THE EXEMPTION BILL. 
496 
worse than the groom who requires it to be done ; and I fear 
no education, even of the highest degree, could ever alter his 
natural propensities. 
Is this Sporting Surgeon not aware that there are many in 
practice as veterinary surgeons who have had an education in 
human also, perhaps little inferior to his own 7 and that 
though he may think little of them, and be sorry for their ig- 
norance, it takes much more activity and much better abilities 
to be a good veterinary surgeon than a human one 7 We 
cannot go to our patients and ask them, if they have a cough — if 
the cough affects their breathing — if they feel as though needles 
were running into their sides when they take in a full inspira- 
tion — if they are not able to take rest on the sofa on the right 
side — whether they ever feel their feet cold, their head sore, 
their face flushed, and a general restlessness and weakness all 
over the body; and then tell them — “ Oh, I knew well, as soon 
as I saw you, you were affected in that way.” We cannot ask 
our patients, Have you a fulness on the right side, just below 
the short rib — do you feel pain there — does the pain extend to 
the back of the neck and left shoulder — is your tongue foul, and 
your stomach in bad order — and do you feel a leetle relieved 
when you take a little spirits 7 
No, no : we must go to our dumb patients, when labouring 
under any disease, and examine them in a way that our 
would-be-superiors would be perfectly puzzled about. We may 
first ask of their owner how long they have been ill; we 
observe their motions, and examine the pulse. If inflammation 
in any internal part is going on, we can tell at once where it 
exists, and what is its nature. If the case be lameness, we by 
practice know whether it be the foot, the leg, the shoulder, or 
the back, without ever asking where the pain is felt, or saying 
to them, Oh! I knew so as soon as I saw you. We know our 
patients cannot answer us any questions, and therefore, in the 
first lectures we hear from our professors at the College, that is 
a circumstance which is particularly pointed out to us. The 
diseases are accurately described — specimens of them plainly 
shewn. As soon as we begin practice the mind must be still 
more actively employed ; and I think it will be allowed, that 
active employment both in mind and body must produce 
improvement. 
It may be said by your Sporting Surgeon — c< Oh ! your patients 
cannot tell any tales, whether their treatment be good or bad.” 
We can retort upon him the same in his cases, or in the cases 
at least of some of his professional brethren; and, as I detest 
manufactured cases, or cases to which people fear to put their 
names, I shall give the party in one of the cases I am about to 
