OBSERVATIONS ON VETERINARY SCIENCE IN AMERICA. 503 
We have found persons sufficiently learned and able to 
instruct others , who desire to qualify themselves as prac¬ 
titioners, and although, like all new scientific attempts, 
“ Veterinarian ism” and its progress have been slow, yet we 
see daily proofs that this branch of medical science is 
becoming more and more estimated by the people at large. 
These reap the benefit of judicious and scientific treatment 
of their domesticated animals, and so necessarily in pro¬ 
portion will the science and its practitioners grow in their 
favour. 
That we may keep up with the advancing steps of the age 
in other countries, we seek new light in the pages of their 
periodicals which are devoted to the diffusion of scientific 
knowledge, and in the Veterinarian we find new fields of in¬ 
vestigation opened for our view, and of treatment proposed 
for our imitation. By the able article on ci co-operation,” in 
your number for May, we are interested and instructed, as 
well as confirmed in the opinions which we have so frequently 
urged upon the people here in the medical journals and 
newspapers circulated among them ; and we have had the 
satisfaction to find that we have awakened an interest in our 
pursuits, and have won public confidence in our favour. 
The great obstacle with which we have had to contend 
has been the dislike to co-operation among the practitioners 
of our art and particularly among the certified members of 
the profession. There is always, in such cases, a little 
jealousy and contemnable fear, that, by uniting with the 
uncertified, they will acknowledge an equality. 
This, however, is one of the misconceptions which is soon 
dissipated, when the}^ find a readiness, and even a zeal, to 
receive as well as to communicate information to such as 
assemble for that purpose, pervades the meeting. 
Every word you have written, in your valuable article on 
co-operation, we have proved to be sound and true by our 
progress in this country. We, who have been weak, are now 
becoming strong by our union. We, who were oppressed by 
public opinion, have now by acting together won respect and 
confidence, and in proportion to the union among ourselves 
so has been the growth of popular regard towards our 
profession. 
The people never seek instruction from, or place any con¬ 
fidence in, those who show an exclusive spirit, and selfishly 
withhold that knowledge which might be imparted for the 
general good. No man, however wise, can ever command 
followers, if he puts himself in buckram, and goes about as a 
sealed vessel of science ; and you may be assured that the 
