434 
EDITORIAL. 
seems to be willing and ready to contribute his mite towards 
the final success of our endeavor. The subscription to the 
army veterinary fund, which we initiated a month ago, has 
been somewhat increased, and we are confident that the 
amount of funds now on deposit will soon be augmented by 
new contributions. 
We have carefully examined the letter which we print in 
the present number from an Army Veterinarian. Of course 
there will be some disappointment attending the prosecution of 
this matter; it is not likely that everybody will be satisfied. 
It is not a part of the constitution of human nature to “ ac¬ 
cept the situation ” without question, in any case. But if we 
eventually secure the enactment of the measures which we 
understand high military authorities are favoring, and are 
willing to grant, it will be a long step forward, and little as it 
may seem to be, will establish a ground of hope for the at¬ 
tainment of something better at some future day. There is 
room for fear, however, that with a commendable anxiety to 
help the cause, and with the best of intentions, errors may be 
committed which, if not doing positive harm, may obstruct 
the progress already assured. At least we so judge, if we 
are to believe the news which has reached us from headquar¬ 
ters. We allude particularly to the recent act of one of our 
veterinary societies in circulating the draft of a new bill “to 
provide for the organization * * * * * etc.’’ This 
may be all very well, and may mean good, but have there 
not been bills enough drafted, circulated and perhaps lobbied 
already, all in good faith and springing from an impulse of 
disinterested zeal? It was for the help of a good cause; it 
was the motto of “ all for one.” May we not urge that so 
long as the United States Veterinary Medical Association 
has the entire charge of the matter, and while the existing 
committee has for its chairman the man who, we must all 
concede, is better able than any other to secure a successful 
issue for his plans, that no new bill, or different policy or pro¬ 
ject, which may interfere with the work of the National As¬ 
sociation ought to be permitted to confuse the issues and 
hazard the success of the whole measure? The true policy 
