142 
THE PAST AND PRESENT STATE 
limb ; and will a knowledge of those muscles, amongst whom poll- 
evil, fistulous withers, lumbar abscess, &c. are found to lead to no 
practical utility? If a veterinary surgeon knows not the minute 
structure of the brain and nervous system, he will be unable to 
form any correct notions of their influence in many of our dis- 
eases; and if, in addition, he knows not the course of the blood- 
vessels removed from external injury, he will be quite at a loss in 
those internal injuries that sometimes occur from stakes and 
other accidents, and which often call for the utmost anatomical 
knowledge and skill. This reason ought not to be any plea, 
therefore, for neglecting any part of the anatomy of the horse ; 
but if we wish to make ourselves masters of our science, we 
ought not to stop till every part of it is learned and fixed upon our 
memory . 
In consequence of this lamentable deficiency in our anatomical 
knowledge, it is impossible that we can be eminent as physiolo- 
gists. Hence we have no distinct work on the physiology of the 
domestic animals : true, indeed, it is, that we have their physiology 
described in our anatomical works, but it is nearly all borrowed from 
the human physiology, and adapted to them : with truth, there- 
fore, we may say, we have a borrowed physiology, which, although 
it may generally be correct, yet I conceive it would tend much to 
the advancement of this part of our professional knowledge if we 
had a distinct work on the subject, based upon original experi- 
ments. If such was carried into effect, I have no doubt that 
many things which are now obscure would be brought to light. 
With regard to the pathology of these animals, we stand on 
higher ground ; for the present state of this department of our 
science exhibits considerable progress, though it has not yet at- 
tained that perfection which is desirable. The disorders to 
which the animals are liable are at present much simplified ; the 
causes and symptoms belonging to them are much better under- 
stood ; some diversity of opinion however exists as to the reme- 
dies, each practitioner mostly preferring his own particular re- 
cipes. We do not, however, see so much of that adherence to 
the old authors — the stimulating plan of treatment — the hot 
oils : the caustic system is giving way to milder and more scien- 
tific remedies, which produce more beneficial effects, and tend to 
alleviate the sufferings of the animal. Need I refer your readers 
to proofs for the foregoing statements ? I will refer to only one, 
which furnishes, in my idea, the best view of the present state of 
our science, — I mean the foot of the horse. Whether we consi- 
der its present anatomy, its physiology, its pathology, compared 
with former notions on the subject; whether we consider our 
operative surgery with regard to it ; or whether wc call to mind 
