306 
THE CONTROVERSY OF THE EXPANSION OF THE 
HORSE’S FOOT. 
By Arthur Cherry, M.R.C.V.S., London. 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Sir, — I HAVE read, in the last Number of your Journal, a letter 
signed “ J. Hely, 11th Hussars:” I have seen this effusion with 
regret, and with very considerable surprise ; and, as I am alluded 
to, I must claim the right of a reply, but I shall do so very 
shortly. 
What “ J. Hely, 11th Hussars,” has to do with an argument on 
a topic belonging alone to the science of veterinary physiology, I 
know not, nor can I understand. The Army List tells us that 
Mr. J. Hely is a Lieutenant* and Paymaster in the 11th Regi- 
ment of Hussars. What these appointments have to do with the 
contraction or non-contraction of the horse’s foot, is entirely beyond 
my comprehension, as are also the grounds on which he presumes 
to give a judgment : but this I can comprehend, that he has writ- 
ten a letter containing a large amount of personal abuse, and a very 
small amount of argument : the first is too contemptible for further 
notice ; and the second, emanating as it does from one not belong- 
ing to the veterinary profession, is placed without the pale of re- 
ply. I will render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s ; but, as 
this does not belong to such a rule, I have nothing to do with it. 
To this letter is appended a note, to comprehend which has 
been the work of some hours of reflection. A grave accusation 
is brought against me. I deny the justice of such a charge The 
attack — if attack it can be called — was provoked, wantonly pro- 
voked, by Mr. Gloag and his partizans endeavouring to force ex- 
periments and opinions, conceived without judgment and conducted 
without skill, on to the profession, in a manner which I felt, as one 
of the body, was of the most audacious character. With this feel- 
ing I replied by argument to Mr. Gloag : no reply. I again try 
with sarcasm and irony to induce a reply, but still without any 
rejoinder from the original author : but up starts one, who, having 
no pretensions to enter into such a subject, impudently presumes 
to settle the question by a blow; thus making the subject a mere 
question of clique, a state of things which has no sort of connexion 
with the science of physiology. I admit that I am severe on Mr. 
Gloag, but not “ unprovoked” or “ undeserved.” I did not think 
* Paymasters of Regiments rank as Captains.— Ed. Vet. 
