WEST OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 359 
what an amount of assistance the colleges might derive through the 
co-operation of veterinary medical associations. In particular, I think 
provincial veterinary medical associations might be the means of shed¬ 
ding much light upon the diseases of cattle and sheep. Country prac¬ 
titioners have daily opportunities of studying the diseases of cattle and 
sheep as they affect them in a state of nature ; whereas, town practitioners 
have few such opportunities. In prosecuting your studies, you have also 
the benefit of the previous history of the animal, with its idiocrasy, and 
many other little details which, when placed together, make not only a 
very interesting and connected account of the case, but further, from its 
accuracy, it forms the basis from which sound deductions may be drawn, 
and clever views promulgated, as to the pathology and treatment of such 
affections. I would, therefore, strongly urge the provincial members of 
this society to bestow special attention upon the diseases of cattle and 
sheep, and, as far as practicable, prosecute researches bearing on their 
origin and nature. Proclaim the results of your inquiries after they 
have been subjected to the ordeal of discussion at our meetings, and in 
doing so you will confer a favour upon the whole body of the profession, 
and in no inconsiderable degree advance the knowledge of the science 
and the practice of the art. Through the kindness and impartiality of 
the editors of the Veterinarian and Veterinary Journal , you will always 
find the columns of our professional journals open to receive your con¬ 
tributions, and I would suggest that you take greater advantage of this 
boon than hitherto has been the case. A paragraph of a meeting, with 
the mention of members present, and the name of the subject discussed, 
will do little for any cause, and is neither creditable to the member in¬ 
troducing the subject, nor to the gentleman acting as secretary for the 
society. 
But to return, there is scarcely a disease, regarding the pathology and 
treatment of which, two opinions may not be entertained. These 
opinions may be founded upon principles widely different, or so closely 
allied, that to some minds they appear a distinction without a difference. 
But, as no two of us can look through the same pair of glasses at one 
and the same moment of time, and even, although we could, as vision 
differs in degree, we might fail in recognising the same object; and, as 
reason, like vision, differs also in degree, and at most is an index of the 
capacity of the mind in that particular direction, we should not be in 
haste condemning the opinion of our fellow, as the defect, if one, may 
after all be our own and not his. In discussion, there are some minds 
very rabid and intolerant of the opinions of others, and, with all defer¬ 
ence, I have observed this condition as frequently in the old as in the 
young. Such a condition of mind is most disagreeable, and apt to make 
the possessor believe that when you challenge his theory you attack his 
veracity and honour, and thus insult his dignity. Now, I beseech of 
you, above everything, if you desire or expect the society to be a means 
of cementing you more closely together—if you wish it to be a mutual 
benefit and pleasant retreat from the cares of business, if you wish it 
(as it is calculated to do) to send you home better friends with your 
professional brethren, and better friends with yourselves, abstain and 
eschew all tendency to that nasty and unhappy condition of mind I 
have termed rabid and intolerant. Let your discussions be conducted 
with calmness, singleness of purpose, and in a spirit of tolerance; and 
while striving to enforce the claims of your doctrine, let your language 
and your manner prove that yott are speaking to a point, and not for 
argument’s sake, or a desire to differ. 
With these few hurried and disjointed remarks, and thanking you, 
which I now beg to do for having placed me in the presidential chair 
