338 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
but they were eligible for re-election. He (the chairman) 
had intended to make some observations on the Charter, but, 
occupying the position he now did, it would not be right to 
detain the meeting by any remarks on the subject at that 
time. 
Mr. Gabriel , the Secretary, then read the advertisement 
convening the meeting; the minutes of the last meeting, 
which were duly confirmed; and the following “ Abstract of 
proceedings ” for the past year: 
Abstract of the Proceedings of the Council of the Royal College 
of Veterinary Surgeons, during the Year 1860-61. 
The proceedings of the Council during the past year 
have proved more satisfactory than on any former occasion; 
a more kindly feeling, a greater approach to unity in con¬ 
nection with the schools and the corporate body exists, and 
a stronger hope of a lasting and permanent amalgamation 
at last shines in the horizon. 
The gloom of death has, unfortunately, fallen heavily on 
the members of the profession during the past year. Among 
others, is the loss of Bracy Clark, Member of the Institute 
of France, and Fellow of the Linnean Society. His works 
at one time were universally read, and are still highly ap¬ 
proved ; and, although he indulged in some peculiar profes¬ 
sional theories as to the functions of the feet and the 
principles of shoeing, he at last quietly joined in the 
opinion of the late Mr. James Turner, that the unilateral 
or one-sided nooking of the shoe was the nearest approach 
to the doctrines he had disseminated. 
Deaths from glanders, almost fearful to think of—deaths 
from falls from horses, or being thrown from various vehicles, 
have formed a fearful addition to the ordinary rate of 
mortality amongst us. The number of deaths during the 
past year has been twenty, and, during the same period, 
forty-three members have been admitted ; making the num¬ 
ber which has passed since the obtainment of the Charter, 
717. 
During the year communications have been received from 
the Foreign Office, that a number of documents had been 
received from the Saxon Government for the information 
of the Boyal College of Veterinary Surgeons. These docu¬ 
ments were received with thanks, and it was also stated that 
the Council would communicate with the authorities of the 
veterinary schools, and would not fail, in due time, to for- 
