MINUTES OF EVIDENCE ON CANINE MADNESS. 155 
In regard to there being “ four quarters in which one may try 
his interest or influence with hopes of success/’ 8cc. True ; 
and what of it? Though Sir James Mac Gregor on the one 
hand, and Professor Coleman on the other, are the ordinary 
channels, still if an individual in either profession, having ob¬ 
tained his certificates of professional qualification, can procure 
influential recommendations to head quarters for an appoint¬ 
ment to the service, he may succeed in obtaining an appoint¬ 
ment, independently, of course, of them. 
To say that, “ were the diploma (such as it ought to be, and 
without it be which it is a non-entity) a guarantee for the qualifi¬ 
cation of the applicant, no other attestation of professional abili¬ 
ties would or could ever be sought after,” &c. is to throw dust in 
our eyes while begging a question. Beyond all dispute, the 
diploma ought to be the attestation of professional qualification 
for an appointment in the army; and it is so: and yet that “a 
second notice of qualification” should be deemed necessary, is 
neither “ absurd,” “unjust,” or “contradictory,” as “anyone 
who runs may read.” 
Reo'ardinn; The Veterinarian as the oro’an of neither indi- 
viduals nor party in veterinary objects, but the property of all 
veterinarians, and the ministrix to their honour and weal, and the 
promoter, in every form, of improvement, I trust the Editors will 
give these remarks a place. 
Also an Army Veterinarian. 
Scotland, Feb. 18, 1831. 
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE 
BEFORE A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THE BILL TO 
PREVENT THE SPREADING OF 
CANINE MADNESS. 
[Concluded from p. 77.] 
Alexander Thomson , M.D., called in, and examined. 
Have you had a case very recently of achild under the disease 
of hydrophobia ?—i have at present under my care a boy, who 
has been recently bitten by a dog, but has not yet demonstrated 
any signs of the disease. I was* called in to express my opinion 
regarding the morbid appearances in another case some time 
since, in which I carefully examined the body of the patient, and 
also that of the dog by which he was bitten. 
Have the goodness to state that case as it occurred to the 
Committee ?—A little boy, about seven years of age, while 
walking along quietly through Lisson-grove, was suddenly bit 
by a dog, which rushed out of the gate before a gentleman's 
