642 
INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 
the teachers of human medicine is a wise provision of the 
council of that body, whether it regards the social standing 
of our members or the general scientific progress of the ex¬ 
amined. Our status is now a recognised fact; for veterinary 
surgeons, as you are well aware, hold commissions both at 
home and in India in the sendee of Her Most Gracious 
Majesty. Let me here pay a moment’s tribute to a long-tried 
friend, I mean Mr. Wilkinson, the principal veterinary surgeon 
in the army, who, by virtue of his office, has instituted a court 
of examiners for veterinary candidates for the army. For 
every duty of his post I believe him admirably qualified; a 
man, in short, well calculated to raise his profession; gentle¬ 
manly, amiable, and humane, as those of you will experience 
who have the honour to appear before him. Mr. Wilkinson is 
also the present President of our corporation; and I know of 
no man in the profession better fitted to fill with becoming 
dignity and usefulness that high and honorable position. 
The veterinary profession now extends over all the civilised 
world, and it may be said that the sun never sets upon us. 
Nevertheless, there are nooks and corners in this country 
* «/ 
into which it is our legitimate province to penetrate, but 
where we are, as yet, but scantily admitted. The turf, me- 
thinks, with its splendid animals, representing great fortunes, 
yields us but a poor return of patients. The work of vete¬ 
rinary medicine seems there to be principally transacted by 
trainers and grooms. Are we too honest, or not reputed 
honest enough to be consulted in cases where great respon¬ 
sibility and confidence are involved ? The possession of a 
favorite race-horse seems to plant a fence of secrecy and sus¬ 
picion far around the stable, and only the uttermost confi¬ 
dence felt in the veterinary surgeon, will enable him to pass 
within the barrier. It is almost like the care of an eastern 
harem, in which the ladies are kept under lock and key. We 
ought, however, to stand high enough to be privileged to 
enter, especially as the inmate, which is the centre of a 
thousand costly chances, holds the balance of probabilities 
on his general good health and nervous tone, and consequent 
fitness for the race. 
And now my task would be done, but as I began so 
would I close these remarks by alluding to humanity as 
contributing, as it were, the very heart heat that evolves 
the true love of our profession, and ensures the efficiency 
of those who practise it. I am proud to say that I am 
a member of the committee of the Royal Society for the 
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and as such I feel it 
my duty to tell you that in May last I was selected to 
