52 STRAY PAPERS ON VETERINARY JURISPRUDENCE. 
therewith, there are several, true in themselves, to which we may 
not be disposed to yield our consent, or, if they were assented to, 
w^e should, perhaps, tacitly resolve should never be acted upon. 
For such is the nature of man, that he is often too ready to break 
the bonds which good sense and feeling would impose upon him. 
It would be presumptuous in me if I were to attempt to lay 
down any axioms for your study beyond what are consistent with 
the dictates of common sense. It is enough for my purpose to 
place on record a simple narration of those rules which I feel are 
safest for my own guidance, and which I think will prove equally 
so to you. 
It was the advice of one who proved that he took a deep interest 
in the veterinary students’ welfare, and had the capability of giv¬ 
ing them good and sound advice, to aim high enough.” This 
simple pithy observation, whether in reference to your own con¬ 
duct or to your public duties—whether looked at in a moral point 
of view, or in the common business of life—is equally available ; 
establishing by its very simplicity as well as universal appli¬ 
cation, its right to be placed as the first rule in the Grammar of 
Veterinary Propriety. 
Convinced of the correctness of this standard, you will per¬ 
ceive the necessity of becoming masters not of one but of every 
branch of your profession. Not only is this due to yourselves as 
the means by which you must live in the Avorld, but it is also 
your duty towards those who may become your employers. Be¬ 
cause if they repose the fullest trust on you, as being fully compe¬ 
tent to discharge the duties of your profession, and you are inca¬ 
pacitated by your negligence in obtaining the necessary acquire¬ 
ments, you are cheating them, and wronging yourselves. 
Again, recollect that the knowledge obtained by you is a imsl 
wdiich you are empowered to employ for the benefit of the health 
and the mitigation of the sufferings of various classes of animals 
ordained by an all-wise Creator for the use and service of man. 
Of the use or abuse of this trust you will one day have to give 
an account. If, therefore, you neglect the constant aim that you 
ought to have before you in the study of your profession—if, in 
your practice, you add to the ravages of disease, and torment your 
patients, rather than alleviate the excruciating agonies to which 
they are liable, you are criminally neglecting your duty. Every 
living being has its proper destination and its certain end; but 
you will recollect that, even in that termination, the veterinary 
surgeon has it in his power, in some measure, to diminish the 
agonies of the dying hour. In proportion, therefore, as you omit 
this duty, you are guilty of injustice to yourselves, dishonesty to 
your employers, and inhumanity to your patients. 
