LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 299 
unrepresented in our parliament. Two changes took place in 
the Council Chamber, and the only new blood infused into this 
semi-fossilised body was the access of a metropolitan practitioner, 
on whose lips the word provincial was a sneer; or the election of 
an army veterinary surgeon, who, from his position in life, was 
not acquainted with the requirements of the general practitioner, 
nor capable of representing him at the Council Board. 
Professor Huxley has said “that the heads of colleges have not 
the reputation of being the most mobile of persons,” but at last 
the authorities in London gave us what in justice we ought to 
have had sooner, viz., the vote by proxy, and to show you how 
eagerly the members of veterinary societies grasp with a firm 
hand any means of advancement that offers, I have but to refer 
to the recorded triumph of the first election committees. 
I cannot dismiss subjects of a political character without at 
least alluding to an accomplished fact, having a most important 
bearing on the future welfare of the profession, viz., the discon¬ 
tinuance of the examination of the Highland Society, and the 
amalgamation of the London and Scotch schools. It is but a 
year ago that this “consummation so devoutly to be wished” 
seemed as far off as ever, and the negociations towards the re¬ 
moval of this stumbling-block in the path of progress seemed to 
be brought to a standstill. At this unfortunate juncture of affairs 
there stepped into the widening track a Lancashire man—a 
member of this Society—who, by his diplomatic talent, his know¬ 
ledge of the position, and the very able and conclusive argument 
he brought to bear upon the subject, surmounted all difficulties, 
and finally was instrumental in bridging over what at one time 
seemed an impossible gulf. The work of this gentleman (to 
whom we certainly owe our most sincere thanks) w r as not accom¬ 
plished without drawing down upon him the sneers of those who, 
entirely mistaking the motive by which he was actuated, accused 
him of having, by his conduct in the past, been an obstruction to 
the very measure that without his influence might not yet have 
been brought to so happy a termination. Having thus advanced 
so far, let us hope that the next important step may be towards 
the introduction of a penal clause into our Charter, and let that 
clause be so passed that it may be subject to none of those 
evasions of the law by which such clauses are so often rendered 
inoperative. The formal appointment by the local authorities of 
veterinary inspectors of districts is a tardy step towards the re¬ 
cognition of the public utility of the profession, and may lead to 
the organisation of a veterinary sanitary service as complete as 
that so long and ably advocated by our friend, Mr. George 
Fleming. 
And now, gentlemen, let me turn to topics more congenial to 
my mind—the social and scientific work of veterinary medical 
societies. I am sure that, with myself, you can look back with 
unmingled pleasure to the many friends you have made and the 
many kindnesses you have received at the hands of those who, 
