187 
ON PUERPERAL FEVER IN CATTLE. 
to be in close contact ; but it really is not : there is always a 
narrow vacancy between the irritant and the nerves which it 
irritates. Were it possible to bring the two in closer contact, 
it is probable that the usual effect would not take place ; and 
you already know that there is no effect when the interval is 
increased by the interposition of any neutral substance. 
ON PUERPERAL FEVER IN CATTLE, 
IN REPLY TO MR. WILSON. 
By Mr. Friend, of Walsall. 
Dear Sir, — Your last number of The Veterinarian con- 
tains some concluding remarks by Mr. Wilson (as a continuation 
of his strictures on an article of mine, on the Etiology of Puer- 
peral Fever) ; and you will oblige me by allowing the following 
reply a niche in that valuable publication. 
My first feelings on reading his last remarks were decidedly 
against replying to them ; but I afterwards reflected, that posi- 
tive good has been effected by discussions carried on in this 
work, in which I have borne a part; and that it would be a more 
becoming act of courtesy towards Mr. Wilson to do so than to 
leave them unnoticed : hence this reply. You will recollect the 
discussion carried on between Mr. Harrison and myself on Hema- 
turia, the Effects of Purgatives on Cattle, &c. characterized only 
by the i( retort courteous.” There is unequivocal proof that 
that discussion has been serviceable to some in the profession, 
in an article by Mr. B. Bull, of Launceston, in the October 
number of last year. And on the present subject, there is surely 
enough to shew, that this new theory has created for itself an 
interest in the minds of those of the profession engaged in cat- 
tle practice, by what has been said by Mr. Anderson of Leices- 
ter, Mr. Holford of Northwich, and others. And though the 
discussion between Mr. Wilson and myself has been the angry 
collision of the flint and steel, let me indulge a hope, that a 
spark may be elicited, which, spreading amongst the intelligence 
and research of many of your talented contributors, may light 
up a blaze of truth that shall distinctly shew the way to the 
origin of this peculiar malady. 
Mr. Wilson returns, on this occasion, to the March number, 
and tells us that I said there “ that fever or inflammation is not a 
