70 PROFESSOIl SEWELL’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
disciples advocated the use of vegetable substances, which are 
certainly not always to be relied on, since their properties will vary 
with climate, season, and mode of culture. In chemical compounds 
unquestionably we have far more energetic agents, yet the influence 
of many of these on the tissues, we are, even at the present day, 
not fully acquainted with ; and therefore great caution is requisite 
in their administration, and an intimate knowledge of the governing 
laws of chemistry called for. 
Virgil, the celebrated poet, may be said to have first practised 
the veterinary art, and this he did in the stables of Csesar 
Augustus ; he was also an excellent meteorologist, and carefully 
noticed the barometric and thermometric changes that took place in 
the atmosphere. And this should be done now ; since the ad- 
vantage resulting from an application of scientific principles may 
be seen in the erection of stables, and their proper ventilation ; for 
before this was properly understood, the numbers of animals that 
were destroyed or died from diseases engendered by foul air in 
stables almost staggers our belief at the present day. This is one 
benefit that has followed from the establishing of veterinary schools 
for the instruction of educated young men, both in this country and 
the continent, although it is true that we are indebted to France 
for having set the example. 
A succinct history of veterinary schools was then given by the 
Professsor, embracing the origin of the Royal Veterinary College; 
and he proceeded to remark on the necessity of, and* advantages 
derivable from, a division of study, and the student giving to each 
his particular attention. A general outline of anatomy would be 
given by the appointed teacher within the walls of the theatre ; but 
the dissecting-room must not be neglected, since there the pupil 
would be rendered even more familiar with the structure of the 
frame, by handling it himself, and instituting the necessary in- 
vestigations. Physiology, or the function of parts, would next 
occupy his attention. The eye, the ear, the lungs, and other organs, 
would be passed in review ; and the uses of bones, ligaments, 
muscles, and nerves, pointed out, as well as the changes that take 
place in them by disease, constituting pathology. 
In the performance of many operations the first named divisions 
are imperatively demanded. Thus, in cases of chronic lameness, 
when neurotomy is had recourse to, were the nerve simply divided, 
it would re-unite in about two months, and the lameness, in all 
probability, return ; but by excising a portion of the nerve, the 
horse is rendered fit for work for many years after. 
We think that some progress, and some improvement too, have 
been made in veterinary science since the Veterinary College was 
established in England. This mode of performing the operation 
