THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XII, No. 143.] NOVEMBER 1839. [New Series, No. 83. 
ON THE VETERINARIAN— THE USE OF THE STETHE- 
SCOPE IN ORDER TO DETECT THE EXISTENCE OF 
PREGNANCY IN AN EARLY STAGE OF IT— AND THE 
OCCASIONAL USE OF BLEEDING IN RETARDED PAR- 
TURITION. 
By Mr. GEORGE BAKER, Reigate . 
THE advancement of periodical literature is one of the most 
striking characteristics of the present day, and one of the most 
powerful instruments in the diffusion of general and valuable in- 
formation. Every important science or profession has its delegated 
organ to record its improvements, and to “ spread the intercourse 
of its members from pole to pole.” Now, the master spirits of the 
age, instead of devoting a life to one ample and voluminous work, 
for the exclusive praise of the learned and erudite, and that shall 
“ wrestle with oblivion for their fame,” have yielded to the earnest 
wish of a reading but time-saving public, and condensed into the 
smallest space the alcohol of their mighty mind : still it is the whole 
spirit brought to a quintessence — 
“ And oft is stronger than the strongest grape 
Could e’er express in its expanded shape.” 
Can we contemplate without admiration the galaxy of names 
that have enriched the periodical literature of our own day, in 
medical science, in theology, and the belles lettres 1 The combi- 
nation of the varied elements of such mighty minds might furnish 
forth a literature out of chaos. Every man of talent has cast a 
stone to the cairn, — different indeed in form, in shape, and in sub- 
stance, according to the regions whence it was obtained ; but the 
union of the great mass has produced a wondrous and time-defying 
pyramid. 
The wide diffusion of cheap periodicals treating on various sub- 
jects adapted to the comprehension of all classes, — articles on 
science so divested of all technicalities, so plain that “ he that 
runs may read,” — this is another characteristic phenomenon of the 
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