4 
VETERINARY PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS. 
press their surprise that such a work as the present has not 
been undertaken years ago, and that so much apparent apathy 
on the subject should continue to reign in our capital: it was 
this murmuring that first drew our attention to the desideratum, 
now, some considerable time since, we having delayed our dthui 
in expectation that some abler scribe might be found, and one 
who had advantages which we confessedly stand in need but in 
doubt of obtaining, viz. the patronage for the work of the Vete¬ 
rinary College. So that we are ready to reproach even our¬ 
selves for not making our appearance earlier ; however, as 
Sera nunquam est ad bon os mores via, 
SO we trust, that, though late in the field, we shall not appear un¬ 
welcomed, or carry on our operations unsupported ; and we rely 
the more on receiving support, because we pledge ourselves, 
now that we are upon the ground, to make every amends in our 
power for the lateness of our arrival. 
9 Human medicine and chemistry have both undergone such a 
revolution within this last half century that works written thirty 
years ago are of comparative little value at the present day; 
unless they be of the class of the Transactions,’^ which,, 
from the circumstance of only one number having been pub¬ 
lished, and that now seven and twenty years since, becomes 
scarce, and therefore curious, and in the same ratio valuable: 
considerations that induce us here to make some extracts from 
it, the work itself remaining probably in the hands of very few. 
After insisting on the indispensableness of an acquaintance 
with the mechanism and economy of the animal, in order to 
understand and improve the veterinary art,^’ the editor says, in 
his preface. 
The object of the institution of the Veterinary College, is not merely that 
the veterinary art be studied, and in time improved as much as possible, but 
to teach and diffuse whatever information may be acquired in the course of 
a gradual 'progression towards perfection/' 
Gradual progression, indeed ! Yes, gradually enough, God 
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