304 
S. R. HOWARD. 
what it would entail upon the regular attendant’s reputation! 
Our profession is like all others, not as exact as we would 
like to see it. See how law, religion, mechanics and other pro¬ 
fessions differ ! “ A house divided against itself cannot stand.” 
As T. Greaves has said : “ I tell you what we want is not more 
estrangement but greater unity, more courtesy and more fair- 
mindedness among us. We have plenty of roots of bitterness 
among us already, and I implore every good and true man to 
do all in his power to stamp out this plague spot.” If our 
opinions are widely different and published from the house¬ 
tops, people cannot help but think we are a sham and do not 
know what we are talking about. 
“Together let us beat this ample field/ 
Try what the open, what the covet yield.”—(Pope). 
When your opinion is asked in regard to some one or some¬ 
thing existing on the credulity, gullibility and ignorance of 
the people, it is your duty to lift the veil without reserve. Do 
it! When one of those slick (?) individuals or an “old bore,” 
or some country cross road hoss doctor, or some stingy in¬ 
quisitive, wants to tell you about an animal having so and so, 
and proceeds to pump you, head him off. He will bore you 
for an hour and it will never do you live cents worth of good. 
Listen attentively for a few minutes, then inquire “ Where is 
your horse ? He will answer he is either in town, or at home 
in the country. In either case say : “ In order to give you 
a definite opinion, it is necessary to make a personal examina¬ 
tion.” Then shortly supplement by saying that you would 
not charge any more at one time than another for the exam¬ 
ination. He will then see he cannot get something for nothing 
and that you are on your guard. Do not agree to attend any 
complication that may arise from any operation you may per¬ 
form, without remuneration. If you do you will sow a great 
deal of work and reap an abundance of contumely and bad 
credit. When an old stingy asks what is good for this or 
that, or what would you do in a case of so and so, just button¬ 
hole him and say, confidentially t “I will tell you on the quiet. 
Now you go home and put a dollar in your pocket and then 
go and consult a good veterinary surgeon.” He won’t take 
offense if you say it right and you will make a customer. 
