A NATIONAL VETERINARY INSTITUTE. 403 



When we shall have produced a medical dictator, a Yirchow or a 

 Bichat, who will revolutionize all medical thought, or at least reform 

 it, it will be time enough for us to speak of an individual veterinary 

 science ; and not till then will there be any such thing. Until then 

 we shall be nothing more than a parasite drawing our best nourish- 

 ment from human medicine — although, at present, we are making 

 brave efforts to stand on our own feet. 



Another fact, which is well worthy the attention of the citizens 

 of the most " practical " land in the world, is — not one of these Con- 

 tinental schools pays in the American sense; i. e., they yield no 

 direct dividends. We have seen that the Berlin school exceeded its 

 income, in 1S78-'T9, by some $16,600. But, while yielding no di- 

 rect returns in money, their indirect returns have benefited their 

 respective countries and the world at large to such a degree that 

 we can not estimate it in dollars and cents. To the teachers at these 

 Continental schools do the veterinarians of Britain and America owe 

 the greater part of the material of which their text-books are com- 

 posed. To whom do we owe the greater part of our knowledge 

 with reference to the contagious and infectious animal pests ? To 

 whom but Continental veterinarians ! The names of Hering, Hert- 

 wig, Haubner, Roell, Bruckmuller, Chauveau, Reynal, Bouley, Col- 

 lin, Leisering, Wehenkel, Schuetz, Feser, and many others, are fast 

 becoming as well known to English-speaking people, thanks to the 

 efforts of Mr. Fleming, as they are to those of the Continent. 



It is of the utmost importance to us, as American citizens, to in- 

 quire why it is that this valuable information has been gained by 

 Continental veterinarians, to the exclusion of those of Britain. The 

 answer is simple, and one which it is the duty of every American 

 to study earnestly. 



These schools are so established, and the teachers so carefully 

 selected, and their present and future welfare so well cared for {for 

 they are moderately paid during active life, and liberally pensioned 

 ichen the period of decay comes on), that they can give their entire en- 

 ergies to the proper instruction of students and to scientific research. 



These grand results can never be hoped for in countries where 

 there are only to be found private, uncontrolled, and irresponsible 

 schools — in proof of which we have already noticed the medical 

 schools of this country, and have yet to consider the veterinary 

 school at London, the representative one of Britain, on the sub- 

 scription principle. 



In sketching briefly the history of some of the principal veteri- 

 nary schools of Europe, it must have been noticed that we omitted 



