ARMY VETERINARY LEGISLATION. 
731 
fact almost entirely, depends upon objective phenomena, but 
because the task is a difficult one, in view of its importance, 
should be the very reason why we should exert ourselves along 
this line. We have learned diagnosis, both at colleges and in 
practice, much after the fashion of the fellow who learned a 
recipe for each disease and hence we are suffering the conse¬ 
quence. General diagnosis, like general chemistry, general 
therapeutics, general pathology and general surgery, are the 
studies which fit us for advancement. Special work alone with¬ 
out the basic knowledge would have prevented satisfactory pro¬ 
gress in these branches precisely as it has done in diagnosis. 
We need a special chair on diagnosis in every veterinary college, 
and its occupant should be a practitioner of wide experience. 
We need a text book on diagnosis written by an observing 
practitioner who is conscientious enough to record only substan¬ 
tiated assertions. Or we need a martyr to translate such a work 
from the German or French, preferably the former. We need 
a better knowledge of pathology, which in turn assists in diagno¬ 
sis. To operate or not to operate, that is the question. The 
answer is always found in the diagnosis.—(L. A. M.) 
Iodoform is quite an expensive drug for general use in vet¬ 
erinary practice, although it is admitted on all sides to be the 
most suitable dry antiseptic for our purpose. Its cost can be 
greatly lessened by using it in the form of iodoform sugar 
(iodoform 5, sugai 95). The antiseptic properties of sugar alone 
are surprising.—(L. A. M.) 
ARMY VETERINARY LEGISLATION. 
The Committee on Army Legislation of the American Vet¬ 
erinary Medical Association, under the energetic and intelli¬ 
gent guidance of Chairman Salmon, has again entered upon 
the active work of attacking the present Congress in order to 
secure the further recognition of the veterinary service of the 
Army. Our readers know how gallantly this committee strug¬ 
gled for this act of justice at the last session, how they partially 
succeeded to the extent of securing the elevation of the veteri¬ 
narian to the pay and allowances of a second lieutenant, but 
failed in securing his rank by reason of the compromise army 
bill, and they will appreciate the energy with which they re¬ 
turn to the conflict, and have no doubt but that they will em- 
