HINTS. 
119 
with greater pleasure the expression in the face of the wounded 
spaniel while the young master is extracting the thorn from 
its foot, than we do the representation of a Samson tearing 
asunder the jaws of a lion, or the slaying of tens of thousands 
of his fellow creatures with the jaw bone of an ass, or the 
barbaric splendor of a chariot race. The one emphasizes the 
fleetness of temporary glory and suggests death and annihila¬ 
tion ; the other points to the evolution of something higher 
and lasting in the possibilities of the race, and hints at immor¬ 
tality, and typifies the ideal doctor and his patient. We be¬ 
hold Christ nailed and writhing to the cross, and shudder 
with despair at the thought, the sons of men and women 
will never be less cruel and heartless. But our doubts are 
dispelled and our hopes inspired anew, that life’s most beauti¬ 
ful dreams will be fulfilled as we look at Mary, tenderly bath¬ 
ing and anointing the feet of her master, foreshadowing the 
faithful nurse. 
The veterinarian like the doctor and the nurse to man, is 
an evolution. The time is fast approaching when the two 
vocations shall occupy a footing of nearer equality. 
The calling of the veterinarian, like its ally, springs from 
the best and sweetest impulse, viz., a desire to assuage and 
remove pain, and to care for and nurse domestic animals. 
The expansion of this desire has given birth to schools and 
colleges all over the civilized world, where a more scientific 
knowledge for practice in this particular branch of medicine 
and surgery may be formulated and imparted. Though 
these schools and colleges are comparatively young, they are 
making wonderful progress in the domain of practical re¬ 
search, which is already productive of good both to man and 
beast. They already are contributing valuable hints to the 
science of medicine as applied to man. The brilliant achieve¬ 
ments in this direction are fast winning acknowledgement, 
though often reluctantly given. The experiments in America 
and Europe attest this fact. They hint at discoveries in ex¬ 
plored regions that centuries failed to make, through the 
professions of those who regard man as a special and distinc¬ 
tive feature of the animal creation thought to be introduced 
into this mundane sphere by unnatural means and miracles. 
