HEART DISEASE. 
277 
such meetings would be looked forward to with an enthusiasm 
which would ensure better attendance, and more surely fulfil 
the intentions with which the societies were at first originated, 
such institutions having the advancement of the profession 
sincerely at heart, and working under one common motive, 
must exercise a mighty influence in the elevation of our 
body from its present somewhat unsatisfactory, though not 
hopeless, condition. 
To become better acquainted with morbid anatomy and 
pathology ought to be the aim of us all; and as the most 
important means to this end, we should in all cases where 
there is any doubt or difficulty confirm or disprove—for this 
is better far than supineness—our diagnosis by a post-mortem 
examination and study, and thus we should be strengthened in 
our self-respect and reliance, and raised in the estimation of our 
employers. If w'e all availed ourselves more of this mode of 
investigation, there would be less occasion for reconsideration 
after the event than there is at present with many of us, who 
rarely if ever take the trouble to have a peep behind the 
scene.” By availing ourselves of this easily obtainable 
source of information, those of us who are young will soon 
grow old in experience and usefulness, and our very Nestors 
in knowledge will become more knowing still, and thus in the 
meantime when veterinary medical bills are abortions, veteri¬ 
nary education not what we would all wish it to be, and charla¬ 
tanism rampant, we may be doing something to increase our 
usefulness, seeing that this is after all the only standard by 
which our superiority can be measured, and our services 
esteemed and sought after. 
The subject of the disease to which I have alluded was a 
half-bred coaching mare, black, seven years old, about fifteen 
hands three inches. Her owner, Mr. R. Barron, of this town, 
informed me that up to early in April, 1868, she had done 
regular work, and was not noticed to ail anything. About this 
time she was observed to get soft, and sweat profusely on doing 
her usual work. She would feed well when not working, 
but when doing even moderate work would refuse her food. 
Being now thought to be rather out of sorts, my predecessor was 
called to see her. Thinking that her want of appetite and 
general unthriftiness depended on some derangement of the 
stomach and bowels, he gave a dose or two of physic, and some 
tonic and alterative powders, but as the mare got no better 
she was as soon as there was any grass turned out for a run. 
She remained at grass from about the end of April till the 
middle of October, having done no good while out. She 
was generally found standing under a hedge or looking over 
