MEDICAL REFORM. 523 
often found to suspend the further action of the bowels for a con- 
siderable time. 
Particular attention should be paid to the diet. In the first stage 
this should consist principally of bran-mashes, gruel, linseed-tea, 
&c. But in this advanced and debilitating stage of the disorder, 
should the animal shew any inclination to eat, it may be offered a 
few steeped oats, or malt-mashes, gruel, &c. : the skin should be 
kept warm with large rugs. 
A great deal has been said in favour of the hydropathic system, 
and of its surprising powers in cutting short the course of this 
formidable disease. I have given it several fair trials, but, so far 
from its proving of any service, I have had reason to think that its 
adoption accelerated the progress of the disorder. 
As before stated, I consider the last stage of pleuro-pneumonia 
so utterly hopeless, that to persist in further treatment would not 
only be an useless and painful proceeding to the lingering and 
dying animal, but would be involving the proprietor in unneces- 
sary expense, so that, in order to terminate its sufferings, I invari- 
ably recommend the beast to be slaughtered. 
Medical Reform. 
The annual meeting of the council and members of the National 
Institute of Medicine, Surgery, and Midwifery, took place in the 
council chambers of the institute, Hanover-square Rooms, on Fri- 
day, Aug. 16, for the purpose of receiving the report of the pro- 
ceedings, during the past year, of the council, to carry out the 
objects for which the institute was formed, — that of a. thorough re- 
form in the system of education of medical practitioners, and the 
formation of an independent college of general practitioners ; 
Mr. Nathaniel Clifton in the chair. 
Mr. Williams, the secretary, read a very voluminous report of 
the proceedings of the council, the principal features of which were, 
that the difficulties which had retarded the settlement of the great 
question of medical reform had induced the council, on the 8th of 
August in the last year, to adopt a resolution with a view to con- 
ciliate, as far as possible, the adverse opinions that had been offered 
to the efforts of the institute for convening a conference of dele- 
gates from the various associations that had been established for 
effecting a reformation, and at the same time securing a settlement, 
of the main principles of medical legislation. The result of that 
conference was, that an application to the Royal College of Sur- 
