/ 
editorial. 0gj 
with the monetary interests of farmers and cattlemen, regardless of the spread of disease 
either among animals or the human family.’’ 
\_Boston Herald, Dec. g. ] 
* ' ’ He has^also in a very marked degree met and overcome the opposition 
which at the outset presented itself to the use of tuberculin as a diagnostic of bovine tuber- 
losis. His work has satisfied the most intelligent and fair-minded portion of the com- 
mumty, and has won the commendation and compliment of veterinarians and agricultural 
experts who have been engaged on similar lines throughout the country. The work in¬ 
augurated and carried forward in this State has been the pioneer and the model toward 
which other States are now advancing. . . .” 
Since the above was in type, we learn with pleasure of the 
appointment of Dr. Austin Peters, of Jamaica Plain, to the 
place on the Board made vacant by the resignation of Prof. 
Osgood, and we trust that the energy, intelligence, and enthusi¬ 
asm which he will take with him into the office may be instru¬ 
mental in great good to the cause of the scientific conception of 
the Commission, and that he may be the nucleus around which 
may gather a movement to restore the original law. 
At a meeting of the State Board of Cattle Commissioners, 
held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 2d, for the purpose of reorganizing, 
Dr. Austin Peters was elected Chairman and Dr. Jno. M. Parker 
(who was recently appointed to succeed Prof. Chas. P. Eyman) 
was selected as Secretary. 
OPENING ADDRESSES. 
The custom of delivering addresses at the opening of a 
course of lectures in scientific institutions is, if we are not in 
error, an Anglo-Saxon habit which has found its way across the 
Atlantic ; and, like many other habits, has for years maintained a 
foothold, especially in medical colleges, and, of course, the ex¬ 
ample had to be followed by veterinary institutions. There has 
been of late, however, a retrogression. Medical colleges have in 
several instances ceased the delivery of the opening lectures, and 
probably the same fate is reserved to it in veterinary colleges. 
It is not our object to consider their usefulness or their 
value—often of no interest as being addressed to young students * 
entirely ignorant of the subject presented to them ; often treat¬ 
ing of branches of their studies which are not at all understood 
