18 
MR. MORTON’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE 
such only as enter into the composition of pharmaceutical agents, 
will be separately dwelt upon : nor will any compound, formed by 
the combination of two or more elements be introduced, until its 
constituents have been fully considered. The proximate principles 
of animals and vegetables will be then noticed, which will close 
this division, and which will include their various secretions, and 
excretions, and spontaneous changes. In the second division, 1 
shall endeavour to give you the history, natural and chemical, of 
the medicinal substances which are employed at this establish- 
ment, and by practitioners generally, constituting the veterinary 
materia medica. The manner in which therapeutical agents pro- 
duce their effects will be described, and a classification attempted 
of such as are used in veterinary practice. The compounds which 
constitute the pharmacopoeia of the College, deserve, and will 
receive attention ; and this division will include an exposition of 
the means of detecting poisons. Experiments, diagrams, and 
drawings, will be resorted to, in order to illustrate and impress on 
your minds the various positions laid down. 
From time to time examinations of the progress you are making 
will be instituted, since to this there can be no real objection; 
rather, such examinations will be pregnant with benefit; for they 
are not intended for the purpose of teaching by grinding , as it 
is called, but of ascertaining the real progress of the pupil. I depre- 
cate that preparation which consists in his answering, like a 
parrot, a certain string of questions on certain points, and knowing 
or thinking of nothing beyond them. The only advantages that 
can arise from his instructor’s examinations are, he is enabled 
to give definite and succinct answers to certain questions on the 
most important divisions of his studies, and his memory is refreshed 
on various points which would otherwise be quite forgotten. These 
are the objects I shall have in view in my occasional examinations. 
Such, gentlemen, is the plan I shall endeavour to pursue, — 
such the vast field before us,— the almost untrodden path which 
we have to traverse. And what can I do, who only at even- 
tide can stroll forth to cull some of the rich flowers which, wildly 
scattered, grow on its fair surface 1 In truth, the labour of a 
master-hand is wanted here — of one who knows how to dig about 
the roots, and to prune the straggling branches, — to spread the 
manure, and deeply to plough and sow the seed — to break the 
hardened clods, and to scatter the fertile soil, so that germination 
may soon be induced, and the young plants caused to grow and 
thrive. 
But I will patiently persevere. Aided by you, we will cross 
the barriers which seem almost to preclude our entrance on this 
fertile spot; and if we are enabled to cultivate only a small portion, 
