4 
EDITORIAL. 
lieve, predominate in the States, and, perhaps outside of the 
syndicates of business men, the trust companies, we do not know 
if syndicates of professional men exist. In France, every trade 
and every profession has its syndicate. For years those of 
butchers, bakers, etc., have existed ; that of the liorse-shoers 
was formed a few years ago ; then came the druggists, the dent¬ 
ists, the physicians, and lately the veterinarians. Several de¬ 
partments in France have formed veterinary syndicates which 
in a short time will all unite into a general national syndicate. In 
union there is strength. 
I have the constitution and by-laws of two of these syndi¬ 
cates. Their object is to establish between all veterinarians 
relations which would allow them to protect usefully and in 
common their moral and material interests; to solve as much 
as possible disputes that may arise between veterinarians them¬ 
selves, between them and their clients, and to act, conciliate or 
arbitrate in all questions relating to the profession; and also to 
settle difficulties and quarrels between veterinarians and horse- 
shoers whom they may employ. In France most veterinarians 
have shoeing shops. 
The idea of such syndicates may not be so improper, and 
what good could be derived from their organization cannot be 
ignored. A veterinarian has to complain of another for some 
professional breach of ethics and he calls on the syndicate 
to settle the trouble. An unsatisfied client (and there are some) 
is displeased at the services of a veterinarian ; he objects to his 
bill. May not the syndicate possibly settle their troubles and 
avoid law suits, with all its loss of time, professional contro¬ 
versies and exhibitions of ill nature. One veterinarian resorts 
to unprofessional acts to obtain practice, lower charges, etc.; the 
syndicate settles it. 
It is true many of these may also be treated by our veteri¬ 
nary organizations, state or national societies, and yet, no, for 
the societies ought to have for their object only scientific ques¬ 
tions, while the syndicates would have only to consider those of 
a different nature, more business, more trade-like. 
