646 
INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
of the various organs in different stages of disease and in 
different diseases. Morbid anatomy is of great importance 
in confirming, or otherwise, such diagnosis as may have been 
given, which will have an important influence in future 
cases. 
I ought not to omit to name, in association with clinical in¬ 
struction, that much practical information may be obtained 
within the College walls by witnessing the examination of 
horses as to their soundness, an opportunity which is fre¬ 
quently afforded, and which I should advise you to take ad¬ 
vantage of. It is a practice calculated to train the mind to 
detect unsoundness with a certain degree of pecision, and 
what are commonly called leisure hours should be devoted 
to this pursuit. The veterinary surgeon, called upon as 
he frequently is to give evidence in courts of justice, 
needs to be familiar with all peculiarities which legally 
constitute unsoundness. He should also be able to give 
an opinion, in cases where a horse is not legally sound, 
whether he is likely to be so for all practical purposes, 
or to what extent he is serviceable. He is also often 
requested to give an opinion, as to the suitability of a 
horse for particular purposes. On these points he will 
be able to gain much information. I should hope that 
you will not hesitate to ask any questions on this subject 
(or, indeed, on any others connected with your profes¬ 
sional studies) that you may feel desirous of having 
answered; for you may rely on the willingness of your 
teachers to give you all the information in their power, con¬ 
sistent with the time at their command. Discretion on your 
part will point out what particular time, during the exami¬ 
nation of a horse, it would be most suitable, and also most 
convenient, to ask such questions. You may, with great 
advantage, interrogate each other respecting certain points 
upon which opinions may not accord; and should these 
differences arise, you can always appeal to the pro¬ 
fessor in attendance, who will, to the best of his ability, 
decide the point at issue. In questioning each other, 
take care to do it in a friendly, kind, and gentlemanly 
manner. In this way you may train the mind and sharpen 
the intellect. 
I have yet one subject to refer to, viz., the Veterinary 
Medical Association—an institution, in my opinion, of the 
greatest importance. Its meetings are held every Tuesday 
evening, when the members assemble for the purpose of dis¬ 
cussing the particulars of any case, with or without, as may be 
