610 
ON VETERINARY OBSTETRICY. 
Of course, their answer would be in the affirmative : if so, then, 
how does the veterinarian stand between the Association and the 
assured] If the former honestly does his duty, of course they 
ought not to have been paid for, which they were. On the 
other hand, it may be said, as the “ Association will not inter- 
fere with the treatment of the usual farrier,” that they ought to be 
paid for ; and so I think, according to the last rule. If such, there- 
fore, is to be the case, that every person can either doctor his own 
stock or employ any drunken, ignorant, assuming vagabond, then, 
I think, if we are faithful to ourselves and our profession, we 
ought immediately to resign. 
I am perfectly aware that the Association wishes to steer clear of 
giving offence to the farmers in not prohibiting them from employ- 
ing their old accustomed practical and experienced farrier: yes, 
and so would I ; but I do most solemnly protest against the sanc- 
tioning every ignorant farrier or blacksmith. It appears to me 
that if the managers were true to the interests of the society, 
they ought to suffer those only to attend to stock that are compe- 
tent to do so, and to put a stop to farriers and ignorant blacksmiths 
attending on them. I am confident that there is more stock lost 
in my parish in consequence of the quackery of the owners, the 
employing of ignorant farriers, and the kind interference of know- 
ing ones, than would pay the whole amount of their poor rates. 
Some time ago I was called on by our inspector to see a cow 
that had acute inflammation of the udder, and which had been at- 
tended to by as ignorant an ass of a blacksmith as the earth ever 
carried. When I went over I found she had died a short time 
before. On inquiring about the case, I found that the cow had 
been ill several days, and that she had not been even as much as 
bled. He was urged to do it ; but he observed that if he did do so, 
it would be immediate death. 
I urged, conscientiously, to the Association, that the insured 
should not be paid for her, but which was over-ruled by Mr. Shaw 
and the inferior officers. 
Soon afterwards I was called in to see a cow belonging to 
another farmer, about two miles hence. She was lame in the 
stifle, and the owner wished, I could clearly see, to have her de- 
stroyed, and paid for by the Association, and to which I am confi- 
dent, if I had agreed to it, the inspector would not have objected; 
but I did not think proper to have her killed, and she is now nearly 
well. Soon after this, the inspector actually insulted me by call- 
ing in the redoubtable farrier to see her that had been in attendance 
on the cow with inflammation of the udder. I must say that I do 
not believe that the insurance associations will ever benefit the 
veterinarian, as they are at present managed; but, on the contrary, 
