THE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE OF MR. FIELD. 669 
to the- past as to a matter of history, but not one of us would wish 
to see its reality embodied in these latter days of intellectual re- 
finement- and civilization. 
Who, that has once basked in the sunshine of science, or has 
tasted the sweets of intellectual intercourse, would wish again to 
enshroud himself in the mantle of ignorance, or would look back 
with any other than sentiments of disgust and abhorrence upon the 
by-gone days of Gothic barbarism ] Who, that has witnessed the 
incalculable advantages that the man learned and an adept in his 
profession possesses over the illiterate and unskilful, does not feel 
a powerful incentive to exertion, and would not strive with un- 
wearied diligence, heedless of all impediments, to climb the hill of 
knowledge, however rugged may be the path, or however steep 
and difficult the ascent 1 
Before I conclude, gentlemen, I would mention a fact in con- 
nexion with the more recent history of our art. In many of the 
physiological investigations of late years, recourse has been had 
to the experienced veterinarian both in this country and in France; 
and, in numerous instances, the experiments and the dissections 
have been performed wholly by him. This circumstance speaks 
volumes, and places our profession in a new and interesting light. 
We can now join hands with our medical friends on more equal 
grounds, and on terms of greater reciprocity. We have drawn 
freely on the labours and resources of the human anatomist, and 
we are now enabled to repay some portion of our debt in kind. 
While we acknowledge the hand that has assisted us, and pro- 
moted our advancement by lifting us, as it were, from a state of 
abeyance to one of honour and distinction, we shew the sincerity 
of our gratitude by offering in return some of the fruits of our own 
experience. It is to be hoped that, by this means, a spirit of 
friendly emulation will be engendered, tending to mutual profit, 
and which will be instrumental in advancing the cause of medical 
science in all its various branches. 
I have now, gentlemen, fulfilled the task I imposed upon myself 
at our last yearly meeting, although in a less perfect manner than 
I could have wished. I have had the pleasure of congratulating 
you upon the advanced state of our art in general, and of our 
Association in particular. At the same time, I have not hesitated 
to forewarn you of the danger that would accrue from an over- 
weening confidence in our present security ; nor have I failed to 
point out the necessity for constant and unremitting zeal and 
watchfulness, lest we lose the vantage ground it has been our 
good fortune to attain. I have attempted, to the best of my abili- 
ties, to describe the important duties of the veterinarian in the 
practice of his profession. 
VOL. xvi. 4 x 
