128 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



his model was thought to be too complicated, as it 

 required the keeping of four books, and no award was 

 made at this time. In 1843 premiums of $2,300 of a 

 general character were offered, certain tracts were 

 printed, and $100 paid for premiums awarded by the 

 society of the three counties. 



At the trustees' meeting of Dec. 14, 1844, the sub- 

 ject of veterinary education was considered. Doubt- 

 less it had been brought forward by John Collins 

 Warren, M. D., who had within a few years become 

 a member of the board. At any rate, he was made one 

 of a committee to inquire into the matter, and, al- 

 though the report subsequently made bears no signa- 

 ture, the familiar knowledge manifested in it as to the 

 status of European schools of anatomy and surgery, is 

 good evidence that it was prepared by him. As it 

 seems to mark the beginning of that branch of prac- 

 tical science, not only in this state, but in this country, 

 and is of instructive interest, it may properly be given 

 in full. The report was submitted, Jan. 11, 1845, and 

 is as follows: 



The committee appointed to consider the best mode 

 of encouraging veterinary education in this state beg 

 leave to report, that, on inquiry, they find that the 

 diseases and accidents to which domestic animals are 

 liable are but little understood among us, and the 

 treatment is consequently empirical and often per- 

 nicious. The importance of many animals to the 

 pursuits of agriculture render them worthy of the most 

 careful attention, in an active and industrial com- 

 munity. 



We find that, in Europe, schools for the formation 

 of physicians and surgeons for treatment of the 

 diseases of animals have been everywhere established. 

 In Great Britain, France and other countries, the 



