ON CATTLE PRACTICE. 
15 
piacenta was retained. I observed that “ I always removed it 
within twelve hours, or less, if near my own residence.” “What ! 
do you mean,” said he, “you cut it off? “No, certainly not: 
pass your hand up the uterus ; carefully free it from its adhesions, 
and remove it.” To this he appeared to be quite a stranger. 
Now, if a regular system of instruction had been given at the 
College during the pupillage of this veterinary surgeon, he would 
not have shewn such an unacquaintance with the commonest 
every day practice of cattle pathology. A professor, however, 
being now established for the purpose of teaching the anatomy, 
physiology, &c.of this valuable class of animals, 1 earnestly trust 
that much good may be derived by the pupils, as well as the 
public. But whence is the knowledge of diseases to be obtained ? 
not, certainly, from mere lectures. The lecturers on human 
medicine strongly inculcate that the bed-side is the only source 
from which the pupil can obtain the discriminating power of 
marking the various changes and consequent treatment in disease. 
Will the Veterinary College afford the veterinary pupil an op- 
portunity of obtaining such a desideratum? Alas! I am afraid 
not, if the information I had from a college professor be correct. 
When the Royal Agricultural Society made a donation to the 
trustees of the College, in order to provide a qualified teacher to 
instruct the pupils in that branch of which Mr. Simonds is now 
the recognized lecturer, and after sheds had been provided for 
the reception of this new class of sufferers from disease, not three 
cases were sent to the College in as many months. What a 
jejune and meagre affair to enable a class to get the requisite 
knowledge, so as to qualify them to start with practical advantage 
to themselves, or to those by whom they may, perchance, be 
employed. 
There may be means of practical instruction with which I am 
unacquainted ; I only hope that the object for which Professor 
Simonds is appointed may prove eminently successful. 
“’Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.*’ 
There is a disease which I hope Mr. Simonds may be able to 
throw some light upon : I mean puerperal fever. I can scarcely 
say that I have been successful in the treatment of cases of it ; 
and I can assure you the instances of want of success have been 
numerous ; and many a valuable beast have I seen die under the 
withering and destructive power of the attack ; and I think my 
treatment has been as varied as the patches of a harlequin’s 
jacket. I have also pursued that recommended by Mr. Friend 
and others, and in their hands said to be successful ; but with 
me the same treatment has not had the slightest benefit. I have 
