412 
ON THE EFFECTS OF IODINE. 
I have rather confined myself to their general pathology and treat- 
ment. I cannot, however, too strongly recommend the veterinary 
practitioner in every case of long-standing canker of the ear to 
make a careful and ocular examination into the exact condition 
of the organ, as he may thus find out that, instead of it being an 
incurable disease, or one that will require much attention, it may 
prove to be of easy remedy if he can only comprehend its exact 
nature. 
ON THE EFFECTS OF IODINE. 
By Professor Dick. 
Edinburgh Veterinary College, June 15th, 1844. 
My dear Sir, — I n your number for May last, there is a paper 
by Mr. Thomas Mather, “ On the Administration of Iodine in Cases 
of Diabetes and Hydrothorax in the Horse,” in which he gives some 
statements regarding advice lately offered and experiments made by 
him as to the effects of the medicine in these diseases, which in- 
duce me to give you a short account of my experience with that 
medicine in those affections. In your number for August last I 
gave you a short notice of its effects in dropsy in dogs, to aid in a 
slight degree your proposed work on those animals; and I have since 
had repeated instances in confirmation of the effects of the medicine 
in that disease in the dog. As your wish at that time was for your 
readers to contribute towards the pathology and therapeutics of the 
dog, I did not think it necessary to enter upon the use of iodine 
in general, nor is it my intention at present to enter upon the sub- 
ject in all its details. In 1837 and 1838 several papers on the use 
of iodine in man appeared in The Lancet , and from its being then 
introduced, in a great measure, as a new medicine, or rather its 
powers being then more strongly recommended, I determined to 
try its effects on the lower animals ; and in February 1838, I was 
requested by a respectable horse-dealer (who was proprietor of the 
forge Mr. Mather’s father then occupied) to examine a brown geld- 
ing, four years old, which I found to be affected with glanders. 
As the horse was young, and the owner had paid a high price for 
him, he was unwilling to destroy him, and lie wished me to try 
if any thing could be done to save him. I therefore determined to 
try the effects of iodine, the acknowledged ill success of other reme- 
dies being a sufficient warrant for the experiment. The horse was 
immediately removed to a stable within two doors of Mr. Mather’s 
father’s forge, and there kept by himself for upwards of six weeks, 
during which time the medicine was regularly given, commencing 
