454 
ON THE CHOKING OF CATTLE. 
In applying these results to a supposed case — but one not in 
the least unlikely to happen, of an insured animal having medicine 
improperly administered and dying thereafter — without entering 
into the minutise of the question, I would state one or two points 
which appear to me to have a bearing thereon. In the first place, 
the case seems altogether against the owner of the animal, if it 
was in ordinary health when the administration took place — or, 
although affected with disease, if it was not of a serious nature, or 
one which often produces death — or if, affected with serious disease, 
the owner took upon him to treat it without seeking the advice of 
a regularly qualified person — or if death occurred suddenly after 
the administration, the other appearances of disease not being very 
marked — or, lastly, if proper remedial treatment was neglected. 
On the other hand, the case seems favourable to the owner, if 
serious disease existed before the medicine was given — if he was 
acting on the advice of a regular practitioner, even although absent 
at the time — if due care and caution were exercised in the admi- 
nistration — and, lastly, if a candid statement is given of what has 
happened, and the treatment proper to the case adopted. Of course, 
there will be modifying circumstances attending each individual 
case, which can only be discussed on its own special merits ; but 
it will be of service to the veterinary surgeon to be intimate with 
the main bearings of the subject, which is the reason that has in- 
duced me to bring it under discussion. It seems also to me to be 
of vast importance to the interest of veterinary science, that, in all 
cases connected with cattle insurance, correct returns be given, so 
far as circumstances enable a judgment to be formed, of the true 
cause of death ; for it will be allowed by all who think on the sub- 
ject, that nothing is more wanted by the profession than sound sta- 
tistical information, and no means seem so well qualified to afford 
this as the cattle insurance companies, provided accurate returns 
are made to them. I hope, therefore, that what I have said may 
be useful to some, both of the owners of cattle, and of those who 
have their diseases to treat ; and that the subject will soon be 
taken up by others, whose experience and ability will render their 
opinions of greater weight than mine, whether coinciding with or 
subverting those which I have in this paper recorded on the 
subject. 
