220 NORTH OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
ing, rearing, and mode of management of our domestic animals on 
the farm would be of more benefit to veterinary science than all the 
knowledge that can be obtained at the blacksmith’s forge. 
Gentlemen, I would beg to remark that we ought all to be well 
acquainted with the anatomy, physiology, and important organic and 
functional utility of the horse’s foot, and also how to make and 
apply a shoe. But what I mean to direct your attention to is this, 
that veterinary science will never rise so long as it is bartered over 
the anvil. I maintain that horse-shoeing is a trade—^let it stand 
upon itself. Veterinary science is a profession, and upon its own 
merits let it stand, as I have no doubt it will, could we but give it 
fair play. I may be allowed to mention that the more familiar we 
are with the habits, breeding, and rearing of our domestic animals, 
when in health, the better we are enabled to form a correct dia¬ 
gnosis when called upon to treat them under disease; and the more 
knowledge we have of their habits and mode of management while 
in health, the more shall we be esteemed by the farmer. Although 
it may appear somewhat contradictory, I have always found the 
more a farmer is scientifically acquainted with our profession, the 
sooner he applies for the aid of the veterinary surgeon, and the 
greater satisfaction he will have in attending his stock—consider¬ 
ably more than with the man who relies on everybody’s nostrum. 
Gentlemen, a great deal has been written in the Veterinarian 
about the education of the veterinary surgeon. I need not and will 
not detain you upon that subject. I may be allowed to state that 
we are all aw'are it would be w’^ell for our profession could we have 
our minds stored wdth the knowledge of the different sciences, that 
w^e might also he able, when required, to talk more fluently and 
familiarly with those who have been favoured with a higher educa¬ 
tion than has been bestowed upon some of us. We must confess 
that out of our professional knowledge are formed the weapons with 
which we contend against disease. But w^e must never forget that 
our success depends, not so much on our weapons as upon the shill 
with which we use them. The weight of our armour, or the size of 
our weapons, may prove an encumbrance to us, and so it is with 
knowledge. Professional knowledge is necessary—a man is good 
for nothing without it, but it is not everything; something beyond 
this is required—skill to use it, and with no class is it more 
required than with the veterinary surgeon. 
Gentlemen, as the term of my office as your President now 
expires, I hope you will accept of my humble thanks for the kind 
and indulgent manner in which you have acted towards me during 
the time I have been in that position. My colleagues in office have 
my warmest thanks for their able support, and for their harmonious 
discharge of their duties in connection with this society. 
Gentlemen, I thank you ; and I hope every effort will be attended 
with success and prosperity, in promoting the interests of this 
association. 
Mr. Dewar then tendered his sincere thanks to the members of 
