84 
ON RED-WATER IN CATTLE. 
By Mr . James Macgillivray. 
[ Read by him before the Y eterinary Medical Association, Edinburgh, Nov. 27 th, 1 84*4. ] 
Gentlemen, — I t has fallen to my lot to read the first Essay for 
this session ; and believing, as I do, that we all have the same 
object in view — our mutual improvement and advancement in ve- 
terinary science — and believing also that the most likely way to 
derive and diffuse benefit is to act towards each other in the most 
free and friendly manner, I trust to your indulgence, and shall cheer- 
fully attempt to perform my duty. 
Along with most men who have given the matter their serious 
attention, I am of opinion that the diseases of animals (more 
especially some of them) are imperfectly understood. Occasion- 
ally men of science and research have favoured the world with 
much that is valuable and instructive regarding them ; and, 
while the opinions and experience of those men who have trodden 
this comparatively unfrequented path are entitled to our most 
serious consideration, and ought to be regarded as so many 
guide-posts to direct their followers in the search after facts, there 
can be nothing wrong in occasionally exploring the fields of 
science and nature on this hand and on that, endeavouring to as- 
certain, as we go along, whether it is not possible they may contain 
some shorter, certain, or plainer pathway than is thus pointed 
out by our predecessors. Beautifully has a celebrated living 
author said, “ One of the most remarkable features of modern 
times is the combination of large numbers of individuals, repre- 
senting the whole intelligence of nations, for the express purpose 
of advancing science by their united efforts, of learning its pro- 
gress, and of communicating new discoveries. The foundation of 
such associations is, in itself, an evidence that they are needed. 
It is not every one who is called by his situation in life to assist in 
extending the bounds of science ; but all mankind have a claim to 
the benefits and blessings which accrue from its earnest cultiva- 
tion. The formation of scientific institutions is an acknowledg- 
ment of these benefits ; and this acknowledgment, proceeding from 
whole nations, may be considered as the triumph of mind over em- 
piricism.” 
Gentlemen, I freely admit that, when compared with the splendid 
institutions that adorn our own and other countries, an association 
such as this is apt to appear as dwindling into insignificance. Let 
it not be so thought of : these wonders of art had their beginnings — 
