550 EXAMINATION OF THE VETERINARY STUDENTS 
f A . f A A 
ignorance and the prejudices of the vulgar : but there will always 
arrive a time when men will abandon error, and when the truth, 
revealed in all its beauty and worth, will be welcomed as it ought 
to be. 
“The history of the civilization of modern Europe shews us 
the veterinary art disgraced, degraded, and identified with igno¬ 
rant men, incapable of comprehending its importance. They 
who devoted themselves to every other science, did not deem 
this worthy of a moment’s attention; as if to be useful to, and 
to increase the happiness of beings endowed with life like itself, 
were not the noblest attribute of human nature. 
“ At length public calamities prevailed to a frightful extent. 
The devastations of the epizootics frightened the nations of Eu¬ 
rope; and veterinary medicine, which alone could remove these 
evils, was raised from the abject state in which it had languished, 
and gratefully placed in the foremost rank of the sciences useful 
to man and to society. France, taking the lead of other nations, 
founded the first schools of veterinary medicine towards the end 
of the last century. These noble institutions soon enriched 
their country by sending into its various districts well-instructed 
and honourable men; and their endowments and their services 
quickly proved to other nations the necessity of following the 
example which had been given them. Then were seen to arise, 
the envy of the schools of medicine, veterinary institutions in 
Italy and England, and Spain and Germany. A new science 
sprung up, and in France especially under the powerful impulse 
of the genius of its founder, and it rapidly advanced towards its 
glorious destiny. 
“ Useful to every one, veterinary medicine is indispensable to 
the welfare of those who derive their principal riches from agri¬ 
culture. This truth could not long escape the penetration of 
Mehemet Ali, and, for the prosperity of Egypt, he solicited from 
France a man who was capable of establishing a school of ve¬ 
terinary medicine on a solid basis, and resembling the French 
institutions. 
“ M. Hamont, charged with this task, as honourable as it was 
difficult, has justified the confidence placed in him by the Vice¬ 
roy. His activity and perseverance have established a school, 
which he continues to direct; and the benefits of which, already 
evident, are sure pledges with regard to the future. 
“ Arrived at the epoch of the second examination of the pupils 
of this school, and being appointed by his Excellency the minis¬ 
ter of war to preside over the jury, I will endeavour to justify 
the good opinion of my superiors by the strictest impartiality; 
thus only can I reconcile myself to my own conscience, or satisfy 
