NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 669 
values and preserves its own respectability ; each member should watch 
over his own actions with a very jealous eye, and be determined to 
fulfil, to the letter, the duties required from him as a brother 
practitioner. 
As provincial veterinary medical associations are originated and carried 
out immense good will result. The meeting of man with his fellow will 
tend to bring about a generalisation of feeling, and more definite action 
in the whole body. At present there is too much apathy, too much 
laxness in the profession, and little, if any, real interest taken in matters 
affecting the community at large, and in consequence few members 
attend the meetings in Red Lion Square. Members do not come up as 
they should do. If matters of such weighty importance, which are to be 
discussed at the general annual meetings of the corporate body—are to 
be thus slighted and neglected, how can it be expected that the general 
working of its individual parts should preserve that order and arrange¬ 
ment as might be expected if a proper amount of enthusiasm and genuine 
spirit was brought to bear. The profession must bear in mind that these 
meetings are open to all connected with the corporate body, and were for 
no party purposes, but for the proper administration of the requirements 
of the profession ; there all political questions are open for ventilation and 
discussion ; in fact, there was every opportunity afforded to those whose 
wishes are for the improvement and elevation of the profession. This 
repeated absence from the meetings, and constant inattention to the in¬ 
terests of the whole body, is a complete injustice to the profession, and 
much amelioration cannot be expected where so little interest is displayed. 
As President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, he felt a great 
pleasure in representing that body at this meeting, and he begged that 
in future, as a step towards rendering effective aid in the general pro¬ 
gression and advancement, the members should present themselves yearly 
in the month of May, in each year, at Red Lion Square, and testify, by 
their presence and voice, &c., the real interest which they felt for the 
welfare of the whole profession. Unless some trouble is taken in such 
matters there will be no signs of improvement. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) 
He begged also to thank the members for the most flattering reception 
which they, as officers of the Royal Agricultural Society, had met with 
from them and from the inhabitants of Newcastle generally. From first 
to last the kindness on all hands was extreme, and almost embarrassing. 
Song :— Mr. H. Hunter. “ Nihil Desperandum.” 
Mr. Armitage , Hon. Sec., in proposing the next toast, said :—I rise with 
a full conviction of the importance of the task which has been delegated 
to me, and have to regret that it demands greater justice than is com¬ 
prised within the capabilities of an individual like myself. It has been 
frequently said, and, doubtless, with some amount of truth, that the 
veterinary profession was never higher than at the present moment; 
but it cannot be denied at the same time, that if the hand of improve¬ 
ment has passed over it, a much greater change for the better might be 
judiciously effected. Talent, as a rule, is not so much encouraged and 
patronized in our body as it should be. No matter where we look, the 
well-being of our valuable domestic animals in many instances is en¬ 
trusted to the care of persons without a particle of either respectability 
or understanding to recommend them ; and not in every one by the poor 
owner, but in far too many by the rich landed proprietor. In this im¬ 
mediate neighbourhood, although there are qualified veterinary surgeons 
who, in my opinion, are second to none in the kingdom; there are, 
nevertheless, hundreds of horses and ponies, especially below ground, 
left to the merciless judgment of the blacksmith or horsekeeper. (Hear, 
