ISO THE NEGLECT OF CATTLE 31EDICINE 
diseases of' cattle which that important subject so richly de¬ 
serves; for it has been observed, that when we compare the num¬ 
ber of cattle and horses, the former will be found greatly to pre¬ 
dominate, and they are, I should consider, equally, and in some 
respects even more, the objects of the veterinarian's attention 
than the horse. Owing to the vicissitudes of w eather, and the ex¬ 
posure to which they are subjected, they are constantly disposed 
to contract a series of disorders, widely, if not essentially, dif¬ 
ferent from those of the horse; and opening to the diligent and 
observant veteiinarian a wide field for the exercise of his most 
accurate pathological research, and, I think, I may add a lucra¬ 
tive one. When the agriculturist sees the veterinarian endeavour¬ 
ing to bring his medical knowledge to the investigation of this 
important subject, it is evident that there are few of the higher 
and observant part of that class who would endeavour not to assist 
him by joining their observation to his, and furnishing him with 
every possible opportunity to facilitate his researches. Mutual 
interest would stimulate them. The surgeon would receive the 
implicit confidence of his employer, and the illiterate farrier and 
cow-leech, with his empirical nostrums, be driven from the field, 
never more to assert his supremacy. This I should consider 
obvious to every member of the profession, and, therefore, it is 
more surprising that they have never given it due consideration. 
Being, as I before stated, not a member of the profession, I 
cannot form any idea of the reason which produces this apathy 
of spirit amongst them. Is it, I might ask, because they con¬ 
sider themselves inadequate to the task, in consequence of the 
slight and indefinite information they have been able to obtain 
respecting it ? Allow me, then, to say, I should consider the 
only way to alleviate this, is, strenuously to endeavour to con¬ 
centrate all the information they can on the subject, and thus, 
by mutual observation and scientific discussion, to elicit from 
each other that knowledge of which they are in possession. 
Aided by such a vehicle as your widely disseminated publication, 
I should consider the advantages which wmuld ensue would be 
incalculable, not only to the present, but to the rising part of 
the veterinary community. The student would find himself 
stimulated by the example of his seniors in practice, and would 
endeavour, by his own exertions, to qualify himself for the suc¬ 
cessful discharge of this important branch of his profession. I 
should not wish for a moment to see the attention of the veteri¬ 
narian diverted from my old friend and favourite, the horse (to¬ 
wards whom I feel an indelible attachment, and with whom I 
have for many a long day shared the noble toils and pleasures of 
the chase), but I consider, in a national point of view, that the ox 
