LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 233 . 
sideration this, considering the number there are in the metropolis — 
and to the latter it is of no less importance, as it has for its object 
their ease and comfort. I allude, gentlemen, to the present 
mode of horse-shoeing in London, which is at the present time being 
ably discussed in the pages of the Animal World. Several 
letters from eminently experienced practical men have appeared 
therein, strongly advocating the substitution of the calkin and 
toepiece shoe in place of the present system of flat shoeing. My 
own convictions, and I think those of any person who has witnessed 
the difficulties and struggles of the poor creature to keep on his legs, 
even without taking into consideration the load he may be drawing, 
are that not an hour should be lost in adopting the calkin and 
toepiece shoe, as there is no doubt it would add vastly to the animal’s 
comfort, without tending, as asserted by some members, to the pro- 
duction or increase of lameness and disease. My own experience 
extends to near thirty years, and I am a most decided advocate of 
the calkin and toepiece shoe, believing we have fewer cases of lame- 
ness from its use than with the system now practised in the 
metropolis. 
There are, however, gentlemen, other formidable diseases, as rabies 
and glanders, in which little, if any, progress has been made in the 
way of cure. The poisonous agency in rabies still remains without 
an antidote, and by what means the saliva is converted into evidently 
poisonous a character to life is to us still clouded in mystery. I 
know of no finer subject than this for an energetic and enlightened 
mind to investigate and study ; and let us hope that by the aid of 
skill and science some light may be thrown upon the nature of this 
disease which will enable the practitioner to overcome and prevent 
its terrible consequences. Glanders, if not so immediate in its 
effects, is almost as fatal in its results. It is one of those diseases 
which demands, and ought to have, more of our attention and study 
than I fear it often receives. What reward would be too great to 
the person who could succeed in introducing a cure for this formid- 
able and destructive disease ? Certainly he would deserve more than 
the thanks and good wishes of his fellow-members. 
Another subject of importance to the members of our profession 
is that of the appointment of inspectors under the Contagious 
Diseases (Animals) Act. I think, gentlemen, we are all agreed that 
our present position in reference to the carrying out of that Act is 
not what we think it ought to be, or at all satisfactory to the pro- 
fession at large. Surely the vast amount of capital, the cattle, &c., 
of Great Britain represent ought to be placed in other hands than 
those of the police. I can quite understand that in a county like 
Cheshire, where the losses have been heavy, expenses great, and the 
rate at present paid so high, the local authority would be most 
anxious to cut down the working expenses to the lowest point ; but 
even here I can see no justifiable reason for neglecting the services 
of the very persons who have been educated in the knowledge which 
is required in carrying out the provisions of this Act, and in their 
stead appointing a class of men who, however well adapted they may 
