724 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
their presence and to renew old friendships. Few things 
are found, as a rule, to possess interest enough to secure an 
annual assemblage of a scattered profession, and many a 
desired object is therefore blighted in the bud. Here, how¬ 
ever, this essential to success already exists, and we think it 
ought to be turned to a profitable account. Many among 
us can look back with pleasure on social meetings and con¬ 
vivial reunions. These are suited to the tastes and habits 
of Englishmen, and, rightly used, we should be found among 
the advocates for such gatherings. But they need neither 
begin nor end in mere physical enjoyment. A mental feast 
might profitably be added, and a revival take place of meet¬ 
ings which marked the early days of the improvement of 
veterinary science. Let this matter receive the attention of 
those for whom we write. Let it come incidentally before 
the Council at one of its early meetings, and we venture to 
assert that none will repent the lending a hand to bring us 
back to the intellectual feasts of the days of yore. 
THE VACCINATION OF SHEEP AS A PREVENTIVE OF 
SMALLPOX. 
After a slumber of fourteen years the vaccination of 
sheep, as a preventive of smallpox, appears to have risen 
like a phoenix from its ashes. We have nothing to say 
against the resuscitation of this question by its advocates, 
but, on the contrary, we hail its reappearance with much 
satisfaction. Whether fresh investigations will substantiate 
or not the conclusions arrived at in by-gone days, expe¬ 
rience alone can decide. We gave good heed to the 
subject then, and feel it no less incumbent upon us to do 
so now. Indeed, if it be possible, even more consideration 
will be given it, so as to guard against erroneous conclu¬ 
sions. Nevertheless, we feel bound to say that our opinion 
of the inutility of the practice is in no way altered by the 
statements which have gone forth. We have answers for 
all these—convincing replies—had the time come for their 
being given. Many who have written on the subject know, 
in truth, nothing, either scientifically or practically, about it. 
These are easily disposed of. Others, who should be able 
