58 
ROSCOE BELL. 
dealer can often prove to an intending purchaser that this 
veterinarian’s opinion is valueless by procuring a certificate 
lrom an equally reliable source, having a contrary verdict up¬ 
on the animal’s bodily condition. And each certificate may be 
honestly given, based upon conscientious belief. This comes 
from the fact that different men view the animal from differ¬ 
ent standpoints, and estimate differently upon certain confor¬ 
mations and conditions. A writer in the March number of the 
Veterinary Journal exemplifies this assertion by pointing out 
that a man who has more particularly devoted himself to the 
study of physiology would be more inclined to first familiar¬ 
ize himself with the state of the animal’s health. He would 
inquire into the condition of the circulatory apparatus by not¬ 
ing its effects upon the visible mucous membranes ; observing 
the character and speed of its movements as denoted by the 
pulse; he will auscultate the respiratory murmur, and note any 
physiological or structural abnormalities there to be met. 
He will look into the functional activity of the principal 
glands of the system; carefully take note of the character of 
the intestinal secretory glands, by watching the condition of 
the fasces ; of the sudoriferous and sebacious glands, by ob¬ 
serving the effects of exercise for the former, and examining 
the condition of the coat for the latter. He obtains an idea of 
the quantity and quality of the renal excretion to speak for 
the condition of the kidneys. He will not omit to make a 
thorough examination of the organs of special sense, not only 
viewing the eye from every angle, but will bring his ophthal¬ 
moscope into requisition, to determine if there is complete 
transparency of the crystalline lens ; if the vitrous humor is 
devoid of foreign floating bodies ; if the retina is luminous 
and normal, and if there is turgescence of the choridal vessels. 
But, on the other hand, we find a man equally as conscien¬ 
tious, though more practical, who deems these details, if not 
absolutely non-essential, of very minor importance. He is 
spending his time in a much more practical way. He moves 
about the animal with a studied grace, and touches with a 
systematic and theatrical show and grave composure, his edu¬ 
cated hand, making a few quick strokes of the neck, down the 
