SECRETARY'S REPORT 135 



«,re lamentably deficient in veterinary science, either in theory or in 

 practice. Indeed, it is more than doubtful whether Urge numbers 

 of those who have need of the benefits it may confer, be not ignorant 

 of its very existence in the advanced condition which it has attained 

 abroad. They may know of some who pass for " horse doctors," 

 and whose skill is justly estimated to be om a par with that of a 

 "seventh son of a seventh son," or of the practitioners of medicine 

 during the dark ages, but have yet to learn that within a compara- 

 tively recent period the structure and diseases of domestic animals 

 have been made the subject of patient study and investigation by 

 men of great scientific attainments, and that results have flowed 

 therefrom greatly to the benefit of tlie agriculturist ; more especially, 

 of course, in the department of stock growing. 



A'nicultural societies abroad have exerted themselves to diffuse a 

 knowledge of the principles of veterinary science, and with notable 

 results. Why may not our societies accomplish something in the 

 same direction? 



In Scotland, within the last thirty years, the losses of farm stock 

 from disease have diminished one-half, partly from better treatment 

 where disease occurs, and partly from the introduction of better 

 systems of ordinary hygienic treatment, resulting in the prevention 

 of disease, and which is equally the fruit of veterinary research. By 

 reason of the latter, it is said that some diseases formerly prevalent 

 there, have entirely disappeared. 



To care properly for the foot of a horse is a part, but a very 

 small part, of the province of a veterinary surgeon, for his science 

 embraces every thing pertaining to the anatomy, physiology, pathol- 

 ogy and hyigene of the ox, the sheep, and the swine even, not less 

 than that of the horse, and it is as intimately connected with the 

 agricultural interest, as medical science is with our bodily welfare. 



St. John, N. B., Nov. 18th, 1857. 



S. L. GoodaljI, Esq., Dear Sir: — In the course of one of the 

 agreeable conversations we had when you were here last summer, 1 

 recollect our discussing the subject of horse-shoeing, and of showing 

 you some specimens evidencing the wretched state the art was in 

 when I came here, and the improvements that have since been made. 

 I recollect also of your saying at the time, that a similar reform was 

 much needed ia many parts of your State, and of your asking me 



