THE ETIQUETTE OF VETERINARY AUTHORSHIP. 9 
tations put upon the much-used and much-abused term, I 
may be allowed to question the compliment of being desig¬ 
nated “ practical ” sometimes. 
It is not many years since, in a discussion on “laminitis,” 
I had the misfortune to be excluded from the charmed circle 
of “ practical men,” because I was rather slow in believing 
in the efficacy of heavy masses of iron on horses’ feet in pre ¬ 
venting concussion on paved roads—or even on turf. Indeed 
I could not bring myself to think otherwise than that enforced 
movement in acute laminitis was pernicious, and that a 
peculiar-shaped shoe might not be altogether a specific 
remedy for that formidable disease. Mr. Williams thought 
fit to “ rush into print,” and do what he could to condemn 
the <£ theorists ” who were opposed to heavy shoes, throwing 
the weight on the heels, off the soles, and compelling the horse 
to walk for a certain period, even though the hoofs were 
bursting and the anterior border of the os pedis protruding 
through the sole. One writer at that time condemned the 
treatment as cruel. Having read Mr. Williams’ book, 
I observe that he gives Mr. Broad’s treatment of laminitis 
in extenso , comments on the undeserved opposition it en¬ 
countered, praises it, and concludes with remarking that 
Mr. Broad would be even more successful if he abstained 
from compelling horses with inflamed laminee to be moved. 
Mr. Williams has probably found, after a little more experi¬ 
ence, that Mr. Broad’s treatment is not infallible, and that if 
carried out in acute cases of laminitis* will be more likely to 
lead to destruction than to recovery. At least this has been the 
result in this locality; every time the treatment has been 
tried in cases of real laminitis —though carried out to the very 
letter—the animals have either died or had to be destroyed. 
Mr. Williams’ recommendation appears to be a half¬ 
hearted condemnation of enforced movement, and certainly 
now looks like a justification for the reproaches which were 
launched against it by the theorists. At any rate, to suggest 
that Broad’s treatment be carried out, minus the compulsory 
exercise, is liking asking to have the tragedy of Hamlet 
minus the King of Denmark. 
Some of the effects of movement in laminitis on feet shod with 
the heavy-rocking bar-shoe will be shown at an early meeting 
of the Central Veterinary Medical Society ; and I shall be glad if 
Mr. Williams, or anybody else in favour of the treatment, will 
/ 
* I do not here speak of “ congestion” of the laminse, which is more frequent, 
perhaps, than laminitis: simulates it closely, and is often mistaken for it. This 
condition will be quickly relieved by exercise, with or without shoes, and may 
not be followed by any serious results. 
