464 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXIV. No. 876 



than he otherwise could. If the trouble is 

 in the bone, the nervous system or the 

 kidney, a piece of the stomach usually tells 

 us nothing. The microscope or the culture 

 tube can show us only what is present and 

 for assistance they must be used in con- 

 junction with other information or to 

 verify or refute suspicion. This means, 

 therefore, that men who are to become prac- 

 titioners must be trained in the knowledge 

 of specific etiology, the newer pathology 

 and therapeutics, in addition to and not as 

 a substitute for the training in thorough 

 systems of physical examination and in 

 close observation of signs and symptoms in 

 diagnosis and treatment. This not only 

 increases the responsibilities of our teach- 

 ers, but also demands that technical 

 professional knowledge shall be grafted 

 upon well-trained and noble men. There 

 is no other profession where accuracy, cor- 

 rect interpretation and application are of 

 greater significance than they are in this, 

 yet there is no other where men are ele- 

 vated to positions of responsibility with so 

 little real preparation. We seem to have 

 forgotten that in the acquisition of knowl- 

 edge and the coming into an understand- 

 ing of a profession, the element of time and 

 the discipline of routine work and research 

 are as essential as they are in a science like 

 chemistry or physics. 



I have dwelt somewhat at length upon 

 the difficulties in bringing into action men 

 who will meet the demands, improve the 

 opportunities and fulfill the responsibilities 

 of the veterinary profession. If these dif- 

 ficulties are analyzed, it will be found that 

 they are temporary and incident to the 

 transition stage of our knowledge, methods 

 of instruction and the newer conception of 

 the important work of the veterinarian. 

 These aU point clearly to the opportunity 

 for veterinary service equal to that of any 

 other occupation or profession. The 



watchword of to-day is the prevention of 

 disease quite as much as its cure and when 

 this dual purpose becomes fully recognized 

 the necessary means will be forthcoming. 

 While there is much to be accomplished, 

 while our problems are difficult and our 

 burdens sometimes seem greater than we 

 can bear, my voice has proved a recreant 

 servant if any tones of doubt, or fear of 

 ultimate victory, have marred this discus- 

 sion. There are many reasons to believe 

 that the time will soon come when there 

 will be an American system of veterinary 

 education, laws and practise that will take 

 first place in the world-wide effort to secure 

 the highest possible efficiency in veterinary 

 service. 



Verantjs a. Moobe 



TSE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOB THE 



ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 



ADDRESS TO THE BOTANICAL SECTION'' 



Geeatly as I prize the honor done me by 

 the Council of the British Association in 

 electing me to the office of President of the 

 Botanical Section, my gratification has 

 been heightened by the knowledge that the 

 meetings of this section would be graced 

 by the presence of the distinguished group 

 of Continental and American botanists who 

 have just taken part in the International 

 Phytogeographical Excursion to the British 

 Isles. 



I am sure that I am voicing the unani- 

 mous feeling of the section in offering 

 them a hearty welcome to our delibera- 

 tions, and, in conveying to them our sense 

 of the honor they have done us by their 

 acceptance of the invitation of this associa- 

 tion, I would like to express our hope that 

 by their participation in our proceedings 

 they will help us to promote the advance- 

 ment of botanical science, for which pur- 

 pose we are met together. 



'Portsmouth, 1911. 



