414 
CATTLE PATHOLOGY. 
physiology, morbid anatomy, and the other branches of 
veterinary science taught at the College. 
Pathology (from the Greek words 7 raOos, a disease, and A oyos, 
a discourse), or the science of diseases, treats, first , of the 
naming and arranging of diseases into classes, orders, 
genera, &c. ; second , of the predisposing and exciting causes 
of disease ; third , of the signs and symptoms by which the 
disease is marked ; fourth , of the changes of structure effected, 
involving physiology, or a comparison with the same func- 
tions and structure in a state of health ; fifth , of the necessary 
treatment to effect a cure ; and sixth, and lastly, of morbid 
anatomy, when cases terminate fatally. 
Pleuro-pneumonia, and other inflammatory complaints 
affecting the respiratory functions, with certain parasitic dis- 
eases, appear to have been very prevalent during the period 
embraced by the report ; and, from the discussion which fol- 
lowed its reading, are so still in several provinces. In 
Lincolnshire, and some others, for example, they appear so 
obstinate and confirmed in character, setting defiance to the 
exhibition of medicine, that farmers are giving way to de- 
spondency, leaving affected animals to the vis medicatrix 
Natures, or “ curative force of Nature,” as it has rather not 
inaptly been termed. 
In all inflammatory cases, and, indeed, in diseases of every 
kind, the old adage, “ prevention is better than cure,” is 
applicable — a fact specially alluded to in the College report. 
This arises from the indifference manifested by cattle when 
first affected, and the consequent difficulty experienced by 
farmers in recognising disease, and applying a timely remedy. 
The moment man feels the predisposing causes beginning to 
act, he applies to his medical adviser for relief, communicating 
to him many things which otherwise he could not ascertain 
at this period from any symptomatic evidence. As soon as 
a change of structure begins to take place, indications mani- 
fest themselves enabling him to prescribe, but not with the 
same degree of confidence and success as at an earlier stage, 
while the sufferings of the patient are greatly increased. 
And before even the first sensations are felt, man, from being- 
endowed with rational faculties, and knowing his own consti- 
tutional characteristics, and what course of dieting is neces- 
sary to preserve health, is able to adopt the same. These 
infirmities, too, generally hereditary, are often themselves 
chronic diseases of the most loathsome kind, liable to assume 
an acute form, or terminate in others of a more malignant 
nature. Take scrofula as an example, where the whole lym- 
phatic system is in a diseased state of action, more intense 
