THE (-URE OF GLANDERS IN THE HORSE. 
143 
tion of eminent members of the profession of the present day, who 
have laboured hard to ascertain a more successful plan of treatment 
to combat such a powerful enemy, and various and diversified 
have been the experiments to bring about their object. But, in all 
instances, too often has the disease proved the victor. It is not my 
intention, at the present time, to attempt a description of its nature 
and causes but rather to assert that it is not so incurable as many 
authors inform us, or as numerous practitioners at the present time 
consider it. It is a well known fact, that some thousands of horses 
(and many amongst that number valuable ones) are annually con- 
signed to the knacker’s knife, or some similar fate, in consequence 
of being affected with this disease ; and 1 fearlessly state, that a 
great many of that number might, under proper treatment, have 
been cured, and thus a great loss saved. I would not be under- 
stood to be alluding to the disease in its advanced stage, or where 
the animal is old ; nor yet to those cases where we find the disease 
the result of a weak and debilitated constitution ; for, in such cases, 
the practitioner would do more to serve the interest of his employ- 
er, and likewise his own reputation, by humanely recommending 
them to be destroyed. I more especially allude, however, to those 
cases of the acute character, where, the constitution being good 
and the animal possessing youth, it has frequently occurred, where 
a veterinary surgeon has been consulted upon a case, and found the 
usual symptoms by which we recognize the disease, he has at once 
prematurely recommended its destruction without reference to age 
or state of the constitution at the time. Previous, however, to its 
being carried into effect, the opinion of another vet. is sought, who 
admits the existence of the disease, but, from the age and constitu- 
tion being favourable, considers the case would yield to treatment. 
He is probably allowed to treat it, and ultimately success attends his 
measures ; and should the patient happen to be a valuable one, such 
a circumstance would tell heavily against the reputation of the 
former practitioner, at the same time that it will add to that of the 
latter. 
That my views may be better understood, and that they may not be 
thought to arise from theoretical hypothesis, I submit the following 
cases, whereby the reader will clearly perceive that 1 do not depend 
upon success from the introduction of any novel or specific plan of 
treatment, but upon pursuing a steady tonic course, combined with 
liberal feeding, regular exercise, pure air, and attention to cleanli- 
ness. I am fully aware, it may be urged that, while we are doing 
this, we are incurring a great risk of spreading the disease ; but if 
a little attention is given to it, the risk will not be great. I would, 
on all occasions, separate my patient from other animals, and, after 
