4G0 
MISCELLANEA. 
my blister, and that your discovery will produce the same effect, 
you must excuse my being a little sceptical on that point, and, 
for other reasons, adding my conviction, that you have entirely 
failed in the attempt. But why have you passed over the nu¬ 
merous well-authenticated cases of cure? Surelv, on the score 
of science they cannot be unworthy the notice of professors, or 
beneath their inquiry. Have you not seen that a surgeon of 
eminence has borne written testimony to its great and powerful 
efficacy ? The same gentleman, cum rnultis aliis of that pro¬ 
fession, has expressed his astonishment at its instantaneous effect 
upon the horse, whilst it is inoperative on the human hand, and 
thinks it a “devilish” unaccountable thing. That you have 
tried its operation there can be no doubt; why you have remained 
silent on its effect is obvious. 
I know that several veterinary surgeons, men of liberality and 
judgment, friends to the profession, ardently wishing to raise it 
to that level in the scale of science which it ought to occupy, 
have used, and not only highly approved my blister, but have 
candidly acknowledged its superiority over any other composition 
of the same nature. Every originator of a discovery, parti¬ 
cularly when it entrenches on the profits, or places the talents of 
others somewhat in the shade, must expect attacks ; fair and 
open criticisms promote and lead to new discoveries, particularly 
when professors have not the fear before their eyes of lessening 
the dignity of their stations by fairly investigating all new sub¬ 
jects pertaining to their particular science, from whatever source 
they may emanate ; and I would recommend you to lay aside 
all prejudice, all fear of degradation, and persevere in your ana¬ 
lysis; for if you should ultimately fail in a discovery you so much 
long for (and at present there is a wide difference between you 
and an eminent Parisian chemist of the component parts of my 
blister), you may accomplish something of still greater benefit to 
the science of which you are professors, and, of course, distin¬ 
guished ornaments. 
2 2d May, 1834. 
We have thus inserted Lieut. James’s reply, although he had 
forfeited his claim to it by hawking about that reply, advertise¬ 
ment like, among the editors of other journals. We laughed 
heartily at the adroitness—the perfect nonchalance—with which, 
in other direct advertisements, he has turned our censure to his 
own account: verily, this Lieut. James is an admirable tactitian, 
and will become a General in due time !—Y. 
