CONFORMATION AND ACTION, &C. 77 
arisen in consequence of the bite of a dog*, from the apprehen¬ 
sion of hydrophobia. Now, with reference to that part of the 
subject, do you not think it might be desirable to take precau¬ 
tions to prevent the multiplication of dogs, and consequently to 
the liability to this calamity from their bite?—I certainly think 
it would. My own belief, however, is, that a very large pro¬ 
portion of the dogs reported mad are not so. 
1 rom the effect produced on the public mind, and its great 
influence and mischievous effect upon persons who have been 
bitten by dogs, do you not think it would be desirable to take 
some measures to prevent, as far as possible, the liability to that 
calamity?—It strikes me, and this is my answer to the question, 
“ Whether any legislative assistance could be given ?” that the 
right way would be, to afford some additional facilities or en¬ 
couragement to the study of the disease in dogs. If we were 
better acquainted w ith the pathology of the species, I think we 
might probably arrive at some means of exterminating the dis¬ 
ease in toto. 
In what manner do you think that could be best done?—I 
should say, by the institution of a society of competent medical 
men, for the express purpose of studying the character of the 
disease, so as to distinguish it frbm the distemper, and other dis¬ 
eases which have no injurious action beyond themselves. We 
might thus arrive at the most efficient treatment of it, especially 
if the same parties were authorized and directed to inspect ancl 
treat all cases of the malady occurring in public institutions, and 
to communicate their observations, at short intervals, to the pro¬ 
fession at large. 
CONFORMATION AND ACTION, AND THEIR 
CONNEXION. 
By Mr. W. Percivall. 
[Read at the Veterinary Medical Society, July 12,1831.] 
• 
Vast error and misconception seem to have prevailed, not 
with the public alone, but even with our own “professors” and 
“ teachers,” in the estimation of that which constitutes the duty 
or province of the veterinarian : both these parties (one from 
ignorance, the other from a less excusable motive) have declared 
it to consist in the medical treatment of animals ; whereas the 
general practitioner is no sooner launched into the world than 
he finds himself called on to exercise know ledge of a very 
different description from that which he has acquired in the 
VOL. IV. M 
