YORKSHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
213 
are ever ready to volunteer theirs), loses the confidence of his clients, 
becomes disappointed and discouraged, consoles himself with the idea 
that he has mistaken his avocation, and finally retires from the scene to 
seek some less troublous and more genial occupation. 1 should also like 
to see such subjects as diet, ventilation, and sanitation more largely 
dilated upon at college, as these subjects are not only useful to ourselves, 
and which many of our employers reasonably expect us to possess a 
knowledge of, and look to us for information and advice thereon. 
I think the bridging over of the gulf which a short time ago existed 
between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Highland and 
Agricultural Society is a matter for intense congratulation, as it now 
enables many able, worthy, and respected members of the profession, men 
of good social status, scientific knowledge, and practical experience, who 
have hitherto held only the certificate of the Highland Society, to pro¬ 
cure for a mere nominal sum the diploma of the “Royal;” thus 
removing one great element of discord, and furthering the advancement 
of that one thing, which I am sure we all sincerely desire, viz. profes¬ 
sional unity. That grand old motto of our corporation—Vis unita 
fortior—has for a long time appeared to me as an anomaly, but 
through the vista of futurity I begin to discern its realisation. And 
now that this great stumbling-block has been removed, I trust that the 
question of a penal clause will again come to the front. In looking over 
a Post-office Directory of the West Riding of Yorkshire, published 
about two years ago, I found blacksmiths, farriers, and bone-setters 
designated as veterinary surgeons. This is a lamentable state of things, 
and I think it is high time some move was made in the matter. The 
public are thus imposed upon by men representing themselves as vete¬ 
rinary surgeons who have no qualification whatever pertaining thereto, 
and it is a mistake to imagine that the public yet thoroughly understand 
the radical difference between a qualified and an unqualified practitioner. 
Although we may not have much to fear from charlatanry and empiricism, 
yet it is only natural that we should desire to see our institutions, 
rights, and privileges protected against spuriousness. There are 
many other subjects of interest to us which might have been touched 
upon, but as it was my intention to be brief, and knowing that we have 
amongst us to-day eminent and distinguished members of the profession, 
who will interest you far more than I am able to do, I shall conclude by 
earnestly appealing to every individual connected with us to aid and 
asist in promoting the advancement of our science, to put his shoulder 
to the wheel, and though impossible by one huge effort to lift the profes¬ 
sion to the desired altitude, yet we must, by patient plodding, by “ a long 
pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,” and with a determination to 
press onwards, eventually reach the long-looked for goal. 
“ Let us, then, be up and doing, 
With a heart for any fate ; 
Still achieving, still pursuing, 
Learn to labour and to wait.” 
At the dinner, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were heartily drank, 
and much disappointment was expressed that Professor McCall, of the 
Glasgow School, had not thought fit to place the preliminary examination 
of his pupils in the hands of the Council 
Wm. Broughton, 
Hon. Sec. 
LIU. 
15 
