144 
LACERATION OF THE COLON. 
His business, then, is to point out the technical unsoundness, and 
advise on the amount of deterioration. This latter office excuses 
the introduction into certificates of remarks commented on by Mr. 
Goodwin. Let not veterinary surgeons be discouraged by the fre- 
quent differences of opinion among the eminent professors of the 
art. Such differences are unavoidable in the practical application 
of every science. Every day’s experience exhibits them amongst 
the most eminent professors of human surgery and medicine ; nay, 
even the very wisest lawyers and judges have been known to dif- 
fer. It cannot, however, be denied that the horse himself, the 
truest and most honest of animals, does, somehow or other, give 
occasion to more than his fair share of the exercise of the opposite 
qualities in man ; and it may not be useless to caution even the 
leaders of the art against the infirmity of answering questions ac- 
cording to the wishes of the persons putting them. Leading ques- 
tions by counsel are much discouraged as little productive of truth ; 
and a leading question from an influential attorney may somewhat 
bias the answer. Opinions in cases of dispute should be formed 
with the strictest impartiality, and with the constant recollection 
of liability to the cross-examination of a set of gentry who, though 
generally very ignorant of horseflesh and equine surgery, can 
easily pick up enough knowledge to expose opinions rashly or dis- 
honestly pronounced. 
A CASE OF LACERATION OF THE COLON. 
By Mr. R. Dods, Kirkaldy , Fifeshire. 
On the 17th instant, at ten o’clock at night, I was called to 
attend a gray mare supposed to be griped, the property of Mr. 
Carstairs, Smeaton, two miles distant from this place. On my ar- 
rival I found her feeding at a warm bran -mash, which she finished, 
and then commenced to eat some hay. I remarked she was busy 
taking good and healthy food, and there appeared to be nothing 
wrong about her. 
On the morning of the 18th I was sent for again, to see her. 
She appeared to have spasms at intervals, but very slight, and re- 
fusing her food. The other appearances were apparently those 
of an animal in health, being a compact and very healthy mare. 
Having been feeding on barley and turnips boiled together, I 
imagined that the food might have been given when it was slightly 
sour, producing indigestion and gases. 
