832 GLASGOW COLLEGE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
and improve the condition of the byres, until they become 
models of perfection; and yet, notwithstanding, permit a 
cow labouring under pleuropneumonia to enter any one of 
these byres, and she will, in due course of time, transmit the 
disease, with few exceptions, to every cow in the byre which 
has not had a previous attack of this same disease. 
Knowing this to be the case, and that the opinion I now 
tender will be found an established fact, I again repeat, the 
bill,* in itself, is but a half-measure; and unless the local 
authorities throughout Scotland supply the element which it 
wants, viz. a rigid exclusion of all diseased animals from our 
markets and dairies, it might almost as well never have 
passed into law. The landlords and tenants of dairies in 
burghs and other populous places throughout Scotland are 
now called upon—compelled to lay out money in improving 
their condition, and will only be allowed to keep a certain 
number of cattle within them; and if the authorities do not 
bestir themselves immediately, and put down those indivi¬ 
duals who traffic in every variety of diseased cattle, thereby 
spreading cattle plagues broadcast over the land, ruining 
cattle proprietors, and feeding the community upon diseased 
meat and milk, I do hope the public and the press will not 
delay in calling them to account.” 
In the interests of the veterinary profession, it is a most 
desirable thing that intending students should have received 
thorough knowledge of the usual branches of a general educa¬ 
tion. It has been the custom at the Koyal Veterinary 
College, by order of the Governors of that Institution, for 
several years past, to apply to all students, before entering 
on their duties, preliminary tests in general education, so 
that they might with advantage to themselves and to their 
avocation pursue their studies without those difficulties which 
a deficient education engenders, and also that they might 
with credit to themselves keep a position in society. 
The system has worked well, and evidence of its good is 
daily being accumulated. The same system was inaugurated 
in this college at the commencement of last session, and will 
henceforth be continued. It is to be hoped that the trustees 
of the Edinburgh Veterinary College will also soon institute 
these preliminary educational tests. They serve to indicate 
whether the student really possesses those acquirements which 
assist him not only in his profession, but in every department 
wherein he may be called to enter in life. 
The veterinarian of the present time is called upon to learn 
* Cattle Sheds and Dairies Bill, 1866. 
