756 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
While we have not attained all that we thought we were entitled to possess 
along the line of needed reform, we have, however, taken some advanced and 
sure stepson this line. We are learning to admire the old adage, that “ The 
top is not reached at a single bound ; we must climb the ladder round by round.” 
We have met with reverses and disappointments in legislation, but it would not 
be legislation worth having unless it did meet with opposition. Hard fought 
battles make the victory more complete. Reforms of all kinds come slowly ; 
the way must be paved with patience and fortitude. To my mind the horizon 
never -seemed brighter. The medical enactments that were passed during the 
last session of the Legislature, are a strong lever in our behalf, as our desires 
are along the same line. 
The bond of social union that has been created in the profession, solely 
through the organization during the short period of bnt one year, is most praise¬ 
worthy indeed. It has brought members of the profession from all quarters of 
the States, into such genial propinquity with each other that the profit has been 
far-reaching in its results, not only of a social, but of a professional character. 
It is the highest ideal of your presiding officer that the lid section in the by¬ 
laws be realized, viz.; The objects of the Society are, to aid in regulating the 
practice of veterinary medicine and surgery in the Stale, and to contribute to 
the diffusion of true science, and particularly to the knowledge of the healing 
art, and to unite our energies, efforts, and sympathy, for the mutual benefit of 
all its members. When harmony and union exist in a family, or in an organized 
society, then there are no obstacles ; whatever is wanted can be had ; it is only 
a question of time. All we need is to keep in concord, and we shall have all 
consistent and needful things. 
But we must keep our aims pure and high. Our ideals must reach up into 
the realms that seem at present almost impossible, and then attain unto the 
utmost, because no man ever went beyond his ideal, and none of us must ever 
feel that “now I have reached the climax.” There must be a constant improve¬ 
ment in all our professional relations. Let the search and the research in those 
diseases which seem to be obscure and most difficult, be untiring, and never 
yield until you have conquered. Be a “crank ” on some oue thing,.and win on 
that line. Had it not been for “ cranks ” there never would have been a Jenner, 
Pasteur, or Koch. 
Gentlemen, iu the future our profession will have fame; let you and I help 
to make it such. Our relations in the medical world are important. The posi¬ 
tion we occupy is one in which we can be of great value to our fellow men. 
Our energy and skill can determine in a measure the health and longevity of the 
nation, and as a profession at large it is our imperative duty to search out the 
evils that we know to exist, and apprise innocent consumers of flesh and milk of 
the dangers that are daily spread upon their tables. Many diseases of a con¬ 
tagious nature reside in the animal economy, obscure and unnoticed by the casual 
observer, and not unfrequently by the careful practitioner in its incipient form, 
and during this period of germinative quiescence there is being developed a living 
cess-pool of contagion, endangering the health and vigor of the remaining herd 
and a menace to human life. It is under these conditions that we should awaken 
to a comprehension of the responsibility resting upon us. 
