YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 413 
it surely needs little argument to prove that a couple of hours given 
to the discussion of important subjects is far more profitable than 
double the time spent in solitary reading and reflection. 
Discussion and opinion are the steel and flint by the mutual con- 
tact of which darkness is dispelled, and the light of truth obtained 
and diffused. In our discussions we care not for victory ; our aim is 
improvement, and if truth have a real existence then these contra- 
dictory views must in all cases be associated with error. Our duty 
is therefore to weigh these views in the accurate balance of reason 
and experience in order to improve our knowledge, for it is know- 
ledge alone that will enable us to fulfil successfully our rightful 
mission, that of properly diagnosing, and remedying the maladies of a 
race to which the Divine Creator in His wisdom has denied the powers 
of reason and of speech. 
For the attainment of these objects, these associations are admi- 
rably adapted, and I earnestly hope they will ever be supported by 
the enlightened influence of the wise and good. 
Much good has already resulted from them ; to repeat which here 
would be like “a thrice-told tale, vexing the ear of a drowsy man.” 
But great as the results have been, greater are yet in store ; 
the work is not yet half accomplished. Let me remind you again, 
that the good that shall accrue and the future standing of these 
associations before the world will depend entirely on individual 
effort and the sacrifices each is willing to make. 
“Honest labour ennobles man.” A great and responsible duty 
devolves upon us not only to uphold the present structure, but to 
enlarge and build on the foundation already laid. To this end duty 
to ourselves, to each other and to the world, demands a determined 
and united effort. 
Oh for the tongue of eloquence suited to inspire and implant in 
your bosoms an impulse to action ; rich in good fruit as these in- 
stitutions have already been, — let but the fiat go forth for a still 
more abundant harvest, — let each cast his mite into the treasury of 
knowledge, — let those gifted with the talent for scientific research 
make known the result of their investigations, — let the practical 
man ; the man of acute observation and reasoning powers ; the 
chemist ; the anatomist ; the pathologist ; the microscopist ; yea, 
let all existing talent be exercised, and the result of the labours 
of each investigator recorded, and these associations will yield a 
harvest of fruits to future ages a hundredfold. 
YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL 
SOCIETY. 
At the usual quarterly meeting of the Yorkshire Veterinary Me- 
dical Society, held April 21st, Mr. Fearnley’s proposition, to the 
effect “that .3610 per annum from this Society’s funds be allowed 
to Mr. Dray, as part payment of his expenses in the event of his 
xliii . 28 
