126 HISTOKICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VETERINAEY DEPARTMENT OF 



other live stock under disease, as well as in the ordinary work 

 of the forge. The meeting learned with approbation that Mr 

 Dick, with laudable zeal, had devoted a portion of his time to 

 regular examinations of those students who intended to practise ; 

 and it was reported that he was highly pleased with their atten- 

 tion and progress. On the occasion of the half-yearly meeting 

 of the Society in June 1826, Mr Fergusson, who had since the 

 previous meeting been named Deputy Chairman of the Veter- 

 inary Committee, expressed his sincere regret for the continued 

 indisposition of Dr Barclay, in which sentiment he was sure all 

 would participate who knew the zealous endeavours of that 

 gentleman, and the aid of his scientific skill, which were so 

 readily given in promoting the establishment of the Veterinary 

 lectures, which were intimately connected witli comparative 

 anatomy, a department of medical science in which the Doctor 

 ranked so high, Mr Fergusson then reported, in very favourable 

 terms, the success of the course for the third session; the 

 number of farriers who had attended had increased from ten 

 (the number who attended in 1824-25) to twenty, of whom 

 sixteen had come from various parts of the country and two 

 from the north of England, to attend this course ; and the 

 abilities and zeal of Mr Dick warranted every opinion formerly 

 expressed, and every encouragement hitherto bestowed. Mr 

 Fergusson, on this occasion, noticed a proposal of Mr Dick with 

 respect to the establishment of an hospital in Edinburgh for 

 injured or diseased animals, and of which he mentioned that Mr 

 Dick intended to put a prospectus in circulation requesting 

 noblemen and gentlemen to give it their attention and support, 

 should it meet with their approbation. 



Fourth Session, 1826-27. 



The success which attended the three previous sessions was 

 extended to the fourth. The zeal of the lecturer continued 

 unabated ; notwithstanding the disadvantages under which 

 agriculturists and breeders of stock laboured during the pre- 

 • ceding year, the class was very well attended by practical 

 farriers and others ; and it was predicted that, if the Society's 

 patronage was continued to the lectures, there would in a few 

 years be skilled farriers settled throughout the country. But 

 during the session the committee, in common with every friend 

 of anatomical science, had to regret the loss of their chairman 

 Dr Barclay, to whose enlightened zeal the experiment made by 

 the Society of the lectures must, in a great measure, be ascribed. 

 Owing to the death of Dr Barclay, upon whom had been devolved 

 the trouble of drawing up some of the questions or heads of 

 examination, the recommendation before alluded to, for an 



