6 
EDITORIAL. 
struggle. A law requiring proper qualifications in veterinary 
practitioners was passed four years ago, and since then, 
almost every year, amendments have been tacked on, until 
the original intent of the law has been essentially smothered, 
and its object no longer attainable. A fourth project is now 
in hand in Albany, if it has not already passed the Legislature, 
by which an extension of time is allowed for those who have 
neglected to register as the law of 1886 required. At this 
rate, quackery may hope to flourish in New York for a term 
quite indefinite. Is it not time for some reputable body to 
take the matter in hand and put an end to this disgraceful 
legislative interference with veterinary progress? 
Actinomycosis. —Although this disease is comparatively 
rare in Europe, it cannot be so considered in America, where 
years ago its frequency had given an opportunity for its recog¬ 
nition, and for its comparatively easy diagnosis when subse¬ 
quently met with. This fact of its frequent occurrence has 
recently brought up the question in Illinois, of the fit condi¬ 
tion of the meat of animals thus affected, for general use as 
food, before the Cattle Commission and Health Board of that 
State, where the matter was becoming one of serious import. 
The State Boqrd of Live Stock Commissioners took the 
question in hand, and communicated with sundry veterinary 
authorities of the country upon the contagiousness of the 
disease, and the status of the meat for general use, and the 
question seems to have been settled by the agreement of all 
the advisers, in the verdict that the disease can be considered 
as contagious, and that all affected, meat is unfit for use as 
food. The report of the State veterinarian and his assistants, 
which we reprint in our present number, describes the con¬ 
dition of the animals which had been examined, and proves the 
correctness of their diagnosis and the wisdom of the conclu¬ 
sions to which they were brought. 
Notice. —We have the honor to remind our subscribers 
whose subscriptions expired with the March issue, viz., the 
last number of the thirteenth volume, that we shall draw on 
them during the month of May for the amount of their sub¬ 
scription to the fourteenth volume. Those who may desire to 
discontinue will kindly inform us at once by postal card. 
