378 STATUS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
to enlarge upon a case which has been so accurately delineated. 
I now told the owner how the case stood, and that if he could 
make up his mind to be patient, I could in a short time make 
all right. I endeavoured to dispel his fears by relating a case 
that happened in his own immediate neighbourhood, though, 
after all, he seemed very doubtful. Now, as the cow was 
represented to me to have gone the usual time of gestation, I 
had not prepared myself with the articles required in such cases 
as this; and had, therefore, the mortification of having to return 
home to procure them. Being wanted to an urgent case else- 
where, I sent her two doses of sedative medicine; one to be 
given immediately, the other, two or three hours after, as 
occasion required, letting them know I would attend again as 
soon as I could make it convenient. In the evening I made 
another visit, when I found my patient much easier, the pain 
and straining being nearly gone, and she appearing cheerful and 
ruminating. I administered another small draught; ordered one 
for morning, if required; encouraged the owner, who still re- 
mained doubtful ; and left. Next evening, passing that way, 
I made a call, when I found all uneasiness had subsided. I now 
thought I could perceive something in her appearance that 
would warrant me in giving a favourable prognostication, which 
I did by letting the owner know he would ere long get an 
addition to his stock, to which he replied, “ I am afraid it will 
turn out worse than you represent.” Now, to shew how little 
such men know of animal parturition, the cow, within a very 
few hours of my last visit, produced a large male calf, needing 
very little assistance, no more than ordinary attendance ; and 
both mother and calf have done well ; and in the language of Mr. 
Hayes, have “established more confidence” between me and my 
employer than any thing that has heretofore transpired. I have 
met with at least a dozen cases of this description ; all in cows, 
and, generally, in the first calf, the difference in time being from 
one month to a few days. One case I have had in a ewe ; none 
in the mare. 
STATUS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By Richard Pritchard, M.R.C.V.S., Wolverhampton. 
Dear Sir, — I WOULD not have taken notice of your anony- 
mous veterinary correspondent but for your remark at the 
close of his letter, stating you have his name for any one de- 
siring to correspond privately with him, and his making use of 
my name, as if he wished to do so with me in particular. He 
