INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY:

78

free iodine necessary to excite edbut I will speak of the kind encourage* action of the remedy, I do ment I experienced from some of the profesnot feel it necessary to describe here the sors whom I now see before me, which I so mode of analysis by which the quantities much needed, and’which they, unsolicited and of the respective ingredients in a given beyond what I dared to hope, bestowed; and quantity of water may be ascertained. I will speak too of the uniform attention The analysis is, moreover, so complicated and expression of regard which I received that I could scarcely hope to render it in- from a class, small, indeed, but which did telligible but to practised chemists, who not disgrace even this institution ; and their of course do Dot require the information." manifest improvement in veterinary science, With these extracts and analysis, we for creditable to themselves, and the most reward they could yield the present submit this work to the atten- dearly-cherished their preceptor ; and I will tell them that tion of our readers. The value of the book if ever their object and mine is accomplish. is scarcely a matter of opinion, for that must ed, and the veterinary art is permitted to be decided on by practical trials and practical assert her just rank, there is one who will

quantity of the

I

cutaneous

men.

If

by their verdict our own opinion importance of M. Lugol’s researches

of the be corroborated as fully as we expect, we shall then not hesitate to declare that M. Lu,,-ol has effected a great public good, and th.it his translator, independently of the Appendix, has done the members of the medical profession in Great Britain a corresponding service by submittingthat author’s labours to their immediate observation.

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON

VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY:

BY MR. YOUATT.

forget how mainly they were in. strumental in accomplishing this purpose, and the recollection of them will be associated with some of the happiest, because the most useful hours of his life. And now, Gentlemen, when I can stand before you the appointed lecturer on veterinary medicine and surgery-when the temporary shelter is exchanged for a permanent abode-when the art I am to teach is acknowledged to be a legitimate branch of medical and scientific education-when the claim of relationship is sanctioned by those who are the best judges of the degree of consanguinity, I can only say in behalf of my profession and myself, that we are thankful-that we will endeavour not to disgrace the alliance, and that we will become, although inferior, yet zealous, and we trust,

never

not

quite unsuccessful labourers in the cause

of science and humanity. In the prospectus of the University,

vete-

stands acknowledged as one of the divisions of the medical school. While I am grateful for this I must be perUNIVERSITY OF LONDON, mitted to maintain that it is an act of justice Wednesday, October 5, 1831. that has been too long delayed in our schools GENTLMEN,-When, in the beginning of and by the public. The veterinarian had the present year, I had the honour to appear perhaps contributed to the refusal of the in this place as a permitted lecturer on vete- claim, by his lack of education, or his unrinary medicine and surgery, I thought it a bearing or conduct,-too glar.. proud day for the degraded and undervalued ing and too degrading’, I must confess, in profession to which I belonged. I felt truly times past. Many centuries, however, have grateful to the Council of this excellent in- not elapsed since our elder brethren of the stitution, that they, first among the univer- medical profession were not much better sities of England, bestowed, although per- educated, and but little more worthy of rehaps but for a little while, their fostering spect. They have attained the rank in sopatronage on this disregarded branch of ciety to which they are justly entitled, and science,-a branch of science, however, we are attempting to follow them haud pas-connected with many of the rational enjoy- sibus equis, but surely, we trust, although ments of life-with human medicine, and slowlv. the agricultural interests of the country. In the earliest period of medical history I will not now speak of the deep feeling veterinary surgery was acknowledged as a of responsibility that alternately stimulat- branch of the medical profession. If we may ed and depressed every mental energy when believe the annals of very ancient times, I stood first and alone in such a place, the Chiron, the son of Saturn, and the preceptor imperfectly-recognised advocate of an art to of Æsculapius, obtained the name of Cenwhich from habit, as well as from a convic- taur, a strange compound of man and horse, tion of its importance, I was ardently attach- not only, as is commonly said, on account of DELIVERED AT THE

rinary surgery

professional

79 his s1.-ill in

horsemanship,

but

his know- li,c mind,

or on

the minds of those

was influenced. were then of

ledge of that animal and his diseases, for he the public

by whom

Domesticated

animals teacher of medicine. comparatively little Many centuries afterwards flourished value, The Arab blood had not produced Hippocrates, " the father of medicine." the unrivalled English courser. The cattle He was acquainted with, and wrote con- and sheep were stinted in their growth, and cerning, if he did not practise the veteri- little celebrated either for beauty or pronary art. It is somewhat singular that a duce. They were not in the hands of large late author, who has published "A History and opulent proprietors, who might have of illedicine, Surg’erv, and Anatomy, from both the spirit and the means to improve

was a

the Creation of the World," while he does them, but in those of the vassals, who then full justice to the claims of Hippocrates as paid their rent in kind and not in money, a zealous and profound comparative anato- in cattle and poultry and corn for the conmist, says nothing of one result of his re- sumption of the chieftain’s household, and searches into the structure of the inferior who cared little about the quality of the animals, a knowledge of their diseases ; nor beasts, if they only furnished the requisite of his work which still survives, and with number of heads. The enslaved, and conwhich that writer ought to havebeen a’c’- sequently ignorant peasant, neither atquainted, and which is pregnant with useful tempted to prevent or to cure the diseases information, even at the present day, on of any of his domesticated animals, nor would he employ others to do either ; but if every branch of the veterinary art. The truth of the matter is, that Dr. Har- the assistance of any one was required, it rison affords a tolerably accurate although a was that of the wise man of the glen, who mortifying proof of the low estimation in with many a strange incantation was to which veterinary science has been, and is extract the elf-bolt, or to kindle the needby many held; for from the beginning to ji1’e, or to produce the devote smoke, or to the end of his work he does not say a single point out some poor persecuted wretch who word of the veterinary practitioner or vete- was to be pricked and tortured until she rinary practice. Well ! be it so. We will reversed the fatal charm. It is not then endeavour to remedy this in the right way. to be wondered at, that veterinary science To pass over many writers on veterinary. should have lagged behind, when her elder affairs, suffice it to mention, that, although sister was advancing to honour and emoluit will probably never again occur, for it ment. would not suit the present very proper diThe improvement of horses and of cattlevisions of medical practice, we have reason the formation of veterinary schools-the to believe that in Greece, and we know that progress of general education-the estain Rome, the same person frequently if not blishment of veterinary societies,-and the generally, practised both human and vete- diffusion of veterinary periodicals, have rinary surgery. If we recur to the history gradually brought forward a different class of human medicine in our own country in of men; not perhaps, even yet, taking the earlier ages, there was much association them as a body, altogether worthy of their between the surgeon and the veterinarian, ifprofession, but somewhat more deservingnot an identification of person. The farrier, more sensible of the nature and value of from his experience in the use of the instru- their profession-more anxious to improve ments of his forge, was often called in to themselves and it-more worthy of public the aid of the human practitioner. He was confidence, and a little more resembling the principal operator, or the consulting medical men. In consequence of this, the surgeon; or rather, he flourished for a long rank in society which the veterinary pracperiod when the human surgeon was scarce- titioner occupied, has been materially ly beard of. He acted under the direction raised ; the English veterinary surgeon in of the leech of the monastery, or the Lady a cavalry regiment is a commissioned ofBountiful of the castle, or he operated too ficer, and in one of the Scotch, and in many frequently on his own responsibility, and of the continental Universities, the veteri. the practice of medicine was by nary lecturer occupies a professor’s chair. When, Gentlemen, I had the honour to many of his absurd and barbarous customs. In process of time the value of life, and address some of you in February last, I of the lives of those we love, and the com- ventured to maintain that ours was a branch fort of life as connected with a state of free- of medical science, because there was an dom from pain, awoke the public mind to identification of object. To preserve health the necessity of a reform in medical prac- and to relieve disease, are the common obtice, and, by steps which it becomes not me jects of the human surgeon and the veteri. to trace, the human practitioner has arisen narian. to deserved munence. True, our patients are not possessed of The furrier had not the same chance: the high intellectual powers of man. The the same motive did not operate on the pub- support family, or the welfare of a ,

disgraced

of

80

kingdom,

may not depend on the exertion must make ourselves acquainted with the of our skill ; but there is that about our pa- effect of medicinal agents, and as bearing tients which will give interest and import- on one or all of these points. ance to our profession. I might speak of The process, then, is the same ; the disthe pecuniary value of horses and cattle in tinction is in the value of the patient, and At and veterinary practice differ in this their state of improvement. the period to which I allude, I calculated and in this alone. When, howthe proportion they formed of the general ever, we inquire into the means by which wealth of the state, and it was a very con- our indications of cure are to be accomsiderable one. I might also plead that the plished, we shall begin to find a variation, intellectual, ay, and even the moral quali- wider perhaps than the medical student ties of many of our patients, rendored them imagined. The veterinarian is concerned with many patients, strangely different in highly deserving of our care. as we general structure, and in the mechanism by are, Superior they yet depend Not more on human help than we on theirs. which each function is performed. If the Their strength, or speed, or vigilance, was given mechanism is different, the characters of In aid of our detects. In some are found healthy and diseased function will differ Such teachable and apprehensive parts, That man’s attainments in his own concerns, too, and our remedial measures will proporMatch’d with the experience of the brutes in differ. We shall have to study tionally theirs, or,ler that we may draw the proper in this, and Are ofttimes vanqnish’d, thrown far behind. inference from varieties of organisation and And learn we might, if not too prondto stoop To quadruped mstructors, many a good and and disease. Useful quality, and virtue too, does Why comparative anatomy form ati Rarely exemphfied among ouiselves. essential branch of medical study ? That Attachment never to be weaned or changed Ry change of fortune : proof alike by observing the different apparatus by Against unkindness, absence and neglect. which the same function is discharged in Fidelity that neither hrlbe nor threat different animals, always in benevolent and Can move or warp ; and gratitude For small and trivial favours, lastiug as the life, wise accordance with the situation and the " And glistening even in the dying eyes destiny of each, and the perfection of the I might add to this, the consideration in each, at least so far as the enjoythat we have taken them from their native ) ment of the animal and the accomplishment plains, and coerced and confined them, and of his destiny are concerned, the student too often exacted their labour with reckless may acquire a more enlarged and accurate cruelty, and entailed on them, by our ab- conception of the nature of each function, its connexion with structure and situsurd practices, or too frequent and disgraceful brutality, numerous diseases, and a ation and enjoyment, and may better apprepremature death. I might content myself, ciate its healthy state, and derive many hints as to tho cause or remedy of however, with these undeniable facts, that they are susceptible uj’pleusure and of pain; disease. In the study of veterinary medicine, our that we can never be unprofitably or dishois directed to a subject even more nourabty employed while we are increasinfluence of ing the former and diminishing the latter, interesting and and that, while thus employed, we are in difference of structure and function on disthe strictest sense the grand ease. It is comparative anatomy made to object of medical science. I will proceed bear upon pathology. It is comparative to other grounds. The principles by which anatomy brought home to practice. both are guided in the accomplishment of When in the animals that come oftenest their noble object, are the same. We have under our notice, and whose maladies we some excess of action to abate, or some de- may watch from their commencement to fect of stimulus or of sensibility to supply, their termination, we find immunity from or some diseased habit to reform. We must certain diseases in some, maladies peculiar prepare ourselves for practice precisely in to others, and the same disease strangely the same way. We must become acquaint- varying its character in different animals, ed with the structure of the diseased part, and varying too in the same animal, acor, rather, of the animal generally. We cording to the kind of food, the system of must study deeply the natural aud healthy management, the season of the year, the state of the constitution, and particularly, function of every organ; we must a knowledge of the connexion between and in the most marked degree, with referchange of structure and of function, or ence to condition-that artificial and unnatuchange of function and the gradual altera- ral state into which the animal is too often tion of part ; we must diligently inquire brought,-it is impossible that we can poninto the causes of these changes, and the der on these things, without many a useful manner and extent to which thev act, and hint of practice. Comparative anatomy is how we shall best remove the cause, or ar- now deservedly admitted to be a useful

present

human particular,

function

function

and useful

attention

important-the

accomplishing

acquire

rest

the effect,

or

repair the injury.

We branch of

medical education,

from the

en-

81

Then he must make up us of healthy of many a case. with which he this the with for by quickness charged prefunction; these few-by the tact with which sumption if I venture to predict, that the catches time will come, when comparative patho- he appreciates their real character and frelogy will be considered as essential, and be quent changes-by the accuracy with which

lnrned conception it gives let

me

not

be

classes

compares

he them, and them, and founds his diagnosis upon them. He must astray be a perfect adept in symptomatology; he must possess the faculty which is, of all others, most valuable in a medical man, that of forming, from his own observation, and led not astray by the surmises and false conclusions of others, and even of the patient himself, a speedy and just appreciation of the actual state of his patient, the disease, its seat, its extent, its combinations, its accessories, its consequences. He may likewise learn the importance of prompt and decisive treatment of disease. The owner can seldom afford to let his although generally innocuous, are not occa- horse lie idle ; or the animal may not be of sionally injurious to some particular animal ; sufficient value to warrant the surgeon in and there is no plant, generally poisonous, running up a long bill. We must have no which is not eaten with impunity by some placebos ; no medulla panis, and powder of quadruped. So in the treatment of disease, post. Having carefully studied the characthe same drug may be the bane or the anti- ter of the disease, we must attack it at once dote, according to the nature of the animal energetically and decisively. I do not Our lectures mean that we should proceed rashly or bruto which it is administered. will be full of illustrations of this. The tally, or that one step should be taken medical pupil may hence derive instruction which calm consideration and long expeas to the manner in which lie is to pursue rience would not justify ; but we must go his experiments on drugs and poisons, and to work at once and in good earnest. I caution as to the conclusions he is to draw will tell you what is the result of this, and t’mm his experiments. I will not say thatthe invaluable lesson which may be imno dependence is to be placed on the effect; printed on the mind of the student, thatof certain drugs in an inferior animal, withL anxious attention to the symptoms being reference to their probable effect on thepremised-an accurate judgment of the case human being-, but I will affirm that the ma-being formed, a separation being made bejority of these experiments are inconclusive,, tween that which is essential and that and therefore useless and cruel. The sto-which is merely secondary and fortuitous, mach and intestines of the dog are. gene-we rarely repent the most active treatment. rally speaking, similarly affected with those3IVe do often repent half-measures and vacof thehuman being by many drugs; yet wecillating conduct, but rarely or never bold cun scarcely destroy him with opium, orr and straightforward practice. Connected with this, and another lesson purge him with julep or aloes. ’I he medical student may derive a few of no mean value, is the habit of systemaother not ittiprofitable lessons in our hum- tically attaching the disease, and not merely hler school. lle will learn the paramount some of its symptoms. The total eradication importance of an attention to minute symp- of the complaint, and not merely a palliatoms. The human practitioner has many tive of some of the circumstances attending auxiliaries in the detection of disease, and it, is the object at which we are compelled its changes and combinations; and especi- to aim ; for it would be of little service to ally he can obtain from his patients an abate inflammation of the eye while we left account of the seat, and kind, and degree such defect of vision that the horse became of inconvenience or pain; its increase or a starter, and endangered the neck of his dimiuution, its constancy or intermittence. rider, and it would add little to our reputaIn the majority of cases the veterinarian tion, that we cured inflammation of the lus nothing to guide him but the eye and lungs, if the animal remained thick or brothe feeling; and even there, from the struc- ken-winded. ture of his patients, he is deprived of much To what extent our prompt and decisive information which the human surgeon ob- treatment might be adopted in human practuun, for the skin seldom changes its hue, tice I have not the presumption to attempt and the countenance is comparatively de- to describe; but of this I am sure, that-so void of expression. He has far fewer symp- far as the safety of the patient will permit, all personal considerations and scrutoms to guide him through the intricacies

found even more useful.

Tm’ medical student may derive valuable in knowledge, or he may be led far the effect of drugs on different animals, and their supposed efficacy on man, accordingly as lie takes into account or neglects the peculiarity of structure and function, and the character of disease in each. No conclusion should be hastily drawn from the rfiect of a certain medicine on any animal in health or disease, as to its effect on odier animals, much less on the human being. It is an old adage, that "one man’s ifteat may be another man’s poison," and there are in our pastures few plants which,

t

.Land

82

ples and fears being put quite out of the question-there is not a surer character of a skilful and honest practitioner than the straightforward use of the means he pos-

REPLY OF

MR. EX-PROFESSOR PATTISON TO

disease. THE LETTERS OF DRS. TURNER AND THOMGentlemen, appearing for the first time SON, AND THE STRICTURES OF THE EDITOR before you as a recognised teacher in the OF THE LANCET. medical school of this University, my observations have necessarily been confined to the connexion between veterinary and To the Editor of THE LANCET. medical science; otherwise I might have SIR,-I prefaced my communication at p. ehown the importance of these lectures as a and as connected of 225, (last vol.) which contained an examinascience, portion general with agriculture ; as unfolding those prin- tion of the facts of Dr: rurner’s letter, by statthat the letters of Drs.Turnerand Thoraciples on which a judgment of the exterior of horses and cattle depends ; their beauty ; son are to be considered asjoint productions, their general utility ; their adaptation to consequently that the charges or departicular purposes ; the proper manage- nials contained in either are to be considerment of them, and the enjoyment of profit ed as having been made by both parties. we mav derive from them. These will be This fact being borne in the mind of your points that I shall never lose sight of; all reader,I now take up the review of my descriptions of structure or disease will Uft. THOMSON’S LETTER. have this as their grand aim and object. have I addressed myself to-day to the I have accused Drs. Turner and Thomson medical student ; but I am free to confess, of having been engaged in " a most wicked that my lectures will be equally, or indeed conspiracy" to drive me from the University more anxiously, composed for other classes of London, and of their having been active - the veterinary pupil and the possessor of agents in caballing with the warden, and cerhorses and cattle ; that the one may be tain of the students, to accomplish that obprepared for the exercise of his profession, ject. As might be expected, these individuals and the other for the management and en- deny the charge. It is natural for them to do joyment of his agricultural property. So so. It is oneof a very heinous character, and far I may be considered as occupying a kind if it can be substantiated, their reputation of border-ground between the two schools, for gentlemanly feelingand moral principle and I must endeavour to accomplish the is for ever forfeited. I think you will addifficult task of adapting myself to the cha- mit, Sir, that if you happened to be placed racter of each-to render my lectures suffi- in the jury-box at the Old Bailey, your beciently scientific to satisfy the veterinary lief as to the innocence or guilt of a prisoner and medical student, yet not so abstruse or brought up to the bar for trial, would be in intricate as to cease to interest the general no degree affected by his entering the plea Not guilty." Or if you had been fortunate inquirer. I am painfully sensible of the extent as enough to have succeeded in the object of well as ditliculty of that which I have un- your ambition, and had been appointed one dertaken. While nine professors, of whom of the coroners for Middlesex, your judicial as a collective body this University and the decisions would have been dictated by the medieal world may well be proud, unite impressions received from the evidence pretheir labours in unfolding the principles of sumptive or positive adduced on any particuhuman medicine, on one poor individual is lar investigation, and not from the declaration thrown the task of teaching those of veteri- of innocence, however loudly pronounced by nary practice. Well, I must apply myself the accused party. I repeat that the charge in good earnest to my work. A sense of its which I havebrought against Drs.Turner and extent and importance must stimulate and Thomson is a very serious one, and I would not depress ; zeal and industry must supply insist, that on every principle of law andjusthe place of other requisites, and, perhaps, tice the question of their innocence or guilt at some future period, and the sooner the ought not to be decided by their denial of better for the interests of science, and I do the charge, but by a deliberate and distrust of this Institution too, other and abler passionate examination of the evidence on men may be permitted to unite with me in which it is supported. I shall support my charge as to the guilt demonstrating, that in the importance of its of Drs. Turner and Thomson, lst. Bv the and its connexion with scienceobject, confession of a party in the conspiracy, Dr. rlrs ueterinaria, post medicinam, secunda est. Alexander Thomson, who admits that he was employed as a " tool" to accomplish my ruin, and who, to use his own language, became 11 king’s evidence." To prevent. sesses

to

alleviate

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

or remove

ingand