Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1870 [PAGE 212]

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lasting value to the student: if he had to spare them, the lectures would do him not much more good than the reading of a book ; therefore, an infirmary for sick animals should be established, in connection with any institution where Veterinary Science is taught. A little more about this afterwards. Special Pathology, Surgery and Therapeutics may be commenced within the second year, and should constitute the principal studies of the third. Lectures on Pharmacology may be given during the first term of the first year, and may, perhaps, one hour a week, run along with the other studies till finished, or be given when there is time best to spare, and should be illustrated on those drugs, in substance, that are principally used in the veterinary practice, Veterinary Obstetrics have to be given in lectures, illustrated on drawings, a phantom or a manikin, as an opportunity for practical exercises but seldom occurs when wished for, and have to follow the study of Special Surgery, where they naturally belong to. Lectures on Horse-shoeing can nicely be illustrated on anatomical prepara tions, specimens of horse-shoes, etc., on drawings and living animals, and should be given either in the third or second year, whenever there is most time to spare. For two reasons I would recommend to make Epizootical and Contagious diseases of our domestic animals a special study, especially in an institution like the Illinois Industrial University. My first reason is the great importance of these diseases themselves ; and, secondly, it is very probable that some of the students of this University may afterwards be called upon, by the x^eople, to become legislators, either as city or town officers, Assemblymen, State Sena, tors or Congressmen, and as our stock raising and stock trade is increasing from year to year, and a source of great w e a l t h ; further, as contagious diseases not seldom ruin the trade, but sometimes even become a public calamity, the time may not be far t h a t laws concerning the prevention of those diseases and the protection of healthy stock will be required. As practical exercises and illustrations, that what Dur eyes have seen and that w r hat we have observed ourselves, make a far more more lasting impression on our mind, and are generally better understood than what is simply taught us in lectures, I think, as I have said before, an infirmary for sick animals is absolutely indispensable for the instruction in Veterinary Science, therefore permit me to sketch out what way such an infirmary, answering t h e purpose, may be established with but little expense. First, a building may be erected, containing one room, about t h i r t y feet square, for operation hall, all other clinical purposes, as examining patients, illustrating Pathology and Surgery on sick animals, for illustrating Exterior on living animals, and practical instruction in judging living animals, concerning their qualities, etc., especially in winter time and in bad weather. This hall should have a large skylight, besides the regular windows, to have always plenty of light, especially from above, very essential, by performing surgical operations, etc. The main door should be a large barn-door, wide enough to admit a wagon loaded with hay or straw. Each corner of the hall may be provided with a cup-