VETERINARY MEDICINE (Let. veterina, beasts of burden; probably for vehiterina, from mho, to carry) embraces the medical management of the domestic animals, and appears to have been studied by the ancient Egyptians as well as by the Greeks and Romans. Hippocrates contributed a treatise on equine disorders; Coluniella and Vegetius (the latter of whom flourished about 300 A.D.) have left several curious veteri nary works. Until after the middle of the 18th c. there were, however, no schools for the teaching of veterinary science or art. The several works published in France, Italy, and elsewhere were not of great value. In this country, Blundeville and Gervase 3Iarkarn, who lived in the reign of Elizabeth, published volumes on farriery; Snape, farrier to Charles II., produced an anatomical treatise on the horse; Mr. Gibson, pre viously a surgeon in a cavalry regiment, paid much attention to the disorders of animals,. and about the middle of last.century published The Iitn.der's Guide, which continued for many years the best authority on the subject. The treatment of sick horses remained, however, in the hands of the riding-master, the groom, or the shoeing-smith, or farrier (from ferrum, iron); while the doctoring of the other domestic animals devolved upon the goat-herd, shepherd, or cow-leech.
Veterinary medicine, as a scientific art, takes date from 1761, when the first veteri nary college was established at Lyons with royal patronage, under the able teaching of Bourgelitt. Five years later the flourishing school of Alfort, near Paris, was founded. In Feb., 1791, the London college was organized, Charles Vial de St. Bel being ap pointed principal, with Delabere Blaine as assistant-professor. St. Bel died in 179a, and was succeeded by Mr. Coleman, who, during many years, zealously improved the posi tion and teaching of the college. In Scotland lectures on veterinary medicine were first given by Mr. Dick in 1819. Under the auspices of the Highland and agricultural society, and senatus academicus, Mr. Dick in 1823 began his systematic teaching of veterinary surgery. Soon afterward he erected the college buildings in Clyde street, Edinburgh, with hospital for sick animals; he collected a valuable museum; extended the curricu lum of study; and engaged efficient assistants, among whom were John Barlow and Dr. George Wilson, to instruct his pupils in anatomy and physiology, chemistry and materia medica, cattle practice and histology. At his death in April, 1866, Mr. Dick bequeathed to,the city of Edinburgh the college which he had founded, and his entire fortune, to be devoted to the teaching and improvement of veterinary medicine. For many years up ward of 80 professional pupils, with a number of agricultural and amateur students, have annually attended the classes at the Edinburgh veterinary college. About 150 are enrolled at the Camden Town college. Lonlon. In 1857 Mr. John Gamgee established the new veterinary college in Edinburgh, which existed till 1865, when Mr. Gamgee went to London. The new veterinary college, Gayfield house, Edinburgh, was established by principal Williams, and recognized by royal sign manual in 1873. Since 1861 a veterinary school has been conducted in Glasgow by Mr. James Macall. An attendance at one or other of these colleges, during three sessions of six months each, and two ses sions of two months, is required before a pupil can present himself to be examined for his degree. At the best continental schools four years study is usually necessary. The
fees for the whole curriculum at the different educational establishments are about 36 guineas. At all the colleges—at London by the college of preceptors; at Edinburgh by the rector of the Royal high school and mathematical master; at Glasgow by the princi pal of the college—a preliminary examination is now required.
In 1844 a royal chapter was granted under which veterinary surgeons (graduates of either th London or Edinburgh college) became a corporate body, entitled "The Royal college o veterinary surgeons," with authority to appoint examining boards, and grant diplomas or licenses to practice. In 1876 a supplementary charter was obtained, em powerin e Royal college of veterinary surgeons to grant the higher title of fellow, without exam • ation, to the most eminent members of the profession who had been fif teen years in pr, ctice, and to appoint a board to examine candidates for the fellftship degree, each can idate to have been five years in practice. Nearly 3,000 persons now hold these diplomas, which Cost £10 10s., and constitute the holder a member of the Royal college. For nearly fifty years the Highland and agricultural society of Scotland have annually appointed an examining board, consisting of medical men and skilled veterinarians; and at the cost of £2 2s., have granted to pupils who have studied for two sessions at the Edinburgh veterinary college, a certificate, which has been fully recognized as a guarantee of professional ability by the public, and by the authorities at the horse guards and India office. The profession having obtained the supplementary charter by which many grievances have been removed, the Highland and agricultural society and the Royal college of veterinary surgeons are now on the point of completing an arrangement, the result of which will be the abolition of the society's examination, and the admission of its present certificate-holders as members of the Royal college with out examination. In many English towns and districts there are veterinary practices worth from £600 to £1000 a year; while in London, Manchester, and elsewhere, the receipts of a few exceed that amount.
The literature of veterinary medicine is rapidly widening. Mr. Percivall and Messrs.
Gamgee and Law, and the late prof. Strangeways, have published text-books on anatomy. The chief reliable authorities on diseases consist of Mr. Dick's excellent little manual of veterinary science; Pereivall's Hippopathology, in 3 vols. ; Mr. Gamgee's Domestic Ani mals in health and Disease; F. Dun's Veterinary .Medicines, their Actions and Uses, with an Appendix on Diseases of "ballads; Tuson's Pharmacy. Late important contributions are prof. Williams's Principles and Practice of Veterinary Surgery (Edinburgh, 1872); and Principles and Practice elf Veterinary Medicine (Edinburgh, 1874), which have now reached their third and second editions. Mr. Fleming, v.s., R. E., has translated 31. Chaveau's elaborate treatise on the Anatomy of the Domesticated Animals (1873); has published Sanitary Science and Police, 2 vols. ; Rabies and Hydrophobia; Animal Plagues; Veterin ary Obstetrics; and founded The Veterinary Journal. The Veterinarian, a monthly peri odical, has been published for many years.