VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
265 
veterinary school ; for if it was deemed necessary, when only the 
diseases of the horse were studied, to devote a twelvemonth at one 
school, or two sessions at the other, for the acquirement of a com- 
petent knowledge of the veterinary art, is it possible that this can 
be obtained in the same time when the number of the patients is 
quadrupled 1 
A classical education is of great use in laying the foundation of 
our profession, as well as that of the human surgeon. It is almost 
utterly neglected in the education of the veterinary pupil ; and the 
consequence is that his study is often a great labour, and too 
great a proportion of his time at college is spent in learning the 
meaning of the names of the different parts and diseases, and the 
technicalities that are used in teaching*. Would it not be better 
to have a regular scale of classical education in our schools, as in 
those of the human surgeon! I know that it would be the means 
of deterring some young men from entering the profession ; but, 
at the same time, it would induce men of superior education to 
unite themselves with us. It would place the profession still 
higher in the scientific world, and bring the veterinary surgeon 
and the gentleman more frequently in contact with each other. 
I am aware that there are those who consider that the sons of 
blacksmiths and grooms make the best veterinary surgeons. I ad- 
mit that the manual part will be better performed by them. They 
are more expert about their patients on their first entrance at the 
College ; but it is practice which has given them this superiority, 
and the same advantages may be gained by the well-educated 
student, if he has sufficient perseverance. 
Others say that the sons of farriers and blacksmiths have ano- 
ther advantage in their practical knowledge of the foot. This I 
admit is indeed an advantage, and one very beneficial in after-life : 
* The science of medicine is related to every thing. A mere physician, 
that is, a physician who knows nothing but the sciences which are supposed 
to belong exclusively to his own profession, is a non-entity. To deserve that 
title in its extensive import, it is necessary for us to know something of the 
principles and practice of every art and pursuit of man. There is scarcely 
one of them that does not furnish some useful facts or striking analogies 
which may be applied to practical purposes, or to the support of some im- 
portant principle in medicine. — Dr. Rush on the Diseases of Domestic Animals. 
