570 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH 
me that this gentleman has lived long enough to dread the fulfil- 
ment of his own prophecy, that “ Science will plant around the 
sacred precincts her own bulwarks but, notwithstanding this al- 
teration in Mr. Morton’s opinions, it is very evident that, if the con- 
cluding part of the same prophetic sentence had been fairly main- 
tained by the members of our profession — if we had been but true 
to the interests of our profession and ourselves, the consequences 
which are now so much dreaded would never have been imagined. 
Even now I cannot help thinking that a great deal of Mr. Mor- 
ton’s fear respecting of this bulwark being thrown down, and the ‘ 
fair field of science trodden under foot, really exists more in ima- 
gination than in reality. 
It cannot be denied that the first person who set the example 
of tearing down the barrier was our own Professor, when he sent 
forth, or allowed to be sent forth, that circular of his respecting 
the Epidemic among cattle, sheep, &c. I was fortunate enough to 
get one of the first of these circulars, through the kindness of one 
of the governors of the English Agricultural Society ; and fore- 
seeing the effect which such a document would have on my pri- 
vate practice, I immediately published a letter in the two leading 
newspapers of the county, giving a detailed account of the symp- 
toms, and treatment to be pursued. The consequence was, 
that I directed the attention of the farmers whose cattle were dis- 
eased, from Mr. Sewell’s circular to mine. It suited my pur- 
pose excellently well ; and, had I not done so, I have every reason 
to believe that the druggists and empirics would here, as almost 
every where else, have had the lion’s share. 
Such proceedings, however, on the part of the Professor or the 
profession are not likely, I trust, to occur again. I believe that 
Mr. Sewell acted from the best motives, and I acted only in self- 
defence. 
But now, with regard to the proceedings of the Veterinary 
Medical Association, it cannot be denied that they form a very 
valuable part of The Veterinarian, and that the opinions of 
the metropolitan veterinarians in the different discussions, when 
they do make their appearance, are of great utility to the coun- 
try practitioners ; but, on the same principle as those to whom 
Mr. Morton alludes would refuse to have their opinions recorded, 
the latter may refuse, although with just as little excuse, to send 
their papers and cases to The Veterinarian. I am sorry that 
such a question should ever have been agitated. It can do no 
good : but where bad feeling, from whatever erroneous cause it 
may arise, prevails, the trifling and superficial wound which at 
present exists may degenerate into an ill-conditioned, cancerous 
sore. Ill-betide those, and they will eventually bitterly repent of 
their proceedings, who arc instrumental in effecting this. The 
