of sheep, if but an innocent hand touches the altar; and we know, Sir, that you will take into consideration the animus with which this offering has been presented.

MR. SPOONER, in a comparatively few but well chosen and expressive words, acknowledged the high compliment that had been conferred on him by his pupils. It was to him a proud day, when he was assured, in the handsome manner he had been, that his endeavours to assist the student in the acquirement of knowledge had been successful, and were so much appreciated. Mr. Robb had been pleased, as the representative of the class, to express himself in most glowing and flattering language; yet, although he confessed he felt at the present moment exceedingly gratified, indeed, so much so that his feelings were not to be expressed by words, still he could not believe that he merited all the encomiums that had been passed on him. He had but done his duty; his future efforts, however, should give proof how highly he estimated the presentation, which had been made to him, and, as it was in a material that is imperishable, so should be his gratitude.

PROFESSOR SEWELL then stated, that the disease rabies canina, erroneously called hydrophobia in the lower animals, had for a long time been a subject of more than ordinary interest and inquiry with him; and with a view to further the investigation of the malady, more especially for the finding out a means of cure, he would readily give the sum of FIFTY GUINEAS, or a GOLD MEDAL of that value, to any qualified graduate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who proved successful in the cure of a well-attested case of this disease in any animal by the following process of transfusion :

Take away from any vein, which the restless state of the animal renders most convenient to open, as much blood (by measurement) as it can bear short of causing death; then return, by transfusion, one-half of the quantity, or less rather than more (so as to avoid the consequences of repletion), of the blood of a healthy animal of the same species; then secure the vein by ligature or other means, and leave the animal undisturbed, watching the result.

Horses, cattle, and sheep, are preferable subjects for this ex

periment; sheep especially so, from their being more easily controlled and secured by the fewest number of assistants.

The operation is simple, and easily performed, should the animal not make continued and violent struggles to release itself from confinement, as is sometimes the case when under any other operation. In ordinary cases, it is no more trouble than the withdrawing of blood from the jugular vein; and it has been done in a standing position on several occasions; in some instances with a view to eradicate disease, and in others to ascertain if the blood of a diseased animal would produce the same malady in another.

Any veterinary surgeon knowing an animal or animals to have been bitten by a rabid dog, and desirous of trying the experiment, shall have the transfusion apparatus sent to him, so that it may in readiness when the disease manifests itself.

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Mr. Sewell said, that he had communicated his wishes to the council of the Royal English Agricultural Society, so as to obtain the co-operation of its members in carrying out this inquiry ; and he would willingly pay every expense connected with sending up to the College, from any part of the country, such sheep, lambs, or calves, as may, unfortunately, have been bitten by a rabid dog.

He mentioned small ruminating animals, only as being more easily managed when labouring under the worst or more violent symptoms of the disease than horses, cows, or bullocks, which under such circumstances are not only almost unmanageable, but highly dangerous; and when such were intended to be sent to him, he would feel favoured by a previous notice by letter. The animals thus requested might be conveyed in the ordinary railway trucks or cars, or sent by canal boats. A sheep or two might be put into a crate used for earthenware, and the expense of engaging an entire car be thus obviated; while the animals would be less annoying to the railway servants. Should the disease shew itself on the journey, the animals should be tied by the legs, and be well littered with straw. Net muzzles might be worn, or sent along with the animals in order to be in readiness. Mr. Sewell has, however, never had any fear of rabies being produced by the bite of any animals but those of a carnivorous kind, including swine as such. Of all the numerous cases of canine madness he had seen in horses and other animals, he had not observed a single instance in which they were unable or unwilling to drink water

freely. He had always found the disease commence (with a single exception) from the third to the sixth week after the bite had been inflicted. If, therefore, it should not manifest itself in the stock sent to him by that time, he would return the animals to their respective owners, free of expense, if requested to do so.

In the evening of the same day the Eighth Anniversary Meeting of the Veterinary Medical Association was holden at the Freemasons' Tavern.

The President, Professor Spooner, presided.

Among the visitors were J. Curtis, E. Nursey, R. Orton, J. Quick, J. Reddish, and Erasmus Wilson, Esquires.

The veterinary surgeons present were Messrs. G. Balls, W. W. Barth, E. Charles, W. Ernes, W. Field, J. Field, R. L. Hunt, G. A. Lepper, F. W. Moss, C. T. Shorten, W. Smith, J. Turner, W. Youatt, and the Treasurer and Secretary. A large number of students was also present.

The Secretary read the following

REPORT FOR THE EIGHTH SESSION, 1843-4.

IT is an ancient and time-honoured act to offer with the return of the anniversary of an institution a retrospective address. It shews what onward progress has been made; or, should the reverse have obtained, it excites to the seeking out of the cause of retrocession, and the adoption of such measures as will prevent its continuance.

In my last I urged the necessity of perseverance; and did I not do well?

"There is no remedy for time misspent,

No healing for the waste of idleness,

Whose very languor is a punishment

Heavier than active souls can feel or guess."

The similarity of these addresses may, perhaps, have rendered them insipid, and awakened a wish that another pen were called into requisition to indite them. The performance of his duty is the only apology the writer has to offer for thus obtruding himself; and at once, without further preface, he proceeds to give a review of the past, adopting the like divisions, and in the same order, as have

been usually made; feeling assured that, at the close, it will be found that the past session of the Veterinary Medical Association has not been less fruitful than any which has preceded it.

ESSAYS.

The pages of The Transactions have been enriched by an elaborate ESSAY ON THE SKIN, by Mr. Erasmus Wilson, read on the previous session; but press of matter prevented its introduction in a volume much enlarged beyond its prescribed limits. To him we are likewise indebted for an account of the supposed manner in which pus becomes concreted and compressed into forms, when imprisoned and retained within a cavity. It had reference to a case by Mr. Hunt, that appeared in a previous volume of The Transactions.

Next in importance will come the PRIZE THESIS, by Mr. Pearson Ferguson, on the Anatomy and Physiology of the EYE OF THE HORSE. He is much to be commended for his praiseworthy zeal, the large silver medal having been borne off by him during two consecutive sessions; while it affords a proof of the ardour with which he pursues his professional avocation, from which both profit and honour cannot fail to redound to him.

This was succeeded by the completion of the Secretary's ESSAY ON CALCULOUS CONCRETIONS IN OUR DOMESTICATED ANIMALS, which, if it contained nothing new, may at least lay claim to this,it concentrates many highly interesting and valuable illustrative cases scattered throughout the pages both of the Proceedings and Transactions of the Association; and he thus publicly acknowledges the many communications he received from members of the profession, by which the worth of the thesis was considerably enhanced.

It is gratifying to know, that an important division of the education of the veterinary student, namely, the diseases of cattle, sheep, &c., which at one time found no place, and but little esteem, now assumes a prominent position. The early part of the session witnessed the introduction of Essays on BLACKWATER in Cattle, by Mr. J. A. Hughes, and MAMMITIS in the Cow, by Mr. A. Lepper. These were followed by papers oN HEPATITIS in the Horse, by Mr. W. Johnson; ON PNEUMONIA, by Mr. J. H. Hill; On Diseases of THE KIDNEYS, by Mr. W. S. Harris; ON BROKEN

KNEES, by Mr. A. B. Henderson; ON DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, by Mr. H. Wheeler; ON OPEN JOINTS, by Mr. H. Emms; ON THE ACTION OF CALOMEL, by Mr. T. Leech; and ON QUITTOR, by Mr. W. Ernes, who, after ably reviewing the different modes had recourse to, both by continental and English practitioners, for effecting a cure of this too frequently annoying and protracted disease, advocated, in extreme or severe cases, the entire ablation of the cartilage, lucidly detailing the method by which it may be extirpated, and adducing several successful cases confirmative of his views. To Mr. Ernes we are likewise indebted for the translation of several interesting articles from La Clinique and Recueil de Vétérinaire. This division embraces a larger amount than has been usually ranged under this head, and in which there is much variety of subject, if no novelty.

The Council have to regret the fewness of the competitors for the prizes. From practitioners only one essay has been received, subject "The Minute Anatomy of the several Tissues which form the connecting Medium between the Coffin-bone and the Crust— their Elasticity or Non-Elasticity, &c. to be especially considered." The author, although in the anatomical description clear, full, and correct, lost sight of several important physiological particulars, and by no means met the wishes and intentions of the propounder of the theme. It was, therefore, resolved that the same subject should be given for the present session, the author of the received essay being at liberty to make any alterations or additions he might please.

Two essays were received from students. One was most unfortunately and as unaccountably lost; the other having been carefully perused by the Council, was unanimously deemed worthy of the silver medal. On opening the sealed envelope, its author was ascertained to be Mr. J. K. Lord.

COMMUNICATIONS.

Mr. BATCHELDER communicated the history of a case of lameness, the cause of which was obscure, but arising, as he conceived, from a branch of the metacarpal artery taking a spiral course over the posterior part of the perforatus tendon its extirpation, at any rate, was followed by a removal of the pain and lameness.

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