160 
PARISIAN MEDICAL CONGRESS. 
answer, he has caused it to be understood that the wishes of the 
Congress, and of the Central Board of Agriculture, have been, and 
will be, seriously taken into consideration. He has even stated 
that the establishment of a large agricultural school has already 
been decided upon by government for the improvement of veteri- 
nary students. This school is to be located in a central depart- 
ment, and to be carried on in such a manner that agriculture and 
veterinary science will progress together pari passu. 
The attempt which is now making in France to connect agri- 
culture with veterinary science is evidently one of the most im- 
portant “ movements” that has taken place in modern times. It 
may, indeed, be said to be the dawn of a new era for the veteri- 
nary art. If success follow the praiseworthy efforts that are now 
being made in France — and success appears certain — veterinary 
science and its professors will very soon attain the high social po- 
sition to which they are justly entitled. To the interests of society 
at large the advantages that must accrue from having a numerous 
body of scientific agriculturists disseminated throughout the coun- 
try would be incalculable. They who cultivate the land are pro- 
verbially slow in the adoption of improvements. Wedded to the 
habits and customs of their forefathers, it is difficult, often impossi- 
ble, to induce them to make any change, however conducive to 
their own advantage. No one would be more likely to have in- 
fluence with this nujnerous and important class than the veterinary 
surgeon, to whom they are continually obliged to entrust their for- 
tunes — that is, the lives of their flocks. Nothing, on the other 
hand, will so much tend to increase the personal respect and con- 
sideration of the veterinary practitioner as the acknowledgment 
on the part of his clients that he is really an authority in those pur- 
suits which constitute their chief occupation. 
From the knowledge thus acquired by veterinary practitioners 
we may, again, anticipate great benefit to accrue to agricultural 
science generally. The attention of a large body of well educated 
men cannot be constantly directed to any branch of knowledge 
without improving it. We might, therefore, legitimately expect 
that great progress would be made through the instrumentality of 
thoroughly educated veterinary practitioners in every thing con- 
nected with the breeding and rearing of cattle. A mass of most 
important information would thus be gradually accumulated respect- 
ing the physiology, the nutrition, the diseases, and the therapeutics 
of each of the varieties of domestic animals which constitute a great 
part of the national riches. 
Were those who exercise the veterinary profession to be thus 
qualified, and to take the social position which we should wish to 
see them occupy, the good sense of both rural and town populations 
