666 
S. STEWART. 
ened upon finding that their knowledge or method is meritori¬ 
ous and compares favorably with that of others. While each dis¬ 
covers in part his own shortcomings he learns that his associate 
veterinarians are very human, just like himself, having much 
to learn yet something to contribute to the mutual advancement 
of all. 
That our beloved profession is in an active, growing state 
must be patent to every veterinarian, and if he would keep apace 
he must utilize every facility for acquiring information, not the 
least valuable of which (I believe the most valuable) is the vet¬ 
erinary association. None of us have time to observe every- 
thing, test every remedy, study out and determine every disease 
or condition. Each may make some observations of professional 
value, determine the efficiency of some special medicament or 
plan of treatment, discover the cause and nature of some dis¬ 
ease, and by communicating what he has learned to his asso¬ 
ciates he contributes to the knowledge of others to their mutual 
advantage. If his contribution be supplied to the veterinary 
journals for publication the profession at large is benefitted. 
If it happens that one’s observations are incomplete or one’s 
methods of investigation faulty, and wrong conclusions deduced, 
he may be set aright through friendly criticism of his methods 
or deductions, by those associated with him and who will ex¬ 
tend personal interest and sympathy in his efforts to arrive at 
the more complete understanding of the subject of his study. 
Eet me illustrate this point: We may have read in the jour¬ 
nals or heard some veterinarian say that it now seems probable 
that the very common, yet intractable disease of cattle gener¬ 
ally known as milk fever or parturient apoplexy, is dependent 
upon a micro-organismal infection of the udder, and a fairly 
successful treatment consists of the local application of a solu¬ 
tion of iodide of potassium to the udder by injection through 
the teats. I may apply the remedy in the next ten cases and 
have a death rate of 6o per cent. Naturally my conclusion 
will be that the treatment is no more successful than that em¬ 
ployed in former cases, and my opinion will be quite strong that 
