614 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



it was based upon knowledge of milk fever that had been gradually 

 accumulated by veterinarians through a long term of years. So, 

 strictly speaking, the discovery belongs to the veterinary profession, 

 as indeed, must practically all the discoveries in the veterinary 

 sciences. 



In giving these illustrations of the value of veterinary research 

 and veterinary teaching, I have tried by concrete example to demon- 

 state the intimate, although not always recognized reliance of animal 

 husbandry on veterinary protection. I have tried to show that 

 animals would not be as well bred and as efficient as they are 

 were it not for the measure of veteripary protection that has been 

 afforded; and I have endeavored, also to make it clear that animal 

 husbandry would advance faster through improving the quality of 

 animals by the encouragement of better breeding if a fuller measure 

 of veterinary protection were provided. I have made a careful 

 study of this question and I am sure that I am not overstating the 

 case in the least degree when I say that the greatest need of animal 

 husbandry in the United States a-t this time is Better Facilities For 

 Veterinarv Research and Education. 



Other countries have recognized these needs and have taken eifec- 

 tive measures to meet them. The old veterinary school at Hanover 

 has recently been re-equipped at a cost exceeding 3,000,000 marks. 

 The public has demanded this, and the government has willingly 

 complied with this demand for no other reason than that the value 

 of the work of the school is such as to merit the expenditure. For 

 a similar reason Belgium has re-equipped the old veterinary school 

 at Brussels at a cost of 6,000,000 francs. Hungary has provided a 

 magnificent set of buildings for the veterinary college at Budapest, 

 where all branches of veterinary work are provided for. The gov- 

 ernment veterinary schools of Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, 

 Russia, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Holland and Sweden are sup- 

 ported on a liberal scale, first, because these countries recognize 

 their need of veterinary development, and, second, because the 

 value of these schools is such as to fully justify the expenditures 

 that are made upon them, and the provision of increased resources, 

 as needed for their growing work. Either of the two veterinary 

 schools of Switzerland is better equipped, and proportionately more 

 adequately supported than the best veterinary schools in the United 

 States. 



The honor of making the first proposal for promoting veterinary 

 science and instruction in America belongs to the Philadelphia 

 Society for Promoting Agriculture. A prize of a gold medal was 

 offered in 1806 for the best essay and plan for promoting such know- 

 ledge, both scientifically and practically. The announcement states 

 that aid to schools and establishments for this, among other agricul- 

 ture purposes ought to be given by the national and state legislators, 

 and adds; 



'^Investigations into anatomy, diseases and remedies for the pre- 

 servation and improvement of animals on which our substance and 

 comforts so materially depend must assuredly be considered worthy 

 the most patient inquiry, intelligent observation and professional 

 talents of the most celebrated among those who have devoted them- 

 selves to medical pursuits. As patriots it should stimulate their 



