SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
659 
I had intended to do my utmost to comply with the demands of custom, but 
much other work and poor health during the past two weeks has compelled me 
to send you by way of apology the following fragment in the line of a few sug¬ 
gestions. 
I sincerely regret my physical inability to be with you in person, as to me 
the meetings of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical Association are occasions of 
unusual importance and interest. Having taken part in the “labor” which 
“brought it forth into the world ” and had some of the care of it during its in¬ 
fancy, I may be excused if I look upon it with feelings akin to those of a parent 
for a child. 
The Iowa State Veterinary Medical Association justifies its existence by pro¬ 
claiming as its motives “ the mutual advancement of its members in veterinary 
science, the cultivation of fraternity and the elevation of the veterinary profes¬ 
sion.” Can any member present conceive of a more noble purpose in life than 
the elevation of his fellow man socially and intellectually ? Certainly these are 
objects worth the best efforts not only of this Association but also of every in¬ 
dividual veterinarian in Iowa. 
We are honored by being permitted to claim a membership in a scientific 
profession ; we are honored by membership in an Association which exists for a 
truly noble purpose, but what have we done to merit such honors ? Have we 
during the past year given a fair share of our time and energy to the advance¬ 
ment of veterinary science? Let us look back at our records in this field of labor. 
First, what have we done in the line of literary work during the past year ? The 
veterinary journals have received two or three articles from Iowa veterinarians, 
and if I mistake not but one of these related to veterinary science proper. 
Neither a single paper of more than ordinary scientific value, nor the discovery 
of a single scientific fact has gone out from our ranks. Not only have we com¬ 
pletely failed in point of results but also in point of actual efforts. 
Again, what have we done to cultivate a spirit of professional fraternity ? 
Did we avail ourselves of the best opportunity in this field of work that has ever 
been offered in the history of our profession in America? I refer to the recent 
meeting of the United States Veterinary Medical Association, held, as it were, at 
our very doors, and am compelled to admit with chagrin that only four Iowa vet¬ 
erinarians were in attendance. Is not this fact a sad reflection on our profes¬ 
sional loyalty and devotion to science ? Is it not a stain upon our reputation as 
progressive veterinarians that even time itself cannot efface ? 
This, gentlemen, is a true statement of the showing we have made under the 
most favorable circumstances. If our opportunities had been less brilliant it is 
not difficult to conceive the still more insignificant showing we must have made. 
I repeat that our opportunities have been brilliant, for never before in the his¬ 
tory of our journals and associations has such an effort been made to stimulate 
literary and scientific work. There are but few veterinarians in Iowa who have 
not been solicited to write for one or the other of our veterinary journals, and as 
to the recent meeting of the United States Veterinary Medical Association in 
Chicago, all were duly notified of the exact date and place of the same. Many 
were invited by personal letter to attend, while others were begged to lend the 
influence of their presence. Yet, what has been the result? The personal 
and professional interests of many Iowa veterinarians were involved in the re- 
