662 VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
for a diploma more practical in their nature. The candidate 
should give proof of his capability of performing all the 
ordinary operations, both on the horse and other animals. 
He should also publicly examine a horse as to soundness, 
and point out the good and bad points of the animal. The 
application of tests or reagents for poisons, &c., should like- 
wise be demonstrated by him, and the manner of conducting 
an analysis ; whilst the history and effects of the articles of 
the Materia Medica should be given, the different substances 
being placed before him. All this would necessitate the holding 
of the examinations at the college, under the direction of the 
respective professors. And why not? Can there be a more 
fitting or convenient place? It is so in the continental 
schools, and why not in England ? Only let it be remembered , 
the teachers are not to be the judges of the merits of the candidates. 
Let this be done, and we think there remains but little if 
anything to be desired. 
VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
SECRETARY’S REPORT EOR THE TWENTY-EIRST SESSION, 
1856 - 7 . 
Mr. President and Gentlemen, — At the close of 
each session it has been the duty of the acting secretary of 
the Veterinary Medical Association to present to its mem- 
bers a report of the proceedings during the session. In 
obedience with that custom, I now venture upon the pleasing 
task of bringing before you, in as concise a manner as the 
nature of the subject will admit, a review of what has been 
done during the session. 
It was for the more especial benefit of the student that 
this association was established, and I cannot refrain from 
expressing a hope that the seeds of knowledge so profusely 
scattered during the session now nearly passed, may have 
fallen upon such genial soil as will hereafter bring forth 
fruit, “some forty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold.” 
The present session has not been less productive of sub- 
jects for the exercise of the minds and talents of the students 
than any of its predecessors, and I trust the advantages they 
have derived from the discussions will clearly show that we 
are at least progressing ; and that whilst other institutions 
