THE VETERINARIAN, JULY 1 , 1837 . 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
The first session of the Veterinary Medical Association is near 
its close, and, on an impartial review, its proceeding’s will be 
found to have reflected much credit on those who have mingled 
zealously in its debates, and to have done honour to the pro- 
fession generally. There has been difference of opinion on 
theoretical and practical subjects ; there has been some occa- 
sional warmth of debate — there will necessarily be these when 
the heart is enlisted in the cause. 
There has been an evident and a noble sacrifice of prejudice 
and dislike : one common cause, that of the Association and the 
Profession, has been honestly — heart and soul — pursued ; and the 
time seemed to be approaching when veterinary surgeons gene- 
rally would become one united body, animated by one pure and 
all-absorbing principle, the love of their profession. 
Made wise by experience, the leading members felt the neces- 
sity of placing the existence and onward progress of the Asso- 
ciation beyond the reach of sudden discord or malignant combi- 
nation ; and, without one opposing voice, they made the library 
and the records of the Society the property not of themselves, 
who had hardly and successfully laboured to establish the 
Society, but of the Trustees of the College, or, in other words, of 
the Profession itself. They gave up their claim as individuals, 
and were content to be permitted to assemble, from time to time, 
in the theatre of the College, and work out the noble plan which 
they had conceived. There was no reservation, no stipulation 
with regard to any matter whatever. It may be said that this 
was excess of confidence. It was not; for it was the only means, 
under all the circumstances of the case , by which they and their 
successors could avoid the rock on which the former Society had 
been wrecked. They had acted so, after deep consideration, but 
fearlessly, confidingly. They were satisfied that the powers that 
