WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 357 
surgeons in the West of Scotland, and among the number, Messrs. 
Cockburn, Anderson, McLean, Marshall, Bryce, Aitken, Steel, Moir, 
Robinson, Donaldson, and many others. Of the few names mentioned, 
sad to say, very many have fallen by the hand of death, and few of us 
are left to reassemble this day, nay, I think, with the exception of Mr. 
Anderson and Mr. Donaldson (who have retired from the labours of 
their calling, to enjoy, as we hope, a few years rest in the bosoms of 
their families), Robinson, Moir, and myself—all are gone. Then I 
stood forth the stripling in arms—the youngest soldier in the ranks; 
now I appear the veteran in arms—the oldest general in the field. 
Such, gentleman, is life, and morals innumerable might be drawn from 
the consideration of what I have stated; but in the meantime I will not 
in that direction trespass on your time. 
To-day, gentlemen, the object we have in view, in gathering ourselves 
within these walls, is to resuscitate the society inaugurated in 1858, and 
then denominated the “West of Scotland Veterinary Medical Associa¬ 
tion.” And in “ awakening it to life,” I shall probably handle it a little 
roughly ; but, as I assisted at its birth, and have regularly watched its 
growth (although it must be confessed, for many years at a distance), 
and am well aware that it is not so lifeless as it appears, trust me, a 
little plain speaking will do it good. In awakening it to life, I shall 
briefly refer to a few of the advantages which may be expected to arise 
out of its resuscitation and continuance in active life, provided the 
energies of its members are concentrated and harmoniously displayed. 
It is a familiar expression and true to life, “ No man liveth to himself,” 
yet, how very apt are we in the battle of life, so to push forwards as if 
the aphorism were false, as if each individual lived for himself and for 
himself alone. Now, to my mind, we could not have conceived a more 
certain means of recognising and developing the principle referred to, 
and of demonstrating that we live for the good of each other as well as 
ourselves than by resuscitating this society. Here we meet on common 
ground and with common interests, and the rights and the privileges of 
each member ought and shall be equally respected. This I am sorry to 
say has not hitherto been the guiding principle of the society inaugu¬ 
rated in 1858; and with all deference has been the principal cause of 
the apathy exhibited by many, its best friends. But, turning from this 
unpleasant aspect of the subject, the times in which we live are pro¬ 
verbial for the formation of societies, associations, and such like 
kindred institutions; and if for no higher reason than keeping pace with 
the times, and continuing the good example first set by those who first 
inaugurated this society, and which has been imitated in so many other 
towns and cities; it were high time we had again enlisted under one 
common banner. In the arts and manufactures the benefits of co-opera¬ 
tion are admitted on all hands, and to come abruptly to the point I am 
aiming at, may co-operation not as much benefit veterinary science ? 
There are many aspects in which we might view and answer such a 
proposition, but time will only permit me to select two. Firstly, as 
benefiting the pecuniary interests and elevating the status of the pro¬ 
fession ; and secondly, as advancing our knowledge of the science and 
the art. As regards the first, I think it will be freely admitted, that 
according to the present constitution of our country, with a few excep¬ 
tions, the pecuniary emolument derived from the practice of a profession 
is an index, so to speak, of its social standing. Now, co-operation has 
invariably proven itself, directly or indirectly, to be a certain means of 
securing the pecuniary interests of parties. “ The labourer is worthy of 
his hire,” and however laudable may be our desires, we can neither 
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