SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
631 
it is up to the association to enforce it if we expect to realize any¬ 
thing for our efforts. 
Our first attempt towards the betterment of our legal condi¬ 
tions was started in 1902-3 when, through the persistent efforts 
of some of our members, especially Dr. A. B. McCapes, then 
state veterinarian, we got a law enacted by the general assembly. 
While like all inventions there is ever a chance for improve¬ 
ment, so it was with our law governing veterinary medicine. 
After it had gone through the mill it did not amount to very 
much, but it was an incentive to every member of this association 
to get busy and try and improve it. 
On July 15, 1903, this association was organized, with 17 
charter members, at the state capital. 
We have 12 of these members enrolled at the present time. 
Two have gone to the great beyond and three have left the state. 
In 1904-5 we were suddenly surprised to find that the non¬ 
graduates had started a movement to tear down our little founda¬ 
tion and set back beyond where we started from, but this was 
met with a determination that we would not be repulsed and we 
came out victorious. 
While this first enactment would not stand the test, it had its 
effect in starting the public to an understanding what class doctor 
so and so belonged and the quacks began to lose prestige. 
Again in 1906-07 we were fortunate enough to get a law en¬ 
acted that looked like it would stand the test, but after the race 
we again found our machinery weak in places and needed some 
repairs, which have since been made, and now we think that we 
have a law that will stand the severest test. 
We have been victorious in all our combats so far and have 
gained a fair foothold; now it is up to each and every one of us 
to put forth every effort to enforce our law, governing the prac¬ 
tice of veterinary medicine, and to educate the live stock raisers 
and owners that it is to their interest to seek the assistance of a 
man that has a special training in the care and treatment of our 
dumb animals—our friends—in both health and disease, and not 
to employ “ doc ” so and so, whose stock in trade is hot air and 
sure cure for water colic. 
Our membership is about 40, some of which are very active 
in promoting the welfare of the association and have its interest 
at heart. 
There are several new veterinarians that have entered the 
state and we hope that they will all become members of this as¬ 
sociation, as we need representation from all parts of the state. 
