264 
ADDRESS TO THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
quantity in the aether, and must of necessity be absorbed ; further, 
death resulting from injury to the spinal cord, if not too long in 
being induced, also produces this singularity. 
It must be remarked, that those causes of death which act im- 
mediately upon both brain and spinal cord, and at once extinguish 
life, are all marked by the phenomena of non-coagulation of the 
blood, by non-contraction of muscular fibre, by the not hardening 
of fatty deposit, and by rapid and peculiar decomposition. 
The only conclusion to which these researches lead is, that as 
a means of tranquillizing an animal so that an operation may be per- 
formed without resistance aether is not strictly admissible, it would, 
in all probability, so act on the general system as to have an in- 
jurious effect on the subsequent well-doing of the animal ; but 
another very important question arises, whether these very cir- 
cumstances which are incompatible with its use in one way, may 
not prove of the highest value as a remedial agent when its merits 
and the power of regulation may be better understood. 
We are, &c. 
April 14, 1847. 
ADDRESS TO THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By W. Arthur Cherry, M.R.C.V.S. 
“ None are so invincible as your half-witted people, who know just enough 
to excite their pride, but not so much as to cure their ignorance.” Anon. 
***** 
“ Chance will not do the work — chance sends the breeze ; 
But if the pilot slumbers at the helm, 
The very wind that wafts us towards the port 
May dash us on the shelves. The steersman’s part is vigilance, 
Blow it rough or smooth.” 
Old Play. 
In once again addressing my professional brethren, I do not 
mean to insinuate that any amongst them are not as capable as 
myself to form correct opinions on the fitness of measures that may 
be propounded for the benefit of the profession at large ; on the 
contrary, no one can feel greater reluctance to obtrude individual 
opinions than myself ; but there are times and circumstances when 
such feelings must yield to the impression that to abstain would 
be injurious to the common weal. 
Being placed, from a variety of circumstances, in a position 
where the knowledge of the various movements and actions of 
