646 
PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS. 
sion, and urging the old adage of t( being just before being 
generous/ 5 
If this principle of guidance be legitimate and proper, the 
matter now sub juclice may be shorn of its difficulties, and 
the petition of each class of candidate as fairly and law¬ 
fully met. As regards those practitioners who have never gra¬ 
duated at a recognised school, and conformed to the general 
requirements at the time in force, there can be, or should be , 
but one decision—collegiate preparation being a sine qua non 
to a member of the college. Then as to those who have gra¬ 
duated, 8fc ., if they have not presented themselves for 
examination at all, as appears to be the case with some, by all 
means should the doors be freely opened to them, so as to let 
them have their chance, and this on just such terms as all other 
candidates at the time being, whether of late or recent 
pupilage. 
And in the case of those who, being also qualified for exami¬ 
nation, have presented themselves, and, as one of the number 
in a recent communication to your Journal has piteously 
urged, of course been plucked, these should be afforded another 
opportunity to come up to the present standard, which, if 
we would move with the times, is certainly not of too for¬ 
midable a character. 
“ Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis.” 
In this way may the interests and claims of all be honor¬ 
ably responded to, otherwise a dangerous precedent would be 
established, and the premium rather held out to short¬ 
coming than proficiency. 
I further urge in argument, without fear of contradiction, 
how often is it felt among us that the veterinary profession is 
not moving with the times, is not making due advance, 
whether we view it in reference to its status in society or its 
scientific position. It is a disagreeable truth, but truth 
nevertheless, and one for the general weal which is far 
better looked boldly in the face than complacently passed by 
from time to time. 
“ Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, 
Which we ascribe to Heaven; the fated sky 
Gives us free scope; only doth backward pull 
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull.” 
In thus drawing up a report of our case, the clinique would 
be incomplete and of little worth unless the cause of the 
ailment were investigated and a remedy prescribed, and I 
know of no better aid than that which we all understand by 
the term ee comparative/’ We are in the habit of quoting 
