THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
113 
worth, whose zeal and self-devotion to their work, at that day, se¬ 
cured benefits to our profession which many of us but feebly 
comprehend. 
Later, as the demand for qualified veterinarians became par¬ 
tially recognized, and before there was a sufficient learned force, or 
a sustaining demand for such institutions, veterinary colleges be¬ 
gan to appear, at first proving sort of still-born monstrosities,' fol¬ 
lowed closely by a few premature, sickly, short-lived affairs; not 
wholly fruitless, however. 
The first college was announced at Boston about 1855, but 
seems to have been without a qualified V. S. or M. D. in its fac¬ 
ulty, without building or curriculum, and its operations seem to 
have consisted merely of receiving fees and issuing diplomas. 
In the immediate succeeding years, through the more healthful 
demand for such institutions, after many trials and disappoint¬ 
ments, veterinary colleges finally became fixed institutions of the 
country, still, like to-day, they were imperfect and called for much 
enthusiasm and self-denial to induce competent men to undertake 
the enterprise. 
The finances of most veterinarians were inadequate to thorough 
equipment and ready support of a college, and as a paying num¬ 
ber of students was difficult to obtain, most lecturers were com¬ 
pelled to practice for a living, when practice offered, and lecture 
for glory in their leisure hours. But glory does not appease hunger 
nor allay thirst, and so it seems that the meager college income 
frequently caused internal dissensions which threatened the exist¬ 
ence of the institutions. 
Gradually, as the demand for qualified veterinarians became 
steady and reliable, the tottering colleges became settled, and 
their influence in moulding the then shapeless veterinary profes¬ 
sion in America became apparent. 
To fully appreciate the influence of these colleges we must 
bear in mind their inadequate financial support, which necessarily 
caused corresponding deficiency in buildings, appliances, and in 
the number and quality of teachers, so that it frequently happened 
that a layman or M. D. was assigned to a lectureship upon sub¬ 
jects which should have been taught only by a veterinarian. Not 
