554 EXAMINATION OF THE VETERINARY STUDENTS 
he has repulsed the attacks of our enemies: but he has com¬ 
manded me to be silent. 
(< The knowledge which many of you have acquired in the bo¬ 
som of this establishment, will enable you to render important 
services in the situations in which you may be placed : but the 
knowledge of your profession is yet far from being complete. 
Your studies should continue to be extended and various, and 
your application should be unremitted. The path which lies 
before you, and on which you are about to enter, is far from be¬ 
ing plain and smooth. You will encounter many obstacles : fear 
them not; courageously attack them, and leave them not until 
they are completely overthrown. 
“ In the struggle which you will have to maintain, be patient 
and firm. If you are attacked by unfounded prejudices, repel 
them, but do so discreetly, and never wilfully offend them. It 
is by mild persuasion, and by shewing the superiority of your 
knowledge and conduct, that you will at length conquer them.” 
The examination of the students now commenced, and con¬ 
tinued during three days : it extended to anatomy, physiology, 
the exterior conformation of domestic animals, external patho¬ 
logy, and the materia medica. 
The first class consisted of twenty-six pupils, three of whom 
were absent on account of illness. Of these three were appointed 
aides major , and seventeen sous-aides! 
In the second class were nine pupils, two of whom were ill, 
and absent. All seven were placed by the jury in the frst 
class! 
Of twelve others of which the third class was composed, one 
only was deemed worthy to be raised to the second class. 
Seven of these pupils had been only a few months at Abou- 
Zabel. 
The answers of the pupils were generally very satisfactory. 
The great majority gave proof of scientific acquirement at once 
varied and solid. Those of the first class were long under a very 
rigorous examination in every branch of medicine which they 
had studied. The president of the jury, INI. Gaetani, to the 
strictest impartiality united considerable severity : this rigour 
extended itself to every member of the jury; and the happy re¬ 
sult of such an examination did honour to the pupils of the 
school of veterinary medicine. 
Besides the pupils who pursued the regular course of vete¬ 
rinary study, there was a preparatory school composed of 
younger persons, who studied the Trench and Arabian languages. 
The jury examined many of them, and assured themselves that 
