146 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
attention of this association to the fact that there are sections 
which should receive special attention and discussion. Carried. * 
It was then decided to read and act upon the report by 
section. 
Dr. Stalker: I move that the section refering to honorary 
membership be refered to the board of censors, and that they 
report at a later session of this meeting. This motion was j 
seconded by Dr. Kingery and carried. . jl 
Dr. Stalker: In regard to the requirements for membership, 
I never realized before how large a loop-hole there is. Section * 
1, Article III of our by-laws says: “Applicants for membership 
must be graduates of legally authorized veterinary colleges.” A 
Colleges might, so far as our rules are concerned, grant diplo¬ 
mas to men who are not able to write their names, but who 
then would be eligible to membership. 9 
Our danger, to-day, is not from the quack , but from gradu- | 
ates from inferior colleges. I am in favor of good wholesome 
legislation, not only from quackery, but from the graduates from 
inferior colleges. I think we should use our influence to elevate 
the profession to a higher standing, and this may be through 
higher education. This body might do its part by making a 
higher requirement from applicants for membership. It probably 
would be well to coincide with the U. S. V. M. A. 
Dr. Kingery: I endorse Dr. Stalker’s remarks. The veterin¬ 
ary profession through the country is represented largely by 
empirics who are entirely unqualified. Not only the empirics, 
but many so-called graduates spend most of their time in the 
saloons and billiard halls. Many of the veterinarians of Iowa 
have been practicing in the state for a number of years, and are 
graduates of a two year course. At that time it was the best 
they could do, now there are better facilities for obtaining a 
veterinary education and intending students should avail them¬ 
selves of the opportunity. 
Dr. Starkey: I am heartily in favor of what has been said. 
When I finished a three year course I felt I was none to well 
qualified to practice veterinary surgery. I think the matter of 
