REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING. 
419 
fession throughout the United Kingdom is to secure, not 
only that we have admirable veterinarians, but also that we 
have for them a competent living. I need scarcely tell you 
that although many men speak of the necessity of curing 
the souls and of curing the diseases of men apart from any 
pecuniary considerations, it is found essential, in order to 
support the dignity and advance the usefulness of the medical 
profession, and the same with the clerical profession, to secure 
to them a good and substantial income. The standing of 
professional men rises in proportion to the emoluments which 
they receive. It is one of the grandest impulses we have to 
exertion in this country. It is necessary, especially when 
we find people flourishing in art and trade, that we should 
have the means of an independent existence in order that we 
should assert our rights and position throughout the country. 
I therefore think, if I take this Report as a guide, that the 
number of veterinary surgeons annually brought up seems 
rather to he decreasing than increasing. It is evident that 
we must aim at making each individual veterinary surgeon 
so far superior to any empiric, that he may force himself on 
the attention of the public ; and, I have no doubt whatever, 
that if we can demonstrate that we are worth pounds, 
shillings, and pence, that the pounds, shillings, and pence 
will come. If cotton is worth the money, it soon reaches 
our ports. If butter is wanted, pay for it, and butter comes. 
If you will only pay for good veterinary surgeons you will 
get them, but if you do not pay for them you cannot have 
them; I really take this view of the matter—you will say, 
perhaps, not a very exalted view. Nevertheless, I feel that 
there is much truth in it. I observe, for example, this year 
that there are 68 new members of the Royal College of 
Veterinary Surgeons as against 90 last year. I unhesi¬ 
tatingly affirm that instead of 68 we ought to have 168 
annually brought forward. I will tell you why. Not 
probably that the full number of 168 would in the long run 
be required. I believe they would, but possibly that number 
would not be required to fill the gaps, and to supply the 
wants of the community generally over the country. But, 
as I have always insisted, we cannot expect, should we get 
168 gentlemen to enter the profession annually, that they 
will all remain with us; we cannot expect that they will all 
attain to the position of practising veterinary surgeons. The 
public will exercise its right of selection; the best will win, 
and the weak will fall back. But you must remember that 
the United Kingdom has yet to be supplied. Disorders are 
raging to a frightful extent, and we cannot really spare a 
