911 
MR. HILL’S REPLY TO MR. WILSON. 
straw alone makes but a poor manure, while cattle, and espe- 
cially gravid animals, want better keep both for themselves and 
their progeny. It is always advisable to give cake in the 
straw barton, both for the well-being of our animals and the 
fattening of the land ! A remark which shows how inti- 
mately one science is connected with another, and ought, we 
think, go far to convince the veterinary student that time 
spent in acquiring the principles of science is not wasted. 
THE DISEASE TERMED KIDNEY DROPPER. 
By M. Hack, M.R.C.Y.S., Leicester. 
Not having seen an answer to Qucesitor’s letter re- 
specting a rare disease of horses known to “ copers” as 
“ kidney-droppers,” I beg to say that, although I have 
not met with a case answering to the vulgar name, I have 
ascertained, from a reliable source, the symptoms result- 
ing from the disease, viz. a horse or mare affected with 
it (for it is not confined to either sex), will, if suddenly 
frightened, drop down with the hind legs, but, on recovering 
itself, will perform all its duties, and carry a man at a fast 
pace, thus enabling the “ screw” dealer to palm off an un- 
sound animal upon the unwary purchaser. The disease is 
different from that known as “ shiver er” In this respect the 
“kidney-dropper” will not necessarily show any symptoms 
of the ailment by the test of backing or turning, but, on the 
contrary, may work for hours unnoticed, then suddenly lose 
the use of its hind quarters. 
I think the seat of the disease must be in the nervous sys- 
tem ; its true pathology I hope to learn more of from some 
other of your contributors. I have endeavoured to describe 
the symptoms in such plain terms that the readers of the 
Veterinarian may readily detect the screw “ kidney-dropper.” 
MR. J. W. HILL, IN REPLY TO MR. WILSON 
ON THE USE OF ACTUAL CAUTERY. 
I must apologise for again intruding upon your valu- 
able space ; but I think Mr. Wilson’s remarks, in reply 
