674 NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
high aim to watch over the peculiar interests of the profession. His 
motto is, “ Forwards and onwards;” and if in the interests of the profes¬ 
sion he were called upon to do anything, he would be no obstruction or 
hindrance, but rather a helpmate and assistance. As we take our stand 
in the order of changes and events, his school might be second, but we 
shall endeavour to be first; and such is our desire for the welfare of 
all concerned that at any time, if any member can point out any 
method by which an improvement can be made in the present curri¬ 
culum, with a view of turning out improved veterinary surgeons, they 
will not have a deaf ear at the new Veterinary College, Edinburgh. He 
felt that it was highly necessary that something should be done in the 
shape of improvement in the system of remuneration, so as to secure the 
admission of first-class men into the profession. It could not be expected 
that great men would enter a community whose services were so poorly 
requited. It is a disgrace to the profession; and so long as men are 
so poorly recognised and valued in one of the noblest pursuits, we cannot 
expect that talent will be on the increase. What can be said of the 
remuneration to practitioners can also be said of teachers; and with 
shame be it said, one of the greatest lights and ornaments in the profes¬ 
sion,—now no more,—an authority in all scientific matters, was in receipt 
of only one hundred pounds a year. 
One other point which deserved attention, he thought, was that of 
College fees. He had often heard it remarked that those of the London 
College were too large; for his own part, he (Professor Gamgee) would 
double them, and have them 50 guineas, and thus secure the entry of 
persons of a superior class. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. H. JE. Wilkinson next proposed, “ The Editors of the Veterinary 
Journals,” and observed that he considered the sentiments of the profes¬ 
sion were well represented in the recognised journals of the body. Were it 
not for those journals, we should not have the glowing elocution of Pro¬ 
fessor Gamgee, the calm logic of his old teacher, Professor Simonds, or 
those scientific emanations from the pen of Professor Varnell. (Cheers.) 
Professor Simonds said—The interests of the journals were vested as 
much in the contributors as in the editors, and their value depended as 
much, if not more, upon the former as upon the latter. They are 
mainly and essentially the journals of the profession, not the journals 
of the editors. He (Professor Simonds) thought, with. Professor Morton, 
that if veterinary surgeons would write essays on given subjects, it would 
enhance the position of the profession. Mere details of cases are often 
not sufficient, but the ideas and opinions of persons in reference to disease, 
&c., are to be courted. All should endeavour, however, to contribute 
something to the common stock, no matter if their subject occupied but 
six lines. So long as it consisted of purity of thought, and was in 
accordance with strict principles of science, whether it came north or 
south of the Tweed, equal attention should be paid to it for furtherance 
of veterinary knowledge. He could only add that their journal was at 
the service of the profession, which they can use as they like, without 
minding the space. They (the editors of the Veterinarian) were in a 
position to afford additional space, without additional cost in the price 
of publication. The Veterinarian now finds its way to India, China, 
America, and most of the colonies, to distant friends in the pro¬ 
fession. It had proved a valuable medium for the preservation of the 
transactions of such societies as the North of England Veterinary Medical 
Association, as well as a record of cases of interest. He would give 
his contributors—many of whom he could recognise present—every 
encouragement to forward all they could, and thus add to the general 
stock of information upon the science of veterinary medicine. 
