IRISH CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 379 
have (lied from tetanus, caused by my malpractice and neglect after 
castration. The colt was operated on in the ordinary way with the 
caustic claims, went on very well for fourteen days, when he showed 
symptoms of tetanus, from which he eventually died. As I before 
remarked, I was sued for the value of the animal, and feeling within 
my own breast that the demand was unjust, I put the case into the 
hands of the Defence Association through my valued and much re¬ 
spected friend Mr. John Lawson, M.R.C.V.S., Manchester. The 
Assoeiation instantly took active measures to protect me, and, through 
me, the rights of our profession. Two eminent members came 
over to Ireland to give evidence on the question at issue, and the 
result was, the chairman at sessions dismissed the suit with costs, 
remarking that the case should never have been brought into court. 
Now, gentlemen, see the beneficial results to me of the Defence 
Association. A comparative stranger in Ireland, I was assailed in 
character as well as in a pecuniary point of view. Immediately 1 
submitted the case to the Association, they came at once to my 
relief. There is another topic to which I would briefly draw your 
attention—it is the frequent difference of opinion on soundness ; 
where one veterinary surgeon will pass a horse as sound, a second will 
say he is unsound, and the result may be that an action is instituted, 
and the two veterinary surgeons are examined on either side, and con¬ 
tradict each other on their oaths. What follows? Gentlemen, you 
can j udge for yourselves ; but what will the public say and think about 
the diversity of opinion ? I feel assured that the full development 
of this Association will tend to prevent such controversies. I 
feel, gentlemen, that I have trespassed too much on your valuable 
time, but I cannot conclude without impressing on your minds the 
absolute necessity of pulling together in order to insure success. 
Look at every other profession ! Has not each of them its diflferent 
associations and societies for its advancement? And why should 
ours be backward? Is it not a cheering thing to think that 
when adversity frowns upon you in the battle of life, you have still 
in an association such as this a refuge to which you can look forward 
with hope, and which will receive and console you under your 
difficulties. Yes, gentlemen, let us be up and doing, and place 
ourselves and our profession in that position which we should 
occupy. Good men have gone before us, and much good did they 
do. But that time was theirs—this is ours. 
“ Let us then he up and doing, 
With a heart for any fate; 
Still achieving, still pursuing. 
Learn to labour and to wait.” 
Mr. J. Farrall, Mr. J. Murphy, Mr. W. Pallin, Mr. T. 
Lambert, and Mr. J. King also addressed the meeting in most ener¬ 
getic terms, urging the formation of an Association, and the benefits 
which must accrue therefrom. 
The Chairman put the question to the meeting. Is it expedient 
that a Veterinary Medical Association should be established in 
Dublin? It was unanimously agreed that it was. 
