ELIXIR OF LIFE—SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
329 
ELIXIR OF LIFE. 
By D. C. Ashley, D.Y.S., New Bedford, Mass. 
Standing beneath the cool, welcome shade 
Of the wide-spreading boughs of an old oak tree, 
An old horse and cow were awaiting the spade, 
In the grave diggers’ hands that would soon set them free. 
And while they were nibbling and talking together, 
Of the trials, and hardships, and trouble they’d seen, 
I overheard their sad tales of sorrow, 
And wondered if, really, such things had been. 
Says the horse to the cow, “ My fate has been hard, 
For all of my labors, with little to eat. 
They have strained all my tendons, and spavined my hocks, 
I’ve been traded around, and cruelly beat.” 
“Ah! yes,” says the cow, “but pray think of me, 
When suffering with fever and rheumatics so sore, 
They would call the empiric, who with a wise look, 
Split the end of my tail, and my horns he did bore. 
And when sore afflicted with coughs, colds or pains, 
Such nauseous nostrums, that God only knows, 
Why I am alive to tell you the tale, 
And have not been given as food for the crows.” 
“ Yes, true,” says the horse, “ and when I’ve come in, 
From a long, tedious drive, heated, hungry and tired, 
They have fed me with slops, and with colic I’d swell. 
Then they sent for this quack, that our master admired, 
Put a boy on my back, and run me for miles ; 
Then two men with a rail, to rub would begin, 
String up my neck, and pour down two quarts 
Of the strongest black pepper, and vilest of gin.” 
“ But stop,” says the cow, “ there will soon be an end, 
Of all of our hardships, our troubles and strife, 
For as sure as we live, here comes Doctor Brown-Sequard, 
With an injection for each, of elixir of life” 
SOCIETY MEETINGS, 
IOWA STATE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
The second annual meeting of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical Associa¬ 
tion was held in the parlors of the new Savery House, Des Moines, September 
3d and 4th. 
The following members were in attendance : S. Stewart, Council Bluffs; 
Geo. J. Howell, Des Moines; Geo. A. Scott, Independence; Geo. A. Johnson, 
Odebolt; L. G. Patly, Webster City; E. P. Niles, Newton; E. E. Sayers, Al- 
