INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
797 
during the last few years, in order that you may he in a posi- 
tion to estimate and appreciate the superior advantages which 
the student of the present day enjoys for obtaining a know- 
ledge of veterinary science over those possessed by his pre- 
decessors. Ten years ago, when I was appointed to the 
professorship I have now the honour to hold, we had an in- 
different lecture-theatre, an indifferent museum, an indifferent 
dissecting room, an indifferent post-mortem house, and a 
wretched laboratory. At the present time, although there is 
still room for considerable improvement, we nevertheless 
possess appliances which, for all the practical purposes 
of teaching, are I believe, surpassed at few medical schools 
in the kingdom. In proof of this I may refer you to the 
theatre in which you are now sitting, as well as the new 
museum, laboratory, dissecting room, and post-mortem house. 
Having such appliances placed at our disposal, it becomes 
your duty as students to lose no opportunity of availing 
yourselves of the advantages we have to offer, so that you 
may do credit to our teaching, and acquire that information 
which you are bound, by interest to yourselves and duty to 
those who send you here, to obtain. At the same time it 
becomes our imperative duty as teachers to turn such ap- 
pliances to the best possible service for your benefit and that 
of the profession at large, not merely by using them as aids 
to tuition, but also by enabling us to excite in the rising gene- 
ration of veterinarians an interest in scientific investigation. 
“ Knowledge always desires increase ; it is like fire, which 
must be first kindled by some external agent, but which will 
afterwards propagate itself.” May we, the teachers, both by 
our precept and example, kindle within you that desire for 
knowledge which will induce you to throw your whole hearts 
into your work, so that you may not only perform your pro- 
fessional duties with credit, but that by your investigations 
you may contribute to the elevation and progress of your 
calling. 
Permit me now very briefly to refer to the opportunities for 
improvement which are open to you by becoming members 
of the Veterinary Medical Association — a society possessing 
a library of medical works, a collection of microscopes and 
microscopic apparatus, and at whose weekly meetings 
pathological specimens are exhibited and essays read and 
discussed. 
The advantages arising from association and discussion 
with those possessing kindred tastes and following the same 
pursuit are of the utmost value in eradicating false notions, 
in developing fresh ideas, and in giving precision to the 
