XU PREFACE TO THE THIRTEENTn EDITION. 



but the truth of the statement with respect to the fore feet is 

 well known to those who are acquainted with the structure of 

 the foot, and the hoof is so described by Bourgelat in the above 

 quotation. 



The reader will not, it is hoped, think it wholly uninteresting, 

 if a brief account be added of the present state of the veterinary 

 schools in France and Germany ; drawn from a report made by 

 Mr. Se well, assistant professor of the Veterinary College, London, 

 to the governors of that establishment. Mr. Sewell first visited 

 the Veterinary School at Lyons, which was established January 

 1st, 1762. "The museum," he says, "contains many prepara- 

 tions of great utility and novelty; particularly subjects of the full 

 size, displaying the muscles and blood vessels and the whole of the 

 nervous system with the brain, entirely separate fi-om the other 

 parts, and well preserved : shoes of every description and from 

 various countries, are also shown. The infirmary stables are 

 not extensive, but paved and drained in the ordinary way, and 

 ventilated by the windows only ; there are appropriate places 

 for the other domestic animals. The forsre is commodious, and 

 well adapted for shoeing horses, and instructing the pupils in 

 the art of making and putting on shoes; all which is superin- 

 tended by a director of that particular branch of the art. A 

 botanical garden is attached to the school, and lectures are given 

 on botany and chemistry in rooms adjoining a laboratory. The 

 theatre of anatomy is capable of containing about one hundred 

 pupils ; where lectures ai'c delivered on veterinary anatomy, 

 surgery, and diseases ; and a convenient dissecting room is con- 

 tiguous to the theatre. Behind the building are a yard and 

 paddock, into which sick or lame horses are occasionally turned." * 

 The present director is M. Bredin, who furnished Mr. Sewell 

 with letters of introduction to M. Huzai'd, inspector of the 

 French veterinary schools, with which he proceeded to Paris. 

 He was accompanied by M. Huzard's son to the Veterinary 

 School at Alfort, about four miles from Paris, which was opened 

 in 1766, and is now the principal school in France. This is 

 much more complete than the school at Lyons : three large 

 rooms are occupied by the museum and an extensive collection 

 of veterinary works. There is a powerful electrical apparatus 

 for medical purposes. Lectures on agriculture, rural economy, 



* According to a report, made to the National Convention by Messrs. 

 Gilbert and Huzard, in 1795, the veterinary school at Lyons was in a very 

 bad state, and so situate (in the faiibourg de la Guilloticre), as to be some- 

 times inundated by the Rhone. In consequence of their representation, it 

 was removed to a spot opposite to the city near the road leading to Paris. 

 During the siege and bombardment of Lyons, the students were dispersed 

 by the bombs or shells that were thrown into the house and stables ; but 

 M. Bredin, the director, contrived to secure the preparations, &c. that were 

 in the museum, and sent them off to a house he possessed at some distance 

 from Lyons, where he collected the students and continued his instructions. 



