54 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
milk and meat are consumed for human food it is absolutely 
necessary that they should receive the most critical inspection by 
the most competent men. 
“ It is advisable that our large cities should establish public 
abattoirs where all stock slaughtered for consumption would 
be inspected before and after slaughter. These inspectors should 
be held at least partially responsible for the public health, but 
no man can discharge the duties incumbent on his appointment, 
unless he has had a special training, and is thoroughly ac¬ 
quainted with the symptoms, pathology and post-mortem 
appearances of all diseases affecting the lower animals. He 
must have knowledge of micro-organisms and be familiar with the 
decomposing changes of all meat and milk used for human food. 
u Again, the pure supply of milk depends on the healthy 
condition of the cow, which in turn, must pass the tuberculin 
test, and the inspection of a competent veterinarian who is able 
to pronounce a correct verdict as to her physical and sanitary 
condition, and the quality of food and water she eats and drinks. 
u The necessity of the utmost care and every precaution is 
only realized when we remember that one diseased cow in a 
herd, will contaminate all the milk. This fact demands the 
ability on the part of the inspector to judge as to the health of 
the animal before slaughter. I call your attention to another 
reason to justify my claim that the veterinarian should be a man 
educated, thoroughly equipped and well versed in the science of 
his profession. Ohio’s live stock industry is greater than most 
people realize. It probably ranks first. We are not far from 
the live stock centres and interest of this whole country, and 
that our domestic animals are appreciated, is shown by the fact 
that they find their way, through the channels of commerce, to 
all sections of this country and, indeed, all countries. We are 
proud of our natural resources—mineral and timber, of our 
manufacturing products, yet agriculture surpasses any other in¬ 
dustry because live stock is the corner stone. And this industry, 
above all others, is worthy and capable of all possible improve¬ 
ment ; it is here that we find such splendid opportunities for the 
veterinary profession. When we call to mind the fact that 
finance and health and the accuracy of the inspection at abat¬ 
toirs, quarantines and shipping points, depend on the profession 
of which we are members, we are forced to the conclusion that 
veterinary science is of grave importance, and that it behooves 
the consumer, the producer and those in authority to encourage 
it by every possible means. 
