Diseases of the Horse. 1 5 1 



system advocated in the " Handbook," published by the 

 Agricultural Department of the Privy Council in 1887, 

 might be placed within less compass than 854 pages, and 

 a supplement of 33 more, greatly to the advantage of the 

 large number of horse and cattle proprietors, to whom 

 the loss of an animal is not the only inconvenience. 

 Concise legislation is greatly needed, the multiplication 

 of " Orders in Council " rendering confusion doubly 

 confounded. 



SENDING FOR THE VETERINARY SURGEON. 



Since publishing a few hints on this subject some years 

 ago, we have received so many assurances of their utility 

 that no apology is offered for reproducing them here. 



First. Whenever possible, select a messenger 'who 

 takes an interest in the animal ; one, at least, who has 

 witnessed its sufferings, and is able to afford information 

 in reply to questions from the veterinarian. If a stranger 

 is selected, send a written message. Let us urge that 

 on no account shall a verbal statement be entrusted to 

 illiterate persons, as there is great probability that it will 

 assume a totally different complexion before reaching its 

 destination. When sending the first time to the veteri- 

 nary surgeon, give full name and address, and write 

 plainly as possible. 



Second. Send early, or as soon as may be after the 

 appearance of illness, so that the practitioner may see the 

 sufferer in the original attack, and before it is rendered 

 critical by dangerous complications. "A stitch in time 

 saves nine." 



Third. Send as much information, consisting of facts, 

 as possible. Some apparently trivial circumstances may 

 prove of great value to the surgeon. The following sug- 

 gestive note came to hand early one morning : 



" ASHGROVE, 5th April. 



. "Please note one of the farm-horses was recently 

 found by the carter covered with perspiration, blowing 

 hard, and unable to bear his weight on the fore-feet. 

 Your attention will oblige." 



