PROFESSOR Coleman’s introductory lecture. 461 
although we witnessed with, pain its evident effect. The professor 
was wojit to say, and with much energy, that he disliked com¬ 
parative anatomy, for its mischief was, that it led to comparative 
physiology and comparative pathology. 
When the student heard this, ex cathedra, he considered him¬ 
self as restricted to the examination of the structure and phy¬ 
siology of the horse. There was danger, nay, certain evil, in 
wandering beyond him; and the consequence was, that the horse 
alone occupied his attention: and of the structure and functions 
of the most important organs of his other, and, take them for’ 
all in all,’^ his most valuable patients, he was strangely and utterly 
ignorant. He was perfectly satisfied with, he almost applauded,' 
the limited system of instruction to which he was accustomed to 
listen. The horse was his only study, and he neither wished nor 
dared to extend his researches. We will not say that this was 
the designed effect, but we know that it was the real effect of the- 
professor’s anathema against comparative anatomy. 
In the present lecture, Mr. Coleman found fault’’ with com¬ 
parative anatomy, but his language was more carefully selected. 
His arguments were levelled, or might be construed as being 
levelled, a little more against the abuse of comparative anatomy. 
It might dangerously mislead the enquirer. Where similarity of 
texture and structure and function appeared, the student’might 
too hastily take it for granted, that there would be similarity of 
disease, and similarity of effect in the remedial means adopted. 
Experience was the only basis on ’which veterinary pathology: 
could be built, and experience discovered the most unexpected 
arid inexplicable difference iii the diseases to which the same- 
organs were exposed, and the effect of certain medicines. 
To this we object not, except that the professor should have 
plainly said that it was the abuse of the thing to which he objected, 
and not to have left it probable that his pupils would consider, 
him as hostile to the study of comparative anatomy, while on- 
former occasions it was impossible for them to arrive at any other 
corrclusion. , • .. ' 
If the veterinary surgeon would practise his ait in all its 
branches, and extend his medical assistance to all those whom 
the founders of the college declared to be his patients, he must be 
