DISCUSSION ABOUT DRENCHES. 
651 
sympathize with him. But to grieve is not to dispute. As for 
the amalgamation of which he dreams, I do not think it will ma¬ 
terially affect the truths of science. Whatever watching, move¬ 
ment, and amalgamation may occur among agriculturists and 
veterinarians, it will still be true that the safest way of giving a 
draught is to give it when the horse is lying, and that he gene¬ 
rally is lying when no solid medicine will relieve him. 
In the remainder of the paragraph from which the last quota¬ 
tion is made, Mr. M. talks as if I had said that no horse is dan¬ 
gerously ill so long as he stands. He will find no such assertion 
in any of my writings. This is but another instance of his mis¬ 
understanding. It is known almost to every groom, as well as 
to Mr. M., that the horse often dies standing. But in such dis¬ 
eases a ball will save his life as certainly as a draught; and I 
contend that he who gives a draught when a ball will do, is an¬ 
swerable for the horse if the drauoht either kills him or makes 
o 
him broken-winded. 
Mr. M. then quotes the first five cases. He puts some of the 
words into italic letters, and in one place cries “ Mind!” as if he 
were pointing out something very important; but he finds no 
fault with the detail. He is neither sorry nor dismayed ; but he 
again asks a question : ‘‘What,” he demands, “has the Pro¬ 
fessor proved by these cases? Certainly not that the drinks 
destroyed the horses.'’ But, if not the drinks, what was it? 
“ They were shamefully and cruelly neglected, and, in conse¬ 
quence of that neglect, they all died.” They were neglected ; 
that is to say, they got little or no medical treatment. It was 
certainly wrong for the owners to neglect them ; but, if the horses 
had got no draught, they would not have required medical treat¬ 
ment, at least not for chest disease. That death took place proves 
the danger of draughts; that some were saved by prompt treat¬ 
ment, proves that death is not inevitable; but still it is a great 
evil, even when the treatment prevents death. 
I am now, I expect, done with Mr. Markham. Judging from 
the manner in which he writes, I presume he is not a veterinary 
surgeon ; and though I write letters for students, I do not think 
it would be useful to argue with them. Tliey do well if they 
listen till they understand, and, after that, they must get some 
experience before tliey attempt to dispute. 
I am of opinion, however, that this subject is not exhausted, 
and beg to submit the following points to the consideration of 
experienced veterinarians:— 
1. That draughts, particularly when pungent or disagreeable, 
are dangerous. 
ft. That bv no care can the danger be altogether avoided. 
k.' o o 
