732 ON PRESENT STATE OF VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
account for the primary sickness, &c., for the inflammatory 
condition of stomach, and for the effusion into several 
cavities. Prior to the post-mortem, it was surmised that 
probably some foreign body, such as a spicula of bone, had 
penetrated some considerable vessel; hut no sign of such an 
occurrence could be detected, although it was looked for 
anxiously. A noted Glasgow dog fancier, who saw him just 
before death, said it was “ his lungs ” (whatever that may 
mean) ; but, although the lungs were collapsed and little 
crepitous, there was no sign whatever of either congestion or 
inflammatory consolidation in them. This I made sure of 
by making a section and placing it under the microscope. 
It was examined by the owner of the dog (himself one of 
the most experienced morbid anatomists in Glasgow), who 
was satisfied that the lung had been subject to neither con¬ 
gestion, nor inflammation, nor any chronic degeneration. 
The supposition of poisoning again seems to he negatived by 
the facts of the prolonged illness, and that no known poison 
would produce secondary effects such as were made manifest 
by the post-mortem examination. The remote cause of the 
death, i. e. the immediate cause of the effusions, is quite 
mysterious to me ; but perhaps some professional brother 
whose experience among the canine race is more ex¬ 
tensive than mine, will take the trouble to enlighten me on 
the subject. I think it is within the bounds of possibility 
that the condition of the stomach may have been due to the 
drenches of oil and turpentine which were administered for 
therapeutic purposes. 
DESULTORY REMARKS ON THE PRESENT 
STATE OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By Senex Mem brum. 
The circumstance of my having been in the profession 
forty-five years may probably be a sufficient claim on the 
attention of the readers of the Veterinarian for a few passing 
observations on our present condition and prospects. 
1. The improvements and reforms which have been intro¬ 
duced at the Royal Veterinary College must, I opine, he 
regarded with satisfaction by all of us, and also result in 
decided advantages both to the present and future pupils. 
Sincerely do I congratulate those in office who have con¬ 
tributed to bring about these long needed alterations. 
I regret to see so much apathy and supineness still 
