820 
ARMY FARRIERS AND SHOEING SMITHS. 
to lectures that I think might have been curtailed into much 
less time and space.* 
When I obtained my diploma and commenced to practice, 
I was full of theory, and thought it could not err. But I 
soon found that, in some instances, I could not carry it out 
successfully, and was obliged to fall back upon some of the 
(then) discarded dogmas of our predecessors. Apropos, I 
will relate one ; — during my pupilage at College, firing and 
blistering were entirely abolished, and other methods intro- 
duced in their stead. 
I mean no discredit to any of our teachers. It was only 
their hobby ; peace to their manes. I never yet knew a 
brother practitioner who had not a hobby of some sort or 
other. Perhaps mine is firing. I may be wrong, but I do not 
think so. Time will show. 
In conclusion, I beg to say that I have started the ball, 
and hope that other members of the profession, who think it 
worth while to do so, will keep it rolling until the subject is 
exhausted. We may then, perhaps, be enabled to arrive at 
something like a just and satisfactory conclusion on the 
merits, or demerits, of the use of the actual cautery in 
veterinary surgery. 
[* Mr. Wilson, in making these observations, alludes to a period long 
since passed. We find that Mr. Wilson obtained his diploma thirty-two 
years since, and until now we had not heard that too much of the pupil’s time 
was then occupied in attending lectures and lengthy expositions of science. 
— Eds.] 
ARMY FARRIERS AND SHOEING SMITHS. 
By u Hippogriff,” Royal Horse Artillery, India. 
Our confreres in civil life will probably find little to attract 
their attention in this paper, but the military veterinary 
surgeon will recognise the subject as one having reference to 
a source of annoyance which, at a very early period of his 
service, he discovers to be imposed upon him. He may, 
therefore, not care to dwell long upon so unpleasant a matter. 
Our farriers and shoeing smiths are not much understood 
outside the army, but they are men acknowledged by Govern- 
ment to belong to a special branch , classed under the head of 
artificers, and supposed to possess a smattering of science, by 
which they are expected to render assistance to the veterinary 
surgeon in the execution of his duties, or, in the absence of 
that officer, to administer to the relief of sick and lame horses ; 
their other duties being to make, fit and apply horseshoes. 
