SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
511 
Whereas, The growth and expansion of the civil service on the merit system of 
appointment has received our official approval from time to time, and 
Whereas, Its continuance has demonstrated the wisdom and value of this method of 
selection for the public service, and has secured the best corps of workers the public has 
ever had in its employ, be it 
Kesolvedy That we m ast earnestly urge its continuance, its higher development and 
further extension, and that we pledge our united support to our National, State and muni- 
c pal officials who are charged with its execution and maintenance. 
Whereas. 'I he small slaughter-houses in country districts, as well as in cities, are 
difficult of proper inspection and supervision as they are so widely separated and are 
operated irregularly, and 
Whereas, Unscrupulous parties take advantage of this fact, to have animals in a 
diseased and unsound condition slaughtered for food at such places, thereby menacing the 
public health, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the United States Veterinary Medical Association recommends the 
prohibition of small and widely scattered abattoirs, and the establishment of central 
slaughter-houses with municipal ownership, if practicable, where constant and rigid 
supervision may be enforced. 
After some discussion, and an amendment to the rabies reso¬ 
lution, they were adopted. 
The Secretary then read the titles of the following papers, 
the authors of which were not present: “ Bacteriology,” by 
Dr. George N. Kinnell; “Malignant Catarrh of the Ox,” by 
Dr. A. Yonngberg; “The Use of the Actual Cautery,” by Dr. 
William Dougherty. These were ordered printed with the 
regular proceedings. 
In discussing the recommendations for the next place of 
meeting. Dr. Parker advocated Boston; Dr. Peters, Omaha; 
St. Louis was very cordially placed in nomination, as was also 
New York City. 
The retiring President, in a neat speech, thanked the ipein- 
bers and visitors for their close attention and adherence to rules, 
which had assisted so much in making the meeting such a suc¬ 
cess in the great amount of work which had been accomplished, 
and introduced his successor. Dr. Salmon, who spoke briefly, 
thanking the members for the great honor they had conferred 
upon him, and soliciting their cooperation for the coming year. 
Following these addresses, the new Vice-Presidents, Secretary 
and Treasurer were presented to the association and accepted 
their positions in a few well-chosen words. 
_ Adjournment for one year then followed, and it was the 
opinion of all whom the writer interrogated that no pre¬ 
ceding session exceeded in interest, value, and attendance the 
convention of 1897. 
NOTES OF U. S. V. M. A. MEETING. 
Frederic Krey, representing the well-known veterinary 
instrument house of John Reynders & Co., of New York, had a 
