28 Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology of the 
that amount of information which shall prove practically useful to 
those by whom this branch of medicine has never been investi- 
gated. In fact, great perseverance and research are required to 
understand the workings of Nature's laws, when any single organ 
becomes impaired. Hence those only who have by previous study 
made themselves conversant with the various tissues composing an 
animal body, are fitted to undertake the treatment of disease ; and 
not only is this knowledge absolutely needful to secure success, 
but equally so is an acquaintance with the functions of the different 
organs. Anatomy supplies the one requisite, and physiology the 
other ; while by a union of these sciences a basis is formed, upon 
which is raised the practice of pathology, or the skill of repairing 
any defects in either the structure or function of the frame. 
ft will, therefore, be easily understood that the selection of a 
subject best suited for the carrying out the wishes of your Council 
has been difficult ; for I had to avoid discursiveness on the one 
side, and minuteness of detail on the other, and yet to speak of 
that which should be both interesting and instructive. After due 
consideration I have decided on confining my observations to that 
system of organs termed the digestive, and principally as developed 
in ruminating animals. With a view also to render my descrip- 
tion better understood, I propose to divide the lecture into two 
sections, and first to explain the leading peculiarities of these 
viscera, and next, the nature of some of their diseases. 
The supplying of animals with suitable food, the knowledge of 
the way in which it is appropriated to the wants of the system, 
and of the ill effects arising from impaired digestion, are of the 
first importance to those wlio devote their time and their money 
to the fattening and rearing of our domesticated breeds. 
The process by which the aliment is converted into flesh and 
blood is similar in all animals of the highest order, but is modified 
by the habits of the creature and the character of ihe food on 
which he subsists. Digestion may be said to be the chief means 
employed by the great Creative power for the preservation of all 
beings; and upon it and assimilation health likewise mainly depends. 
For in proportion to the energy of digestion, so will be the purity 
of the blood — that fluid which carries, by its circulation through 
the heart, arteries, and veins, the elements of vitality, nutrition, 
and renovation to every part of the body. One organ, therefore, 
has a mutual dependence on another, and each is so adapted that 
it may perform its function in the best possible manner. We 
have evidence of this wisdom of design in the various arrange- 
ments of the hemes of the head, and in the attachments of the 
jaws in different animals; and as digestion begins in the mouth, 
I shall first direct your attention to the peculiarities here met 
with. 
