Lancashire veterinary medical association. 225 
Such a programme, I think, would be far more acceptable to the 
majority of members than our usual one. Of course a sprinkling 
of essays would add fragrance to the scientific bouquet. 
Could not these associations collectively prevail upon the 
Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to investi¬ 
gate the reasons why policemen are appointed inspectors of cattle 
in districts where contagious and infectious diseases are preva¬ 
lent, and where veterinary surgeons could be easily found who 
would perform the duties of an inspector of diseased cattle far 
superiorly to a policeman, who cannot possibly know anything of 
the nature of disease. The fact that policemen are appointed to 
positions of national important—positions which ought to be occu¬ 
pied by veterinary surgeons—is lamentable. It is a disgrace to 
our profession. It is, I fear, an ignominy to which we shall 
be more or less always subjected unless the profession rise up in 
arms to assert its claim. Then, peradventure, the veterinary 
surgeon would receive a little more attention, and probably be 
preferred to policemen for posts of such national importance 
as inspectorshps of contagious and infectious disease in cattle. 
There is a subject to which I must sorrowfully and reluctantly 
refer, and which I, as president of this society, deem it my duty 
to mention. About eighteen months ago there appeared on the 
horizon a dark cloud overhanging and threatening the welfare of 
this society. It grew darker and darker, increasing in size until 
it burst, when a storm of such violence as will not be soon 
forgotten by those who witnessed it. Upon the subsidence of the 
storm our society was compelled to note the loss by resignation 
of three valuable members. This shock to our little craft has 
caused a laxity in the attendance of members • at the quarterly 
meetings. Still she rallies and battles with the tide, but, alas ! 
makes no headway, her buoyancy lacks support, her timbers 
cringe and creak, and an unkind whisper asks the question. 
Shall we sink ? The answer, gentlemen, I leave in your hands. 
A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his 
able and practical address. 
After the inaugural address the annual dinner took place, and a 
very pleasant evening was spent, and what added materially to the 
enjoyment of those present were the faces of so goodly a number 
of visitors, who one and all appeared anxiously to wish the asso¬ 
ciation and profession at large advancement and prosperity. 
Sedbar Hopkin, Ron. Sec. 
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