SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
753 
particularly to the knowledge of the healing art. The bociety has been in exis¬ 
tence but two years. In that short length of time it has become known through¬ 
out the profession in the State, and this acquaintance and knowledge of the Soci¬ 
ety, whether direct or indirect, has left the impression with the practitioner 
that the Society is marching with aggressive pace upon the ignorance and super¬ 
stitious methods as annunciated by the forefathers and the empiric of the day. 
This may seem unnecessary, but if we progress we must reform old methods ; if 
our science advances we must put into practice the product of our experience, 
aud into words the evolution of conscious thought, “ That men may rise on step¬ 
ping stones of their dead relics to higher things.” The constant endeavor of the 
officials connected with this Society has been to place the profession upon the 
high standard which it justly merits, and the efforts that have been put foith in 
the way of reform to some may seem arbitrary and unwarranted at this stage and 
history of the profession. But if the profession ever expects to enjoy the immu¬ 
nity, dignity and respect that our sister professions are enjoying we must com¬ 
mence at once ourselves, and that start must be on the lines other than those 
which are purely mercenary. It is too often the case that we foot the sum total 
of a month’s work on the number of dollars made, more than on the real service 
rendered. Our success as practitioners does not rest so much on the fact of 
what we are able to enumerate as it does on our ability to prevent contagions 
and combat disease. We should entertain a judicious regard for success from a 
pecuniary standpoint, but above all possess ability and skill equal to the emei- 
gency. 
It has been my privilege during the past year to visit some of the veterina¬ 
rians in the State, some of whom were members of this Society, and others not 
members of any; and to my surprise found that many of these gentlemen weie 
not taking a veterinary journal. Some were subscribers to one. 
Gentlemen, in a spirit that is neither criticism nor reproach, this is the dear¬ 
est economy that can possibly be practiced. The times demand that we stand 
abreast of them. No physician can practice with success who is not a reader of 
the current literature of his profession, and if we expect to be successful practi¬ 
tioners we must study the latest ev lution of thought and practice. There are 
two excellent journals published in the United States. Ihe Journal of Compara¬ 
tive Medicine and Veterinary Archives has been before the public a number of 
years. The editors are men of experience, whose labors deserve the recognition 
and patronage of the professsion. 
The American Veterinary Review has enjoyed a successful careei. It is 
the veterinary journal of the United States, strictly working for the interests of 
the profession, having the largest circulation in the United States and abroad, 
published for the good of all and not the benefit of one, offering to its readers 
everything of professional interest in the world ; audit seems to me that no man 
can succeed and command the respect due to the average reader and educated 
veterinarian who will undertake to practice without the aid of these journals. 
There is no position in a profession as formidable as to be able to talk intelli¬ 
gently. The acts of the veterinarians of to-day create the virtues of the profes¬ 
sion for to-morrow. Therefore, gentlemen, the subject of reform is constantly 
upon us. Along the path of progress, through experience or legislative enact- 
