172 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
books, instruments, and apparatus be obtained—those only 
occasionally required, such as lithotomy instruments, 
inhalers (should any be desirous of employing them), 
instruments for extracting teeth, &c.” The appropriation 
of the funds for such purposes as these we should consider 
perfectly legitimate, while the benefits resulting to the 
members would be great, since expenses fall heavily on 
an individual that are scarcely felt by a body. 
Not the least valuable sources of information will be the 
papers read by the members; whether to be given pub¬ 
licity to or not, we presume will rest with their respective 
authors. By them scientific truths will be brought into 
order and usefulness, as they necessitate research. They 
are, likewise, acquired almost imperceptibly, and are at the 
same time indelibly impressed on the mind. More espe¬ 
cially is this the case during the discussion that follows, 
when facts are elicited which otherwise would lie entombed, 
or only come forth fitfully and disconnected. Details 
are likewise given that might be altogether unnoticed; yet 
these frequently are of much moment, and render explana¬ 
tions, either of cause or effect, comparatively easy. 
We need not say that the discussions should ever be 
perfectly free and unrestrained. We feel sure that the 
amenities of society will always be observed. Thus will 
these associations become so manv centres of union, each 
member provoking the other to works conducive to the 
advancement of the profession. Politically, it is said to be 
suspicious when, instead of talking about what is to be done, 
we u rest and are thankful ” with what has been done, as 
this implies that nothing more remains to be done. So it 
is with science—it indicates indifference, which indulged in 
would in the present day leave us stranded. 
All who know us know we are no friends to inaction. We 
are also friends to union, and we have just said these associa¬ 
tions will form so many centres of union, and, although at the 
risk of being charged with unnecessary repetition, we again 
revert to the subject of unity. We want not uniformity; 
we do not believe in it. We have before said, men cannot 
any more be made to think alike than they can be made 
