JEVSc Another Unique and Rare Specieson Its Way to Extinction?

Ihad been meaning for some months now to write onthis issue and having just read the editorial (July ’07),I feel compelled to. The vision that immediately came

to mind was that of a heavy earth mover about to inadver-tently plough through the only remaining habitat of a criti-cally endangered species.

But don’t get me wrong! I have the greatest respect forthe current editor and staff or in fact anyone who is preparedto take on such a task. However, my concern (and I suspectthat of other long-time subscribers) is with the editors’ ra-tionale as to the reasons for the fall away of this journal.

In my view there are two major contributing factors,which are themselves interrelated:

The first is the nature and structure of what is arguablya ‘‘rare’’ species within the genus of ‘‘scientific journals’’[Journal of Equine Veterinary Science]. Why? Because aswell as being a forum for the publication of ‘‘scientific arti-cles of institutional origin,’’ this journal was uniquely avail-able to the ‘‘common veterinarian’’ or practitioner toexpress his or her views. As we all know, ‘‘institutionalizedprofessionals’’ are mostly of the view that original researchand thence the acquisition of knowledge is their exclusivedomain. Of course, they are on occasion still prepared totake on our rather ‘‘crude’’ observations and theories andthen properly/scientifically research, assess, and adjudicatethese on the off chance that they may have some merit.Oh, but this journal is open to submissions from ‘‘all’’ vet-erinarians! Yes, but how many practitioners have the time orresources available to properly research, prepare, and pres-ent an article that is then dissected out by some anonymous‘‘institutionalized’’ professional! I make reference to thismatter having read the editor’s comments on PhD degrees[‘‘FUDS’’] and to articles ‘‘In Preparation’’ in his July ’07editorial. As well as seeking information and ideas fromthese ‘‘young enthusiastic’’ ‘‘FUDs’’ (my own nomencla-ture), why not enquire amongst the long-serving practi-tioners who live with the day-to-day realities of equinemedicine and surgery?

But we have a ‘‘special section’’ for general articles. Yes,and appropriately it is the only section (excluding book re-views) that is ‘‘limited’’ in both subject areas and length.Why? Well, quite obviously, it is seen to be of ‘‘limited’’ im-portance relative to the other sections. And who are the‘‘main’’ contributors to the other, more important sections?Please go through the last 18 months of JEVS and find mean article that does not have at least one author whose ad-dress is . ‘‘the university of’’ or an alike research institu-tion! and of course young FUD-degree’d persons.

The second factor of course is the apparent absence or atleast dilution of the impact on this publication of thefounder and first author William E. Jones and his goodwife and partner. I personally never had the pleasure ofmeeting these rather unique people, but we did ‘‘chew

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science � Vol 28, No 1 (2008)

the fat’’ on several occasions. In being an avid reader andcontributor to this journal over the last 15 years, it becameobvious to me that William E had recognized a void that ex-isted between two broad groups within the same profession.He knew that many potentially useful theories and ideas ex-isted within the practising veterinary group that were notbeing aired often because of a sense of intimidation. Why?Because veterinary ‘‘research’’ should occur in ‘‘research in-stitutions’’ and then be published by these persons so thatthe findings of the research could be made available to prac-tising veterinarians to practice! What a mouthful!

The problem I have with this system is that in general per-sons within these research institutions are blessed with fan-tastic IQs but in at least a significant number of cases havevery limited CSQs.* In contrast, the veterinary practitionerwhose daily round is rarely as predictable as a set researchproject relies heavily on his or her CSQ and to a lesserdegree their IQ.

We used to be able to read articles on chiropractic, horsebehavior, bitless bridles, and so forth. We had a sense ofsome affiliation with ‘‘alternative’’ groups so that we couldat least be ‘‘informed.’’

A few topics that may be worthy of discussion are ‘‘sym-pathetic dystrophy syndrome’’ and ‘‘active & passive mo-tion therapy,’’ terms that are commonplace in humananimal medicine but rare in equine medicine, as well as al-tered behavior related to medical conditions. A ‘‘treadmillis not a racecourse,’’ and likewise the relative usefulness ofmany of our rather new ‘‘machine diagnostic aides’’ andtheir place in altering the course of healing remains un-known. Is the art of a ‘‘history gathering’’ dying out and be-ing replaced by machine diagnosticians?

The reason then for this ‘‘rare species’’ being on the brinkof extinction is that its habitat, which was previously diverse,is now limited to an area already occupied by numerous verysimilar species, all of which have the same food source (In-stitutionalized, FUD, in preparation, and so forth).

The answer then is to enlarge the habitat and diversify thefood source. Call for ideas and submissions (for the journalcontent and format) from all subscribers, including practi-tioners.

Tom AhernAuthors Address:- Non Institutional

ahernvet@hotmail.com

*CSQ—Common Sense Quotient.

LETTER TOTHE EDITOR

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