VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
533 
want of tenacity and perfection of development, but we find that their 
progeny in foetal life are characterised by similar features. In numerous 
instances the embryonic ciber seem incapable of progress beyond a 
certain point, their protoplasmic contents instead of undergoing progres¬ 
sive development, take on degenerative changes, and instead of consoli¬ 
dation in texture the obvious condition is softening and liquefaction. 
Depend upon it, gentlemen, it will be of comparatively little benefit, 
all our treatment, even the prevention, as applied simply to the young, 
so long as we allow the constitutions of the parents to be invalidated. 
I have said nothing as to the curative treatment, when this is attempted 
in arthritic disease. I have left this to be taken up in the remarks and 
discussion which may follow. 
I will now leave the matter in your hands, thanking you, gentlemen, 
for the patience with which you have listened to my somewhat lengthy 
treatment of this subject, and trust that all who have seen this disease 
will give us their experience, for I am satisfied that it is only by a 
collection of facts and observations that any real progress can be ever 
made in the science of medicine ; as, also, that the youngest practitioner 
of any department of the healing art as long as he adheres closely to these 
indications, is fully entitled to call in question the deductions or hypo¬ 
thesis of the fathers of his profession. 
During the discussion which afterwards took place, the Secretary stated 
that in reply to an invitation to attend a previous meeting, he had 
received from Mr. Gerrard a letter regretting that distance would not 
permit him to be present to hear Mr. Robertson’s paper, and at the same 
time a short communication embodying his own views and experience of 
the disease. At the request of the members, the communication was 
read. The opinions expressed by Mr. Gerrard in the main coincided 
with those of Mr. Robertson. 
The meeting terminated, after a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Robertson 
for this and other valuable contributions which he had made, to our 
knowledge of arthritic disease in young animals. 
John McFadyean, Secretary. 
Veterinary Jurisprudence. 
CHARGE AGAINST THE EARL OF LEICESTER. 
At the Walsingham Petty Sessions on Monday, June 2nd, before 
J. S. Scott-Chad, W. G. Waters, E. P. Middleton, and H. Lee-Warner, 
Esqs., 
The Right Honorable the Earl of Leicester , K.G., was summoned by 
Edward Case, of Fakenham, veterinary surgeon, the Inspector of the 
Local Authority, on a charge of causing a certain animal, to wit, a sheep, 
to be driven on the highway at Holkham, on March 3rd, 1879, the said 
animal being afflicted with sheep-scab. A second charge was made of 
allowing 200 suspected animals to be driven on the road at the same 
time and place. 
His lordship, rising to hear the charge, pleaded “ Not guilty.” 
Mr. Blofeld (instructed by Mr. R. Cooper, solicitor) appeared for the 
complainant; and Mr. Chittock, of Norwich (Chittock and Woods), 
represented the right honorable defendant. 
Mr. Blofeld addressed the Bench at great length, pointing out the 
various clauses and sections of the Act bearing upon the case in question, 
and the Orders in Council issued under the authority of the same. He 
