180 

 been suspected, and the effect, of course, has not 

 yet been observed ; but we abuse our reason, if we 

 refuse to listen to its teachings. I am not likely to 

 have met with the proof it may be desirable I should 

 adduce ; for perceiving the evil I early forbore, to 

 render possible any evidence of its tendency in my 

 own practice. Herein lies my excuse ; and though it 

 may not be satisfactory to all, the arguments I have 

 advanced, I think, must be plain to everybody. The 

 sulphates, in substance, are as efficacious as when 

 given in solution ; and if so large doses cannot be 

 administered in the former manner, the necessity for 

 such prodigious quantities has never been demon- 

 strated. Let it, therefore, only be admitted, that 

 there is room for suspicion, and perseverance in the 

 old practice is no longer justifiable. The number 

 of horses that exhibit diseased teeth, teaches us to 

 look for some cause. I cannot attribute every case 

 to derangement of the digestive organs, or to idio- 

 syncracy. The latter term rather avoids the question 

 than elucidates it ; and the former effect is as likely 

 to be produced by imperfect mastication, consequent 

 upon chemical injury to the teeth, as to be the pri- 

 mary cause of the disease of the masticatory organs. 



