SCOTTISH METROPOLITAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION. 303 
had been pronounced unsound before I saw it, and on the ground 
of his being a “ very bad roarer I examined him, and was of 
opinion be was sound in wind and limb. I was followed by ano- 
ther professional man, who discovered that the horse had spavin on 
both hocks, and was, therefore, unsound. 
I will now shortly allude to the course of education thought ne- 
cessary before entering upon the profession. And while I express 
my opinion, you will not for a moment suppose that I would lead 
'you to believe that my preliminary training was such as I could 
now wish it to have been. No one present is more sensible of his defi- 
ciency than I am. And my only wish arising from my own experience 
is to see those who follow us surpass those who have gone before. 
And to gain this desired end, there is not in my opinion a better 
means than an early and thorough education, equal, at least, to that 
required for the medical profession. 
Preliminary examinations are a step in the right direction. At 
present the test is not a severe one, and, like every other system, 
would admit of improvement. Let that improvement be continued 
until the test reaches a higher standard, so that every aspirant 
should be able to stand an examination equivalent to those of 
students entering the medical colleges. And let those examinations 
be conducted independently of the teaching schools. 
Again, the prescribed period of attendance at the Veterinary 
College is far too limited. Two sessions are short enough for the 
acquirement of theoretical knowledge, and it would require two 
more to enable the student to learn the details of his practical 
duties. Now, it seems to me that, were an examination made at the 
close of the second session as to the student’s knowledge of the 
theory, and a final examination at the end of the fourth session, 
embracing both theory and practice, the diploma would be more 
worthily gained than it is at present. In no case, however, would 
I propose that a candidate for the second examination should be 
compelled to wait until he has passed a satisfactory examination at 
the close of the second session. I would also suggest that students 
be engaged in practice during the summer months, either at college 
or with some member of the profession. I believe that this system, 
if adopted, would alter the position of the veterinary surgeon, and 
raise the profession generally to a more honorable place than it now 
occupies. 
Before closing I would direct your attention to one or two matters 
of interest to all of us ; first, the Contagious Diseases (Animals) 
Act, 1869. 
If carried out, as I have no doubt the framers of it intended, the 
Act would reduce the prevalence of contagious and infectious dis- 
eases which have destroyed so many of our valuable cattle. But 
being placed, as it is, in the hands of local authorities, who in some 
counties lay on and remove restrictions at will, I think it has failed 
as yet in a great measure to accomplish the end in view. In this 
county, as some of you are aware, the police are appointed in- 
spectors, while the veterinary inspectors are required to report to the 
