THE VETERINARIAN AS A MEMBER OF SOCIETY. 
177 
well summed up in his duties toward himself. Its value and 
status depends entirely upon the intelligence, zeal and proper 
conduct of its members. When a man practices a profession 
which gives him an honorable position in society, and to which 
he owes his means of subsistence, it becomes an imperative duty, 
as it should likewise be a grateful acknowledgment of these ben¬ 
efits, to devote himself entirely to its advancement in every legiti¬ 
mate way, and to demonstrate its importance and utility. At no 
other period, perhaps, can this be so well shown as in the matter 
of contagious diseases. The veterinary surgeon is, in the control- 
ing of these, in a position to testify to its utility and importance 
to agriculture and the public in general. 
In his duty toward his colleagues it appears to be unnecessary 
to do more than assert that members of such a profession as that 
of veterinary medicine should be actuated by the highest princi¬ 
ples of equity toward each other. All are bound by the closest 
ties to forward the interests of their common profession upon 
which they are all dependent. They should, therefore, be ready 
to assist each other ; their unanimity, mutual respect and confi¬ 
dence are indispensable in so far as the public interests are con¬ 
cerned, and they are necessary in maintaining the honor of their 
profession. Concord and an absence of unworthy rivalry is re¬ 
quired at all times, but particularly when a destructive disease is 
prevailing. 
It is .the duty of the veterinary surgeon to consult with his 
colleagues in times of difficulty and doubt, to communicate to 
them the results of his observations and labors ; to discuss with 
them, when necessary, important questions; to enable them to 
profit from his researches, as he should profit from theirs, and, if 
need be, to publish these for the benefit of the places invaded or 
threatened by a contagious disease. In this way the members of 
the veterinary profession may afford most valuable aid in the lo¬ 
calities where a malady prevails. 
His duties toward the law are to be no less scrupulously ob¬ 
served. He should not be allowed to treat any animal affected 
with a seriously contagious disease until he has reported its exist- 
encs to the authorities; and any infraction of the laws he should 
