VETERINARY EDUCATION. 
7 
mistaken in my opinion; but I consider there is not a portion of the 
practical part of the profession that is at all inferior, and I agree 
with the old saying, that if a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth 
doing well. 1 contend, that it is not any disgrace to put on the 
leathern apron and examine a foot, as to lameness, which I consider 
not only a most important matter, but a great credit to the party 
doing so ; and the thinking portion of his employers will come to 
that conclusion, and evince more satisfaction at receiving his opi- 
nion as to the seat of lameness, after his having done so. I am 
not alluding merely to the subject above, but to all cases connected 
with the horse. 
To the pupil or young practitioner, especially, I say, get tho- 
roughly acquainted with the practical portion of every operation 
that comes under your notice, and, my word for it, you will never 
regret it. 
I know many men of large country practice, who, if they had 
their time to go over again, would not be without the practical 
knowledge in connexion with operations, however supposed infe- 
rior. I recollect a circumstance which came under my notice about 
twelve or thirteen years ago, and which I hope I shall never forget. 
I requested a gentleman, one of the brightest ornaments in the pro- 
fession, to look at a horse which had met with an injury in the 
bottom of the foot, where a division had commenced between hair 
and hoof. It was an agreeable surprise to me to see Mr. John 
Field (for he was the operator to whom I allude) take off his coat, 
tuck up his shirt sleeves, and begin to remove the disconnected 
parts. My impression was then, and is n(*v, that even he (Mr. 
Field) could not have had the same operation performed by direc- 
tions so well as he did it himself. And though young in business 
at the time, 1 was forcibly struck with the necessity of all parties 
engaged in the profession being fully acquainted with the practical 
portion of all operations. 
As I have an objection to any thing anonymous, I beg to enclose 
you my card, and to subscribe myself 
An Admirer of Progression in the 
Veterinary Art. 
Borough, Dec. 2, 1847. 
P.S. — I beg to state that the case mentioned above, although an 
extreme one, did well. 
