TIIE EDITOR. 
547 
members of the profession can communicate their views and obser- 
vations on interesting subjects, each one in his turn directing the 
attention of his brethren to something which may have been com- 
paratively unnoticed by the profession, or which may be peculiar 
to certain localities, and yet important to every one. I have always 
admired the liberality which exists between the members as mani- 
fested by their free and open contributions, the result of which 
must be, occasionally at least, an exchange of facts alike valuable 
to all. 
No man on earth has a greater hatred for selfishness than I 
have, and it would appear selfish indeed to restrict the Periodical 
now in question to the members of the veterinary profession. 
But, my dear Sir, I have witnessed the fact that non-veteri- 
nary men do occasionally take advantage of what they see in 
The Veterinarian. Indeed, many papers of consequence 
have found their way into other periodicals for the benefit of 
farmers, thereby giving them an opportunity of putting that into 
their pockets which is our birthright. The veterinarian may 
bear the burden and heat of the whole day : a non-veterinary 
man steps into the field at a later hour, and reaps an equal share 
of the produce. If the veterinarian, by contributing to the ad- 
vancement of veterinary science, has made or is making a rod for 
his own back, why, I see no reason that he should complain of 
any plan the profession may adopt for their protection. But this 
is not the reason I have not oftener contributed to the common 
cause. My only reasons are, that I find little time for writing, 
and I feel my insignificance amongst your abler contributors. 
But as facts, no matter from what source, relative to veterinary 
medicine cannot fail to add to the common stock, I promise you 
that in future, if possible, I will contribute more and oftener: and 
if worthy your insertion, well ; if not, put it aside, and I am not 
offended. 
For the present I must conclude by wishing you every success 
in endeavouring to render the matter satisfactory. 
Ft om Mr. J. F. Bickford, V.S . , Kingsbridge, Devon. 
After the many excellent letters which appeared in your last 
number on the propriety or impropriety of diffusing veterinary 
knowledge beyond the circle of the profession, I almost feel that 
it would be presumptuous in me to intrude any remarks. 
I cannot, however, refrain from entering my protest, humble 
