I 
A FEW PRACTICAL HINTS. 
i 
297 
ignorant and unappreciative. Never have companionship 
with irregulars. Do not associate with them in certain cases, 
or lend them instruments, for you will find in time such a con¬ 
nection unnatural and that you have contracted an alliance 
that will do you harm. “ Protect us from our friends.” Be¬ 
ware of the hospitality of certain friends who will importune 
you to drink with them. There is nothing in it in the long 
run. 
Be very careful who you advise to study veterinary sur¬ 
gery, for brains and common sense are rare gifts from heaven. 
A man is judged by the company he keeps, therefore your 
office should not be a smoking room for jockeys, dog-fanciers 
etc, The public has an eye like a microscope. (How well 
some of us know this)! 
Study the art of questioning about your patients. A low 
tone of voice is preferable to most people. 
' Never fail to send your bill promptly to a dissatisfied per¬ 
son, even if you never expect to get it. Charge the maximum 
fee in all such cases. 
Pay as you go, and if you can’t pay much don’t go far. 
Ask for a patient to be brought out of his stall or unhitched. 
Do not go in alongside of every horse you are called to exam¬ 
ine, for you will find it at times highly dangerous. Ask for a 
strap, bran, a stick or whatever you need, instead of plunging 
around after them yourself. 
Often when a case is grave and you are being importuned 
to know whether you cannot do more, it is better casually to 
mention the things contra-indicated—bleeding, blistering, pur¬ 
gatives, sedatives, poultices, etc, and tell why, so as to let 
them know you are wide awake—but give them good reasons. 
Never guarantee a cure or certain success, or a certain recov¬ 
ery even from a bee sting. Guarantee nothing except that 
you know your duty and will do it. 
Veterinary medicine is not a perfect science and life is not 
a definite quantity. When pressed by some one to say this or 
that is not dangerous, reply: “ Of course there is danger, 
for even a pin-scratch may prove fatal.” Tell him what you 
think, perhaps, will be the issue, and sometimes you might 
