On the study of veterinary medicine : being an inaugural address at the opening og the Edinburgh New Veterinary school / by John Gamgee.

  • John Gamgee
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the study of veterinary medicine : being an inaugural address at the opening og the Edinburgh New Veterinary school / by John Gamgee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    denly excited, hence the highly vascular structures secreting them become the seat of intense inflammation. I have always looked on the explanation given of those strange cases of metastatic inflammation of the feet of horses aftei attacks of severe irritation of the alimentary canal, as most unsatisfactory. The theory held is, that the skin 'and mucous membranes being continuous structures, there is great sympathy manifested between the two ; and that if the mucous membrane of the bowels inflames, the skin being in conti¬ nuity with it, may consequently be affected. This is cer¬ tainly not right; and in many cases of colic, followed by inflammation of the feet, there is not inflammation of the intestines, but concentration of blood and nervous energy which, in nature’s attempt to restore the balance of functions] may he reflected to centres of vital action, whence hairs and horn spring. The three causes which Dr Holland has pointed out as explanatory of the abundance of hair about the fetlock, are, according to the same author, the occasion of the frequent disease of these parts, producing what is called grease, cracks, ulcerations, and fungous excrescences. Had we time, many more facts might he pointed out to prove that simply “ the hair on the fetlock is suggestive of deeply interesting investi¬ gations,” and that “ to the physiologist it is what the single bone was to the clear and capacious mind of Cuvier.” If suggestive to the physiologist, it must be peculiarly so to those who make the diseases of the horse the object of anxious study. The lesson we learn from all I have stated must prove an impressive one. It shows us that, until brought to perceive what is the nature and the use of a part, we cannot be ex¬ pected to comprehend its diseases. Anatomy and physiology must form the foundation of any practically useful system of Veterinary education. As regards physiology, it has always