868 
NEW VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
effectually got rid of if prompt and energetic measures were taken 
on its first appearance. Veterinary sanitary science ought to be more 
encouraged than it was. In no country had this sciencebeen so under¬ 
valued as in the United States, and the consequence was that many 
flocks had been ravaged by disease. In speaking of the condition of 
the dairies of Edinburgh, he said that the proprietors of them were 
always ready to accept any suggestion from him with a view to their 
improvement. At the present moment he was glad to say that there was 
not a single case of contagious disease in any of the dairies. (Applause.) 
He concluded by giving some advice to the students. 
Convener Williams moved a vote of thanks to Principal Walley for his 
address, which was heartily accorded. 
NEW VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
Opening of the Session, 1880 — 1 . 
The New Veterinary College, Gayfield Square, was opened by an 
address by Principal Williams. Captain Mitchel occupied the chair. 
Principal Williams advised those entering the College to cherish a feel¬ 
ing of deep responsibility for their professional career. He said that 
they had great influence in war, as the efficiency of cavalry and artillery 
depended upon the condition of the horses. Of the importance of this 
subject the war in South Africa had given striking examples; and he 
pointed out that this had not received a fitting; recompense; only one 
reward, and that a good service pension of £50 had been bestowed. In 
the course of a short history of the veterinary science, he stated that 
there were at present three schools in Scotland and one in England. 
Without entering into a discussion as to what preliminary education was 
necessary for a student, he yet strongly recommended them to study 
French and German. The profession, he considered, had now reached 
that stage when it could apply for a penal clause in order to prevent 
those who had no diploma passing themselves off on the public. Conta¬ 
gious diseases were on the decrease in this country, and the Contagious 
Diseases Act of 1868 had been to a great degree successful. The 
County of Edinburgh might be stated to be free of pleuro, whilst foot- 
and-mouth disease had for a long time disappeared. After some 
reference to the arrangements recently effected between the Highland 
Society and the veterinary profession, Professor Williams alluded to the 
harmony and good feeling which prevailed during his year of office as 
President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. That harmony 
he attributed in a great measure to the fact of his having avoided the 
introduction of anything likely to cause discord, but he regretted to find 
that no sooner had his year of office expired, than innovations were be¬ 
ing introduced which, if persisted in, would go far to destroy the unity 
of the profession so recently obtained, though long desired. 
With reference to matters more particularly of interest to the public, 
the lecturer proceeded to say, It was not my intention to refer to the 
American cattle question, upon which, as some of you are aware, I 
differed in opinion with the veterinary advisers of the Privy Council in 
1879; but in the last Blue-Book issued on August 31, 1880, my name is 
brought forward in connection with the researches of Mr. Lyman, an 
old student of this College, who was sent over by the United States 
Government during this summer. It appears from this Blue-Book that 
the Agricultural Department at Washington received a letter from Mr. 
