75 
WEST OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL 
ASSOCIATION. 
An influential gathering of members of this Association took 
place at Amery’s Hotel, Bath, on Wednesday, the 8th December, 
under the presidency of T. D. Broad, Esq., of Bath. There was a 
larger number present than on any previous occasion ; the com- 
pany including Messrs. Thomas Greaves, Manchester, President of 
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; W. Raddall, and C. 
Parsons, Launceston; J. M. Broad, Bristol; Vincent, Swindon; 
Dring, Bath ; James, Corsham ; James, Thornbury ; Barker and 
Handy, Chipping-Sodbury ; Thomas, Plymouth ; Stock, Sherborne ; 
J. Goodwin, Secretary Bath and West of England Society ; Dobson, 
Bristol General Hospital; Lawrence, Stapleton, and J. A. Collins, 
of Exeter, Honorary Secretary. 
The Secretary having read the minutes of the previous meeting, 
and Messrs. Stock, Sherborne, and Barker, Chipping-Sodbury, 
having been elected members of the Association, 
The President read the following paper on “The Pathology and 
Treatment of Navicular Disease.” 
These associations tend greatly to raise the status of the profession, 
by promoting unanimity and inducing members to study the science 
and literature of the profession, which is much needed, it being too 
commonly the case that when one diploma is obtained scientific 
study is immediately abandoned ; and in too many cases not even 
the Veterinarian is seen. In March last I was at two towns in the 
West, and took occasion to ask the veterinarian surgeons if they 
subscribed to the Veterinarian. The answer in each case was, “No ! 
Had there been anything good in it lately ? ” If members will 
so neglect their duty need we be surprised at the want of confidence 
so often shown by their employers ? 
What would be thought of a member in the medical profession who 
did not keep himself posted up by reading its weekly journals and 
other medical and scientific works which are from time to time being 
published ? 
Every member who obtains a diploma, enabling him to legally 
practice a certain calling, and endowing with a public status is, in 
my opinion, bound, if not by inclination at least morally, to advance 
that profession by every means at his disposal. Without an 
acknowledgment of this responsibility, and without an effort to meet 
it, progress is impossible, and the veterinary science of fifty years 
hence will be no better than that of to-day. 
We want more such men as Mr. Fleming in the profession, who, 
I believe, is doing more for its advancement than any other private 
member. The work of his before you, “ Horseshoes and Horse- 
shoeing,” is a most valuable contribution to veterinary literature, 
