THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXXVI. 
No.431. 
NOVEMBER, 1863. 
Fourtli Series. 
No. 107. 
Communications and Cases. 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE 
OPENING OF THE SESSION 1883-64, AT THE 
ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
By Professor Tuson. 
Gentlemen, —As to the majority of persons, so to me, 
the return home of old friends after a long absence is in¬ 
variably productive of very great pleasure. Perhaps, then, I 
may be permitted to commence this, the lecture introductory to 
the session 1863-64, by expressing the gratification I expe¬ 
rience in once more standing behind this table, and in seeing 
around me so many faces with which I am familiar. Let 
me trust that the long, too long vacation, which the pos¬ 
sessors of these same familiar faces have been spending has 
not been entirely devoted to frivolous amusement, but that 
a considerable portion of it, at least, has been consumed in 
the acquirement of a more perfect knowledge, of the prin¬ 
ciples and practice of that pursuit which I sincerely hope 
they will each and all of them, in the course of a few short 
months, be legally entitled to follow as a profession. 
And now, gentlemen of the first year—you who this day 
commence your career as students of this College, and to 
whom my remarks this morning will be more especially 
addressed—permit me, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, 
to offer you a hearty welcome. 
There are, I believe, few, if any, periods of a man’s life 
more critical or more important than when he is about to 
choose a pursuit the following of which is to be the means 
XXXVI. 43 
