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THE VETERINARIAN, SEPTEMBER 1, 1871. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — C icero. 
VETERINARY SCIENCE AND VETERINARY SOCIETIES. 
Taking into consideration the numerical weakness of the 
veterinary profession, the numerous veterinary societies 
which are flourishing throughout the country have good 
reason to be proud of their strength. We have no sta- 
tistics to guide us in our conclusions ; but, even in their 
absence, we have no difficulty in deciding that a very large 
proportion of qualified veterinary surgeons are members of 
a society or association, the avowed object of which is the 
advance of veterinary science. 
We do not propose to discuss the origin of these societies, 
because that point is of no importance to our present pur- 
pose ; it is enough for us that they exist, that they are 
generally well supported, and exercise a benign influence 
ujion the social welfare of the profession. The one im- 
portant question which occurs to us in connection with 
veterinary associations is, as to the manner in which the 
real business is conducted. What has been done for the 
progress of science ? The answer which the published re- 
cords of the different societies furnishes, is not altogether 
satisfactory. A certain number of essays are read every 
year, on subjects which the daily routine of practice 
supplies in sufficient abundance. Various diseases, princi- 
pally affecting the horse, and occasionally also those which 
attack other domesticated animals, are described by the 
essayists ; opinions in reference to the causes, nature, and 
treatment of these maladies are advanced by the writers, and 
refuted or sanctioned, as the case may be, by the members 
who take part in the discussions, and it cannot be denied 
xliv. 47 
