LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 509 
step too far, and indeed begging the question, to ask them to suppose 
that the germs of such diseases as gonorrhoea and splenic apoplexy had 
been preserved and handed down from generation to generation. Still 
in the majority of cases he believed the disease was due to contagious 
generation. If, as had been said, the first germs were the evidences of 
a higher than merely human power, then it must be admitted that the 
same power existed still, and spontaneous generation need not therefore 
be deemed impossible (applause). 
Mr. Hunting, London, supported in toto the views of Mr. Fleming, 
and, as a pupil of Professor Gamgee, contended that contagious diseases 
could be stamped out by proper sanitary measures. In support of the 
non-spontaneity theory, lie mentioned that prior to 1750 distemper in 
dogs did not exist in this country, and was traceable to Peru, whence it 
came to Britain via Spain and France. 
Mr. Robertson , Kelso, expressed their indebtedness to Mr. Fleming for 
his visit. With the general tenor of the excellent paper just read he 
agreed. On particular points Mr. Fleming had thrown a firebrand into 
the camp of veterinary surgeons. Especially in regard to glanders he 
agreed with the paper, though his own experience was not so extensive 
as that of some who had extended experience in large cities and centres. 
He suspected, however, that when they came to put their finger on the 
locale of a particular organism they would find that glanders originated 
from glanders. For the germ theory, he thought there was a prepon¬ 
derating weight of evidence, though as to whether the organisms were 
the entity of disease or merely the carriers there might be doubts. He 
proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Fleming. 
Principal Walley seconded the vote, which was carried with 
acclamation. 
Mr. Fleming, in reply, thanked the meeting for the kind reception 
accorded to his paper. Ide knew of no subject of greater importance, 
or more likely to elicit thought and discussion. They were in a transi¬ 
tion state in regard to the doctrines of contagion, and it was well 
that the profession should keep itself alive to every improvement made. 
Every step made in the way of progress concerned very materially the 
national health and wealth. Contagious maladies had been a source of 
national disease and, to some extent, of national discredit, as they had 
been rather remiss in dealing with them. From neglect of opportunities 
which should have been seized the country had already suffered largely. 
In selecting the subject of his paper he had in view what concerned 
the national welfare, and to raise a discussion on points which were of 
great public importance. 
LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSO¬ 
CIATION. 
The sixty-third quarterly meeting of this Association was held at 
the Medical Institute, Hope Street, on the 14th May, 1880. C. W. 
Elam, Esq., President, in the chair. 
There were present—Messrs. R. S. Reynolds, J. Welsby, E. Kitchin, 
and Dr. Greenway, Liverpool ; P. Taylor, W. A. Taylor, Ilopkin, and 
Russell (Dragoon Guards), Manchester; Dacre, Altrincham; Whittle 
Worsley, Storrar,Lloyd, and R. C.Edwards, Chester; Gibson, Birming¬ 
ham ; Stone, Walkden ; and Barrow. 
