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Correspondence, etc
The VetcrillalY Jountal. SIXGl:LAR FREAK OF KAT URF:.-The East Lallcashire Ed/(} describes a unique case of luslts llatura: in a calf at \Vm. Scott's, I leap Fold Farm. An /\yr~hire cow, which had gone her full time, was, early in the morning, observed to be in labour, and it was found that there was a wrong presentation of the calf. The 'case pro\'ed, as anticipated, one of malformation of a fCd us·in-utero. This curious monstrosity had one head, one neck, four fore legs, two trunks (bodies), four hind legs, and two tails-all of which were well developed, and not rudimentary, as generally happens in some of the supernumerary limbs. l\Ir. Briggs and 1\11". Packman were in attendance, but they failed to deliver the cow of her misshaped progeny, in consequence of its great size, although embryotom y to the extent of amputating four of the limbs was performed.
~rnr!2
Wdtrintu'u JJtpartllTtnt.
Ga::;ettc, July 31st. Veterinary Surgeon (First Class) George A. Oliph:1nt, to be Inspectin'Y Yeterinary Surgeon, 7'icc Ceorgc Fleming, promoted Principal Veterinar~ Surgeon. Mr. O liphant has been appointed Principal Veterinary Surgeon in India, in sll ccession to Mr. F. F. Collins retired. From his long experience in that country, his professional abilit ies, tact, and judgment, Mr. Oliphant will command confidence in the di scharge of the duties of this important post, which at the present time needs all the hest qualities of :1 good administrator.
C!i:Ul'l'eopun'1Jenut etc. A CORRECTION. SIR, ,-May I ask you to correct :1n error that appeared in your last number?
The il'inner of Sir Frederick Fitzwygram's prize for thi s year was my pupil, :\11'. B. j\. Clanc)" and not Clancy, as before stated. As this correction may be of some li se to hi':l in the future, will you k:ndly insert this letter? And oblige, Yours faithfully, T. D. LA \ IJ;F:r.:r, F .R.C.V.S. Dublin, Allgllst 131/1 ,1 883. PUPILAGE. DEAR SIR,- At present many men are entering our ranks who are tot~l1y unfit to become veterinary practitioners. They are neither naturally calculated, nor by previous CU5tom fitted, for the calling. " Lal1castrian," in a letter to your valu able Joumal last month, very rightly remarks, "To grant diplomas to men deficient in practical matter, is unjust to the men , to the puhlic, and to the profession." Many of our members arc not" tully qualified to practise the art and science of veterinary medicine and surgery." Compulsory pupilage, prior to going to the schools, is the only method by whic!l men can become " fully qualified to practise, etc." The subsequent
Correspondence. return which these practical and scientific men would get, would amply repay them. During their pupilage, they would discover whether the occupation was in accordance with their tastes, and could thereby pre\'ent flirt her waste of money, etc. The manipulation of horses would be acquired at an earl y ag-e, which is decidedly advantageous. Some remarks have been made as to the exclusion of those who are short of cash, though capahle men; but such individuals are generally of a determined character, and they would not allow compulsory pupilage to stop them in their onward course. Besides, it is absurd to study the interests of a fell', when those of the whole body arc concerned.-I remain, sir, faithfully yoms,
" E(Jt:us. ·'
AN APPEAL
To
TIlE
PRESIDENT, VICE,PRESIDE1',(,S, COU~ClT" A:>!D :\IE\IDERS OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEO~S.
Gr.~TLE\lEN,- It is with feelings of the deepest regret ancl greatest reluctance that I find myself compelled to place my present position before my professional brethren, and to appe:l1 to their sympathy and support. For one who, like myself, has occupied:ln clev:ltcd position, the necessity to do this becomes the more painful; but when I call to mind that the necessity has not arisen through a want of prudence on my part, this grief becomes much lessened. Throughout my whole career I ha\'e endeavoured to maintain a good name, and have constantly laboured to maintain the dignity of my profession, Almost immediately after obtaining my diploma, in 183;, I acted as secretary to a committee of influential veterinary surgeons, whose object was the attainment of a legal position for the profession, and whose exertions were ultimately crowned with SLlccess by the granting of the Charter of 1844. As a reward for my services, I was honoured with a seat at the original Council table, a position which I held from 1844 to 1854. In the latter year I was elected one of the vice-presidents, and again in IS;; and ';7, '7:! and '7;. As a practical veterina ry surgeon, I commenced my career at !\ ewcastleunder-Lyme, and quitting this through severe family affliction ar.d pecuniary 105s, I entered the Army, se rved in the Crimea in 1855-56, afterwards in Eng-bnd down to 187e, when I retired, compulsorily placed on half pay. Since then, as is well known to the profession, I have held office as one of the examiners, and also as one of the professors at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. These positions I have been obliged to relinquish, partly throug-h advancing years and diminished energy. As these details are only known to a limited number of my professional brethren, I have ven tured to name them, to show that I have ever endeavoured to do my duty and maintain the dignity of my calling. As years have advanced upon me, I reg-ret to say that I am able to do but little for the support of my wife and famih·. He nc e, to reli eve m} self from embarrassments which have throughoilt attended my course, I have ventured to make this appeal, which I trust will not be in vain, In conclusion, I may add that my lasting gratitude will be given for that relief which will soothe my sorrow and throw a halo of comfort around myoId age. The Editors of the Veterinarian have kindly consented to receive donations, which should be sent to the care of Mr. Ad!ard, Printer, Dartholomew Close, London, E.C. I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant,
Tllos. WALTO:>! :\IAVER, F.R.C.V.S.
50, Victoria Road, Aldershot, AII/[wt, IS83.
23 0
Tile VeteriJla'r y Journal.
CRLiELTY TO ANIMALS. [TIlE followin ,;- communication has been forwarded for publication, and as we do not wish to detract from the pusition or sentiments of the writer by alteration or emendation, it is printed literatilll d verbatill!. \Ve are informed by a reliable authority who is in a position to know, that the horse which was the subject of the trial referred to, is quite as lame as before it was jired Oil bot" fim: h:t;-s alld lite sole torn off its llOtlj, and that there is no likelihood of its ever walking any sounder. So that in this case at least the compound operation of firing and tearing off the sole has not effected the cure of sidcbone ; and it is very questionable if it ever has done so. Removal of tl l'~ sole, or a portion of it, for Canker is a bencfici:1l and common operation, and doubtless has been performed by the veterinary surgeons for the prosecution; but they have never torn away the sole and fired bollt fi)re It:.t;-s lit tlte same timc to effect the cure of sidebone and ringbone. The theory attempted to be advanced to explain how the supposed cure is brought about, we decline to discuss, as it is beyond our limited comprehension. But we might a sk, if tearil,g away the sole in this barbarous fashion is an infallible cure for ringbone and sidebone, why was this horse so cruelly fired at the same time? It is needless to mention that French veterinary surgeons do not remove the sole to cure ringbone and sidebone, neither clo the members of the profession in thi s country, so far as we can ascert:1in, with the exception, of course, of our amiable and humane correspondent. Speaking of the ;upposed painlessness of the operation, we wonder if he would consider tearing 0[[ his toe or finger-nails an affair of no moment-painless during and afler the oper
VETERDIARY JOURNAL
for ./'1I'.!:IIJ!.
M OS T heartily do I endorse the noble sentiment contained in the above extra::t, and ,,-ilh equal ardour do I endorse many other sentiments contained in that editorial on my case, I wish to goodness I could say the same of the whole produc ti on, but I am sorry I cannot, nor can I speak in complimentary terms of the editorial writer's evidence before the Court or of the evidence given by the other two veterinary surgeons who were with him, nor can any man whose mind is not pervaded with animosity, or an illogical and mean spirit. The artical complained of bei ng written by tbe Editor, and be being the he~cl of the Veterinary Profession , it bebovcs him to be circumspect, and not m ercilessly treat his professional brothers, nor to sct a pernicious example, encouraging a spiteful! and despicable sprit, which he apparently exemplifies, with all his grandiloquence, simply because he failed so cgreguousl), in bis attempt to convince the magistrates that the view he had taken of the case was the correct one. Not content with having had a full opportunity of giv ing his opinions to the Bench who dismissed the case, he must forsooth rear it up again, by having recourse to and calling into requisition the pages of his own Joumal to bolster up his condemed a~ld dismis sed ca,e ; he must hal-e felt himself humiliated and beaten or he l\"Ould never have shown such b:HI taste as to have resorted to such a questionable and indecorous a method. \Vhcn it is remembered that Dr. Fleming, 1\1r. Trigger, and Mr. Hodgkins admitt ed in their el-idelKe tl1at they had never once performed the operation of un soling the horses foot in their lives, that they had never once seen the
Correspondence.
23 1
operation performed, that they had had no experience and had no knowledge whatever of it, but in the face of this admission of their utter ignorance of the subject, one of them with great effrontery characterised it as a horribly painful operation; said the horse would be in horrible pain for days after, etc. The other two veterinary surgeons, equally without knowledge, endorsed what he said. I may here remark the horse has never had contracted tendons, sprained tendons, nor sprained fetlock in the slightest degree; even their saying so failed to make it so. If these eminent, scientific, and humane veterinary surgeons had only had one hundreth part of the experience I have had in these cases, they would have been ashamed of themselves to have given such evidence, or have written the editorial. Had they known anything at all about it, they would have been able to see the utterly absurd, unjust, and untruthful statements they made; but" where ignorance is bliss its folly to be wise." Had they been honest, they would have con , vinced themselves, and got to know something about it before they opened their mouths. They would have done as .Mr. Greaves did a long time ago, viz 'J when the idea was on his mind that the operation was exceedingly painful, so much so that he determined that he would be no party to it, he apprehended that the horse must be nursing his foot, and experience great suffering for weeks, unable to put his foot to the ground, he found in this he was entirely mistaken. It was altogether a falacious idea. .Much of it was sentimental and im.magination. They would have found as he had done, to their great astonishment, that the horse did not experience a tithe of the pain during the operation that they had imagined he must suffer, and that after the horse is let up he at once lays his whole weight upon the foot, and walk upon it as if no such operation had been performed, that there was only a little nursing of the foot afterwards. This they would have known if they had known anything at all about it, but from their evcidence it was obvious they did not, and could get no other notions in their heads, only the wrong one. "There is none so ignorant as those who will not learn." I have as sensitive a nature, ,and am as humane, and feeling as any of the four men who tried to get me convicted. I have operated upon scores perhaps hundred of cases after all other means had failed, since I got my diploma fifty-three years ago, and I can conscientiously say that not in a single instance have I operated only when I have had a full conviction and clear perception that the operation was nessasery, and that the pain I was inflicting was for the purpose of relieving pain, and making the animal more useful!. Therefore I am acquitted of cruelty by Dr. Fleming's own showing, from his own defination of what cruelty is; and this horse, which has done a deal of work this last month, and goes perfectly sound on the turf, along with scores of others I could name, restored from being useless, hopeless animals to llsefullness and soundness. Scores of my employers will verifY this fact if needs be. This is the way I have acquired the "unenviable notariety" alluded to in the Editorial, of wlliclt I /w7 l e so Ifreat calise to (omplaill. Mr. Greaves, in his evidence, stated that it was a necessary professional operation. He had performed it forty or fifty times for Canker, and twice for contracted feet, with almost invariable success; that he had never performed the operation for contracted tendons, ringbone or sidebone, but he could conceive it might be beneficial for sidebone in this manner: when the sole is removed the bond of connection at the heels and quarters of the wall on the ground surface no longer exists; and when the weight of the horse is thrown on that foot, the heels descend, and for want of the bond of connection the foot spreads out, or expands. At the end of a week or a fortnight it is quite surprising the extent of this expansion. The new horny sole grows stronger and thicker than the one removed, and has to fill up a wider space by three-quarters of an inch than the old sole;
The Veterilla1Y Journal. as it grows it fixes permanently the quarters and heels oi the wall in this wider shape and size. By this means it naturally relieves the binding tightness of the hoof upon the tumified and ossified latteral cartilages; in fact, adapts the wall to the altered conditions produced by the side-bones, and gives ease and comfort, just as the pressure of a tight boot made of strong, thick leather, from off a corn gives relief to the corn. If Dr. Fleming, with all his genius and sophistry, can refute this hypothesis, let him do so at once, or for eve r hold his peace. Possibly he may evince as much experience and erudition as he displayed in trying to prove its cruelty. I can compare the position of these three veterinary surgeons to a certain scientist who, being anxious to prove his case, illustrated it in the following manner: "Supposing a spider is inside a clock·case_ When I wind up the clock the spider will think there is an earthquake going on." When, all of a sudden, a man amongst the audience posses~ing some ofthat rare artical "common sense," which scientists sometimes lack, jumped up and, in a loud voice, asked, H ow do you know wlwt tht! sjJidt!r would be tl/inkillg ? The scientist floundered abou t, but it was evident he was shot in the wing; for he at once collapsed. The question was asked on that occasion, and I ask myself the question on this occasion, Which bas the long ears now? Checkley, Staffordshire, WILLlr\~[ WALTERS, August 9111, 1883. Veteri1lary Surgeoll.
Communication!', Books, Journals, etc., Received. CO~DI1; Xlc.-\TJONS
han: heen recei,-e(l from G. \Vhi tworth, Grantham; \\'. S. Careless, Lincoln; J. ;\,leCall, Glasgow; "E'luus" ; J. Clark, Coupar Angus; }{. }{utherford, E dinhurgh; T. Walley, Edinburgh; W. \Valters, Checkley; T. D. Lalllbert, Dublin; A. Sprcull, Dllndee; J. J- Merrick, A.V.D ., London; G_ Flemin g, P. V.S., London ; C. A. Fr::r,ci,;, London; \V. Droll ghton, Lee(is; E. Stand inge r, Frankfort. 1:00KS A="[) PA~J I'Hl.ETS: IV. Ro/J,'rts(}ll, ~l edic in e; C. CriiJl7,'ald, Experil1lelJ.tdl e lk
Text-Book of the Practice of Equine itrage lUr L ehre iiber einige Contagien ; S. Gall/gee, On the Treatlllent of \Vounds and Fractures; How to Outwit the Horse ; E. Stalldill,(" '/", llur.e und llun alZ l .ivt! Slo(k J ournal j i .llll ( d .: il/ar/; l _a'h' E xpr.:ss; 'i'hi.:rar:t ; / )mtu/t,; /.citsrill-ijt Jilr 7~ti"rllle<1i,i/l 1/11.1 V,.,-· g/. .'ldUlldl..' Pal/lOlo,gil.: ,. .AI/llaks dc: jlIc ~rl. ~~ :t/rillain: ,' ltc'CI,,:i' de: 11£/ i. ],~.~t/ril1a£r,: .: ~VO(/t eJIsc"rlft Jiir 'l7Ii,''-/'''i!klll/d,'; l.a Clil/im Vd,.,.illaria; Edil//JlI/:(,it il/,'dicat ! oarllal; Art"11i7.1i.'J r~~t':n·lIaire ,. E(llI) /' :.'I.Jrillairl-': ltlt'/,.,:rt..;riltllt flir li'lit!rllt.·i/!..·II1/.:I~' ~. L iv.: S to.-!: j Ol/rl1a! ; fl/,-tli.-"l!'r,·..-s
Nr': W ~PA 1 ''':RS:
G/t.ls..~·V'iiJ Jlt:rald;
G'a.~~rtJi.i.I Nc-ttJj' ; S ( otSllltlll;
City
j }rtsj' ~' l:."'a.;'/
L lII.-asllir,· E.-I/O; lrislt Tim,·... ,- l.ahor,· Civil and lllditary Ca:dl,·.
TO CORKESl'Oi\DENT:::, i\o notice can he taken of anunymous communications. 'Vhate\'cr is intended for insertion must be authenticated by th e name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication,_ hut as a gllarantee of good faith. 'Ye cann ot undertake to retu rn rejected communications. A number of communicatiom arc hcJJ oycr \llltil nc,;t month.
~rnr!2
Wdtrintu'u JJtpartllTtnt.
Ga::;ettc, July 31st. Veterinary Surgeon (First Class) George A. Oliph:1nt, to be Inspectin'Y Yeterinary Surgeon, 7'icc Ceorgc Fleming, promoted Principal Veterinar~ Surgeon. Mr. O liphant has been appointed Principal Veterinary Surgeon in India, in sll ccession to Mr. F. F. Collins retired. From his long experience in that country, his professional abilit ies, tact, and judgment, Mr. Oliphant will command confidence in the di scharge of the duties of this important post, which at the present time needs all the hest qualities of :1 good administrator.
C!i:Ul'l'eopun'1Jenut etc. A CORRECTION. SIR, ,-May I ask you to correct :1n error that appeared in your last number?
The il'inner of Sir Frederick Fitzwygram's prize for thi s year was my pupil, :\11'. B. j\. Clanc)" and not Clancy, as before stated. As this correction may be of some li se to hi':l in the future, will you k:ndly insert this letter? And oblige, Yours faithfully, T. D. LA \ IJ;F:r.:r, F .R.C.V.S. Dublin, Allgllst 131/1 ,1 883. PUPILAGE. DEAR SIR,- At present many men are entering our ranks who are tot~l1y unfit to become veterinary practitioners. They are neither naturally calculated, nor by previous CU5tom fitted, for the calling. " Lal1castrian," in a letter to your valu able Joumal last month, very rightly remarks, "To grant diplomas to men deficient in practical matter, is unjust to the men , to the puhlic, and to the profession." Many of our members arc not" tully qualified to practise the art and science of veterinary medicine and surgery." Compulsory pupilage, prior to going to the schools, is the only method by whic!l men can become " fully qualified to practise, etc." The subsequent
Correspondence. return which these practical and scientific men would get, would amply repay them. During their pupilage, they would discover whether the occupation was in accordance with their tastes, and could thereby pre\'ent flirt her waste of money, etc. The manipulation of horses would be acquired at an earl y ag-e, which is decidedly advantageous. Some remarks have been made as to the exclusion of those who are short of cash, though capahle men; but such individuals are generally of a determined character, and they would not allow compulsory pupilage to stop them in their onward course. Besides, it is absurd to study the interests of a fell', when those of the whole body arc concerned.-I remain, sir, faithfully yoms,
" E(Jt:us. ·'
AN APPEAL
To
TIlE
PRESIDENT, VICE,PRESIDE1',(,S, COU~ClT" A:>!D :\IE\IDERS OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEO~S.
Gr.~TLE\lEN,- It is with feelings of the deepest regret ancl greatest reluctance that I find myself compelled to place my present position before my professional brethren, and to appe:l1 to their sympathy and support. For one who, like myself, has occupied:ln clev:ltcd position, the necessity to do this becomes the more painful; but when I call to mind that the necessity has not arisen through a want of prudence on my part, this grief becomes much lessened. Throughout my whole career I ha\'e endeavoured to maintain a good name, and have constantly laboured to maintain the dignity of my profession, Almost immediately after obtaining my diploma, in 183;, I acted as secretary to a committee of influential veterinary surgeons, whose object was the attainment of a legal position for the profession, and whose exertions were ultimately crowned with SLlccess by the granting of the Charter of 1844. As a reward for my services, I was honoured with a seat at the original Council table, a position which I held from 1844 to 1854. In the latter year I was elected one of the vice-presidents, and again in IS;; and ';7, '7:! and '7;. As a practical veterina ry surgeon, I commenced my career at !\ ewcastleunder-Lyme, and quitting this through severe family affliction ar.d pecuniary 105s, I entered the Army, se rved in the Crimea in 1855-56, afterwards in Eng-bnd down to 187e, when I retired, compulsorily placed on half pay. Since then, as is well known to the profession, I have held office as one of the examiners, and also as one of the professors at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. These positions I have been obliged to relinquish, partly throug-h advancing years and diminished energy. As these details are only known to a limited number of my professional brethren, I have ven tured to name them, to show that I have ever endeavoured to do my duty and maintain the dignity of my calling. As years have advanced upon me, I reg-ret to say that I am able to do but little for the support of my wife and famih·. He nc e, to reli eve m} self from embarrassments which have throughoilt attended my course, I have ventured to make this appeal, which I trust will not be in vain, In conclusion, I may add that my lasting gratitude will be given for that relief which will soothe my sorrow and throw a halo of comfort around myoId age. The Editors of the Veterinarian have kindly consented to receive donations, which should be sent to the care of Mr. Ad!ard, Printer, Dartholomew Close, London, E.C. I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant,
Tllos. WALTO:>! :\IAVER, F.R.C.V.S.
50, Victoria Road, Aldershot, AII/[wt, IS83.
23 0
Tile VeteriJla'r y Journal.
CRLiELTY TO ANIMALS. [TIlE followin ,;- communication has been forwarded for publication, and as we do not wish to detract from the pusition or sentiments of the writer by alteration or emendation, it is printed literatilll d verbatill!. \Ve are informed by a reliable authority who is in a position to know, that the horse which was the subject of the trial referred to, is quite as lame as before it was jired Oil bot" fim: h:t;-s alld lite sole torn off its llOtlj, and that there is no likelihood of its ever walking any sounder. So that in this case at least the compound operation of firing and tearing off the sole has not effected the cure of sidcbone ; and it is very questionable if it ever has done so. Removal of tl l'~ sole, or a portion of it, for Canker is a bencfici:1l and common operation, and doubtless has been performed by the veterinary surgeons for the prosecution; but they have never torn away the sole and fired bollt fi)re It:.t;-s lit tlte same timc to effect the cure of sidebone and ringbone. The theory attempted to be advanced to explain how the supposed cure is brought about, we decline to discuss, as it is beyond our limited comprehension. But we might a sk, if tearil,g away the sole in this barbarous fashion is an infallible cure for ringbone and sidebone, why was this horse so cruelly fired at the same time? It is needless to mention that French veterinary surgeons do not remove the sole to cure ringbone and sidebone, neither clo the members of the profession in thi s country, so far as we can ascert:1in, with the exception, of course, of our amiable and humane correspondent. Speaking of the ;upposed painlessness of the operation, we wonder if he would consider tearing 0[[ his toe or finger-nails an affair of no moment-painless during and afler the oper
VETERDIARY JOURNAL
for ./'1I'.!:IIJ!.
M OS T heartily do I endorse the noble sentiment contained in the above extra::t, and ,,-ilh equal ardour do I endorse many other sentiments contained in that editorial on my case, I wish to goodness I could say the same of the whole produc ti on, but I am sorry I cannot, nor can I speak in complimentary terms of the editorial writer's evidence before the Court or of the evidence given by the other two veterinary surgeons who were with him, nor can any man whose mind is not pervaded with animosity, or an illogical and mean spirit. The artical complained of bei ng written by tbe Editor, and be being the he~cl of the Veterinary Profession , it bebovcs him to be circumspect, and not m ercilessly treat his professional brothers, nor to sct a pernicious example, encouraging a spiteful! and despicable sprit, which he apparently exemplifies, with all his grandiloquence, simply because he failed so cgreguousl), in bis attempt to convince the magistrates that the view he had taken of the case was the correct one. Not content with having had a full opportunity of giv ing his opinions to the Bench who dismissed the case, he must forsooth rear it up again, by having recourse to and calling into requisition the pages of his own Joumal to bolster up his condemed a~ld dismis sed ca,e ; he must hal-e felt himself humiliated and beaten or he l\"Ould never have shown such b:HI taste as to have resorted to such a questionable and indecorous a method. \Vhcn it is remembered that Dr. Fleming, 1\1r. Trigger, and Mr. Hodgkins admitt ed in their el-idelKe tl1at they had never once performed the operation of un soling the horses foot in their lives, that they had never once seen the
Correspondence.
23 1
operation performed, that they had had no experience and had no knowledge whatever of it, but in the face of this admission of their utter ignorance of the subject, one of them with great effrontery characterised it as a horribly painful operation; said the horse would be in horrible pain for days after, etc. The other two veterinary surgeons, equally without knowledge, endorsed what he said. I may here remark the horse has never had contracted tendons, sprained tendons, nor sprained fetlock in the slightest degree; even their saying so failed to make it so. If these eminent, scientific, and humane veterinary surgeons had only had one hundreth part of the experience I have had in these cases, they would have been ashamed of themselves to have given such evidence, or have written the editorial. Had they known anything at all about it, they would have been able to see the utterly absurd, unjust, and untruthful statements they made; but" where ignorance is bliss its folly to be wise." Had they been honest, they would have con , vinced themselves, and got to know something about it before they opened their mouths. They would have done as .Mr. Greaves did a long time ago, viz 'J when the idea was on his mind that the operation was exceedingly painful, so much so that he determined that he would be no party to it, he apprehended that the horse must be nursing his foot, and experience great suffering for weeks, unable to put his foot to the ground, he found in this he was entirely mistaken. It was altogether a falacious idea. .Much of it was sentimental and im.magination. They would have found as he had done, to their great astonishment, that the horse did not experience a tithe of the pain during the operation that they had imagined he must suffer, and that after the horse is let up he at once lays his whole weight upon the foot, and walk upon it as if no such operation had been performed, that there was only a little nursing of the foot afterwards. This they would have known if they had known anything at all about it, but from their evcidence it was obvious they did not, and could get no other notions in their heads, only the wrong one. "There is none so ignorant as those who will not learn." I have as sensitive a nature, ,and am as humane, and feeling as any of the four men who tried to get me convicted. I have operated upon scores perhaps hundred of cases after all other means had failed, since I got my diploma fifty-three years ago, and I can conscientiously say that not in a single instance have I operated only when I have had a full conviction and clear perception that the operation was nessasery, and that the pain I was inflicting was for the purpose of relieving pain, and making the animal more useful!. Therefore I am acquitted of cruelty by Dr. Fleming's own showing, from his own defination of what cruelty is; and this horse, which has done a deal of work this last month, and goes perfectly sound on the turf, along with scores of others I could name, restored from being useless, hopeless animals to llsefullness and soundness. Scores of my employers will verifY this fact if needs be. This is the way I have acquired the "unenviable notariety" alluded to in the Editorial, of wlliclt I /w7 l e so Ifreat calise to (omplaill. Mr. Greaves, in his evidence, stated that it was a necessary professional operation. He had performed it forty or fifty times for Canker, and twice for contracted feet, with almost invariable success; that he had never performed the operation for contracted tendons, ringbone or sidebone, but he could conceive it might be beneficial for sidebone in this manner: when the sole is removed the bond of connection at the heels and quarters of the wall on the ground surface no longer exists; and when the weight of the horse is thrown on that foot, the heels descend, and for want of the bond of connection the foot spreads out, or expands. At the end of a week or a fortnight it is quite surprising the extent of this expansion. The new horny sole grows stronger and thicker than the one removed, and has to fill up a wider space by three-quarters of an inch than the old sole;
The Veterilla1Y Journal. as it grows it fixes permanently the quarters and heels oi the wall in this wider shape and size. By this means it naturally relieves the binding tightness of the hoof upon the tumified and ossified latteral cartilages; in fact, adapts the wall to the altered conditions produced by the side-bones, and gives ease and comfort, just as the pressure of a tight boot made of strong, thick leather, from off a corn gives relief to the corn. If Dr. Fleming, with all his genius and sophistry, can refute this hypothesis, let him do so at once, or for eve r hold his peace. Possibly he may evince as much experience and erudition as he displayed in trying to prove its cruelty. I can compare the position of these three veterinary surgeons to a certain scientist who, being anxious to prove his case, illustrated it in the following manner: "Supposing a spider is inside a clock·case_ When I wind up the clock the spider will think there is an earthquake going on." When, all of a sudden, a man amongst the audience posses~ing some ofthat rare artical "common sense," which scientists sometimes lack, jumped up and, in a loud voice, asked, H ow do you know wlwt tht! sjJidt!r would be tl/inkillg ? The scientist floundered abou t, but it was evident he was shot in the wing; for he at once collapsed. The question was asked on that occasion, and I ask myself the question on this occasion, Which bas the long ears now? Checkley, Staffordshire, WILLlr\~[ WALTERS, August 9111, 1883. Veteri1lary Surgeoll.
Communication!', Books, Journals, etc., Received. CO~DI1; Xlc.-\TJONS
han: heen recei,-e(l from G. \Vhi tworth, Grantham; \\'. S. Careless, Lincoln; J. ;\,leCall, Glasgow; "E'luus" ; J. Clark, Coupar Angus; }{. }{utherford, E dinhurgh; T. Walley, Edinburgh; W. \Valters, Checkley; T. D. Lalllbert, Dublin; A. Sprcull, Dllndee; J. J- Merrick, A.V.D ., London; G_ Flemin g, P. V.S., London ; C. A. Fr::r,ci,;, London; \V. Droll ghton, Lee(is; E. Stand inge r, Frankfort. 1:00KS A="[) PA~J I'Hl.ETS: IV. Ro/J,'rts(}ll, ~l edic in e; C. CriiJl7,'ald, Experil1lelJ.tdl e lk
Text-Book of the Practice of Equine itrage lUr L ehre iiber einige Contagien ; S. Gall/gee, On the Treatlllent of \Vounds and Fractures; How to Outwit the Horse ; E. Stalldill,(" '/", llur.
Nr': W ~PA 1 ''':RS:
G/t.ls..~·V'iiJ Jlt:rald;
G'a.~~rtJi.i.I Nc-ttJj' ; S ( otSllltlll;
City
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L lII.-asllir,· E.-I/O; lrislt Tim,·... ,- l.ahor,· Civil and lllditary Ca:dl,·.
TO CORKESl'Oi\DENT:::, i\o notice can he taken of anunymous communications. 'Vhate\'cr is intended for insertion must be authenticated by th e name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication,_ hut as a gllarantee of good faith. 'Ye cann ot undertake to retu rn rejected communications. A number of communicatiom arc hcJJ oycr \llltil nc,;t month.