EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
533 
be some are already members whose names do not appear 
in the Register of Veterinary Surgeons, as laws are not 
retrospective, we can only express a hope that such will, for 
the general weal, cause them to be so. There is no diffi¬ 
culty which they cannot easily surmount. Secondly, if so be 
publicity is to be given to the essays and debates—which 
we think desirable—let it be by abstracts thereof, couched in 
language that only the educated and scientific man under¬ 
stands. Not that we are advocates for secrecy—far from it; 
but “self-preservation is the first law of nature,” and the 
position in which our profession at present stands is not a 
little anomalous, and one, we fear, it will take some time to 
alter. Yet we do not think we should “ rest and be 
thankful,” but persevere till we obtain our rights. Among 
ourselves there should certainly be no restrictions, but instead 
thereof a free intercommunication of thought and opinion. 
Let us then dare to be freemen. 
“ That which we are, we are ; 
One equal temper of heroic hearts 
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will, 
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” 
THE CATTLE DISEASES PREVENTION BILL. 
The Government has wiselv withdrawn “The Cattle 
•/ 
Diseases Prevention Bill,” and thus our digest of the 
measure in the amended form in which it left the select 
committee is uncalled for. Greatly modified and improved 
as the Bill was by the select committee, it still contained 
some things highly objectionable, and we confess that we 
view this result in the House of Commons without feelings 
of regret. Although we have given our steady opposition 
to the Bill throughout, as originally introduced into Par¬ 
liament, we are not, therefore, to be considered as op¬ 
ponents to all further legislation on the subject. On the 
contrary, we admit that the law requires to be amended, 
