YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 181 
head I need not further expatiate. Every member will feel 
that, whilst he comes with a desire to acquire knowledge, he 
is equally bound to communicate all he knows on the subject 
chosen for consideration. We never lose by this interchange 
of information. On the contrary, we are more commonly 
gainers. Like the sun, which, although it is constantly 
imparting to other bodies heat and light, never diminishes in 
splendour. It may be further asked. Are there to be no 
restrictions? I know but one desirable, namely, that our 
members be confined to those who have graduated at one or 
other of the recognised schools. Surely among these our 
opinions may freely be made known. There must be no re¬ 
serve, no exclusiveness, in our debates. We have no secrets to 
keep in reserve, although it is wise at all times to be cautious, 
and particularly at the beginning to exercise discretion. In 
a debate utterance is often given to an opinion that mature 
thought might wish to correct, or by explanation to render 
more plain. Sometimes we might even wish it were alto¬ 
gether withdrawn, from its being premature or hastily given ; 
moreover, the progress of science may have caused new views 
to be entertained respecting some points, and no man is 
fully armed at all times. 
Now, the giving of publicity to the essays may not call for 
these considerations. As it respects the essays themselves, 
from us will not be expected the elaborate and systematic 
theses we were wont to write in our younger days, for 
although the Archbishop of York has lately told us that the 
best master of thinking is the pen, few of us have leisure 
and opportunity to devote ourselves to it. On the other 
hand, they must not be crude and unconnected attempts, 
for such would disgrace us. Necessarily, we shall have to 
read for them, so as to ascertain the opinions entertained by 
others on the subject selected by us. They will, therefore, 
embody not only those opinions maturely weighed and con¬ 
sidered by us, but also our own, as confirmed by experience. 
Still it is to the debate that follows we shall have principally 
to look for the benefits to be derived professionally, and to 
this I have already adverted. I have said it must be out¬ 
spoken and free, and, ergo, there possibly may be objections 
to its being given publicity to; but not so the essays. 
Few of us have forgotten what we used to write as school¬ 
boys—“Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit,” and certain 
it is that no one is so wise as not to need anv further in- 
struction. In the course of our practice cases will often 
occur in which we may be desirous of obtaining the opinion 
of another member of the profession, and in this association 
