192 THE CLAIMS OF “ THE VETERINARIAN,’’ 
anything in the stable, and in consequence is turned out to a good 
pasture of grass every hour or two, several times a-day, and 
which she eats with avidity, and fills herself well. Not so lame 
in her near hind leg; her off knee is swelled a great deal. Con¬ 
tinue to give three of the last ordered powders, and to foment the 
knee. From this date the mare continued to improve ; the swell¬ 
ing soon went from the knee, lameness left her hind leg, and 
the ulcers healed up ; and she is now quite well, and has nearly 
gained her former flesh and make. 
Observations .—I think there can be no doubt but that this 
was a case of dropsy of the abdomen, as the symptoms clearly 
shew; such as distention, and great rumbling of water in the 
abdomen, and which might have been clearly detected by shak¬ 
ing it. Pain on pressing the abdomen, and of frequently paw¬ 
ing with the fore legs, I consider almost certain signs of dropsy, 
as I have remarked it in every case I have seen ; and if coupled 
with looking towards the flank, lying at full length when down, 
&c. &c. 
Whitchurch (Salop), March 12, 1332. 
THE CLAIMS OF “ THE VETERINARIAN.” 
By Mr. W. C. Spoon ek. Bland ford. 
To the Editors of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Gentlemen, 
1, too, am one of those who for some time past have wit¬ 
nessed with regret that The Veterinarian increases but 
little in the number of its contributors ; and I have naturally been 
led to inquire of myself the cause of this dereliction on the part 
of those best able to contribute the useful to its pages. I con¬ 
sider that the birth of The Veterinarian was an auspicious 
sera to our profession; for if that work becomes what it ought to 
be, viz. a general receptacle for all improvements, it will antici¬ 
pate years of labour and research, afford an easy and quick 
medium of communication, and a fountain which all might 
supply with some information, and from which all might receive 
some knowledge. There is an excellent rule observed in plant¬ 
ing trees, particularly in those by whose aid England has be¬ 
come the “ pride of the sea it is, for every single oak that is 
cut down, to plant two in its place. Now, as this rule has suc¬ 
ceeded so admirably in planting, I am sure that I shall not be 
charged with presumption if I recommend the same rule for the 
observance of our profession: whenever a member receives rnfor- 
