172 
D. P. YON KERMAN. 
The dangers to which these animals are exposed, and, through 
them, the well-being of mankind, can only be averted by an exact 
comprehension of the diseases to which they are liable—an ac¬ 
quaintance with the various influences which operate to induce, 
maintain and propagate these diseases, and the establishment of a 
system of sanitary police efficiently organized and provided with 
preventive measures based on this knowledge. 
The subject of veterinary sanitary science is of the greatest 
importance to every country. Its importance has, however, been 
only partially recognized by our Government, and the losses sus¬ 
tained through its neglect, especially in this country, are some¬ 
thing appalling. 
The fact, pointed out by science, that some of the most des¬ 
tructive of animal plagues can be placed completely under con¬ 
trol of man, appears to have been almost or entirely ignored. 
Consequently no systematic attempt worthy of the name has been 
made to place restrictions upon the diffusion and destructiveness 
of some of the diseases with whose mode of extension, at least, 
we are quite familiar. The measures proposed and carried into 
execution have been nearly always as futile as they have been 
vexatious to trade and injurious to the public interests, and they 
have seldom been devised by those possessing a proper knowledge 
of the disease to be suppressed. 
Having now given a faint outline of the relations of man 
to the lower animals, and the effects of advanced civilization and 
domestication on them, I hope to find you in a measure prepared 
to receive the student of their habits and diseases, both natural 
and artificial, as a benefactor and servant to the commonwealth of 
no mean worth. 
The duties, and ofttimes grave responsibilities, which will de¬ 
volve upon him, should entitle him to the consideration of society 
—for his profession is certainly as ennobling and important to 
the public weal as that of many other branches of science which 
1 can call to mind requiring zeal, self-denial, scientific skill, and 
all those high qualities which the votaries of medicine have so 
frequently displayed. 
For of all the profound and mysterious objects which sur- 
