138 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT OF 



"and a large number of other eminent members of the medical 

 faculty and veterinary profession. The students were minutely 

 examined upon the knowledge of the anatomy and structure of 

 the horse, and also upon the diseases to which the domestic 

 animals are liable, and the practical treatment of the lame. The 

 examiners expressed themselves highly satisfied with the extent 

 of knowledge and proficiency of the several candidates, seventeen 

 of whom were found duly qualified and obtained certificates. 



At the beginning of this session the subject of Murrain ex- 

 cited much attention throughout Scotland. The Directors of 

 the Society lost no time in taking the proper steps to investi- 

 gate the nature and cure of this disease. A meeting was held 

 on the 18th of November 1840, at which Professor Dick attended 

 and detailed the experiments he had made, and the opinions he 

 had formed, relating to the disease. Only a few cases had then 

 come under his notice, but these cases were of so mild a nature, 

 and so different from the reported cases that had occurred in 

 the neighbouring part of the island, that he wished to wait and 

 see more of the disease before he made any public statement on 

 the subject. The Directors resolved accordingly to make no 

 public announcement with regard to the disease till the Pro- 

 lessor had obtained further opportunities of investigation, lest 

 by any premature report they should spread unnecessary alarm 

 through the country, and cause a fall in the price of stock. 

 During the succeeding two months. Professor Dick had from 

 300 to 400 cases in hand, which he treated in the same manner 

 as the first, and not one single death occurred. In consequence 

 he addressed a letter to his former pupils in various parts of the 

 country, detailing the mode of treatment. This letter was after- 

 wards printed, divested, as much as possible of professional 

 technicality, and circulated for the information of the community. 

 It was also published in Volume VII. of the second series of 

 the Society's Transactions.* 



Nineteenth Session, 1841-42. 



The nineteenth session was attended by seventy-four stu- 

 dents, of whom twenty-six obtained certificates, after under- 

 going the examinations which took place on the 18th, 19th, and 



* In general proficiency three students were this year declared equal in merit, 

 and in addition to Professor Dick's prize, the Directors, on the part of the Society, 

 agreed to vote two silver medals. The number of medals given by the Society 

 was aftei-wards increased ; and in 1874 the Society resolved to vote annually eight 

 silver medals to each of the two Veterinary Colleges in Edinburgh, and to the 

 one in Glasgow, for class competition; and two medium gold medals, open to all 

 the students who come up to the final examination for the Society's veterinary 

 certificate for best general and best practical clinical examinations. 



