686 
W. H. PENDRY. 
to too quickly show results in too short a time. I realize that 
these views may be considered selfish by those who have 
limited means and time, who doubtless are making great sacri¬ 
fices to join our profession with the determination to do it 
honor; such condition of affairs, brought about by such cir¬ 
cumstances, finds no keener sympathizer than the writer and 
it is to such men that I would do honor by protecting the 
profession they have chosen by raising them and it to a higher 
plane. How is this to be done? My answer is, by having a 
uniform standard of education; and how shall that be accom- 
• 
plished? For a solution of that problem let me refer you to 
the proceedings of the United States Veterinary Medical 
Association recently held in Chicago. Not that the idea of a 
National Board of Veterinary Examiners was conceived 
there, it having been written upon and talked about years ago, 
but that it received its first serious consideration at the hands 
of a large representative body of veterinarians, and it is 
seriously hoped that the fruits of such conception will quickly 
come to light, and produce a healthier state of affairs. 
Now comes the difficult part of the problem. What 
authority shall create that Board, and how great shall be its 
power? If the plan were only to be carried out in one State 
it would be much easier, but it would avail nothing if the 
movement was not a national one. The idea of having exam¬ 
iners appointed by the Department of Agriculture in Wash¬ 
ington is undoubtedly a good one, yet I have no doubt that 
some will be afraid of politics creeping in, but safeguards 
could be easily thrown around such a Board by adopting the 
same plan that is employed in the formation of the Board of 
Elections; so far so good, but how about the conflict of State 
authority ? Certain colleges in certain States have been in¬ 
vested by charter or otherwise with authority to grant diplo¬ 
mas and to create a National Board of Examiners, who alone 
shall have that authority, would conflict with State laws, yet 
if they cannot be deprived of this power 1 see no reason why 
a National Board of Examiners cannot be created to be 
known as the Veterinary College of America, whose function- 
alone shall be to grant diplomas to such graduates of the dif- 
