NORTH OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 207 
is capable of a much farther development than it has yet reached. 
The mysterious principle of life, as it operates both in health and 
disease in the various organs of animals, is yet in many instances 
but imperfectly understood. The influences different medicines 
are capable of exerting in animal organisms when affected by 
disease still require much study to make them fully known. It 
is the duty of every one to do all he can to free these points from 
obscurity and bring them into light. Veterinarians have great 
facilities for assisting in this ; among their patients many diseases 
operate by the same laws, and are subdued by the same treatment 
as corresponding ones among men. Prom inability in our patients 
intelligibly to express their feelings we are denied certain privi¬ 
leges possessed by those who study and treat diseases among the 
human race ; but against this we enjoy far more liberty with 
medicine on our patients when sick, while, after death, we have 
much greater freedom for tracing in them the results of disease. 
Possessed of these privileges we could and should each be able 
somewhat to aid in the healing art. We must not always be con¬ 
tent to bring up the rear, but learn at times to lead the van of 
the mixed army as it marches on to fresh conquests in the field 
of medicine. But some will say that our ranks can furnish none 
with capacities fit to fill a leader's place, and that, therefore, 
nothing important need be expected of us. To meet this slight 
let each and all of us set to work and try to prove that it is not 
true. Talents, I venture to say, are to be found in our profession 
which, if wrought, would fairly compare with the best that have 
ever yet been turned to the study of medicine. The real germ is 
often hidden in the rough block till labour shows its presence in 
it. In each of us, even, there may be latent powers that have 
never yet called into play. Let us search for such, and if we 
find them, stir them up to do their duty. The real worth of 
medical science will never be seen till all connected with it do 
their utmost to set it forth. As compared with those of our 
gentler brethren, our services may never be valued as they ought. 
They are often considered to have done well and to have earned a 
rich reward if they, at any cost of time or money, can only pro¬ 
long life and alleviate pain, whereas if cures by us are not com¬ 
plete, and that too in a short time and at little cost, we are 
considered to have done nothing and are grudged a slender fee. 
Considerations like these, however, must not deter us from doing 
all we can to forward the common cause. A feeling of satisfac¬ 
tion will reward us for every advance we make which no payment 
in coin can give. Let us each, then, pursue the work with zeal, 
and fearlessly make known the results we obtain. By so doing 
we shall be contributing somewhat to the general good, and also 
be adopting a most effective means of benefiting ourselves. 
