SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
281 
t their therapeutics were not up to present day practice, and called aloud for 
i sion. ie teaching of therapeutics in the schools was inadequate to fit their 
. ?rs ^ their duties, if they were to have an enlightened scientific method of 
limstering drugs, and not a bald, empirical method. He proceeded to refer 
ome diseases or morbid conditions which caused the practioner considerable 
lety, and he argued from the methods of treatment that there was urgent 
essity for a revision of their therapeutics. He took as an illustration bronchitis 
recommended the administration of aconite and bryonia. Pathogenetic 
enmentation on animals in health was, he said, not only reasonable, but likely 
■foye of the hl S hest value to the veterinary profession, provided they were 
led out systematically and with the closest observation. 
Mr. T. Hopkins, Manchester, who opened the discussion on the paper, 
bated the views of the essayist and demurred to his recommendation that they 
fid rely so largely on drugs. Without the vis natures they might throw 
sic to the dogs. Mr. Pottie, Paisley, took a similar view, but suggested that 
mil committee be appointed to experiment on the lines recommended by Mr 
ndall. His experience showed that bleeding was far superior to aconite 
n it was necessary. Mr. Cameron, North Berwick, favored the adminis- 
on of large instead of small doses of aconite. Mr. Greaves, Manchester, 
ight that, in many cases where homoeopathy got the credit of curing disease 
: as nature that had more to be thanked than medicine. Principal Williams 
the paper had a high-sounding title, but it really amounted to nothin o- but 
oeopathy. The principal of treating disease with the view of combating the 
ptoms was irrational. Physiologically, aconite had the effect of soothing 
and reducing the action of the heart, but it had no specific effect on the 
chial tubes. It gave the animal repose, and they all knew that rest was the 
test factor in the cure of disease. But because they should follow the dic- 
of nature in the treatment of disease, he did not support the notion that 
iSe ought to be allowed to take its course without any remedy being attempted, 
is by following the dictates of nature, by the scientific application of rerne- 
when required, by a reliance on the vis medicatrix natures , and by abandon- 
he “heroic measures” that appertained in his younger days, that they would 
ne successful in their treatment. Dr. Fleming, London, said the better they 
rstood physiological processes the better could they carry out pathological 
| tnent. As a veterinary surgeon of over twenty-five years’ experience* he 
m gave a dose of medicine, and he had been as successful as other practi- 
rs. He impressed upon young members of the profession that they should 
! ess medicine, and attend more to the requirements of nature. Professor 
11, Glasgow; Mr. Kidd, Hungerford; and Professor M’Fadyean, Edinburgh * 
aued the discussion, after which the company adjourned for luncheon. On 
ting, the discussion was continued by Mr. M’Callum, Edinburgh, who criti- 
. the paper, and said it went altogether against his twenty years’ experience, 
|aHy with re S ard t0 the application of aconite. Mr. Kidd, Hungerford, and 
i .reaves, Manchester, having added a few remarks giving their experience in 
j Imimstration of aconite, Principal Walley said he would administer aconite 
. rtain circumstances, but not in those recommended by the essayist. He 
f from ex P er ience that they could give aconite with bicarbonate of potash or 
