BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE. 339 



animals, but what was of greater importance to medical science, 

 they perceived in it a fruitful field for investigation, cultivation, 

 and comparative anatomy and physiology. 



With this object in view Dr. John Hunter assisted the 

 friends of the new school both by his professional influence and 

 by his private purse. Among the first pupils graduating from 

 ■this "Alma Mater," and becoming proficient practitioners in 

 the veterinary science may be mentioned the names of Lau- 

 rence, Blair, and Clark. Each of these has left to the world a 

 record of their labors, which, even in this enlightened age of 

 the world, serve as useful guides to the young aspirant for 

 veterinary fame. 



The professorship made vacant by the death of St. Bel was 

 conferred on a Mr. Coleman, who had previously devoted him- 

 self to physiological research ; . he, too, soon distinguished him- 

 self in his profession, and the college was soon placed in its 

 former flourishing condition. A medical committee was then 

 appointed, consisting of some of the foremost practitioners of 

 that day. Before this committee the pupils were examined, 

 and when found to be possessed of the required amount of 

 knowledge of the science, a certificate was accordingly 

 granted. 



This examining committee consisted of lecturers and practi- 

 tioners of human medicine, who, with a liberality that reflected 

 great credit on them, permitted the veterinary students to attend 

 their lectures on human anatomy free of charge. 



In this combination of the greatest and best men of Eng- 

 land at that time, a death-blow was aimed at ignorance, 

 quackery, and the superstitions of the times. A new order of 

 practitioners took the field, and soon demoralized the old land- 

 marks set up by ignorant farriers, erecting in their stead 

 "beacons of light" that spread their illuminating rays of 

 science broadcast throughout the land ; and the public as well 

 as domestic animals was greatly benefited thereby. 



By this time Professor Coleman had succeeded in securing 

 the patronage of the British government. The strings of the 



