236 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



Buccessfiil and skilful in practice, but chiefly from a want 

 of natural adaptability to the profession they have chosen, 

 fnistakably for themselves, and a source of disappointment 

 to their patrons. 



Thus Mr. Greaves, of the London College of Veter- 

 inary Siirgeons, and one of the most expert and 

 successful members of his profession to be found 

 in any country, says in the Veterinarian, (periodical) 

 that among the certified pupils leaving college, 

 many cannot even tell which leg a horse is lame 

 in. Again, he says that on account of this, and 

 the want of confidence of the public in them, the 

 practical man, though ignorant, is preferred to the 

 practitioners who write M. R. C. V. S. L. after their 

 names. To insure a uniform standard of efficiency 

 in veterinarians, it is now customary to make a 

 preliminary examination of each person before ad- 

 mission to studentship. This examination is not in 

 the abstract sciences, but in those matters, the pos- 

 session of which, when put together, form common 

 sense, or a good judgment of things and phenomena. 

 It is for the want of such merit in the purely scien- 

 tific, that little or no room is left for practical matters 

 and their application. 



The science of Gamgee did not discover the cause of 

 Texan Fever ; whereas, we think if he had but stooped to 

 look at common and unhidden things, the apparent mystery 

 would ere this time have been closed up. We would not, 

 however, under-rate science ; for when it is associated with 

 good judgment, it is the key to success in veterinaiy 

 medicine and surgery. We desire to add, in this connec- 

 tion, the lamentable fact that in cities and large towns, and 

 indeed all over the country, persons will be found who call 



