56 PATHOLOGY AND GENERAL TREATMENT OF CATTLE. 
quainted with good and well-made provender, that you may be 
enabled to say such corn or hay will not do for this or that 
animal. 
I do not mean to say that you must be able to reap and mow, 
plough and sow, in order to be a country veterinary surgeon, 
but it is absolutely necessary that you should be acquainted with 
the methodus operandi in nearly all its branches. 
Learn, also, what kind of stock is best suited to the soil. If 
you do not pay attention to this grand principle, you, in the treat- 
ment of numerous diseases, will fail to eradicate those which so 
often appear at some season to such animals as have not been 
habituated to the soil primogenitively ; for it should be borne in 
mind, that those farmers have the best luck, as it is termed, with 
their stock that rear and breed in conformity with locality, cli- 
mate, and soil. In those three words are comprised the form, 
condition, and quality of every animal. If I am apparently di- 
gressing, it is for the purpose of elucidating to the young man, 
about to begin life, the nature and character of the principles he 
must adopt, and the course he must pursue. A farmer, for ex- 
ample, year after year, loses two or three valuable cows from 
diarrhcea. There must be a cause for this. You would proba- 
bly ask him, “ Have you been crossing ?” If he is honest, he 
will immediately acknowledge that he has. You will ask him a 
little farther, — “ Did you lose stock before in such a manner ?” 
“ No,” he will reply, “ but I have been trying a finer sort.” The 
mystery is at once explained ; he has had either a bull or a cow 
not adapted to the climate and produce of the estate. It may 
be either too rich in the production of food, or it may be de- 
ficient in quality. It will, therefore, be impossible to extermi- 
nate disease on some farms if attention is not paid to this prin- 
ciple. Questioning as to any hereditary taint, or to any proba- 
ble crossing, should always be remembered by the veterinary 
surgeon when diseases occur on farms at or about the same 
time, year after year. As oxen are used in most counties for the 
purpose of ploughing, attend frequently to witness the operation 
of cueing or plating those animals, as they are liable to be occa- 
sionally pricked in nailing, as well as rendered lame from its 
being imperfectly done. 
Learn the way to pare out the sole, as matter is frequently 
imprisoned beneath it, the same as in the horse. 
Render yourself useful by assisting the hobbling and casting ; 
the dexterity with which this is done by some country vulcans is al - 
most incredible. You may probably, when in attendance at farms, 
have to perform these operations yourself, or give the proper in- 
structions for doing so, when about to perform any operation 
connected with the feet. 
