620 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
of resistance in the organism, but the former are more likely 
to control and subdue disease. 
Further, how very desirable it is that we should know by 
unmistakeable indications when a medicine has been exhibited 
sufficiently long; or, in other words, when the system is 
under its influence, beyond which it may not be prudent to 
go. With the 'peculiar effects of a few we may be familiar. 
Thus we know that digitalis causes an intermittency of the 
pulse, and when this is produced we should either withhold 
it altogether, or give it at longer intervals. 
Iodine , and its compounds, induce a soreness of the parts 
we wish to bring about the removal of, with heat and a 
throbbing of the arteries thereof ; and then, for a time, their 
use should be discontinued. 
When the nervous system is under the control of that 
powerful excitant to it, strychnia , it is known by extreme 
sensitiveness being shown when the hand is passed along the 
spine. 
Belladonna when it has been given for some time, is followed 
by a dilatation of the pupilary opening of the eye ; and the 
potassio- tartrate of antimony by an easy removal of the hair, or 
depilation. 
There are likewise some other agents whose specific action 
we have attained to a knowledge of from experiment; but 
I feel convinced, gentlemen, I have stated quite enough, since 
it will be evident that in this lecture, as well as in others that 
have preceded it in former years as introductory to my course, 
my object has been to show the advantages derived from an 
application of science to veterinary medicine. I may, and do 
regret that it is generally so lightly esteemed by its practi- 
tioners ; and, being so little sought after by them, it conse- 
quently receives no great encouragement or support. But I 
do think that some steps have been taken in the right direc- 
tion of late years. Some of the strongholds of the enemy 
have been assailed and carried, and by the aid of science new 
resources have been obtained, so as successfully to combat the 
many-headed hydra — Disease. And it may be confidently 
hoped, that as years increase, further accessions will be made, 
thus perfecting the removal of the stigma which once attached 
itself to the practice of this profession through the ignorance 
of empirics. But it is possible that a few may still think 
these refinements, as they are pleased to consider them, are 
not called for : that as in olden times practitioners did very 
well without them, so may we : that a general or routine 
practice is all that is required, and speculative views as to the 
nature of diseases, with their rational modes of treatment on 
