowledgments and thanks ; and, while as yet the
funds of the institution were low, he received no other
remuneration for his services, which were not light nor
unimportant.

He was active and energetic in mind, gentlemanly in
his demeanour, and ever maintained his position in society,
and was respected most by those who knew him best. He is
gone, and we, too, must shortly follow.

<f All will soon be over. Life’s fitful fever
Will soon wear out this garb of brittle clay.”

Death, termed the King of Terrors, should not, if rightly
viewed, possess any cause for dread. It is a name given to
a change that is inevitable, although the nature of it we do
not understand. It ends nothing, and is not, cannot be, the
final state of man, but in reality is the beginning of his true
existence. It is the passing of the narrow sea that divides
time from eternity, yet timorous mortals start and shrink to
do so, few being courageous enough to essay this without
some apprehension as to the future. Here it is that Faith
steps in, with a steady gaze looks upwards, and, resting
firmly on the promises, is turned to sight, and “ Hope in full
fruition dies.75

We have also to record the death of Mr. George Smith,
Coxpol, Ferry Hill, Durham. His diploma bears date April
30th, 1862.

I N D E I.

A.

Abdominal tumour, case of, 683
Abscesses in the kidneys of a cow, case of, 129
Acclimatization, on, 318
Acetification, cause of, 303
Acid, hippuric, in the urine of cattle, 34
nitric, new test for, 224
vanadic, 301

nitric, its action on arsenic, 327
arsenic, detection of, 339
sulphuric, its purification from arsenic, 527
Aconitia, action of, 712

“ Actseon” on the operation of firing for roaring, 296

Address, inaugural, of the President of the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society,
179

delivered by Professor Spooner at the opening of the session 1864-5, 745
Age of pigs.— What constitutes a hog? 102
Agricultural shows, veterinary examination at, 406
Aked, I., on a claim against a veterinary surgeon, 148
Alkaline sulphites, their great use in blood diseases, 847
Alkaloid, a new one, 303, 266

volatile, of digitalis, 528

Aloes, tincture of, as an application to wounds, 476

Anasarca, depending on hypertrophy of the heart and diseases of the kidneys, 160
Animals, grafting of, 528

mortality of, in America, 710
“ Argus,” his case of break-down, 474

records cases of indigestion in the horse, 25

ruptured stomach and worms encysted between its
coats, 151

obesity of heart, 520
on examinations for soundness, 520

on pay and position of the veterinary surgeon in India, 98, 152, 398
records a doubtful case of glanders, 294
case^of fractured pelvis, 518

humerus, 515

864

INDEX.

Army appointments, 61, 128, 200, 264, 504, 680
Atmolysis, some account of, 33
Attraction and adhesion, the phenomena of, 407
Australia, preventing scab of sheep in, 404

B.

Bacteriums in the blood, in splenic apoplexy, 190, 239, 349, 835
Besanez, M., on the action of ozone, 326
Bladder, disease of, in the horse, 11
case of rupture of, 505
Blood-corpuscles, condition of, 168
Blood, on the coagulation of, 311, 431, 548, 646
entozoa in, 302
kinds of matter in the, 595
Blondlet on a transformation of arsenic, 327
Blunson, W., obituary of, 200

Botany, as applied to veterinary science, 23, 147, 456, 570, 765

Break-down, case of, 474

Brennan, James, obituary of, 128

Bright’s disease, employment of electricity in, 770

Broad, J. C., his case of malignant sore throat, 441

T. D., records a case of secretion of milk by a yearling filly, 286

of osseous tumour on the hock, 287
Bronchitis, its nature and treatment, 213
Brown, John, obituary of, 680

Professor, on the improvement of agricultural horses, 47
on bronchitis, 213

on some of the diseases of the respiratory organs of the horse,
77, 385, 511, 688

Burrell, Thomas, jun., his case of retention of urine, 582
Bursal enlargements, do they constitute unsoundness ? 143
Burton, Thomas, obituary of, 680
Busteed, Dr., on the pathology of stringhalt, 133
Buttercup, tincture of, a vesicant, 712

C.

Caecum, intussusception of the, 395

Carbolic acid and McDougall’s disinfectant preparations, 109
Carless, W., records a case of colourless tissue in a cow, 220

of homo-albuminuria in mares, 220
Carob bean, the, or locust, 340

Cartledge, B., his case of osseous tumour connected with the sinuses of the head
of ahorse, 81
communication from, 701

INDEX.

865

“ Castor ” oil, the use of, 128
Castration by torsion, observations on, 569
Cattle disease in India, 112

progress of, 169, 233, 234, 300
bill for prevention of, 227, 533
in United Kingdom, number of, 405
Cattrall, J. G., on “firing” for roaring, 219

records a case of pyaemia in the horse, 292
on the caustic operation for spavin, 521

records a case of inflammation of the duodenum, and fatty
tumour, 705

Cavalry horses of the Federal army, 101
Cerebellum, functions of the, 595

Chambers, W., records cases of poisoning cattle with colchicum butumnale, 523,
Chinese sheep, fecundity of, 771
Cinchona plant, planted at Trinidad, 304
in Jamica, the, 405

Clark, \V., his case of singular disease of the lungs, 271
Coagulation of the blood, Croonian lecture on the, 311, 431, 548, 646
Colchicum autumnale, poisoning by, 523 ‘

Coleman Prize, award of, 534

Colon, case of rupture of, 683

Condy, H. B., on the nature of materies morbi, 322

Cooper, J., on horse-warranty, the rig, 29

Corn, preservation of, 264

Correlation of physical and vital force, 772

Cotton-cake, on, 71

Crofts, H., records a case of tympanitis, 704

Crowhurst, E. G., records a case of abscesses in the kidneys of a cow, 129
W. H., on the necessity of microscopic demonstrations, 834^

Cruelty to animals, French measures for the prevention of, 526

Pieport of Eoyal Society for prevention of, 550
Cystitis, case of, in a mare, 505

D.

Dayus, Chas., his case of intussusception of the caecum, 395

Deacon, Josiah, on the advantage of inoculating sheep for the smallpox, 779

Dialysis, practical application of, 526

Difficult parturition, communication relative to case of, 769

Digitaline, new test for, 528

Diseased claws of a lion, operation for removal of, 593
meat for the navy, 475

in the city markets, 300

Disqualification of polled cattle at agricultural shows, question of, 619
Dogs, obstructions in the bowels of, 284
wholesale destruction of, 476

866

INDEX.

Domestic animals in France, statistics of, 405

in health and disease, our, 473
Donderobo, the, 302

Dray, E. C., gives the inauguratory address of the Yorkshiry Veterinary Medical
Society, 179

on firing for roaring, and treatment of spavin, 284
his case of open hoclc-joint, 384

his letter on provincial veterinary medical associations, 767
Dunlop, A., obituary of, 128
Duodenum, inflammation of, 705

Dyer, R. H., observations on “soundness,” 14, 143, 185, 206, 279, 449, 691, 821

E.

Edge, J., records a case of open stifle-joint, 226
Eggs, a British doctor of 1612 on, 477
Electricity in Bright’s disease, employment of, 770
resorted to for reduction of tumours, 712
Ellis, J., his lecture on the breeding and rearing of the horse, 535
obituary of, 744
Entozoa in the blood, 302

Epilepsy and other seizures in the horse, letter on, 588

Epistaxis, chronic, case of, 156

Ernes, W„ his translations, &c. — vivisections, 114

bacteriums in the blood in splenic apoplexy,
190, 239, 349
on the leporides, 552
researches on. putrefaction, 725
morbid ferments, and their neutralization by
alkaline sulphites, 847

on the elasticity of the foot of the horse, 276
his observations on castration by torsion, 569
Errata, 128, 200, 680, 744
Ewes and lambs, fatality among, 404
Examiners, election of, 103
Exportation of horses, 405

F.

Farrier, Arab, personal safety of, 567

Farriers’ strike, or a veterinary medical association on its trial, 578

Fatality among ewes and lambs, 404

Fat, singular accumulation of, 102

Federal army, cavalry horses of, 101

Fermentation, causes of, 303

Filaria oculi, case of, 218

INDEX.

867

Firing, a remedy for roaring, 142, 219, 284, 296
Fleming, G., on cattle diseases, 234

his reply to Dr. Busteed respecting stringhalt, 290
the shoeing of our cavalry horses, 390

Flower, Henry, death of three heifers from eating the Ranunculus ficarice, 469
Fracture of the sesamoid bone, cases of, 163, 377
France, statistics of domestic animals in, 405

G.

Gabriel, E. N., obituary of, 862

Gadsden, his communication relative to Mr. Forbes’ case of difficult partu¬
rition, 769
Gas, oxygen, 100

“ Ghost of an Indian Veterinarian,” communication from, 39

Glanders, a result of improper feeding, 30

Glands, strumous enlargement of, 9

Goodwyn, E., obituary of, 200

Greaves, T., records a case of diseased bladder, 11

on provincial veterinary medical societies, 187
his inaugural address at the meeting of the Lancashire Veterinary
Medical Association, 242, 731
on obstructions in the bowels of dogs, 284
the state and prospects of the veterinary profession, 392
his thoughts on pleuro-pneumonia in cattle, 459
his letters on laminitis and navicular disease, 573, 814
farriers’ strike, 578

his address at the Liverpool Veterinary Medical Association, 857
Green, J. H., obituary of, 62
Gregory, T., his case of melanosis, 828
Gresswell, D., on the culture of turnips as affecting sheep, 464

H.

Haemoptysis and tuberculosis, case of, 158
Hall, Wm., treatment of open joint by metallic suture, 572
Hardy, It. S., records a case of abdominal tumour and rupture of the colon, 683
Heart, new motor system of the, 100
hypertrophy of, case of, 160
case of disease of, 514
obesity of, 520

Hempson, P., obituary of, 376
Hibberd, S., on the progress of zoology, 342, 650
Hire, E., records a case of suicide by a horse, 525
Hock-joint, case of open, 384
Horses, agricultural, improvement in the breed of, 47
exportation of, 405

868 INDEX.

Horses, the rearing and breeding of, a lecture on, 535
debate in Parliament on, 557
mortality of, in America, 710
Horseflesh, the eating of, 525, 722
use of, 593

Horse-racing in China, 476

Horns, suppression of the growth of, 168

Howell, D. B., records a case of fracture of the sesamoid bone, 163

“ Humanitas,” letter on epilepsy in the horse, 583

Humerus, case of fracture of, 519

Hunter, John, statue of, 594

Hydrophobia, 101

death from, 592

Hypertrophy of the heart, case of, 160

I.

Impounding cattle, 808
India, cattle disease in, 112

the veterinary department of, 590

petition to the Secretary of State, respecting,
830

Indian army veterinary surgeon, the pay and position of, 98, 152, 398, 590,
830

Influenza attacking the villous coat of the intestines, 516
Infusoria, origin of, 333

Inoculating sheep for smallpox, on the advantage of, 779
Inoculation, pleuro-pneunomia and, 105
Intestines, case of inflammation of, 515, 517
Intussusception of the small intestines of two puppies, 761
Iron obtained from cinders of puddling furnaces, 300

J.

Jackson on the formation of bony tumours, 702

Jurisprudence. Armitage v. Ward — claim against a veterinary surgeon, 60
Quartermaine v. Morris — “whistling,” 196
Exposing diseased cattle for sale, 199
Sale of diseased pigs, 199
Thompson v. Hewitt — navicular disease, 252
Thomas v. Abraham — warranty ? 368
Grabham v. O’Borne— scab in sheep, 370
Stick v. Hudson (Australia), 438
Bairstow v. Whincup — chronic disease of liver, &e., 497
Cruelty to a horse, 499
Isaac v. Forbes — difficult parturition, 503
Hardy v. Denham — alledged breach of warranty, 563
Cruelty to animals, 740

INDEX.

869

K.

Kettle, Bamfield, his case of fibro-vascular tumour, 379
Kidneys, disease of, 129, 160

L.

Lamb, Mr. his case of osseous tumour removed from the stifle-joint, 84
Lameness, arising from disease of liver, 222, 297
Laminitis and navicular disease, 573, 696
Lawson, J., on tetanus, 733
Lead, supposed cause of death of cows, 288
Leaders. Annual address of the Editors, 35
Election of examiners, 103

The Provincial Veterinary Medical Associations, 170
The advantages derivable from the press, and individual labour to the
profession, 229

The reciprocity existing between the divisions of medical science, 305

Annual meeting of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 408

Report of Council, 409

Discussion on report, 417

Notice of the annual dinner, 431

On medical education, 478

Our Medical Associations, 529

Cattle Diseases Prevention Bill, 533

The constitution of our veterinary medical associations, 596
The meeting at Newcastle of the Royal Agricultural Society, 597
Award of prizes at ditto, 600
Address to students, 714

The opening of the medical session at the Royal Veterinary College,
773

The President’s dinner, 775
Proficiency in cattle pathology, 775
The requirements of the profession, 837
Lime and magnesia, separation of small quantities of, 680
Lister, Joseph, lecture on the coagulation of the blood, 311, 431, 548, 646
Littler, R., records a case of parasitic disease in the horse, 202

unusual disease of the lungs and arterial trunks, 809
Liverpool Veterinary Medical Society, meeting of, 856
Lobster, the nervous system in the, 406

Lucas, R., his election as President of the Liverpool Veterinary Medical Associa-
tion, 856

Lungs, remarkable cases of diseases of, 268, 271, 809

M.

Malt for feeding cattle, 592
Manuring from the air, 743

870

INDEX.

Matico, new kind of, 303

Marshall, G. M., records case of irregular strangles and purpura haemorrhagica, 707
Marson, James F., his report of experiments on the vaccination of sheep, 629, 842
Materies morbi, nature of, 322
Matter, constitution of, 770

speculations respecting, 304
Mavor, obituary of, 440
Mayer, J. S., obituary of, 200
Meadow saffron, poisoning by, 523
Measly pork, effects of eating, 102
Melanosis, interesting case of, 828

“Mentor’s" retrospects of veterinary practice, 91, 154, 222, 297, 399
Metals, new source of, 528
Microscopic demonstrations, necessity for, 834
“Miles," records a case of filaria oculi, 218
Milk, secretion of, by a yearling filly, 286
new albuminoid substance in, 711
composition and characters of, 713
Miller, Dr., obituary of, 568
Mitchell, J., on veterinary medical associations, 695
his reply to Mr. E. C. Dray, 831

Morbid ferments, and their neutralization by alkaline salts, 847
Muller, Vv\, on trichina spinalis, 329
Muscle, case of ossification of, 681
Murrain, the progress of, 32

N.

Navicular disease, on the, 573, 696, 814
Nervous system in the lobster, the, 406
Nitre, formation of, in the soil, 710

O.

Oats, effects of new, 304
Obituary of Mr. James Rainsford, 62
H. A. Truman, 62
J. H. Green, 62
James Brennan, 128
A. Dunlop, 128
J. S. Mayer, 200
E. B. Goodwyn, 200
W. Blunsom, 200
P. Hempson, 376
W. Mavor, 440
R. Strickland, 504
Dr. Miller, 568

INDEX.

871

Obituary of Mr. Thomas Burton, 680
John Brown, 680
J. Ellis, 744
Robert Ousey, 808
E. N. Gabriel, 862
George Smith, 862

Odling, W., on detection of arsenic, 339
(Esophagus, case of rupture of, in a foal, 154
Omentum of a sheep, accumulation of fat in the, 102
Open joint, treatment of, by metallic suture, 572
Opium, the alkaloids of, 836
Os calcis, case of supposed fracture of the, 768
Ossification of muscle, instance of, 681
Ousey, Robert, obituary of, 808

Overed, J. D., records a case of cystitis and rupture of the bladder, 53 t
Oxygen gas, 100

action of, on animals, 172
Ozone, action of, on organic matters, 326
a source of, 836

P.

Paracentesis abdominis, successfully performed, 704
Paralysis in the horse, from spinal apoplexy, 1

an injury. 5
a wound, 6

Parasitic disease of poultry communicable, 167
in horses, on, 201

Parliamentary intelligence, 200, 227, 557
Parry, Mr. J., presentation of testimonial to, 175
Parturient apoplexy, interesting cases of, 824
Peech, J. D., death of pigs, 444
Pelvis, case of fracture of, 518
Pepsine, pure, 100

Petroleum in America, supposed origin of, 405

Phipson, Dr. T. L., on the phosphates used in agriculture, 633

Phenomena of attraction and adhesion, the, 407

Phosphates used in agriculture, the, 633

Phosphorescence in minerals, cause of, 301

Physical and vital force, correlation of, 772

Pigs, age of, 102

death of — enteric disease, 444
Plants, growth of, in the dark, 595
respiration of, 711

Pleuro-pneumonia, inoculation for, 105
in Australia, 228

identity of, with rubeola, 545, 639

872 INDEX.

Pleuro-pneumonia in cattle, thoughts on, 459
Poisoned flesh, new law on, 592

Polli, Dr. Giovanni, his experiments with alkaline sulphites, 847
Pork, measly, effects of eating of, 102
Potash in the perspiration of sheep, 34

new source of, 770 '.j

Poulton, T. J., rupture of the rumen of a steer, 584

his second case of rupture of the rumen, 585
Poyser, G., his letter on veterinary medical associations, 823
Pritchard, W\, presentation of a testimonial to, 54
Profession, new members of, 366

Provincial veterinary medical associations, letters on, 695, 767, 823, 831

Pulse, action of tobacco on the, 770

Purpura hsemorrhagica, cases of, 707

Putrefaction, researches on, by M. L. Pasteur, 725

Pyaemia in the horse, case of, 292

Q.

“ Qutesitor," our domestic animals in health and disease, 473
his case of supposed fracture of the os calcis, 768

R.

Rabies in Berlin, 101

Racing stock, destruction of, by lightning, 592
Rainsford, James, obituary of, 62

Ranunculus ficarioz, death of three heifers from eating the, 469
Respiration of plants, experiments on, 711
Respiratory organs of the horse, diseases of, 77, 385
Review of the British Pharmacopoeia, 352

‘The Journal of British Ophthalmology,' 854
“ Rigs," the warranty of, 29
Ringbone, its nature and treatment, 206
Roaring, firing, a remedy for, 149, 284

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, quarterly meeting of council, 126, 194, 363,

365,653, 797
special ditto, 127
annual meeting of, 408
report of council, 409
discussion on report, 417
notice of annual dinner, 431
special meeting of council, 436
new members of the profession, 437
special meeting of council, 655

July 13th, 655

INDEX. 873

Royal Veterinary College, opening of the session of, the introductory address, 745

President’s banquet in Birmingham, 800
bequests to the, 808
Rumen of a steer, rupture of, 584

second case, 585

Rupture of the oesophagus, case of, 154
colon, case of, 683
rumen, cases of, 584, 585

S.

Scab in Australia, progress of, 228
prevention of, 404
Sewage, utilisation of, 723

Shaw, F. G., his petition to the Secretary of State for India, 830
Sheep, correspondence respecting vaccination of, 624
diseases of, influenced by turnips, 464
Shirley, W., on “firing” for roaring, 149
Shoeing of our cavalry horses, the, 390
Simonds, Professor, on the progress of cattle disease, 233

his report of experiments on vaccination of sheep, 629, 842
Slaughtering, dangers of, 332
Smith, George, obituary of, 862
Smithfield Cattle Show, extra prizes of, 52

Social Science Congress, York, paper on the sale and transport of cattle, 776
Soundness, examinations for, 520

observations on, 14, 85, 143, 206, 279, 449, 691, 821
Sore throat, case of malignant, 441
observations on, 442

South, G., records a case of unusual disease of lungs, 268
Spavin, novel treatment of, 284

on caustic operation for, 521
Spectrum of lightning, 228

Splenic apoplexy, infusoria in the blood in, 190, 239, 349, 835
Spooner, Professor, his introductory address at the opening of the session of the
Royal Veterinary College, 745
Stephenson, C., records a case of ossified muscle, 681
Stifle joint, case of open, 226
Stomach, case of rupture of, 151, 224, 518
inflammation of, 515

Storrar, J., records a case of ruptured stomach, 224
Strangles, irregular, cases of, 707
Strickland, R., obituary of, 504
Stringhalt, on the pathology of, 133
Styptic compounds, new form of, 169
Sugar, test for, in urine, 710
Suicide committed by a horse, 525

XXXVII.

56

874

INDEX.

T.

Tenotomy, cases of, 217

Tetanus, essay on, 733

Thallium, poisonous properties of, 51

Thomson, W., on the identity of pleuro-pneumonia and rubeola, 545, 639

Thrush, or frush, on, 692

Tobacco, poisoning by, 836

Toll, W. P., his cases of parturient apoplexy, 824

Tombs, J., records cases of disease of heart, intestines, and stomach, 514

influenza attacking the villous coat of the intes¬
tines, 516

ruptured stomach, &c.,517

Trichina spinalis, on, 329
Truman, H. A., obituary of, 62
Tuberculosis, case of, 158

Tumour, compact osseous, connected with the sinuses of the head of a horse, 81
osseous, removed from the stifle-joint, 84
osseous, cases of removal of, 287, 701
fibro-vascular, 379

observations on, 381
large abdominal, case of, 683
fatty, in abdomen, 705
electricity applied for reduction of, 712
Turnips, culture of, as affecting sheep, 464
Tuson, Professor, his report on urinary deposits, 69
on cotton-cake, 71

his analysis of a compact osseous tumour, 141
on an alkaloid obtained from the seeds of the ricinus com¬
munis, 266

his analysis of viscera of cows poisoned by spray of rifle
bullets, 509

Tympanitis, case of, 704

U.

Urinary deposits, remarks on, 65
report on, 69
Urine, case of retention of, 582
odour and colour of, 527

V.

Vaccination of sheep, correspondence respecting the, 624

report of experiments as to, 629, 842
Vaporization, benefits derived from, 301

INDEX.

875

Varnell, Professor, on cases of paralysis in the horse, 1

records a case of strumous enlargement of the bronchial
glands of a horse, 9
his remarks on urinary deposits, 65
on abscesses in the kidneys of a cow, 129
on the pathology of stringhalt, reply to Dr. Busteed, 138
on parasitic diseases in horses, 201
note from, respecting the above, 265

remarks on cases of singular disease of the lungs, 270, 272, 811
fracture of the sesamoid bones of the off fore leg of a horse, 377
his observations on fibro-vascular tumour, 381
remarks on sore throat, 442

on a case of cystitis, 507
on a case of abdominal tumour, 685
case of ossification of muscle, 681

his case of intussusception of the small intestines of two
puppies, 761

Veterinary College, Edinburgh, fire at, 195

examination at agricultural shows, 406
inspectorship, appointment of, 168, 193

jurisprudence. Claim against a veterinary practitioner, 60, 148
Quartermaine v. Morris — “whistling,” 196
Sale of diseased cattle, 199
pigs, 199

Thompson v. Hewitt — navicular disease, 252

Thomas v. Abraham — warranty ? 368

Grabham v. O’Borne — scab in sheep, 370

Stick v. Hudson (Australia), 438

Bairstow v. Whincup — disease of liver, 497

Cruelty to a horse, 499

Isaac v. Forbes — difficult parturition, 503

Hardy v. Denham — alledged breach of warranty, 563

Cruelty to animals, 740

Medical Association, North of England, 59, 117, 482, 656, 793

quarterly meeting, 793
quarterly meeting and dinner
to Professors Simonds and
Varnell, 656

the Lancashire, 58, 242, 481, 731,-781

discussion on Mr. Lawson’s
paper on “tetanus,” 781
meeting of the Liverpool, 856
the Yorkshire, 179, 356, 556

quarterly meeting, 855
West of Scotland, 124, 359
associations, letters on, 586, 832
practice, retrospects of, 91, 154, 399
profession, state and prospects of, 292

H

876 INDEX.

Veterinary reports and cattle diseases, 477

surgeon, honours conferred on, 33
claim against, 60, 148

Surgeons, Royal College of, meeting of the Council of, 194, 363, 365
Victoria, Parliament of, Legislative Assembly, 679
Vivisection, discussion on, 114
Vivisections, 475, 771

Voelcker, Dr., on the composition, &c., of milk, 713

Watson, W., botany as applied to veterinary science, 23, 147, 456, 570, 765

records instances of supposed death of cows from the spray of rifle
bullets, 288

Webb, T. G., records cases of tenotomy, 217

Williams, W., letter to the editors on veterinary medical associations, 586
on laminitis and navicular disease, 696
Wine, the fermentation of, 836

Worms encysted between the coats of the stomach, 151
productive of disease in the horse, 201
in the eye, case of, 218

Y.

Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Association, quarterly meeting of, 855

Z.

Zoology, progress of, 342, 650, 839

rRINTEO BY J. E. ADLARl), BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, E.C.

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