548 
EDITORIAL. 
I do not wish anyone to think that I have taken up the cudgels in Dr. 
Billings’ behalf. Scientific research is the search after truth, and work that is 
recognized as good abroad cannot be ignored at home, no matter what the per¬ 
sonal feelings of one man may happen to be towards another. No one deplores 
more than I the personalities that so often pervade the writings of the investi¬ 
gator employed by the State of Nebraska, that have done so much to detract 
from the dignity of his work, which I believe to be really correct and valuable ; 
and it must be borne in mind that blackguardism does not add to the weight of 
argument. On the other hand a lack of honesty and straightforwardness is 
equally bad, or worse, and modern political methods are not to be tolerated in 
the conducting of scientific researches. 
The former style of writing shows what it is on the face of it. The latter 
often hides a good deal beneath its surface. One is like the rattlesnake, which 
gives warning when it is about to strike. The other is more dangerous, like the 
deadly moccasin, which strikes its fangs into its victim without giving any indi¬ 
cation of its presence. 
If the Bureau of Animal Industry is to be a political organization, why not 
have its chief simply write the letter of transmissal of his annual report to the 
Secretary of Agriculture, and have a few true scientists in its employ to work 
unhampered, and make their own reports upon the questions that they have 
been studying upon. This at least for the sake of making a more creditable 
appearance to other civilized nations, if we have no respect for ourselves. 
More could easily be added of adverse criticism upon the management of 
the Bureau of Animal Industry, but enough has been said for the present, and 
it does not seem advisable to continue this report to too great length. 
In conclusion, I wish to heartily express my thanks to my confreres upon 
this committee for the valuable assistance they have rendered me in obtaining 
material for this report. 
Actinomycosis and United States Meat Inspection. 
—One of the most important trials in which questions of vet¬ 
erinary sanitary science have been involved, has taken place 
lately in the Circuit Court of Peoria, Ills., and through the 
kindness of one of our editorial associates we are enabled to 
give in the present number not only a report of the trial, but 
also some criticisms upon the testimony of one of the leading 
witnesses. These criticisms may be considered severe, and 
out of place in the Review, but still, as the testimony and 
its conclusions are public property, their publication ought 
not to be considered as influenced by motives of a personal 
nature, so much as of professional interest. The remarks of 
our associate are appended; 
The suit of Greenhut vs. Pearson, briefly outlined else¬ 
where in this issue, wherein Greenhut as chief plaintiff brought 
