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COMMUNICATION FROM J. TOMBS, M.R.C.V.S. 
Gentlemen, — In the Veterinarian for this month, I per- 
ceive there is a communication from Mr. Moir, referring to 
the liability of veterinary surgeons paying one guinea per 
horse under the new assessed tax act. I beg to state that I 
was charged one guinea by the surveyor of taxes, which I 
appealed against, and am now assessed at the lower rate, viz., 
half a guinea, (which duty I paid to-day to the district 
collector,) the commissioners being of opinion that a diplo- 
matized veterinary surgeon should pay the same duty as 
surgeons, &c. 
I hope and trust that Mr. Raddall’s suggestion to form 
local Veterinary Medical Associations will be favorably 
received, and ultimately carried out by the profession, as 
most unquestionably much valuable information would be 
elicited by the members of such societies, and the veterinary 
body generally will be benefited by the publication of their 
proceedings in ‘The Veterinarian / the editors of which I wish 
every success ; although, at the same time, I deeply deplore 
the loss of the late Mr. Percivall. 
I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully. 
Stratford-on-Avon ; April 18, 1855. 
MISCELLANEA. 
CAUTION TO VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
On Tuesday evening, Mr. C. Bedford, coroner for West- 
minster, held an inquest at St. George’s Hospital, on the 
body of Thomas Metcalfe, aged 35, a farrier in the employ of 
Mr. Rogers, M.R.C.V.S., residing at Knightsbridge Green. 
It appeared that the deceased was holding up the near fore- 
foot of a horse, to enable Mr. Rogers to perform an operation 
called “ firing,” when the animal suddenly reared up, and 
kicked him violently on the top of the head. The deceased 
bled profusely, and was promptly conveyed to the hospital, 
where it was discovered, however, that the wounds were ap- 
parently very trifling. He progressed favorably, until he 
was thought well enough to quit the hospital. The unfor- 
