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INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
wants and the necessities of the veterinary republic ; and 
whilst I admonish you of dangers, urge you to exertion, and 
excite your good intentions with bright hopes of success, 1 
would also assure you that no personal sacrifice or labour 
shall be wanting on my part to meet your just wishes, or 
to start you fair in your professional career. 
There are many other topics on which I should wish to 
address you did time permit, but at present I will only 
observe, that your scientific attainments will inevitably lead 
you into an association with the educated classes of the 
country, and thus improve your standing in the profession. 
No knowledge which you may bring to bear upon your studies 
will be thrown away. Although, for obvious reasons, an 
acquaintance with the Latin, French, and German languages, 
is not an indispensably necessary part of your education. Yet 
those of you who possess such knowledge, or have the energy 
to acquire it, will find it very profitable. Besides which, it is 
always a passport into good society. Most of our scientific 
terms are derived from the dead languages, and those of you 
who understand something of Greek or Latin, will be better 
enabled to comprehend the meanings of these terms, as 
well as the whole language of science. As for French and 
German, we have many valuable works on veterinary science 
in those languages well worth your perusal ; and, moreover, 
none of you know where your lot may be cast, or what 
benefit or advantage you may some day derive from being 
the master of a foreign tongue. 
The war is opening up a considerable field for the 
members of our profession ; and the longer the great contest 
in which we are engaged shall continue, the more will the 
public find out the worth, in a national point of view, of 
veterinary science. There will be numerous appointments 
yet to make, to replace casualties, and to supply new places ; 
and we may augur that a larger number of young men of 
respectability, energy, and education, will come into our 
ranks. And, indeed, one of the most pleasant considerations 
for you who are just entering upon your studies, is presented 
by the fact, that you have chosen a calling which is in the 
ascendant, and, unlike many others, is not overstocked. In 
our profession, which is a natural part and parcel of civilized 
and wealthy community, the supply of educated, enlightened, 
and humane practitioners, is that which actually creates the 
demand. So long as the profession is limited in number, 
and low in its tone and attainments, it wdll gain but little 
patronage. When it is numerous, united, and well educated, 
then the public will follow its rise, and become its supporter. 
