244 MEMORIAL TO SIR GEORGE GREY, BART. 
rinary College of London, he had seen within the walls or 
School of the Institution but two cows. 
To illustrate the scope of the teaching and the spirit of the 
London Institution in which the Professors are employed, your 
Memorialists will allude to one circumstance : — That College had 
been in active existence since the year 1791. It had become rich, 
and had funds at its disposal. It professed to investigate the dis- 
eases of animals, and to educate veterinary practitioners in whom 
the public might confide. Up to the year 1841 no lectures were 
given upon the diseases of cattle. At that date a Professor was 
appointed ; not however because the want of his services was felt 
by the Governors, but because the Royal Agricultural Society of 
England, to induce such appointment, consented to contribute two 
hundred pounds annually towards the maintenance of the teacher. 
The Governors of the Royal Veterinary College were actually paid 
to carry out the purpose of their establishment ; and took money 
to do that which the name of the Institution confessed it was their 
duty to perform. The two hundred pounds were paid by the Royal 
Agricultural Society for seven years ; but the result of the teaching 
has been so unsatisfactory, that the contribution has been directed 
to be withdrawn. 
Such a fact cannot be misunderstood ; but lest it should not be 
entirely conclusive, your Memorialists will allude to the acts and 
practice of the Professors, shewing that in the assumption of supe- 
riority those persons are wholly unsupported. 
When, in the year 1840, a disease known by the name of the 
Vesicular Epizootic appeared among cattle, the London College 
was by the Royal Agricultural Society requested to draw up a plan 
of treatment for the instruction of the farmers. This plan of 
treatment was formally drawn up, and extensively circulated; 
but the measures therein recommended were so erroneous in theory 
and injurious in practice, that, instead of being a method of cure, 
they proved to be a ready means of destruction. Great loss ensued, 
until, by the labours of the veterinary profession, the nature of the 
affection was pointed out, and the proper course of remedy 
adopted. 
In the foregoing statements your Memorialists must here say, 
they refer only to the Royal Veterinary College of London; and, 
while submitting such statements to your consideration, your Me- 
morialists are desirous of exempting from any censure that may 
be therein implied the Professor of Chemistry at that Institution. 
To the talent and industry of the gentleman holding that appoint- 
ment your Memorialists with pleasure bear witness, and testify 
to the creditable manner in which his pupils generally appear be- 
fore the Board of Examination. 
