EDITORIAL. 
140 
without the results that would be obtained by directing their at¬ 
tention to the real cause, ascertained by a careful examination of 
all the reproductive organs, but often doing much harm by the 
operative procedures directed upon those organs not involved. 
The science of breeding is one that has always been of extreme 
interest to us, and it is, therefore, with great pleasure and satis¬ 
faction that we note the general interest that is being taken in it 
by the veterinarians of the present day, stimulated by the train¬ 
ing and encouragement in that direction that is given them as a 
part of their college course in veterinary medicine—a stimulus 
which actuates in the student a desire for a broader knowledge 
of this subject, which he is taught is so important to the agri¬ 
culturist who makes the production of livestock his specialty, and 
so vital to his own success as a practitioner of veterinary medi¬ 
cine in the breeding districts. He, therefore, enters the field of 
his activities in a studious mood, eager to apply his scientific 
training to actual conditions, and, while broadening his own 
knowledge, becomes an actual benefit and necessity to the live¬ 
stock owners in his community. The fact that he is attracting 
the attention of the stockmen by his interest and ability along 
those lines was recently manifested in a short article appearing 
in one of the stock journals, commenting favorably upon the 
work performed by veterinarians in the livestock districts and 
regretting that all were not equally competent in that particular 
kind of work. And while the criticism was resented by some, 
because coming from an agricultural paper, we believe that it 
was not unkindly or slightingly meant; and with the knowledge 
that ability in that direction is appreciated by the stock raiser, 
and that the eyes of the stock journals are upon their work, it 
should act rather as a stimulus for all to qualify as competent. 
We, therefore, with the hope of encouraging advancement in 
this line of veterinary knowledge, invite a free exchange of ideas 
on breeding problems through the medium of the American 
Veterinary Review and freely offer its pages for that purpose, 
believing that it is an important side to veterinary education that 
