89 



AGE NOT THE MEASURE OF EXPERIENCE. 



An eminent practical surgeon has said, " Years are not the 

 measure of experience. It does not follow that the older a 

 surgeon is, the more experienced and trustworthy he must be. 

 The greatest number of well-assorted facts on a particular sub- 

 ject constitutes experience, whether these facts have been 

 culled in five or fifty years." "It is not the extent merely, but 

 the extent in relation to the quality of the experience that 

 turns the lessons to profit." 



"BE JUST AND FEAR NOT." 



As I regard the foot and its functions, the final function of 

 locomotion is the aggregate result of a series of minor functions, 

 all acting in harmonious combination. It is possible to have 

 correct views of some of these minor functions, and incorrect 

 views of others. Thus I can consistently credit Mr. Gamgee 

 with having exposed one of the most dangerous errors that 

 have long prevailed with regard to the functions of the horny 

 sole. And, if I were not sufficiently armed with facts, I should 

 hesitate before I entered the lists of controversy with such a 

 redoubtable old swordsman or penman as Mr. Gamgee un- 

 doubtedly is. That gentleman, however, must be content to 

 have his utterances reviewed according to the same canons 

 of criticism as those by which he judges the views and opinions 

 of others in the same field of investigation. He has sacrificed 

 distinguished names and reputations upon what he deems the 

 Altar of Truth, in the interests of veterinary science. He 

 must therefore surrender his own to the sacrificial knife, if it 

 should be demanded in the name of the same goddess, and in 

 the interest of veterinary science. 



THE ESSENCE OF GAMGEE. 



Respecting Contraction as a morbid condition of the foot of 

 the horse, Mr. Gamgee denies the existence of any such con- 

 dition, without any qualification whatever. I will select a few 

 of his utterances upon this subject. " If it be true, as I believe 



G 



