NORTH OF ENGLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 675 
Professor John Gamgee also urged upon the members the great import¬ 
ance of contributions being forwarded for publication after the manner 
of “ Youatt.” Veterinary surgeons should write more upon subjects of 
a special character, and work into the hands of those connected with the 
press, as by its influence much good can be accomplished. He valued 
the powerful influence of the press, and its connection with the compila¬ 
tion of veterinary literature. Well might we profit by the acts of Pro¬ 
fessor Morton, who had done more than any other man for the profession 
in that respect. He (Professor Gamgee) would call upon all present to 
drink a bumper to the health of Professor Morton. (Cheers.) 
Professor Simonds briefly, but eloquently, returned thanks on behalf of 
Professor Morton. 
Mr. John Fairbairn , Alnwick , proposed “ The Visitors,” and said— 
However much they might be gratified in meeting with their professional 
brethren at these times, it was a matter for rejoicing when gentlemen— 
distinguished strangers from great distances—did them the honour of 
attending their meetings; it was satisfactory to know there were 
gentlemen who took an interest in the profession and its advancement. 
(Loud cheers.) 
Mr. McKenna , Belfast , replied—If he had come for no other purpose 
than to meet his friends on this occasion, he could not receive a greater 
honour than the privilege of meeting with them under such very favorable 
circumstances. He certainly did not consider that there would be such a 
meeting when he received the invitation, and he scarcely believed the 
profession could have been drawn together in such numbers. When his 
friend and old pupil, Mr. Wilkinson, wrote to him, he declined on the 
score of business ; however, -a second letter came, stating in peremptory 
terms, “You must come, for Simonds is coming, Yarnell is coming, and 
a first-rate meeting is expected.” At the moment he received this inti¬ 
mation his horse and gig were at the door, and a steamer was ready to sail; 
so he at once ordered back the former, and took the latter for England, 
saying within himself he should be proud to meet such persons. He felt 
there was need for many meetings of this kind, and their influence was 
needed also in bringing about a state of unity in the profession, especially 
with reference to those instances where a practitioner felt his reputation 
to be at stake. 
Mr. McKenna detailed one or two instances where the character of a 
veterinary surgeon would have been ruined and his future prospects 
blighted, had it not been for the friendly assistance of professional 
neighbours. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. Cubitt , Bacton Abbey , Norfolk, said—He should be wanting in 
courtesy not to return thanks for the compliment paid him as one of the 
visitors, and for the kind welcome received. He was not a member of 
the veterinary profession, but as a practical farmer he felt a deep interest 
in all that appertained to it, more especially with regard to its future pro¬ 
gress and development. He had listened with pleasure to what had fallen 
from preceding speakers. All seemed to agree that the Veterinary pro¬ 
fession did not take that eminent standing to which it was entitled, nor 
did he consider so desirable an object could be attained till a higher 
standard of education was introduced, and the College examinations 
embraced a wider range. In looking over the registered list of the 
members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, he was surprised 
to find so important a county as Northumberland so badly represented. 
It did not say much for the general intelligence of its farmers to find 
them entrusting the lives of their valuable animals in the hands of 
farriers , cow leeches , or other unqualified men, who generally managed to 
