EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
423 
enumerated are all that the charter requires or permits to be 
done, we can hardly wonder at the entire absence of enthu- 
siasm on the part of members of the profession in regard to 
them. But we apprehend that no real necessity exists for 
the rigid adherence to the beaten path. The members of the 
profession are in possession of the records of Council pro- 
ceedings before the annual report, which only contains a 
summary of those proceedings, is placed in their hands ; they 
are competent, therefore, to form an opinion upon the subjects 
which the Council have had to legislate upon during the 
year ; and in speaking upon the report any and every mem- 
ber may express his independent sentiments ; and although 
it is not the custom to conclude by a resolution, it is still easy 
for the meeting to indicate its sense of the actions of the 
Council by adopting or rejecting their report. Much good 
would arise to the Council from trenchant criticism, and far 
more satisfaction would be gained by them in making a tri- 
umphant defence of the proceedings which had been honestly 
attacked, than in accepting a languid vote of confidence in 
their policy, which no one is sufficiently interested in to 
positively condemn or strongly approve. 
The report which was read at the last annual meeting con- 
tained references to such essential matters as the preliminary 
educational test, and the recently established practical exami- 
nations — subjects which might well have called forth a decided 
expression of opinion ; but it seems to have become the fashion 
for members to exhaust their oratorical forces at the meetings 
of the various associations, keeping no unuttered thought in 
reserve for what should be the chief assemblage. With this 
state of things we must perforce strive to be content for the 
present ; not, however, without protesting against the in- 
dulgence of a spirit of supineness, which in a young profession 
is culpable weakness. It may be the comforting duty of our 
successors to advise the members of the veterinary profession 
to “ rest and be thankful,” but the period for that assurance 
has not yet arrived, nor can we, having regard to the signs of 
the times, prophesy its advent with any reasonable hope of 
fulfilment. 
