CHAPTER LI. 



VETERINARY DEPARTMENT. 



An admirable resinnc of the labours of the Society in the 

 promotion of the teaching of veterinary surgery, is given 

 in the Transactions for 1879. The first attempt at the 

 establishment in Scotland of regular instruction in the 

 veterinary art was made by the Lord-Provost of Edin- 

 burgh in 1 8 16 (the Right Hon. William Arbuthnott), 

 who sought to induce the Senatus of the University to 

 appoint in the University a Chair of Comparative 

 Anatomy, embracing veterinary physic and surgery. 

 The Senatus declined, alleging that a veterinary school 

 implied adjuncts scarcely compatible with university life, 

 but suggested that such an establishment, which it would 

 be most desirable to have in Edinburgh, might fitly be 

 founded in connection with some other institution, such as 

 the Highland Society. At the time that these communi- 

 cations were passing between the Lord-Provost and the 

 Senatus, there was in attendance at the Medical and 

 Surgical Schools in Edinburgh Mr William Dick, who, in 

 the next session, 18 17-18 18, attended the Veterinary Col- 

 lege of London, where, on the 27th of January 18 18, he 

 obtained his certificate. \\\ three succeeding sessions Mr 

 Dick delivered lectures in Edinburgh, first in the Free 

 Mason's Hall, Niddry Street ; then on the South Bridge ; 

 and afterwards in the School of Arts. These lectures were 

 useful ; but they served to help to the conclusion that it 

 was eminently desirable that instruction in veterinary 

 science should be given in connection with some permanent 

 and public institution. In the spring of 1823, the subject 

 was brought under the notice of the Highland Society by 

 Mr Robert Robertson, merchant, Edinburgh. The Board 

 took up the matter at once, and a committee was appointed 

 to report as to the best means of effecting the object in 



