EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. • 631 
acquirement of knowledge, and daily imparting of it to 
others which the teacher has at command, and which so 
well fits him for being an Examiner. We entirely acquit our 
colleague, however, of any wish or intention to weaken the 
bond of unity and friendship existing between the human 
and veterinary practitioner ; but we feel that such an un¬ 
desirable result might follow, if wrong impressions are made 
on the mind of the profession, and if errors of judgment are 
allowed to pass unchallenged with regard to a section of the 
Court of Examiners being composed of scientific men who 
have a world-wide reputation, and yet forsooth are not 
Veterinary Surgeons. 
In support of the broad principles here contended for, 
very much more might be said, but we refrain from such a 
discussion, fearing that we may soar too much aloft, or reach 
an ideal height far above the mental vision of some who were 
reared in the school of the “ physiology of the horse,” and 
“ physiology of the ox, and other domesticated animals.” 
Physiology of what ? Ah ! what indeed ! Is it the “ Black¬ 
smith’s physiology” of which we spoke? We confess that to 
our minds the expression is an absurdity, and we rejoice to 
know that its days are already numbered. 
Bightly was it remarked by Dr. B. Sanderson, in his ex¬ 
cellent address at the meeting of the British Association, that 
physiology is a science not necessarily belonging to the 
practice of medicine, although receiving support therefrom. 
To this we may add that medico-physiological examiners 
have often to search into the extent of the knowledge of the 
science possessed by him who is examined. They do not, 
and even ought not, to limit their inquiry into the modus 
operandi of the forces which maintain life itself, and how 
these are controlled by, yet ministered to, by brain matter 
and by blood ; nor would they be justified in merely ascer¬ 
taining from the examined the uses of certain organs of the 
body of man or animals, knowing something of which, many 
persons flatter themselves with the belief that they are pro¬ 
found physiologists. 
XLV 
43 
