EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
601 
opinions on their treatment, or to come to any conclusions as to the 
soundness of any “ remarks” that may be made on them, it is 
absolutely necessary, not only that the pen of the reporter should 
be a faithful transcriber of his observations and proceedings, but 
that no phase or change in the condition of the patient, or even any 
estimate or opinion he may at the time, in his own mind, form 
of his patient, should escape observation, but be minutely and 
honestly recorded. By the report, and by that alone, can the 
reader be informed. To him the narrative should be made to ap- 
pear upon paper as close a transcript as possible of the impres- 
sion the case made at the time upon the narrator of it. 
After what we have seen, we can have no hesitation in asserting 
that considerations such as these have directed the pen of Mr. 
Haycock while drawing up his “ Contributions.” Indeed, so care- 
fully and methodically has he conducted his reports, that they may 
serve as patterns to others employing their hours at home in this 
very useful, and truly essential, part of their professional duties. 
Facts obtained from observation of living bodies, in a state of 
health as well as disease, we all know constitute the groundwork of 
medical experience ; and that surgeon, or veterinary surgeon, will 
form for himself the safest and surest foundation to work upon, who 
shall register and treasure up the largest number of such facts. 
u Pin your faith upon no man’s, sleeve,” is an old and valued 
maxim for our guide in medical practice; and, we may add, in 
order that we may have our own observations indelibly stamped 
upon our memory, registries of cases ought to be made, out of 
which there is any thing to be learned, as early as possible after 
their occurrence, lest the shadows of them, by lapse of time, prove 
too faint to afford any useful or reliable minutes being made of them. 
The subjects comprehended in Mr. Haycock’s “ Contributions” 
are, Lymphatitis, Megrims, Congestion of the Lungs, Typhoid 
Pneumonia, Phlebitis, Inflammation of the Bowels, Concussion of 
the Brain, Disease of the Spleen in the Dog, Rheumatism, Pleu- 
ritis, Puerperal Fever, Abscess of the Liver, Abscess of the Trachea, 
Hemorrhage of the Liver, Rupture of the Stomach, Purpura He- 
morrhagica, and Scarlatina. The dates of the cases extend from 
1842 to 1849 inclusive, comprising the period Mr. Haycock has 
been in practice, his diploma bearing the registry of the former 
