634 
INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
think that we should not be acting well unless we strive, as 
far as we can, to alter such a state of things. The science of 
veterinary medicine is not worth much unless it goes hand 
in hand with economy and humanity. 
I have now arrived at a part of my address most suitable 
to allude to the means provided by the Governors of this 
institution for the instruction in the several branches of your 
studies; I will therefore endeavour to point out as briefly as pos¬ 
sible the importance of each division, and shall also offer some 
suggestions which may assist you in acquiring information. 
I would first wish to impress on your minds that lectures 
are not, and must not be considered, sufficient of themselves 
to impart to a class of students all the information requisite 
to fit them for the practice of the profession. The lecturer 
must be looked upon as a sort of pioneer, who is more capable 
of conducting you over the domain of scientific research, and 
by a much shorter route, than you would be able to dis¬ 
cover without his aid. Therefore, from the moment the 
pupil enters the College he should endeavour to co-operate 
with his teachers in their efforts to instruct him. 
Now, it may be supposed that all of you have more or 
less a conception of healthy animal function, which is neces¬ 
sary to enable you to appreciate the slightest inroad of 
disease. Should any of you feel yourselves incompetent 
to understand this phenomenon, you had better occupy some 
of your leisure time, as soon as you can, in examining horses 
and other animals believed to be in a healthy condition. The 
experienced eye need only to glance at the different kinds of 
animals to be able to detect if any of them are ill; this the man 
of practice can judge of to a great extent from their general ap¬ 
pearance, without the necessity of any particular examination. 
I should recommend, also, those of you who are not familiar 
with the habits of animals in a healthy state to go amongst 
them at all hours of the day and night, to stand by them, and 
watch their peculiarities. Notice their mode of resting them¬ 
selves, study the character of their expression, which, among 
the lower animals, may be depended upon as an almost infal¬ 
lible guide to health. Be particular in forming an opinion of 
the healthy condition of the skin at different periods of the 
day, and also at different seasons; ascertain the character of 
the secretions and excretions, both as regards their quality 
and quantity, and how they are likely, from different circum¬ 
stances, to vary, such, for example, as the season of the year, 
the amount and kind of food, the peculiarities of one animal 
as compared with another, with especial reference to its age 
and temperament. I would likewise impress on your minds 
