56 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
the position The Veterinarian has gained among con- 
temporaneous journals, but to render it even more worthy of 
the estimation of the professional public generally, and, 
especially, that section of it for which we more obviously 
labour. 
From the stores of knowledge thus acquired, and the 
accumulated facts thus brought together in our pages, the 
profession cannot fail to derive an immense advantage ; and 
it needs no acumen to infer that if this be continued, the 
augmentation will become a means whereby the thoughtful 
may derive principles to direct and govern them in their 
practice, and also possess that from which their intellectual 
powers may hereafter derive profit. 
The diversity of opinions advanced often tend to the eluci- 
dation of truth by awakening reflection; whereas, should 
there be no divarication of thought, the position is often 
accepted without inquiry, and thus error is sometimes pro- 
mulgated. Even speculation occasionally has its resulting 
good ; all that is necessary being to keep it within proper 
bounds, so that it be not allowed to take the place of deduc- 
tion or inference. 
Among the greatest sources whence we have derived en- 
couragement, is the fact, that several standing high in the 
sister profession have contributed original articles. This is 
an omen for good, and it cannot but be that countenance 
thus given will call forth our earnest endeavours to merit its 
continuance. We rise by such a union, while at the same 
time those who thus lend their aid show both the liberality 
of their sentiments and the common ground on which the 
science of medicine stands ; for, cultivate whichever branch 
we may, those truths will become developed that tend to the 
establishing of principles by which the alleviation of suffering 
will be effected, the nature of diseases better understood, 
and practice ultimately become founded on a true basis. 
Was it no cause for gratification, we may ask, that 
soon after we had assumed our duties, solicitations were 
received by us from many of our contemporaries, both 
at home and abroad, to exchange journals ? while others of 
whom we requested the like favour immediately acquiesced, 
