THE BROWN ANIMAL INSTITUTE. 
331 
field in which the investigations of the accomplished patho¬ 
logist who has been placed in the position of superintendent 
will be carried out almost exclusively. As an infirmary or 
school it would have no chance in competition with existing 
veterinary institutions. Doubtless there will be painstaking 
students who will desire to avail themselves of the benefits 
which, when the details are all completed, will be within 
their reach at the new establishment, and it may come in 
time that a higher class of veterinary pathologists may take 
its rise from the Wandsworth Institute; but in the main the 
work will be that of investigation, which is to some extent 
incompatible with teaching. 
The first step in recognition of the advantages which the 
new institute may be expected to confer on agriculture has 
just been taken—to us somewhat unexpectedly — by the 
Chambers of Agriculture, who have made, or propose to 
make, a grant of money in order that pleuro-pneumonia may 
be investigated in reference to its cause, treatment, and 
means of prevention. That there is a great deal to be done 
in this direction we do not question. Very little indeed is 
known about this destructive malady, beyond the bare facts 
of symptoms and morbid appearances; and we should be 
glad to learn precisely by what channels the infection is con¬ 
veyed, how far inoculation is attended with specific or com¬ 
mon results, and what measures may be put in force with a 
reasonable chance of extirpating the disease; but that a re¬ 
presentative body of agriculturists should make a grant of 
money to an institution presided over by a physician, for the 
investigation of a disease affecting cattle, is a fine piece of 
irony, which we hope may not be altogether lost upon the 
heads of the veterinary profession. 
One important clause in the testator’s will we reserve to 
the last, on account of its essental public importance: the 
superintendent is bound to deliver at least five lectures 
annually free to the public. No one can doubt that Dr. 
Sanderson’s remarks will be replete with valuable information 
and not less valuable suggestions on the subject of compara¬ 
tive pathology.— The Field, March 30, 1872. 
Xlv. 
22 
