236 ON VETERINARY MEDICINE 



fay it is fimply impofTible, even for a man of 

 genius, upon the ftrength of his own fingle 

 experience, and without the benefit of regular 

 medical knowledge (which is the experience of 

 ages) to judge otherwife than at random. Well, 

 our empirical methodic now commences with 

 fome one favourite noftriim, which failing, he 

 proceeds through his whole circular routine — 

 and ihould the animal poffefs ftamina fufficient- 

 ]y flrong to enable him to furvive the rude 

 fliock of this double difeafe, of nature and me- 

 dicine, he muO: needs make a brave nag all his 

 life after, for furely a trifle cannot hurt him. 

 Should he chance to die (which fometimes may 

 happen) it is plainly his own fault, not the far- 

 rier's, who has doubtlefs done his befl for the 

 patient. As to the owner, no one can blame 

 him, fmce, like a good fubjeft, he has been 

 guided by the cuftom of his ancellors, refpecl- 

 ing " thewifdom of paft ages" — nothing remains 

 but for him to pay his bill, and to fend for the 

 farrier again whenever he may want him. But 

 it is quite another thing, fiiould a horfe fail at 

 ihe College, or in the hands of a veterinary 

 iurgeon ; the owner fliakes his head, with a 

 kind of ferious look of felf-approbation, which 

 almoll makes him amends for the lofs of his 

 horfe ; the tale goes round the circle of his 

 friends — '' Ah ! no, no, it will never do." — It is 

 precifely thus at prefent. 



As 



