SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
685 
services and information by agricultural societies, colleges and stock-breeders’ 
associations, and the position in nfe occupied by many of our members who are 
known to be gentlemen of ability and social standing. 
To the medical profession for material assistance in the past we owe a debt 
of gratitude, and now that we are able to walk and act our part alone, as con¬ 
cerned with the well-being of the lower animals we trust to be co-workers with 
the sister profession in the extensive field of comparative pathology ; for in cer¬ 
tain directions it is a well recognized fact that the two professions are in touch, 
necessitating a combined work for the complete and accurate investigation of 
those diseased communicable from animal to man. 
So much is this beginning to be understood and appreciated that at the 
last meeting of the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography in Lon¬ 
don, there was an official recognation of the value of the veterinary profession, 
many veterinarians of note taking part in the discussions on tuberculosis. 
May such be the course adopted here, when like diseases are under consid¬ 
eration in this country, for from such combination of forces great benefit will 
accrue to the public and both professions. 
OUR ASSOCIATION. 
There are many matters of importance to be discussed at this meeting, 
foremost among which is the subject of state veterinary legislation. For 
some years past we have had this matter under consideration and every effort 
has been made by the Committee on Legislation to encourage discussion and ob¬ 
tain an expression of opinion from each individual member of the profession, in 
order that when circumstances favored our petitioning the Legislature, we should 
bo enabled to draft a bill such as would receive the unanimous support of all 
parties interested. The committee will report to you the results of their investi¬ 
gations, and if after due consideration of the same, the Association is of the 
opinion that it will be for the best interests of the profession to at once take 
active steps in this matter, let us spare no pains to compile a bill such as will 
effectually overcome and prevent the impositions and misrepresentations now 
practiced upon the public ; at the same time making provisions which will be 
fair and just towards non-graduates, and enable the public to understand the 
difference between qualified and unqualified practitioners. 
Gentlemen : Allow me to touch briefly upon our pecuniary interests, 
which under the present circumstances are not unworthy of consideration. We 
have now over one hundred qualified veterinarians practicing in Iowa, many of 
whom have no fixed rates of fees to guide them in their charges ; and in many 
localities, as I am informed, professional services are rendered at prices in some 
instances barely remunerative ; this seems unnecessary and even productive of 
. anything but beneficial results to the profession at large. There is ample work 
for all who are possessed of industry, ability and skill, at remunerative prices. 
Can we not therefore combine in such a manner as to have a uniform scale 
of fees throughout the State, thus serving the public fairly and at the same time 
protecting our own interests? 
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me to thank you most sincerely for the 
honor conferred upon me, and for the courtesy shown me during my term of 
office as President of this justly prosperous Association. 
