100 
OBITUARY. 
friend identified himself so intimately with the interests of the 
Body Corporate, that we can scarcely hope the void created by his 
premature demise will be readily filled up. With honour to himself 
and credit to the profession, he fulfilled the duties pertaining to the 
presidential chair. As vice-president and member of Council he 
was for many years assiduous in his attendance, earnest in his 
deliberations, and honest in the expression of his opinions at the 
meetings in Red Lion Square, while as a member of the Examining 
Board for Scotland his greatest ambition was to perform his duty 
fairly and efficiently. 
“ Cut off when a life of almost unexampled industry had begun to 
hold forth the prospect of some relief from the toil and care of a 
professional career — such as ours must always be — it is a matter for 
regret that his leisure moments were so few as to preclude his anxious 
desire to give some of the results of his great experience and careful 
observation to the world being gratified. 
“ Though almost overwhelmed with the efforts required to fulfil his 
business engagements, and with but little opportunity for keeping 
himself fully informed of the progress of those sciences which are 
more or less allied to veterinary medicine, no one could feel a greater 
interest in everything relating to them, more particularly their prac- 
tical bearings on our special science. 
“ Mr. Lawson’s reputation as a veterinary surgeon deservedly stood 
very high in public estimation, and extended far beyond his own 
immediate neighbourhood ; and his integrity, candour, and honesty 
of purpose were not among the least of his many sterling qualities. 
The good work he did in public was far exceeded by that which he 
unselfishly, and nearly always spontaneously, performed in private ; 
and probably remembering his own early days he has been a main- 
stay of encouragement, and a source of good advice and assistance, 
to many a young member of the veterinary profession who was 
about to embark in, or had already commenced to struggle with, the 
difficulties and responsibilities of his new life. To these his death 
must prove a grave calamity, for he was looked upon by them more, 
perhaps, as a kind father than a benefactor. Nothing now remain 
to them but the treasured recollections of his genial, honest counten- 
ance and his many endearing traits of character. The story of his 
life shows the influence and the success of indomitable energy, 
honesty, sobriety, and gentlemanly demeanour. With them, and 
with the Veterinary profession in general, we are sure that the 
memory of our deceased friend will ever be deeply inspiring and 
fondly cherished.” 
Our obituary has to be added to by a record of the death of Mr. 
Jno. McDermott, M.R.C.V.S., Belfast. His diploma bears date, 
May 4, 1861. 
