224 PAST AND PRESENT STATE OF VETERINARY SCIENCE, 
Let us now advance a step in the ladder of science, and con- 
sider how a change from this darkness to light was brought 
about. It appears that, towards the latter part of the seven- 
teenth and the beginning of the eighteenth century, a consider- 
able interest was excited among the surgeons of the day in behalf 
of veterinary science. No sooner were the hidden things then 
belonging to the veterinary art brought to light by being printed, 
and the egregious errors of the old writers consequently exposed, 
than many surgeons, bending their attention to the remedy of our 
defects and absurdities, became authors in their turn ; no doubt 
prompted by the desire to rescue the sister science from the 
chains by which it was fettered. In consequence of this, the 
veterinary art began to be studied by men better educated. 
Here was the first step towards improvement — here was the 
break of day — the twilight of the science : but it was not yet 
perfect daylight ; another step was necessary. Accordingly we 
find, towards the latter part of the eighteenth century, another 
body of men taking the veterinary art by the hand, to whom the 
profession is much indebted. I mean, the Odiham Agricultural 
Association ; who, in 1785, formed a resolution, of which the 
following is an extract : — “ That farriery is a most useful science, 
and intimately connected with the interests of agriculture ; that 
it is in a very imperfect neglected state, and highly deserving the 
attention of all friends of agricultural economy. 
“ That farriery, as it is commonly practised, is conducted with- 
out principle or science, and greatly to the injury of the noblest 
and most useful of our animals. 
" That the improvement of farriery, established on a study of 
the anatomy, diseases, and care of animals, particularly of horses, 
cows, and sheep, will be an essential benefit to agriculture, and 
will greatly improve some of the most important branches of na- 
tional commerce, such as wool at least*.” 
It was by these conjoint means that the change was brought 
about — a change from darkness to light — from the paths of error 
t.o those of truth. 
The speedy result of this change was the establishment of the 
Veterinary College. The formation of a school of veterinary me- 
dicine, where the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of do- 
mestic animals was to be taught, promised a glorious result. It 
was, to use the words of Mr. Blainef, a period from which the 
principal improvements in this art must be dated, and which 
will ever remain a memorable epoch in the history of the vete- 
rinary art. 
* See the Resolutions of this Society, in The Veterinarian, vol. v, p .27. 
f See “ Blaine’s Outlines of the Veterinary Art,” 1st edition, page 64. 
