614 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
convinced that it would prove conducive to the advancement 
of our profession. Progress in any science or art is often 
due to what has been termed differentialism, that is, one 
branch and another being made the subjects of particular 
study by individuals : the farrier, therefore, should be in- 
structed in the principles of shoeing, and be taught how to 
ascertain the quality and to know the properties of iron, 
while the veterinary surgeon should be educated in all those 
divisions of science that belong to medicine ; thus he would 
be able to take his higher and proper position, since it would 
be his duty to be conversant with the anatomical structure 
and function of the various parts of the foot, and to advise 
what is to be done in cases of disease existing in that organ : 
thus the two would work harmoniously and profitably 
together. It may be safely said that the forge is a heavy 
clog to science, and the noise of its anvil not conducive to 
the exercise of thought, or favorable to scientific investiga- 
tions. Besides this, I do know several members of our pro- 
fession who have never had a forge, nor have they ever 
regretted it, having succeeded to their satisfaction without it. 
There are yet other junctions I could condemn as heartily 
as I have done this, and some even more so, as I consider them 
highly derogatory to a professional man ; but I fear I should 
be stepping beyond the bounds of propriety in doing it ; 
nor do I think that I have any right to sit in judgment on 
the conduct of others. This one, however, being tc ex 
cathedra” I have felt myself somewhat at liberty to express 
my sentiments freely upon it. The others I will leave — 
" De gustibus non est disputandum.” 
You will, gentlemen, have already inferred, from what has 
been advanced, that the education of the veterinary student 
should be based on science. There is no solid and abiding 
foundation besides this, and it has always been the object 
of this School to inculcate principles founded upon it. Now 
I am not dissatisfied with what has been done, for I rejoice 
in knowing that a gradual improvement has of late years 
been taking place here, and I believe what has been effected 
by the Governors of this institution to be conducive to the 
best interests of the profession ; but we must not stop here. 
We have only arrived at the beginning of the end. It is 
true that I have been so long connected with the College as 
to have witnessed the one lecturer increased to four lecturers, 
and the three lectures a-week augmented to as many, and 
sometimes more, in the day ; while last session another 
officer was added to the scholastic department ; and beyond 
