LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 261 
discontinue their veterinary examinations and the issue of their 
certificates. 
He then, in commendatory terms, spoke of the improvement which 
had taken place in the curriculum of study at the veterinary colleges, 
but added that there were still great improvements needed, both in the 
manner and method of teaching, in order to place within the reach of every 
student facilities for acquiring a thoroughly sound, practical, and theo¬ 
retical education. He also expressed his opinion strongly, that no 
young man ought to enter College without first serving an apprentice¬ 
ship with a duly-qualified veterinary surgeon. 
In speaking of the Court of Examiners, he said that he hoped soon to 
see our Court of Examiners composed entirely of veterinary surgeons, 
and after passing a warm tribute of praise to the medical profession for 
their invaluable assistance, &c., during the period of our protracted in¬ 
fancy, he said that we should never develop the resources, now lying 
dormant in our members, until we threw open these sources of honorable 
distinction and ambition ; for if these were thrown open our best and 
most promising young men, after finishing their college education and 
obtaining their diplomas, would have an inducement held out to them to 
continue in that course of study and research which will bring its own 
reward, and raise both them and their profession in the estimation of 
the public. I am persuaded, he added, that there are no lack of 
members now who, if these positions were thrown open to them, 
would, with six months’ study, be able to act as examiners in every 
branch of our professional education with distinction and credit, both 
to themselves and to the profession to which they have the honour to 
belong. 
Commenting on the legal responsibilities of veterinary surgeons, and 
the risks they incur in the practice of their profession, he said that there 
was no calling or profession free from risks and responsibilities, and he 
did not think it desirable that there should be, but, as a safeguard 
against any unfair treatment, he strongly recommended all veterinary 
surgeons to become members of the National Veterinary Defence Society, 
whose powerful aid and assistance are ever at the disposal of its members 
in every time of need, and whose veteran officers are always accessible 
when counsel and advice are required. 
He concluded a very instructive address by exhorting the members to 
endeavour, by their regular attendance, valuable contributions, and 
personal influence, to induce others to become members, so as to render 
our meetings both mere interesting and profitable. 
Mr. Peter Taylor , of Manchester, then read his paper on “ Is it ad¬ 
visable to apply Counter-irritation in Acute Disease of the Respiratory 
Organs ?” 
The following is a copy of Mr. Taylor’s paper : 
Mr. President and Gentlemen,— I have selected Counter-irritation 
for our evening’s consideration, knowing it to be a vexed and much 
disputed subject with some of our practical veterinary surgeons, and also 
with our learned and scientific men. I thought that a night devoted to its 
consideration would be profitable, interesting, and instructive. 
I had the privilege, some years ago, of hearing an essay read at Leeds 
before the Yorkshire Veterinary Medical Society, by Professor Williams, 
on the “ Effect of Counter-irritation in the Treatment of Bone Spavin,” 
when the late Professor Spooner honored the Society with his presence 
and took an important part in that interesting discussion. I had. the 
pleasure of taking a part in that discussion, and now, having had thirty- 
