INTRODUCTORY. 



were, perhaps, those of William Gibson, published during 

 the last century. Among the more recent writers who 

 deserve more than ordinary notice may be mentioned 

 Blaine, Coleman, White, Youatt, Percivall, Gamgee, etc. ; 

 AVilliams, Fleming, Dun, Robertson, Hill, etc., are some of 

 the most prominent English authors of the present day. 

 As agriculture, etc., advanced, the people became anxious 

 to educate veterinarians on scientific principles. The first 

 attempt made by St. Bel to establish a veterinary college 

 in England was a failure ; he returned to France, but finally 

 succeeded in founding a college in London. He died 

 shortly afterwards, and was succeeded as Principal of the 

 college by Blaine. There are two colleges in Edinburgh 

 and one in Glasgow. Professor William Dick, of Edinburgh, 

 founder of Dick's Royal Veterinary College, Edinburgh, 

 died in the year 1866 ; his sister died in July of the year 

 1883. t)n October 24th, 1883, a statue of Professor Dick 

 was unveiled at Edinburgh. Professor Dick and his sister 

 left a large portion of their possessions for the advance- 

 ment of the veterinary profession. 



The United States census for January, 1883, gave 

 the number of domestic animals as follows : Horses, 

 10,000,000 ; cattle, 40,000,000 ; sheep, 35,000,000 ; swine, 

 34,000,000 ; a total of 119,000,000 animals, representing a 

 money value of about two and a quarter billions of dollars. 

 When this vast interest is taken into consideration, and 

 while considerable progress has been made, it remains a 

 matter of surprise that still greater strides have not been 

 made in the advancement of veterinary knowledge on the 

 American continent. Comparatively speaking, it may be 

 said that the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery 

 is in its infancy throughout Canada and the United States. 

 A quarter of a century ago there was scarcely a city or 

 town on the American continent that would give adequate 



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