202 
J. C. MICHENER. 
which was of lighter color. Temperature 102°, pulse 92, res¬ 
piration 20. Symptoms about the same as previous day, colicy 
pains having subsided. On March 14th he died in the morn¬ 
ing, before I arrived, struggling in his agony. 
I11 conclusion, I would like the opinion of the members 
present. Did my patient have azoturia, that mysterious disease 
of the horse, or was it acute or chronic nephritis, meningitis, 
spinal meningitis, cystitis, or some as yet unidentified disease? 
PROGNOSIS. 
ByJ. C. Michener, V. S., Colmar, Pa. 
Read before the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Medical Associa¬ 
tion, March 8th, 1899. 
The elements of success in the practice of our profession are 
threefold. 
First and most important is actual knowledge pertaining to 
all branches of the art. Second, executive ability or the faculty 
of applying knowledge. Third, prognosis or the ability to fore¬ 
cast the results of the diseases and conditions met in practice. 
Skill and discretion in the use of the tongue is largely the 
making of a practitioner. We must talk. Our patients are 
property and aside from the attachment the owner has for his 
faithful animals our services become a matter of dollars and 
cents. To experienced practitioners I need not portray the close 
questioning to which we are subjected and scarce need tell that 
the client’s estimate of us will be determined by the verification 
of our answers. 
To the young man I would say, the safest plan (for both old 
and young) is to prognosticate as little as possible. 
Direct questions must be answered or we will be in the posi¬ 
tion of the simple boy whose mother had ordered to keep his 
mouth shut ou a particular occasion. Being questioned, and 
making no reply, one guest remarked to another, u I believe the 
boy is simple,” when he blubbered out, u Mother ! mother ! 
they found me out and I did not say a word.” 
