THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XI, No. 132.] DECEMBER 1838. [New Series, No. 72. 
MR. SPOONER’S INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON 
THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF 
DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 
[We hasten to place upon record a portion of the first Lecture, by 
an officer of the Royal Veterinary School of St. Pancras, on 
“ the Anatomy and Physiology of Cattle, Sheep, Swine, Dogs, 
and all other Domesticated Animals”—a subject hitherto neg¬ 
lected at that institution. 
We inquire not into the circumstances—of the possible exist¬ 
ence of which its founders never dreamed—which led to the inj u- 
rious and protracted exclusion of the most valuable portion of 
veterinary instruction. Let these occupy the inquiries of future 
historians, who will speak of them dispassionately and justly ; 
or, rather, with our will, the object, which from the earliest 
period of our connexion with the veterinary profession we have 
had so near at heart, being at length accomplished, let them 
be consigned to utter oblivion. It is sufficient for us, that our 
art will now be extended to all its legitimate objects; and that 
it will be identified with the best interests of our country, and 
with the claims of humanity. It is sufficient that the first 
step has been taken, in which every friend to our profession 
will exult, and which no enemy can recall. It is sufficient that 
that improvement is commenced which, with greater or less 
rapidity, will be worked out to its full and perfect measure. 
There is not the power upon earth that can now, and there 
soon will not be the heart that would wish to, check its glo¬ 
rious career. 
We hasten, then, to record the first Lecture; and we congratu¬ 
late our friend Spooner that this honour has fallen upon him. 
Yet it was not meant as a formal and laboured introduction to his 
subject: that, to a considerably greater extent, he reserves for 
the Oration which he was previously pledged to deliver at the 
VOL. XI. 4 o 
