SNIPPET: Article entitled 'The Irish Cow-Doctor' in the 21 Feb. 1857 post-famine edition of "The Illustrated London News." -- "To give a general idea of the cow-doctor, he is invariably an old bachelor, having once upon a time been the sporteen (a gay fellow) of some village, and attended all the dances and hurling matches for miles round the country. No meeting of any kind was complete without his presence. How it was that he neglected the matrimonial yoke is difficult to determine, whether it was his admiration of the fair sex was so great that he was loth to offend all, by a 'single selection of one,' or that he feared by such selection he might regret his choice, if afterwards he became acquainted with one of more superior attractions. Meantime, in giving this important question too much consideration, he neglects his small 'holding,' has become reduced in circumstances, and as he lives on through years of misfortune, a change gradually comes 'o'er' the spirit of his dream,' for, as 'experience teacheth,' the experiments he has formerly practised on his own cattle have converted him from a! n eccentric into a scientific, and if not sad, at least a wise man. He is now recognised by the farmers of his district as the cow-doctor, from the skill he exercises in curing their distempered cattle, when all the resources they have previously adopted proved unavailing. The home of the cow-doctor is not the most delectable. Unlike the generality of mankind, he much more prefers the hearths of his neighbours to his own fireside, which is seldom graced by his presence, unless when he cannot avoid it. As he is in great demand through the country, he always contrives to make his visits visitations, and the entertainment he receives from the owner of his patient is all he expects directly to gain for his professional services .... The cow-doctor, not being encumbered with a medicine chest, he is often obliged to visit the nearest apothecary's shop, having previously been supplied with money to purchase the necessary drugs, which he compounds with great secrecy, and, knowing that a professional is always supplied at a very low figure, he considers the balance his own property -- the farmer meantimes paying him a high compliment, and bearing his services in a grateful remembrance." Illustrating the article is an engraving by an "E. Fitzpatrick."