204 THE PRIVILEGES OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
post-mortem examinations I must conclude that symptoms indica- 
tive of the approaching danger do appear some days previous to 
death. To ascertain these must be the chief aim of the inquiries 
into the disease, for, if they are once clearly defined, there will 
always be time enough to administer the remedies appropriate 
to it. 
The dung about the yards in which the cows examined by me 
had been kept was much altered, both in consistency and colour : it 
was thin, and of a blackish red, like iron-stone. This, most probably, 
forms the principal symptom of the disease. I would, therefore, 
be glad if the following questions are publicly made to all persons 
who have lost cattle within the last six weeks: — 
Does looseness of the bowels ever precede the attack? If so, 
for how many days does it continue? — What is the nature of the 
dung? Bloody? Thin? — Of what colour? Resembling iron-stone 
or iron rust in colour? — Are risings in different parts of the hide 
observed? Are they large ? Do they contain matter? Or blood? 
Or water? Are risings frequently or rarely observed? 
Is there no peculiarity observed in the position of the diseased 
animal when standing or lying down ? Are they lying on the 
back or the side ? Have they convulsions ? Do they seem to 
have a great desire for water ? 
Is the anus always covered with blood ? What remedies have 
been administered in different cases, and with what effect? Does 
bleeding alleviate the disease ? How does calomel in large doses 
answer? — how the muriate of soda? — how injections of common 
salt or turpentine ? 
To what cause do different cattle owners ascribe the disease, 
and what are the reasons for so doing? 
Is there any similar disease among cattle in Demerara? — is the 
mortality there large ? 
Berbice, New Amsterdam, 1st Jan. 1845. 
THE PRIVILEGES OF VETERINARY SURGEONS: 
A Letter from Mr. T. W. Mayer, M.R. C. V.S., to Mr. T. Turner, 
President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ; on 
the Steps proper to he taken to insure due Protection and 
Privilege to the Chartered Veterinary Body. 
My dear Sir, — I AM induced to address this letter to you, not 
only from the position you have ably filled as Chairman of the 
Veterinary Committee appointed upwards of four years ago to 
