NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 509 
The members present were : — Messrs. R. Brydon (President) ; 
D. Dudgeon, Sunderland ; R. Hall, Stockton ; J. Gofton, North 
Shields; H. Hunter, Newcastle-on-Tyne ; C. Hunting, South 
Hetton ; D. Macgregor, Bedlington ; C. Stephenson, Newcastle-on- 
Tyne ; M. Hedley, Darlington ; and the Honorary Secretary. 
D. Maclean, Esq., of the Royal Artillery, Newcastle, attended as 
a visitor. 
The minutes of the preceding minutes were read and confirmed. 
Letters were read by the Hon. Sec. from J. E. Peele, Durham ; T. 
Foreman, Blackhill ; W. Marshall, Glanton ; and H. Peele, Hartle- 
pool, regretting their inability to attend the meeting. 
The Treasurer read his annual report, and stated the funds of the 
association to be in a prosperous condition. 
Mr. Hunting proposed that Mr. George Elphick be admitted a 
member of this Society. This was seconded by Mr. Stephenson , 
and carried unanimously. 
Mr. Stephenson moved that Mr. Maclean be admitted an honorary 
member of this Society, which being seconded by Mr. Hunting , was 
carried with acclamation. 
The President then delivered the following inaugural address. 
Gentlemen, — According to rule, a meeting of this Society ought 
to have been held in January last, but the gradual decreasing attend- 
ance at recent gatherings induced me, with the sanction of the 
Council, to try, by way of experiment, a longer interval between 
the meetings, in the hope that a better attendance would thus be 
ensured. 
The declining popularity of our Association I ascribe to the same 
cause which has been, and still is, the great stumbling-block to pro- 
gress in the veterinary profession, namely, want of union among its 
members. That the want of union has debarred our profession from 
many advantages which otherwise it would have long since en- 
joyed, few I think will deny who have watched with interest our 
struggling fortunes. 
Why, then, does this want of union exist ? from what source does 
it spring? and how can we best counteract its baneful effects? are 
questions the solution of which every veterinarian who has the 
welfare of his profession at heart should earnestly attempt. 
There are, doubtless, many causes of this disunion, and there are 
not a few of us, perhaps, who are not in some degree more or less 
responsible for some of them. But the chief source of disunion 
resides, I believe, in our governing body, namely, the Council of 
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This at first sight may 
seem absurd when we look at the eminent men of whom it is com- 
posed, and the carefully framed charter and bye-laws under which 
they act. But if we look at the way in which the members of the 
Council are elected it alters the case. Theoretically every member 
of the veterinary profession has an equal voice in the choice of the 
Council; but practically the privilege is only enjoyed by a small 
minority. 
The election of the Council takes place in London once a year, and 
