THE EVIL OF EMPIRICISM. 
205 
was gently rubbed every morning with a dandy-brush, and a 
warm fresh sheepskin was afterwards placed over his back 
and loins. Clysters were thrown up two or three time? a day, 
and linseed gruel given him occasionally. This I was soon 
obliged to have discontinued, as the attempt to hold up the 
head caused the spasms to return in a greater degree. 
On the fifth and sixth mornings the pains had become 
slightly relaxed. 1 could see that he evidently obtained some 
nourishment from the boiled linseed and bran, which were 
now placed in his manger four or five times a day, and I now 
gave the owner some little hope. The exhibition of the 
tobacco was continued twice a da}^ but I substituted 10 drops 
of Flemming’s tincture of aconite for the tincture of opium, 
as the bowels were still rather constipated. After this, the 
pony convalesced daily, and the medicine was therefore dis¬ 
continued. On the twelfth morning, as he could now open 
his jaws sufficiently to take in a large quantity of the slops 
given to him (mastication was still out of the question), I 
could see, barring accidents, that recovery was merely a 
question of time, and in about a fortnight from the com¬ 
mencement of the attack he was able to take a little exercise. 
The sheepskin being discontinued, a good dressing and a 
warm rug were substituted. The rigidity of the muscles did 
not perfectly wear off for five or six weeks, but the little suf¬ 
ferer is now doing his usual amount of work, and is perfectly 
well. 
THE EVIL OF EMPIRICISM CONNECTED WITH 
THE PROFESSION. 
By W. Elam, M.R.C.Y.S., Huddersfield. 
Gentlemen, — In looking over the ( Veterinarian 9 for 
December, I see that a move has been made in the right 
direction, by a committee having been appointed to consider 
what steps should be taken to protect the interests of the 
profession. 
1 hope in their deliberations that the question of questions, 
above every other to the veterinary surgeon, will be the first 
attended to, namely, making it penal, bylaw of fine or impri¬ 
sonment, to any person having “Veterinary Surgeon 5 ’ on or 
over his door, he not being a member of the R.C.V.S.; for 1 
can assure you we are nearly eaten up by such persons in this 
part of the country, and I know of many other districts 
