168 SCOTTISH METROPOLITAN VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
chord, and some of the nerves of severe cases of tetanus, I could 
discover nothing abnormal ; yet knowing what an effect the least 
pressure on the brain causes, and that pressure on different parts 
produces different effects, might there not have been some slight 
enlargement or softening, some slight inflammation or extravasation 
of blood on some important part, which I was not competent to 
detect. I might apply the same remarks to paralysis. 
This is not a desirable state of matters, for to diseases of the 
brain, and, in fact, to all others that puzzle us, we must apply the 
system by which almost all discoveries and improvements in 
pathology have been made, viz. first study and know the structure 
and functions of the parts in health, then examine them under 
disease. 
Diseases of the Eye, in some localities, are mainly important to us 
in examinations for soundness, while in others they are very 
prevalent ; one can scarcely pass a team of horses without finding 
some with diseased eyes. With the more simple forms of inflam- 
mation of the eye and eyeball, ulceration of the cornea, disease of 
the mebomian glands, &c., we have but little trouble ; but from the 
cure of specific ophthalmia, amaurosis, cataract, and such like, we 
are as far off as ever. We may give great relief, but it is generally 
only temporary. 
Diseases of the Skin. — Some of these, as erysipelas and several 
eruptive disorders, are but imperfectly understood ; while others, 
such as mange and grease, are chiefly remarkable for the vexation 
and dirty work they give us. Mange and itch, when confined to 
one or two places, are not very difficult to treat ; but where con- 
firmed and existing all over the skin, they are not so easily got rid of. 
Grease, in an otherwise clean-legged horse, is generally not a very 
difficult thing to treat ; but when it attacks all the four legs of one 
of those thick, coarse, hairy-legged brutes, what is one to do with 
it? Carbolic and the mineral acids may do a great deal for them, 
but their attendants tire of dressing them, and soon they are as bad 
as ever. 
In the treatment of Wounds, Bruises, and other Injuries , I think 
we are well advanced. Thanks to what we know of the pathology 
of inflammation and the various healing processes we have not much 
to complain of. Our dressings and bandages, however, might stand 
a little renovation. In open-joints and fractured limbs some more 
effectual and surgical looking appliances might be invented. 
As regards operations , allow me only to say that, although we 
may be skilful enough operators, we are not very expert ones 
(generally speaking, of course). I have often thought that more 
careful and minute dissection, and as good a knowledge of the 
blood-vessels and nerves as we have of the bones and muscles, would 
give us greater skill and confidence. Our instruments, too, are not 
always very surgical looking. Good instruments greatly improve 
the appearance of an operation, and are great aids even to the best 
operators. From what I have seen, our English neighbours are 
ahead of us in this respect. 
