American Veterinary Review. 
SEPTEMBER, 1900. 
All communications for publication or in reference thereto should be addressed to Prof, 
Roscoe R. Bell, Seventh Ave. Union St., Borough of Brooklyn, New York City. 
EDITORIAL. 
ILLEGAL PRACTICING IN NEW YORK STATE. 
The fact is incontestable that veterinary medicine and sur¬ 
gery as a science and as a profession has gone forward more 
rapidly in America than history will disclose in any other 
country where it is established. The chief factor in the pro¬ 
duction of this result is the American veterinarian himself. 
Being the exponent of a noble cause—one which appealed to 
the hearts of men, aside from its commercial advantages—he 
was strong in his convictions that his place was among the ad¬ 
vanced and learned sciences, and he threw into the struggle the 
indomitable energy and determination which marks American 
character. Under such conditions it was practically irresistible ; 
and what fifty years has witnessed is but the first chapter in the 
history of the advance. The representatives have been pro¬ 
gressive and aggressive. They have formed associations, dis¬ 
cussed their needs, appointed committees of live workers to 
carry out their wishes, and these men have not been afraid to 
make their wants known to the law-making authorities, whose 
rebuffs but strengthened their determination to overcome all 
obstacles. It made no difference whether the law-giving power 
resided in municipal, state, or national legislation ; they attacked 
the source with equal vigor and intelligence, and if they failed 
in their first attempt it simply meant a renewal of the efforts ; 
should failure again be their portion, additional pressure was 
brought to bear, until final success was secured. 
397 
