WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 987 
their young friend Mr. Maclean (applause), who was going to 
show the way in which things were done in the army. 
He always thought that the society would be the better for 
young blood. A proof of this was apparent in their having got 
Mr. Maclean as their Secretary. He hoped that if duty called 
him away, Mr. Maclean would find some young friend equally 
experienced and active to succeed him. 
He trusted that the association would go on prospering from 
generation to generation, and that the veterinary surgeon who did 
not belong to such a society as this would not be considered 
worthy to be employed — that, in a word, the fact of his being a 
member of a veterinary association would be a certificate of com- 
petency to him. (Applause). 
The Croupier said : The next toast on the roster I have to bring 
to your notice is “ Our Schools and their Teachers.” And when 
we find the principals of our two Scotch Yeterinary Schools 
sitting here, having so kiidly honoured us with their presence on 
this festive occasion, I have to request that you will be good 
enough to fill and drink a bumper. 
Veterinary education in this country is neither so practical or 
so elaborate as the teaching of the veterinary 'schools on the Con- 
tinent, simply because our institutions are unaided by govern- 
ment, and are purely the result of private enterprise ; but when we 
take into consideration their limited curriculum, and the many 
difficulties they have had to contend with, I think we ought to be 
truly thankful for the knowledge they have given us, and the 
position in which we are placed. Great room for improvement 
still exists, and there is now a tendency to progress rapidly ; what 
with preliminary examinations before entering our schools, and 
the long and much talked of practical examination before our 
student obtains his diploma, omens for us in future a locus standi 
in the scientific W'orld we have not yet attained. But independent 
of these examinations which have lately been introduced, our 
schools within the last few years have advanced in their teaching 
most materially, more particularly their pathological teaching, and 
it is to be hoped- -when we can decide among ourselves as to 
thb expediency of our profession being united — that they will 
then combine, and extend the prescribed period of their teaching 
to at least three sessions. 
I am to couple with this toast Professors "Williams and 
McCall. Professor Williams came among us personally known 
only to a few, but professionally he had, in connection with the 
Yorkshire Yeterinary Medical Association, and the Highland and 
Agricultural Society’s Court of Yeterinary Examiners, established 
a reputation of no mean capacity, so much so, I believe, that he 
was specially selected to fill the post he now occupies. His 
teaching is clear and distinct, sound and practical, is successful 
and appreciated — the great number of students attending his 
classes last session, and the creditable appearance they presented 
before the Examining Boards, prove the truth of my remarks. 
