PROFESSOR SPOONER’S ORATION. 
749 
why ? Because I was one of his pupils ; and I cannot but feel 
deeply that the period has arrived when my old preceptor hesi- 
tates not to come and listen to me, and I know full well with 
every kindly feeling. 
Mr. Youatt is the author of many excellent works ; and. Gen- 
tlemen, after what I have stated to you with regard to the im- 
portance of extending your investigations to a knowledge of the 
anatomy, physiology, and pathology of all domesticated animals, 
where can I refer you for information on these subjects unless to 
the literary labours of this gentleman, as contained in certain 
volumes published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge, on the Horse, Cattle, Sheep, &c. &c ? He is also the 
Editor of The Veterinarian, a standard work with us. 
The late Professor Coleman has written some works on the 
foot, shoeing, &c., which I would advise the pupil to read. 
To Mr. Bracy Clark, also, we are indebted for many scientific 
works on veterinary subjects. Mr. Turner, whom I have the 
honour to class among my friends — an excellent man and a first- 
rate practitioner — has written a work on Navicular Disease, the 
result of a long and steady application of his mind to that par- 
ticular subject. He has also recently published a volume of Phi- 
losophical Experiments, in which some extraordinary facts and 
reasonings are adduced. 
My namesake and fellow-pupil, Mr. W. C. Spooner, has re- 
cently presented us with a volume on the Anatomy, Physiology, 
and Pathology of the Foot of the Horse, &c. He has entered 
very much into the science of his subject, and contributed greatly 
to the advancement of our art. I shall not allude to other authors : 
I have merely adverted to those works which are more especially 
intended for the perusal of pupils. 
I have now only to call your attention to one other subject, an 
attention to which, I think, you will also find of great importance, 
and that is, the Veterinary Medical Association, a Society 
which holds its meetings every Tuesday evening, in this Theatre, 
and is founded on the principles of mutual instruction. You 
will there have an opportunity of freely and openly expressing 
your sentiments : and, although I shall be present at most of 
your meetings, and may sometimes possess opinions different 
from those you entertain, you need not hesitate in advancing 
them. I am delighted to hear the free and ingenuous opinions 
of youth, and have often been much improved by them. Do not 
by any means allow the idea to be impressed upon your minds 
that, as a matter of course, you must think as I or as any of your 
teachers think. We may occasionally differ from each other on 
points of minor importance. I do not hesitate to express my 
