INAUGURAL address. 
637 
The Court of Examiners has also its veterinary section; and 
surely it is an honour worth seeking —a seat at that board, 
coupled, as it is sure to be, with the respect and appreciation 
of some of the most distinguished teachers of the science of 
medicine. Nor can we, the Officers of this Institution, even 
if health and prolonged life be granted us, continue many 
years. Sooner or later, others must take our place, and 
devote their time and talents to the higher elevation of the 
profession, by an improved system of education. 
The connexion which happily exists between the Royal 
Agricultural Society and the College has also, among other 
advantages, opened the way for the appointment of veteri¬ 
nary surgeons, throughout the country, as sanitary inspectors 
at the meetings of the different local societies. Scarcely an 
agricultural association of note can be found, that does not 
recognise the value of our profession in guarding against the 
transmission of hereditary diseases among domesticated 
animals, and in preventing the substitution of older for 
younger animals. The proper performance of these duties 
is of the first importance to the public at large, as well as 
to the agricultural community itself. The durability of a 
society often hinges on the correctness of the opinions given, 
as well as on the manner in which the entire duties are per¬ 
formed, by its veterinary inspector. Integrity, judgment, 
and industry, are the prerequisites for appointments such as 
these. 
Another inducement to your perseverance in all which 
befits a professional man, is to be found in the appointments 
to regiments of yeomanry cavalry. Recent circumstances, 
unfortunately, have compelled us to place ourselves in a 
state of defence, and hence these corps are likely to be soon 
increased in number throughout the length and breadth of 
the land. To each of these, as now, will be attached its 
veterinary surgeon. 
Thearmv, however—both the Home and Indian division of 
it—offers, probably, the greatest of all incentives to your 
becoming intelligent and well-qualified practitioners, by the 
encouragement it holds out to those who prove themselves 
eligible for appointments therein. The honour of securing 
for veterinary surgeons the rank of commissioned officers is 
due to the late Professor Coleman, than which nothing tended 
more to raise the dignity of our art, and to place the stamp of 
public approbation on our services. Within the last few weeks, 
a new era has, however, dawned upon the army veterinary 
surgeon, and which, through him, is reflected upon the whole 
profession. We hail this with much satisfaction; and we 
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