306 
REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING. 
to the constant influx of these plagues, which were invariably 
passing from east to west, but never originating spontaneously 
in this country. There were many places where animals 
were dying at the rate of from 30 to 60 per cent, per annum, 
and the veterinary surgeon was never called in. In some 
places where he went to examine the stock, he found indi¬ 
viduals administering tincture of aconite, and quacks, or 
dairymen, dosing animals with poisonous drugs. The 
farmers, in fact, would not pay the veterinary surgeon’s bill, 
but would rather take the ready cash of the butcher. 
The President remarked that it was not a part of the duty 
of the profession to interfere with the importation of animals 
from abroad. 
Professo)' Gamgee thought it was the duty of the profession 
to put a stop to the traffic in diseased animals. Some per¬ 
sons considered that the more disease there existed the 
better off the members of the profession would be. He 
totally denied the truth of that statement. The interests of 
veterinary surgeons were identical with the interests of 
the public. He was afraid that Parliamentary restrictions 
could not be easily obtained; he believed their duty was to 
produce more veterinary surgeons, and to impress upon 
them the importance of urging all over the country the 
prevention of disease. 
Professor Brown said that the insufficiency of veterinary 
surgeons in the country constantly came under his notice. 
It had occurred to him whether a committee of the council 
might not be appointed to direct the placing of the members 
whom they passed in certain localities. He knew many 
districts still remaining perfectly unoccupied. In Glouces¬ 
tershire there was an excellent opportunity for a young man 
just starting in practice, who would be received in the most 
friendly spirit by those needing his professional services. 
Mr. Ernes said that the existence of so many unqualified 
practitioners was very disheartening to the legitimate veteri¬ 
nary surgeon. It often happened that, when businesses 
were advertised for disposal in the country, and the returns 
came to be examined, extending perhaps over a large tract 
of country, they did not amount to more than £200 or £300 a 
year; and it was not likely that the}' could get men who would 
devote themselves to veterinary studies, and give the neces¬ 
sary time for obtaining a diploma, with such a prospect 
before them. The profession ought not to have to contend 
against unqualified persons; and if it were properly pro¬ 
tected there would be at once an influx into the profession of 
men of better education. 
