950 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
characteristic of this class of practitioners. Long practice in 
pretense and deception has so blunted the finer instincts that it 
is easy for their depraved imaginations to surround themselves 
with a halo of greatness, in which they live and move. They 
are more to be pitied than condemned. We have met with 
many forms of this “ dementia,” but for monumental egotism 
the author of the letter in the last number of the Review 
stands unique. He imagines himself to be the peer of such 
men as Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Webster, Burns, Burritt, 
Shakespeare, Moses and Solomon ! Wise men have been search¬ 
ing the country over for a fit subject for the Hall of Fame, and, 
lo, we have found him ! One to whom future generations of 
veterinarians may do reverence, for has he not said so ? I am 
loath to disturb the Doctor’s dreams, but to be trulv o-reat one 
must have the jewel of consistency, which the Doctor seems to 
have lost. As a sample of the “ vigorous protests ” spoken of, 
I will append one from the Doctor himself on his own letter 
head. It will give the readers of the Review some idea of 
the troubles examining boards have to contend with in dealing 
with these men, who boast of “soldiers’ duties,” “picket lines,” 
et cetera , ad nauseam , but when a simple duty is presented to 
them they make an ignominious retreat. 
For many non-graduate practitioners I have the profoundest 
respect, and for Dr. Swain nothing but pity in that his un¬ 
doubted talent has been allowed to run wild. 
James Robertson. 
334 E. 44th Street , Chicago , III 
S. H. Swain, Veterinary Surgeon. The Castration of Ridgling Horses 
Office: 127 South Franklin Street. and 
Telephones: Office, 343 ; Residence, 249. Spaying of Cattle a Specialty. 
Decatur. Illinois, Sept. 20, 1899, 
Hon. C. P. fohnsoti, Sec. B. V. E., Springfield, III. : 
Yonrs of the 18th inst. is before me. contents noted, and replying 
would say that while the men mentioned in my letter of some time past 
as not qualified to practice are wholly unfit as to qualification as veter¬ 
inarians. yet, after considering the matter, I do not feel that I am justi¬ 
fied in going into any kind of controversy or trial of their qualifications 
and thereby incur their ill-will, so if the Board does not deem it proper 
to call them before that body and decide the matter for themselves, I 
hardly think it prudent for me to interfere further ; these men and I are 
perfectly friendly, and I had no object in writing as I did except the 
good of the profession. 
I will be pleased to receive my certificate at your earliest conveni¬ 
ence. Very respectfully, S. H. Swain. 
