338 A HISTORY OF 



the position of a science was made in France in 1761, 

 when a veterinary college was established at Lyons. 

 Thirty years later the London College was founded, 

 and Mr. St. Bel, who had studied at Lyons, was the first 

 professor. In 1793, Mr. Coleman, who had already 

 acquired a reputation as a surgeon, succeeded him. 



In the year 1800, the attention of the Dublin 

 Society was called to the progress that other countries, 

 especially France, were making in veterinary science. 

 It was decided that the books on the subject in foreign 

 languages which belonged to the Society should be 

 translated into English ; that the transactions of foreign 

 academies should be searched for articles on veterinary 

 subjects, and extracts made from English books on 

 farming and husbandry, all the information to be con- 

 densed into one work, and properly indexed. This 

 decision was only partially carried out. Articles which 

 appeared in the Transactions about this time were no 

 doubt published in furtherance of this decision. 



The Society was empowered by Act of Parliament 

 to acquire ground for a veterinary establishment, and 

 the houses numbered nine to fourteen in Townshend 

 street were taken for the purpose. Acting on the 

 recommendation of Mr. Coleman, Mr. Thomas Peall 

 was appointed in November 1800, "professor and 

 lecturer," and Mr. Watts " assistant professor and 

 practitioner." The general character and scope of the 

 lectures which Mr. Peall was to deliver are set out in 

 the minutes. In addition to dealing with " the consti- 

 tution, nourishment, diseases, cures and treatment of 

 horses, cattle, and other animals," the various breeds 

 now in repute in Great Britain, particularly " of sheep 

 and neat cattle," were to be " accurately described and 

 compared, their several excellences pointed out, their 

 shapes marked, and the nature of the soil or food 



