300 LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
but for - the social influence o£ these associations, would have been 
strangers to you, or might even have been at enmity with you. 
Although the meetings of these societies should not be used 
for the ventilation of petty grievances or matters of a personal 
character, I am of opinion that they have been, and in the future 
will be, legitimately useful as arbitrators in cases of breaches of 
etiquette, &c. They should be regarded as a neutral ground on 
which, without fear of partiality, explanations might be given 
and received, and I believe that upon investigation the missing 
link would be found, joining once more the aggrieved members in 
the bonds of friendship and good-will. 
And now, gentlemen, in conclusion let me say a few words as 
to the real functions of veterinary medical societies. It was 
formerly the fashion in this and indeed in other societies for the 
subject of the discussions to be brought forward in the shape of 
a l6ng essay, rarely containing what I might say new matter, and 
seldom followed by an interesting or useful discussion, but we 
must remember that the production of fresh knowledge is an 
absorbing and difficult task, and beyond the power of the man 
distracted by the harassing demands of a private practice. It is, 
however, a comparatively easy matter for the ordinary practitioner 
to note any peculiar symptom or chain of symptoms ; any patho¬ 
logical condition or post-morte?n appearances, or the therapeutical 
action of any drug he may have been using, and it is the result 
of such observations, condensed into the form of a short practical 
paper, from which we have always elicited the most lively, useful, 
and intellectual discussions. 
It must not be supposed from what I have said that I depre¬ 
ciate entirely the reading of papers of a more important 
character, and especially when they are written in the style of 
those recently read by Mr. Greaves and Mr. G-errard, and Pro¬ 
fessors ’Williams, Walley, and Pritchard j and now, while on this 
subject, I don’t think it will be a healthy thing for this Society 
or any parallel one to rely upon extraneous aid too frequently, 
and our feeling of self-respect should teach us that we have 
abundance of talent among ourselves to carry on the scientific 
business of the Society. I therefore invite you, one and all, to sup¬ 
port the officers you have elected, and make their task an easy one 
by throwing aside all apathy and diffidence by coming forward 
when required to contribute to the success of our quarterly meeting 
and the usefulness of the Society. And now, gentlemen, in con¬ 
clusion let me return my sincere thanks for the honour you have 
conferred upon me, and let me assure you that as far as my 
small ability enables me, I shall show my appreciation of your 
confidence, and with your assistance uphold the dignity, use¬ 
fulness, and wellbeing of the Lancashire Veterinary Medical 
Association. 
Mr. T. Taylor proposed for membership of this Association 
Mr. T. A. Dollar, of London, seconded by Mr. T. Taylor. 
Carried unanimously. 
