460 ON THE ORIGIN OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 
which proved infinitely more prejudicial than useful to the 
science they pretend to illustrate. With regard to the ad¬ 
vantages which have resulted to the healing art, from obser¬ 
vations or experiments made on the bodies of diseased brutes, 
it would be unseasonable in this place to enter into a prolix 
account, since it would extend too far the limits of this 
discourse. 
It is well known that the first purgative medicine was 
hellebore, which is said in ancient history to have been dis¬ 
covered by Melampus, who observed the effect it produced 
on goats. Many such accidental observations, as well as 
curious experiments, have improved the means of healing. 
I shall close this account with the testimony of the learned 
Dr. Friend, who, speaking of the use of the seton, which 
was in vogue in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, both in 
the East and in Europe, concludes thus —“ 1 rather mention 
this, because it seems to be not improbable that this hint, as 
many others have been, was at first taken from a practice 
very common among cattle-doctors. Columella, who wrote 
in Claudius’s time, describes the operation very fully and ele¬ 
gantly, in these words:— f Praesens etiam remediam, &c. 5 
The method here used is still in vogue with the herdsmen ; 
and what is proposed by Columella, is with regard to the 
plague, or some epidemical infection among cows ; and ac¬ 
cordingly we find, that the same remedy by issues was after¬ 
wards applied to a human body in the same distemper; first 
by J. Arculanus, who flourished in the fifteenth century; and 
from his example, several physicians in the succeeding age, 
recommended them as one of the most effectual preservatives 
in that terrible disease. From all that has been said, though 
in a summary manner, it appears that the science we are here 
to cultivate is able in itself, and has given unequivocal proofs 
of its ability, to enlarge the boundaries of general medicine. 
It is to be considered, however, at present but in an infant 
state; and it is our duty to secure ourselves against the con¬ 
tagion of system and hypothesis. To effect this, it will be 
our constant care to adopt nothing but what shall have been 
faithfully examined and proved; to demonstrate nothing but 
what the understandings of the pupils may fully apprehend ; 
and to adhere rigorously to the elementary principles of the 
science. The result of which will be, a simple theory, upon 
which they will one day be able to establish an enlightened 
practice, supported by observation and experience.” 
From these remarks we may conceive, that the first founders 
of the Royal Veterinary College considered that a true know¬ 
ledge of anatomy and physiology were the only means of 
