The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-13
A Card from the State veterfnarian.
rc Editor <.k a raIis -


To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal.
Ny attention has been called to an
article in your issue of the 9Th inst,
copied from the New Castle Courier, in re-
lation to somewhat prevalent disease among
the neat cattle in Henry county, this State It
is a question Of great Importance to the stock
owners Of that part of the State whether the
trouble 10 contagious or not and anyone pub
fishing what purports to be knowledge upon the
subject should, in common honesty and justice,
be prepared to deal in facts, and Meth sr by
l1lling reasonable apprehension, nor exciting
groundless fear, lead the public astray to their
deGriment. When my attention called to
the condition of Mr. Pate's herd, after thor
ough investigation of the circumstances and a
careful post-mortem examination of the two
creatures killed for that purpose, was I'D to
the conclusion that there ysas no contagion, and
so made my report IL the case In the arti-
Gle alluded to it is charged that
that he Is 1t is a well-known fact that there
are but few veterinary schools IN this country,
hence the number Of graduated veterinarians in
the United States In quite limited compared to
the whole number OF practitioners. IL the pos
session of diploma adds to DR.. Balser's prac-
tcal ability the fact is certainly entitled to due
consideration. But il the source from which one
derives his knowledge must be q gauge by which
the alue OF that knowledge shall be measured,
one might probably take look at the "On-
tario Veterinary College," from which DIR. Bal
F. ser is said to have graduated. Is it not fact
that this college" is mainly under the conduct
of one Andrew smith, Is he graduate of any
veterinary SCHOOL, Does he not hold sew
erai Offices and fill most of the
chairs in institution originated
and principally managed by himselfl Are
diplomas issued by his college" recognized in
Europei And. finally. without regard TO his an
tecedents, IL DIR. Smith is able man and gives
good instruction. should we not give all honor to
him and his .'collegeP The Courier article also
states that DIR. "Pritchett" 10 a friend of Gov
Gray. Now, il must certainly be difficult for a
logical mind to determine In what measure this
fact If such it be, could have any effect upon the
pathological condition Of Mr.. Pate's cattle, to
render their disease more or less con tagious or
non contagious; and, If none. why should it be
mentioned in the discussion of n matter of very
great importance to the farming public9 Wheth-
his instigation. it is evident that its
publication is an effort in his favor,
and nothing else; and i should regret
exceednRIyly TO be impelled to the belief that
any professional gentleman should be nstru-
mental in the PRONUNCIATION OF error, the
only practical effect OF which should be TO en-
nance his interests by increasing his patronage.
Medical men understand and have much diff
Guilty with disease known tenesmus, and
Fear the symptoms point strongly to its exist
ence In and about New Castle in form that
might not improperly be termed professional
tenesmus.
Hoping the farmers of Henry county will soon
be relieved of their alarm, and their cattle re-
stored TO healthy and thriving condition, I
leave the subject under discussion to the careful
consideration Of all interested parties
EVAN III. PRITcHARD.
INDIANAPoLIs Feb 10