72 PROFESSOR SEWELL’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
the subsequent and long-continued use of a seton will be required 
to perfect the cure. 
If we turn from the horse to our other domesticated animals, 
here, too, it will be seen that some improvements — the result of the 
onward march — have been effected. The pustular disease, still 
occasionally seen, but once so prevalent among ruminants, readily 
yielded to the remedies employed; but inpleuro-pneumonia, which 
is now so general in the same class of animals, we have been less 
successful in our treatment; this, in great part, arises from the 
cases not being placed under the care of the veterinary surgeon 
sufficiently early. The cause of these epizootics appears to be 
occult and altogether inexplicable ; but he would suggest that they 
had their origin in the changes that are at the present time going 
on within the bowels of the earth, whence a constant disengagement 
of gaseous matters takes place from the earth’s surface in the form 
of mephitic exhalations ; and this may be said to be now existent 
all over the world. Cattle in South America, for years past, have 
been diseased as they now are in Europe; and in the West Indies 
a similar affection has shewn itself. 
Nor has the vegetable kingdom escaped. The reason why the 
herbivora should be first attacked may be assigned to the miasm 
being more energetic near the ground, to which their nostrils are 
continually brought while collecting of food, so that they are com- 
pelled to inhale it. But the same law we find to obtain with the 
human subject. Thus, during the prevalence of a fever, not long 
since, in Glasgow, those inhabiting the basement stories were first 
and most severely affected, while those who lived on the higher 
floors experienced, comparatively, slight attacks. 
In certain localities, however, this exudation from the surface of 
the earth does not take place, but, instead thereof, volcanoes burst 
forth, by which the like poisonous gases become diffused in the 
atmosphere. It is thus that Nature is relieved; and unless this be 
afforded by some such means, chaotic confusion would again take 
place, from a disruption or a breaking up of the crust of the earth. 
These effects may appear to us to be “ partial evils ;” but they, 
nevertheless, are productive of “ universal good.” 
The lecturer closed by adverting to the several veterinary authors, 
and offering some general advice to the students as to their plan of 
study, associations, &c.; feeling convinced that their future conduct 
would be much influenced by the bend or inclination given to the 
mind while at the College ; and that, although youth might be at 
times too sanguine, still by circumspection of conduct, with probity 
and industry, a reward would assuredly be reaped. 
Especially would he advise them to pay much attention to the 
practice of the Infirmary, bv which an inculcation of those prin- 
