THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
YOL. XXYI, 
No. 305. 
MAY, 1853. 
Third Series, 
No. 65. 
MAJOR’S “ BRITISH REMEDY.” 
By Edward Dycer, M.R.C.Y.S., E. & L. 
Principal Veterinary Surgeon to the Mounted Constabulary Force 
of Ireland. 
Mr. Editor, — Sir, it hath been said, 
“ ’Tis pleasant sure, to see one’s name in print ; 
A book’s a book, altho’ there’s nothing in’t,” 
A pamphlet has just fallen into my hands entitled 
“ Major’s British Remedy ,’ 5 which, enverite , cannot be said 
to be destitute of matter [of Doctrines most absurd ), the 
perusal of which to me hath been a source of much amuse- 
ment. The compiler has entered into detail as to his pedigree, 
and informed his readers that his sire was a “ Farrier and 
Cow Leech . 55 
Well, on arriving at the finis of his pamphlet, the truism, 
e( similia similibus generantur 55 is fully confirmed in the person 
of Mr. Joseph Major, who, however, hath kept good time 
with the present age (in I was about to write Humbug) seeming 
to be in the enjoyment of as deep a state of ignorance on the 
subject which he attempts to treat as the Farriers contem- 
porary with his father. Therefore, it seemeth not to me 
strange that Mr. Major should have libelled the common- 
sense and judgment of so many hundred veterinary surgeons, 
who for the last fifty years have with success employed the 
66 actual cautery 55 as a remedial means for the cure of spavins, 
ringbones, curbs, &c. Nay, more ; he hath actually libelled 
so many of the profound and learned in human surgery, who 
in the present age are compelled to have resort to the “ actual 
cautery 55 for the cure of exostotic and neuralgic diseases, 
together with tendinous strains, &c. However, Mr. Major 
seemeth to have coupled with his audacity much courage in 
xxvi. 32 
