502 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
The result of this anomalous condition of affairs was very apparent 
in the course of our short war with Spain. The government corrals be¬ 
came hotbeds for the production and dissemination of glanders, and the 
efforts to check this disease were in some cases so crude that they might 
provoke a smile of derision on the countenance of our enemies, but 
could only bring a blush of shame -and indignation to the face of a hu¬ 
mane American citizen. At one place in Florida, weeks of time were 
spent in testing animals with mallein, and, yet, horses which showed 
unmistakable symptoms of glanders upon the most superficial examina¬ 
tion were not separated from the healthy ones, and nose-bags were used 
indiscriminately. Injured and sick horses went without treatment be¬ 
cause the veterinarians lacked medicines, instruments, instructions and 
authority. There is little excuse for such a condition of affairs. While 
this is a rich country and the loss of a few millions more or less on 
horses does not affect us seriously, it is, nevertheless, a humane coun¬ 
try, and our people are not disposed to tolerate unnecessary suffering 
and cruelty to animals, either by individuals or by the Government. 
The fact, is the Government, through its various departments, should 
set an example of what is required in this civilized age in the way of in¬ 
telligent and humane treatment of the animals which it controls. To 
accomplish this the army veterinary service needs to be reorganized; 
it needs a head. With the present service there can at the best be but 
such practice as can be conducted under unfavorable conditions by vet¬ 
erinarians who are willing to take positions with the pay of second lieu¬ 
tenants ; but, with one experienced and really capable man at the head, 
the entire service could be brought approximately to his level. 
In conclusion, your committee mentions with much sadness the 
death of Dr. M. J. Treacy, who labored so long to improve the veteri¬ 
nary service of the army, who was for many years a member of this asso¬ 
ciation, and who died at his post of duty in Cuba from yellow fever. 
His career illustrates most vividly the dangers which the veterinarian 
in the. army must face, and the ungenerous treatment which the country 
accords him. It is a pathetic instance in this connection that Dr. 
Treacy had studied hard and faithfully for the examination for the new 
position created in the recent legislation, and that although he passed 
with the highest mark reached by any of the applicants, he did not live 
to learn of his success. On the very day that the examination papers 
were marked in Washington, the news of his death came over the wires 
from Cuba. Eet us, who are still living, see to it that his labors and 
sacrifices to secure intelligent and humane treatment for army horses, 
and at the same time to advance the standard of his profession, shall not 
be forgotten, and that the cause for which he died shall yet succeed. 
Dr. R. S. Huidekoper, also of the Army Committee, made a 
lengthy report upon the same subject, which will be given in a 
later issue of the Reyiew. 
Treasurer Rowe and Secretary Stewart read their respective 
reports. As they are of importance only to members of the 
A. V. M. A., and as they will be published in full in the u Pro¬ 
ceedings,” they are omitted here as an unnecessary encroach¬ 
ment upon our space. 
