ON THE ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF CATTLE, &C. 449 
the proper extent and the perfection of the veterinary art: 
a practice which has frequently brought under my notice the ma¬ 
ladies of most domestic animals, and occasionally of all. It will 
be for you to judge how far these opportunities have been im¬ 
proved, and how effectual may have been that stimulus, which 
has for many a year exerted its influence on my mind, to obtain 
my best revenge on those whose ill-concealed or open sneer was 
meant to but could not wound; whose affectation of superiority 
could not humiliate, whose persecution could not destroy, by 
shewing that the dog-doctor could render important service to the 
veterinary art, and that service which they had not the power to 
afford. If I were ever so fortunate as thus to heap coals of fire on 
their heads, what would I do? why, banish all animosity, and 
unite with every one who had at heart the improvement of our 
profession. 
In every country but England, the term veterinary surgeon in¬ 
dicates a person who has studied and practises on all the animals 
that have been subdued by or rendered useful to man. In France, 
a large farm is attached to their schools. Flocks of sheep and 
herds of cattle are kept, that the student may learn the proper 
management of them when in health, and their treatment under , 
disease. 
In the account of the proceedings of the veterinary school at 
Alfort, during the year 1826, two cats are described as having 
been received and cured; and I am not ashamed to say, that the 
account of my little practice, during the present year, would in¬ 
clude the horse, the ox, the sheep, the swine, the dog, the goat, 
the cat, the monkey, the fowl, the parrot, the starling, the black¬ 
bird, and the canary, and, if I went back a year, I might add the 
lion and the boa constrictor. And why should I be ashamed 
of it? Are they not susceptible of pleasure, and conscious of 
pain? Is it any degradation to add to the sum of happiness, or 
lessen that of misery ? It is false pride which would associate 
the loss of dignity with contributing to the enjoyment of the 
meanest creature. He thinks not so who is highest and best, and 
without whom not a sparrow falleth. 
In the United Kingdoms, there are probably about one million 
and a half of horses used for agriculture, commerce, or pleasure; 
but there are five millions of neat-cattle, four millions of swine, 
thirty millions of sheep, and two millions of dogs. Is it not 
absurd that on this one million and a half of horses the whole at¬ 
tention of the veterinarian should be lavished, and not one solitary 
thought, during the whole period of education, be bestowed on the 
other one and forty millions of valuable and useful animals? Is, 
it not absurd that fifty students annually should be sent into the 
3 H 
