648 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
Hverything" seems to be working satisfactorily and there 
seems to be no reason for a change of method. The work is 
enforced with judgment and conservatism, and promises to free 
the herds from this destructive disease without creating alarm. 
Portions of the State that, less than one year ago, were in bitter 
hostility, and petitioned the Sanitary Board to stop what they 
called the wholesale slaughter of herds on the strength of the 
tuberculin test, are now perfectly reconciled, and are cooperat¬ 
ing with the authorities in a good and sure work. 
Regard for propriety would require that our report end here, 
as our knowledge of the oecurrences and diseoveries in the field 
of sanitary science and poliee since our last meeting is limited 
to these faets for which we are indebted to our State Veterina¬ 
rian. But, with your indulgence, we will give ourselves free 
seope and glance over the past, present and prospective future. 
In looking back to student-days of thirty-three years ago, it 
seems almost incredible that there should be such a wide diffei- 
ence in the actual and sanitary knowledge of the medical world, 
especially in the veterinary praetice of tins eountry. True, in 
those days, Massaehnsetts had already adopted measures for 
stamping out eontagious plenro-pnenmonia among eattle, and 
was followed up by other States, and finally brought to a suc¬ 
cessful termination by the cooperation of our National Govern¬ 
ment. Glanders was eombatted and somewhat restrained by a 
common instinct for the public safety, by eommon law and the 
aid of a few qualified practitioners. The germ-theory of dis¬ 
ease was being accepted by the medical mind, but it has been 
within a few years that the successful laboratory work has been 
done, and the course determined, by whieh we shall conquer 
disease and stay pestilence. The progress made^ in twenty-five 
years is indeed most gratifying and encouraging. It is our 
privilege, at this time, to point out ways in,,;jyhich we, as prac¬ 
titioners, may aid the good work. Our State, with many others, 
and the National Government are now in position to guard our 
•immense live-stock interests, and promote sanitary science. 
Among the chief aids required at this time are more money 
at the disposal of our Bureau of Animal Industry, the State Live 
Stoek Sanitary Boards, and Boards of Health. We trust that 
returning prosperity, a better public conception of the needs and 
a better realization of the truthfulness of the old saying “ an 
ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” will meet 
this paramount requirement when the funds are wisely and econ¬ 
omically explained. The next important need is more interest 
