222 
THE PAST AND PRESENT STATE OF VETERINARY 
SCIENCE. 
No. I. 
By Mr. Thomas Walton Mayer. 
“ Licet omnibus et etiam licet mihi, rerum cognoscere causas.” 
As a good or bad tree is known by the general appearances 
of the stem and branches and leaves, and particularly by its 
fruit, so is any science distinguished (whether based on truth or 
error) by the stem, branches, &c., that it puts forth, and more 
especially by the connexion of its products with the welfare of 
mankind. From such a science, originating in the desire to 
alleviate the sufferings of living beings prone to sundry diseases, 
striking forth its roots into the soil of anatomical and physiolo- 
gical truth, sprung the trunk of medicine. At first it consisted 
but of one stem, increasing in height and bulk with revolving 
years ; at length it shot forth two branches, or, rather, they 
hardly could be called branches, but continuations of the trunk 
itself : the one destined for the use and benefit of the human 
race ; the other for the brute creation. To follow out the successive 
growth of these branches would be a pleasing and instructive 
task : but I will leave the one to pursue its growth, as it has 
already done — ornamental in itself, and a blessing to the world ; 
while I consider the other, in which we are more immediately in- 
terested, and distinguished by the name of “ veterinary science/’ 
To appreciate and understand the past is often difficult, sha- 
dowed and veiled as it is by the clouds of superstition and igno- 
rance. However, as it is not only beneficial to every one to review 
his past life, and to trace the steps he has taken towards im- 
provement, or, perchance, error ; — as it not only stimulates him 
onwards in the path of rectitude, but also causes him to leave 
the ways of falsehood ; — so it is, on reviewing the early state of 
any science, that we can see the steps it has taken towards im- 
provement or decay, and that we can appreciate the state in 
which it now is, and form a correct estimate of its prospects for 
the future. I entreat, therefore, the attention of the readers of 
The Veterinarian while I attempt to sketch the past and 
present state of the veterinary profession, and venture on some 
remarks in reference to the future. 
As it regards this country, for to it alone will the present sketch 
