ON THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 38 



The Samaritans of our craft have sk Ived me problems on which 

 ihe fundamental principles of physiology and pathology ai-e 

 founded ; they have, to a certain extent, dispelled the awful cloud 

 of ignorance and empiricism which had reigned in the British 

 Isles. They have succeeded in illuminating the dense and dark 

 spots that have existed in horse and cattle practice since the ad- 

 vent of the ancient Egyptians, up to that period which introduced 

 a new era in our art. They have done more than this : our crafls- 

 SQcn have often robbed death of some of its victims, and have 

 succeeded in blunting the keen edge of many an epizootic sword; 

 and thus they have succeeded in stealing a march on the grim 

 monarch of epizootic destiny. Their weapons were often such aa 

 were wielded by Jexner, the benefactor of our race. Our efforts 

 may not always be successful, but as our veterinary fathers have 

 accomplished much, we ought not to despair. 



The field of enterprise in the United States is composed of vir- 

 gin soil, and the " bridegroom of promise " hath not yet put on 

 the complete mantle of fertility ; so that there is a splendid chanoe 

 for the teachers and graduates of American schools to distinguish 

 themselves and earn the laurel of fame. 



The husbandmen of this country have also suffered immense 

 losses by the death of valualjle animals, and since the landing of 

 the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock, up to this very moment, death 

 hath run riot in the camping-ground of horses and cattle, and 

 peoj)le have scarcely been informed of the " why or wherefore." 

 The legion host of " itinerant " practitioners which necessity and 

 circumstances have created, remain remarkably silent and non- 

 committal ; and probably this is the best course they can pursue, 

 for, if " ignorance is bliss," and that pays well, it would be de- 

 cidedly unbusiness-like in them to assume wisdom which might 

 not pay. 



There never was a period in the history of this country when 

 the services of educated veterinary surgeons were so much needed 

 M at the present time. The live stock of " Young America " do 

 not enjoy immunity from those pestiferous ci)izootic maladies 

 which have in former years operated as a " withering simoom " on 

 British husbandry. For example, a dreadful malady known as 

 pleuro-pneumonia has made sad havoc among live stock in Mas- 

 Baciiusetts, and the terrible alarm there created in fonscqucnce, i* 

 keenly felt, not only in that State, but in many otliers. In some 

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