886 
CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
Fellows: William Bentley, Margate; Henry L. Simpson, Windsor, 
and Henry Lawrence, Romford, Essex. 
The President then proceeded to address the meeting, and in the 
course of his remarks observed that, in the deliberations of the 
Council, it had been wisely arranged that the evening of the first 
meeting should not be occupied by an inaugural address. He had, 
therefore, but a few remarks to make, and they were of a brief 
character, for papers had been prepared for reading, on subjects of 
great importance to the Society and profession, which would claim 
their attention before anything he might say. They were met to 
inaugurate the establishment and opening of a Central Veterinary 
Medical Society, which had been resolved upon by the veteri- 
narians of the metropolis in the most enthusiastic manner, and one 
of the greatest evidences of the zeal with which the subject was 
taken up, might be accepted in the large attendance on this occasion. 
The Society is following in the wake of a large movement which has 
been going on for some time in the provinces, closely associated 
with a gentleman whom he was glad to see present (Mr. Greaves, of 
Manchester), and although probably late in that movement, he (the 
President) felt that he could discern abundant elements for the 
widest extension, and most powerful operation of a metropolitan 
Veterinary Medical Society. It is well known that the position of 
Veterinary Science is not so high as it should be, nor is it appre- 
ciated by others as it deserves, even under all its shortcomings ; the 
position also of the members of the profession is sadly behind the 
requirements of the age. The Central Veterinary Medical Society 
will undoubtedly effect an improvement and raise the status of both. 
It is a notable fact that by rubbing together of minds, however 
talented, advancement must be made, and the opportunity has now 
arisen to cultivate this in an eminent degree. It is most probable 
that the position of the profession as recognised by Government 
and the various local authorities throughout the kingdom, is to be 
attributed to the undesirable state of things as now existing. 
Policemen, butchers, &c., are employed to the exclusion of mem- 
bers of the profession, when they alone should be the competent 
authorities on all questions relating to the maladies of our domestic 
animals. They must remember that, as members of the veterinary 
profession they are scientific men, and as Fellows of the Central 
Veterinary Medical Society, they are bent on scientific attainments. 
The objects of the Society are manifold. By promoting the meeting 
together of the members of the profession, a mutual desire for 
advancement will be encouraged. They are solicited for their 
opinions, raised under great care and attention, and there they will 
be sifted to discover their truth and applicability. The promotion 
and dissemination of sound doctrines forms an important feature of 
the Society, and these will be gathered from personal observation, 
as well as scientific investigation and experiment, when necessary, 
under committees organised by, and at the expense of the Society. 
In the examination of conditions, where probabilities are far greater 
than bond fide certainties, much difference of opinion necessarily 
