488 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Medicine, M.D., or a B.A. ; but it is this ability which alone 
constitutes the qualification for the office of secretary, and 
not any special medical knowledge wffiich he may chance to 
possess. 
We entertain no wish to interfere with the full discussion 
of questions in the solution of which the members of the 
veterinary profession have an interest, and it is for this 
reason that we venture to suggest that absolute accuracy in 
all matters of fact is very essential to the success of an 
argument, which, however good in its general aspect, suffers 
seriously from incorrectness in any of the details. 
What we should like most of all to see, is the expression 
of a determination on the part of the profession to take the 
lead in all matters relating to the sanitary condition of 
stock, not merely because there exist certain considerations 
of expediency, which impel the members to manifest a regard 
for animal health, but even more from that pure love of the 
art which alone fits them to carry on a war of extermination 
against disease in every one of its forms. 
It is urged sometimes by agriculturists seeking advice in 
difficulty, that veterinary surgeons in general do not trouble 
themselves about cattle and sheep; and the farmers show 
the sincerity of their belief by blundering efforts to treat 
the diseases of these animals, while they fly to the veterinary 
surgeon for advice as soon as one of the farm horses has an 
attack of even ordinary spasmodic colic. 
This prejudice, however unfounded, exists, and it is due 
to the profession that every member should set to work to 
remove it. Let it be understood that veterinary surgeons 
are as competent to advise in the treatment and general 
management of cattle, sheep, and pigs, as they are in the 
case of horses, and we may hope that there will no longer 
exist any doubt as to the selection of proper persons to 
act as veterinary inspectors. 
