568 
COIi ltES PON DE N C E W I T H 
the very reverse. It is, therefore, necessary in some measure to 
guard the interests of our profession ; and while 1 would prefer 
the natural protection which highly scientific and practical at- 
tainments, tested by public examinations, will give, I must, in the 
present state of society, agree in the propriety and advantages to 
all parties which a charter would afford. While, however, I 
would agree to this step, which is a demand for a monopoly , 1 
must, at the same time, state that, if we were to couple with that 
a system of exclusive dealing and secresy, this would be a retro- 
gression in civilization which is inconsistent with the general 
onward progress of society, and which the authors are a full cen- 
tury too late in propounding- 
It appears to me both impolitic and impossible to follow out 
the propositions of your correspondents ; and I am satisfied that, 
if the public take the interest in the matter which it is supposed 
they do, there can be no doubt that whether we supply the de- 
sired information or not, the demand will be supplied from some 
quarter. Some valued members of the profession may object to 
the open avowal of the leading principles of our art; but others 
will come forward as time and opportunities serve, to supply their 
places, and, by acquiring a character with the public, will either 
gradually draw out those who wished to be exclusive, or will to 
a great degree supplant them in the extent of their practice. 
The principle which has been suggested, if followed out, would 
lead to the extinction of The Veterin aim an, and of ail vehi- 
cles for the communication of knowledge. If a practitioner has 
met with some valuable case from the study and treatment of 
which he has derived considerable information, he may per- 
chance ask, Why should I tell every one, or even my nearest neigh- 
bour, what I have discovered ? Let him try what he can do, and, 
when he is fairly baffled, I may probably be called, and thus 
gain an advantage over him, that may raise my fame, and re- 
cruit my pocket. Let this be the course generally pursued, let 
this be the principle and the conduct of the veterinary surgeon, 
and the public will soon come to the conclusion that we are all 
a set of quacks together, for the characteristic of quackery is 
secresy. Such a system would retard the progress of knowledge., 
and consign to oblivion many a useful principle and fact. 
In order to shew the advantage of a medium of communi- 
cation between the members of the profession, I will relate a 
case which I consider unique, and which would probably have 
remained unknown, but for the opportunity afforded by your 
Periodical. I was requested to examine a horse’s foot, in March 
last, which belonged to one of the principal contractors for the 
Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The horse had been at work 
about ten days previously on the line, and had had his foot 
crushed between the rails and the wheels of one of the waggons. 
