414 
REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING. 
Holland a similar law is in force. In Saxony it is decreed 
that only those who possess diplomas as Veterinary Surgeons 
have the right to treat the maladies of domestic animals. In 
Bavaria also, no person can practise the Veterinary art 
unless provided with a diploma. In the Grand Duchy of 
Baden there is a decree against empirics, the penalties being 
heavy fines and imprisonment. All the small states of the 
German Confederation have enactments more or less severe 
against Veterinary empiricism. 
A similar law would he a great advantage to this country, 
which it is to be remembered possesses the finest breed of 
horses, cattle, sheep, &c., in the world, while to the Veterinary 
Surgeon it would give that status to which he has a just right. 
In the last Annual Report reference was made to the 
course which the Council had taken with a view of obtaining 
exemptions from serving on juries, &c., and of giving 
practical effect to the obvious meaning of that part of the 
Royal Charter which states that the members of the College 
have the exclusive right to the title of Veterinary Surgeon 
—a right which the large obligatory expenditure in money 
and time entailed by a College education gives to the graduate 
a fair and just claim. And a right which the public is clearly 
entitled to demand on its part, and should have secured to 
it, by such a well-defined line of demarcation as would 
distinguish the educated veterinary surgeon from the mere 
pretender. 
The Council, actuated with a sincere desire to fulfil its 
obligations to the body corporate, has, during the past year, 
continued its earnest and anxious endeavours to arrive at a 
favorable accomplishment of the task it had before it; and, 
although it has not lost the hope of ultimate success, yet it 
has found the affair beset with great difficulty. Parliament, 
influenced by the vast advantages which Continental nations 
have derived from, firstly, educating and then protecting 
veterinary surgeons, will, it is hoped, afford encouragement 
to the profession whilst struggling for a national object. 
The Council would therefore suggest that each member of 
the College should take an early opportunity of ascertaining 
the feelings of the members of Parliament who represent his 
county or borough, and, if possible, secure their support in 
the House of Commons when the Bill is presented; and 
they would further suggest that when he has had an inter¬ 
view with such members, he should communicate the result 
to the Secretary of the College. 
The Council regrets to have to announce that two important 
members of the Court of Examiners have, during the past 
