386 ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCH VETERINARY SCHOOLS. 
portion of its superabundant caloric; and they corrugate the skin 
and the coats of the arteries; thus diminishing the calibre of the 
vessels, and consequently the quantity of contained fluid. It is 
always requisite to attend to the diet of a horse labouring under 
inflammation. 
Time prevents me from speaking of the division of inflamma¬ 
tion into acute and chronic, and also many other branches of this 
very important subject. 
A few definitions, almost unequalled for their terseness, are 
extracted from the essay of Mr. Cowie on the same subject. 
Inflammation may be defined to be, an increased action of the 
capillary vessels. This action seems to be at first independent 
of the state of the heart and larger arteries ; but no inflammation 
can exist long, or to any degree, without the heart and arteries 
sympathising. 
Local inflammation is that which is confined to one place ; 
and the immediate cause of local inflammation is, irritation of the 
organic nerves supplying the capillaries of that place or part. 
The treatment of local inflammation is simple and efficacious 
in proportion as its seat will admit of curative access. 
Resolution is a cessation of symptoms, in consequence of a 
decrease of inflammatory action. 
Adhesion is the union of two substances or parts that had 
been naturally or otherwise separated ; and it is effected by 
means of lymph deposited between them, and becoming or¬ 
ganized. 
Suppuration is a morbid secretion of pus; and a collection of 
pus constitutes an abscess. 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FRENCH VETERINARY 
SCHOOLS. 
Having extracted from a little book, now become scarce, a 
history of the establishment of the Royal Veterinary College at 
St. Pancras, and the views and purposes of its founders, and 
the excellent regulations established by them, but now strangely 
become a mere dead letter, we will endeavour, as opportunity 
may serve, to give a slight sketch of the continental schools. 
France and Europe were, during the first half of the last 
century, ravaged by several most destructive epizootic diseases, 
among cattle principally, but extending also to the horse, to 
sheep, and almost every domestic animal. The murrain, or 
