410 THE ACTUAL CAUTERY IN PLEURO-PNEUM0N1A. 
ease seems to be still running on unchecked, as might be readily 
learned from her dull heavy look, heaving flank, and accelerated 
pulse, and more especially by the dull heavy sound elicited on 
auscultation and percussion, I proposed, as a dernier resort, to 
apply the firing-irons most effectually, which the owner readily 
agreed to, as he had given up all hope of the animal’s recovery. 
I operated in the fore part of the day, when the animal struggled 
violently. The same evening she ate up a bucketful of soft meal 
that was placed before her, and looked round at her owner for 
more; a thing she had not done since she became affected: in 
fact, all desire for food had left her; a symptom of more evil 
portent to those who have had the disease among their cattle than 
any other. She continued to feed and improve in her milk until 
she completely recovered; and in the space of fourteen days it 
would have taken a good judge to say that she had been nearly 
“ dead with the trouble.” 
Now, Mr. Editor, I do not expect that every case I may meet 
with, or those may who practise the operation, will terminate 
so satisfactorily, since there are -many contingencies which may 
invalidate our best efforts; such as, condition, age, and previous 
treatment of the animal; but if we succeed in bringing one out 
of every three successfully through, then may I say, without 
being charged for inflicting unnecessary cruelty upon the animal, 
that we are warranted in employing such strong measures when 
all other means have failed. One case to the point is worth a 
thousand theories upon such a subject, more especially when the 
theorizer has not thought proper to endorse them with his name 
and address; and I am of opinion that a little more time should 
have been given Mr. Nicholson’s suggestion to discover whether 
the practice could be warranted by the further experience of the 
profession. 
Home Extracts. 
Royal Agricultural Society of England. 
At the monthly council held at the Society’s house, Hanover 
Square, on Tuesday, the 5th of June, Mr. Raymond Baker, 
chairman of the Veterinary Committee, presented the following 
report of the Committee, which was adopted by the Council:— 
“ The Veterinarv Committee have had under their consideration 
the suggestion of the Hon. R. H. Clive, referred to them by the 
Council, at their last monthly meeting, viz. 
“ ‘ That a first-rate veterinary surgeon should be sent, on the 
part of the Society, into districts of the country where disease of 
