LETTERS TO A STUDENT. 
60 
loath to pass any general censure upon this class. They desire 
to inquire, and might be useful, if they knew how to set about 
it. In our profession, there are few able to direct or to suggest 
inquiry. The majority speak and act as if inquiry consisted, 
first, in making a supposition, and then in maintaining it by 
other suppositions. Of all this you have sufficient illustration 
in last Veterinarian. In August, Mr. Dick declared that 
Mr. Spooner had mistaken a normal appearance in the hock 
joint for an ulceration in it. Instead of examining a dozen of 
healthy hocks, and telling us the result, Mr. Spooner proceeds 
to argue the matter. He supposes a bruise to occur, where it 
cannot possibly occur ; and afterwards he announces change upon 
change, as if he had actually seen them every one. 
You may remind people who reason in this way, that hypo- 
thesis is not to be proved by hypothesis; that the proper way of 
settling the subject is to appeal to experiment, or to inspection. 
The answer seldom varies ; it is replied, “ Why, yes ; an expe- 
riment would certainly be the best way of deciding the matter; 
experiments, I frankly confess, are all very well ; but, I pray 
you, give me leave for a moment ; I would humbly, and with 
due deference, contend,” — and so forth, the same story over 
again, without aim or sense. 
Now, let me tell you that which has been long known. When 
you wish to ascertain what is or would be the effect of a cause, 
an experiment is not merely the best , it is the only mode by 
which it can be known, or by which any hypothesis can be 
either proved or refuted. Experience, which is nothing but ex- 
periments already made, will often serve the turn, as well as any 
you could think of making. 
Discussion has but three objects. If the disputants neither 
suggest, nor direct, nor state the result of inquiry, depend upon 
it they are merely conjecturing. A man will sometimes ask a 
question which never occurred to yourself : a positive answer 
would settle an important point. This is what I mean by sug- 
gesting inquiry. 
To make inquiry is to make experiments, or to use experience. 
This requires more capacity than is common to all men. One 
will be told that contraction is supposed to be the cause of grog- 
giness : he will reply, “ Very well ; I dare say it is, for I often 
see them go together.” Another will not agree to that, for he 
often sees them apart. A third will say, “ Let me try it.” Of 
the three, the last alone is capable of making inquiry. He will 
put the subject to experiment, excluding every other agent, or 
testing its influence alone and in combination. 
But you cannot always make the requisite experiment, and 
