276 
HEART DISEASE. 
putting our opinions regarding the nature of such to the 
test, abundantly compensates for such a want. 
The physician is sometimes made or attempted to he made 
the dupe ot his client, from various motives intentional or 
otherwise ; this we are spared and, at least, are not put off 
our guard, and on the wrong tack at the outset. We get 
the previous history of our subject more or less correctly ; we 
consider the circumstances in which he has been and is now 
placed, we take notice of his appearance, we inquire into the 
more particular symptoms (pathognomonic), and on these 
observations we form our opinion as to the nature of the case 
and the system of treatment to he pursued. If after all our 
efforts, as often happens, we are doomed to disappointment,” 
the consideration of all others the most consoling to the prac¬ 
titioner is, that he thoroughly understood his case. I think 
the knowledge of the nature and pathology of a case of 
infinitely more consequence than an elaborate system of 
treatment, because the proper understanding of the one will 
necessarily indicate the other. It must strike observant 
minds that, both in the management of their own practice, 
and in the study of the more important cases which occur in 
the practice of others, and which from time to time are recorded 
in our periodical literature, often all the bare knowledge 
and possession of certain favourite nostrums and stereotyped 
systems of treatment, and the modes of applying such in the 
case of disease, do not go far in making a good veterinary 
surgeon. When we see recorded (and according to the state¬ 
ments of their various advocates with equal success) the 
adoption of plans the most opposite, such as—Hydrocyanic 
acid and quietness versus Liq. Ammon.; drastic purgatives 
and counter irritants in tetanus, horse whips, heavy shoes, 
and turpentine liniment poultices, relief from pressure, 
and repose in laminitis. Copious bleeding, purging and 
blistering versus Aconite, stimulants, and homoeopathic glo¬ 
bules in milk fever, and so on, one is led to inquire for an 
explanation of this paradox, and so far as I am able to 
answer, it is that the vis medicatrix naturce often asserts her 
vis notwithstanding much (unintentional of course) subver¬ 
sion. 
I would here remark en passant with what avidity provin¬ 
cial or rather country members of the profession, far removed 
from the influence and communion of veterinary medical 
societies, devour and feed upon the transactions of such as are 
recorded in the Journal of the profession. It may be true that 
the ease with which any advantage can be attained engenders 
indifference, and sometimes we neglect enjoying it; otherwise. 
