442 
EDITORIAL. 
conclusions reached from such deliberations. It not only aids 
in the solution of pressing public professional problems, but 
gains for the subject the far-reaching influence of the represent¬ 
ative association of America. The individual, however, believes 
that so far as facts and fruitions go, he can learn as much 
through the medium of the journals and the official report of 
the proceedings as though he were upon the ground, and in the 
case of the private practitioner the questions are not suffieiently 
near his hearthstone to impel him to travel half way across the 
continent to hear read and spoken what he can read and delib¬ 
erate upon in the quiet of his home and in his leisure hours. It 
is true, he loves to meet and commune with his colleagues, but 
the incentive is not great enough to cause him to drop his press¬ 
ing affairs and make the expensive journey. There must be 
some feature of the meeting which is distinctive, something 
which can only be obtained there, something which if omitted i 
is lost to him, and which renders him perceptibly poorer by 
such loss ; something to be gained which will make him better ’ 
and more competent to pursue his calling, which will add to 
his knowledge and ability, and cause his success to be more as- - 
sured. And this is just what is supplied by the clinics—those 
conducted upon a high plane by men of real ability and reputa¬ 
tion ; operations of practical utility which appeal to practical 
men. They are helpful and aid the members to become more 
proficient and profitable. No amount of descriptive writing can ; 
supplant their ocular demonstration ; actual attendance is in¬ 
sured and secured, and the fascination of the other subjects, and ' 
the pleasure and profit of association with his brethren will : 
secure his interest and enthusiasm for the annual convention, 
and he will learn to look forward to it with pleasant im¬ 
patience. 
In the August Review we indulged in some remarks on 
the generalization of veterinary medicine, pointing out that the 
practitioner is forced to become a specialist in so many depart¬ 
ments—that of defects of the locomotory apparatus, general 
diseases, surgery, canine and bovine pathology, breeding, as 
