GLASGOW VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
871 
carefully prevent all native cattle from coming into contact with them 
or the pastures upon which they grazed. This judicious course, 
together with several fine heavy rains, followed by a cooler atmosphere, 
better water and pasture, occurring about two weeks after the first 
appearance of the disease, had the happy effect of checking the prevalence 
of it. No new cases occurred, except upon the farms where it already 
existed. Even amid the cattle most severely affected a marked change 
for the better was immediately observed. Many of them began to 
recover slowly, and have finally reached a complete recovery” ( Blue- 
book , August o 1st, 1880). 
You will observe that in this outbreak three factors, in addition to the 
presence of Texan cattle, were in operation—namely, very hot weather, 
short supply of water and that in a stagnant condition, and grass so 
parched as to be unfit for food. To most men conversant with cattle diseases 
these causes would have appeared to be quite sufficient, of themselves to 
induce a pestilence amongst stock; but neither the writer of the report 
nor the chief inspector of the Privy Council seem to attach any import¬ 
ance to them, although the disease seems to have discontinued when 
these causes were counteracted by heavy rains, cooler atmosphere, and 
more abundant pasture. No remedy was of avail whilst the three causes 
were in operation, but immediately upon their disappearance “the most 
severely afflicted ” became convalescent and finally recovered. 
Gentlemen, I am not in a position to contradict the conclusions of the 
chief veterinary adviser of the Privy Council, but to my mind there are 
great grounds to doubt their correctness ; and seeing that our welfare 
very greatly depends upon a supply of cattle from America, where they 
can be reared and delivered in this country at a much cheaper rate 
than they can be bred, I think the whole question, not only as it applies 
to pleuro but also to Texan fever, should be reopened and thoroughly 
investigated. 
It is very true, fat cattle are landed here and our beef supply thus 
materially increased ; but this is not what is required. The farmer 
wants to be supplied with cattle ready for feeding, at a price that will 
leave him some profit, a want which cannot be supplied unless American 
store stock are allowed access to our inland markets. Two years ago 
home-bred lean stock, bought in the autumn, cost as much, and in many 
cases more money, than they sold for beef in the following spring, 
leaving nothing to the farmer but the manure. Can we wonder, then, 
at the extreme depression which has proved so disastrous to our 
agriculturists ? 
On the motion of Dr. Dycer , a vote of thanks was accorded to Principal 
Williams for his lecture; and a similar compliment having been 
awarded to the chairman, the proceedings terminated. 
GLASGOW VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
Opening of the Session, 1880—1„ 
The Introductory Lecture to the Winter Ssssion of Glasgow Veterinary 
College was delivered yesterday afternoon by F. W. Clark, Esq., L.L.D., 
Sheriff-Principal of Lanarkshire. 
Principal M’Call occupied the chair; and in addition to the students, 
who were present in large numbers—the lecture-room being crowded— 
the following gentlemen among others were present:—Professor Young, 
Glasgow University ; Dr. Marwick, City Chambers ; Rev. D. Johnston, 
