ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. 
495 
and took the first thing that offered. The horse was bled well, but 
unfortunately “something untoward” occurred. The horse had a 
bad neck; and if I recollect right, died ! An action was brought, 
which threatened his ruin; and he was obliged to quit the 
neighbourhood. Here I must urge the necessity of the practitioner, 
as early as possible, obtaining testimonials from his employers. 
A man only injures himself, in the eyes of sensible people, by 
speaking of his own abilities : get others —disinterested persons, 
to do that for you, and you will effect much. 
But to return to the gentleman who has sent for you. You will, 
in all probability, learn before you leave your dispensary the 
nature of the case; and fifty to one if it is not one requiring bleed¬ 
ing and a fever ball; or a case of lameness requiring an abstraction 
of blood from the foot, and a poultice: if so, take your apron and 
sleeves, your fleams, blood-stick, pin-cushion, tow, a small pair 
of scissors, and a ball. While the proprietor is present proceed 
at once to shew you are a practical man: give the ball yourself, 
put on your apron and sleeves, and proceed to bleed; and while 
on this subject, I beg to offer a hint: I usually commence by 
raising the vein with the left hand, and from the exact spot I pro- 
. pose the fleam to enter I with a small pair of scissors remove the 
hair. The advantages are many in my opinion: you will with 
much more certainty bleed, perhaps never miss; a less blow is 
required ; the incision will be more easily pinned up; the chance 
of any hair getting into the wound is removed, and the blood 
will flow with greater facility. If it is a case of lameness, bleed 
the horse over the lateral cartilages, making an horizontal not a 
perpendicular incision on the superior and anterior part of the 
cartilage; and by immediately placing the foot in a bucket of 
warm water, you will easily get one, two, or three quarts of 
blood. If a poultice is required, make it yourself, and apply it. 
I would advise that a good sized packing needle be always one of 
the instruments in your pocket case; and with some good stout 
string, and a piece of an old sack, you will presently make one. 
A strict attention to these trifles is of the highest importance 
towards the welfare of the junior Vet.; and though these 
trifles are frequently performed well by the most illiterate men, 
still your employers will not give you credit for your theoretical 
knowledge if you do not prove your practical skill. 
You will, after you have been some time in the town, be sure 
to come in contact with farriers. Meet them with good feeling; 
remember that farriers practised before the Veterinary College 
was thought of. They will naturally, however sensible they must 
be of your superiority over them, feel a jealousy towards you: 
