MR. SEWELL’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE, 1827. 37- 
N. 
thence were denominated the dark ages: and it was not until 
long after this that the veterinary art began to show itself 
again. 
About the 16th century, the arts and sciences, and among 
them the veterinary, began to revive. Different treatises 
made their appearance on our art: among the earliest of which 
were those of Solleyselb Bourgelat, and Lafosse. Up to this 
period there were no Schools. In 1762, the first Veterinary 
school was opened at Lyons, in France. Four years afterwards, 
the largest of the present French Schools, that at Alfort, was 
opened. The example of the French was soon followed by 
the Germans; a school among them was opened at Vienna; 
another ^t Berlin. It is rather singular that this country, so 
celebrated for its beautiful race of horses, should not have taken 
up the art before 1792 : in that year an agricultural society 
resolved to establish a school in this country; about the same 
period also another agricultural , society was occupied on a plan 
of the same kind ; the result was a union of the two societies, 
under the name of the Veterinary College of London. Saint 
Bel, a gentleman from the School at Lyons, (where he was not 
considered as a veterinarian, but had merely studied as an ama¬ 
teur) was appointed Professor : however, he did not survive two 
years after his appointment. In this society. Sir Arthur Young 
appears to have been the principal agent in the veterinary af¬ 
fairs. Besides Solleysell and Lafosse, senior and junior, 
Bourgelat, in France, much distinguished himself. The present 
Professor Girard, who has retired from the anatomical chair, at 
Alfort, has attained much honour and distinction: his works 
have been translated at the German Schools by order of Govern¬ 
ment ; being considered the best. Hearing of these Schools, 
some few years ago, Mr. Sewell determined on visiting them. 
He set out with a resolution to collect all the information he 
could, and to look with an unprejudiced mind : he purchased 
all their works, and had great varieties of shoes presented to 
him. In what they differ from us, he found much to approve 
and admire. 
This School has existed now about thirty years, and there are 
several members of it that have rendered themselves eminent, 
some by improvements in practice, others as authors. B. Clark 
has written on horse-knowledge. St. Bel has left us several 
detached works. Mr. White has published generally on the 
art; also on cattle, sheep, and dogs. The next work, and one 
that is read more generally among us, is Blaine’s. The Profes¬ 
sor’s work comes the next: you are all acquainted with his 
system; you will do well to study it. After this come some 
