REMARKS ON VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSO¬ 
CIATIONS, AND THE POSITION OE THE 
PROFESSION. 
By George Poyser, M.R.C.V.S., Ashbourne. 
I am tempted to say a word or two respecting the 
formation of provincial associations and the position of the 
profession, in consequence of some conversation I have 
had with a member of the Lancashire Association, and 
also from reading the letters in your Journal of Mr. 
Dray and Mr. Mitchell of Leeds. The question at issue 
between these gentlemen appears to be this—whether men 
possessing the Highland Agricultural Society’s diploma, 
or rather certificate, ought or ought not to be admitted as 
members of these associations? I contend that all the 
gentlemen who are practising as veterinary surgeons under 
cover of the Highland Society’s certificate have been misled, 
if they believe they are legally entitled to the name of 
veterinary surgeon. The separation of Professor Dick from 
the Body Corporate soon after the obtainment of the Charter, 
and the circumstance of the Highland Society acting the 
part of a foster-mother to the Edinburgh Veterinary College, 
are to be regarded as the cause of the discord which now 
exists, and which is } T early increasing in our ranks. 
I am led to believe that every possible effort has been 
made by the different Presidents, as well as by the Council 
of the Body Corporate, to remove this objectionable state of 
things, but without success. Now, however, that these pro¬ 
vincial societies are being formed, they too ought to direct 
their influence in a proper channel, and thus help to arrest 
the continuance of discord. It is not the gentlemen prac¬ 
tising with the Highland Society’s pseudo diploma against 
whom the Body Corporate ought to make a stand, but 
against the system which produces them. 
I again assert that these gentlemen have been misguided 
if they believe they are entitled to the immunities and dis¬ 
tinctions conferred by the Charter, although the Edinburgh 
College and Professor Dick are mentioned therein. The 
former is only a recognised school, while the latter can never 
be said to constitute a President and Council in himself. 
Where, then, exists his right, or the right of the Highland 
Society, to elect a court of examiners? It has been said 
that Professor Dick only fell back upon his original rights. 
Who gave that right? What legally constituted tribunal? 
