528 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
OHIO STATE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
In accordance with a resolution passed at its last annual 
meeting, the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association con¬ 
vened in semi-annual session, in the parlors of the Lima House, 
Lima, Ohio, July n, 1899. Meeting was called to order by 
President Dr. Walter Shaw at 8.15 P. m. His opening address 
was as follows : 
At the semi-annual meeting of this body it has been our 
custom to indulge the social nature only, but since the conven¬ 
tion of the State legislature precedes our next session, it seems 
to me advisable for us to consider several matters of cardinal 
importance. The people of our towns and cities are rapidly 
awaking to a just sense of the peril of health arising from the 
unwholesome condition of much of their meat and milk sup¬ 
plies. At the same time the farmer, dairyman and stock raiser 
are beginning to realize the absolute necessity of holding his 
herd aloof from contagious and infectious diseases for the 
very good reason that the price and the demand for his produce 
are dependent upon it. We are not altogether pessimistic, be¬ 
cause the health and condition of some of our herds are excel¬ 
lent, but it is just as true that the condition of many others is 
wholly unsanitary and utterly deplorable. The chief reason for 
this state of affairs is because the average proprietor does not 
appreciate the advantage of better physical and sanitary condi¬ 
tions, neither would he know how to ameliorate these condi¬ 
tions were he so disposed. Therefore, information by those 
who know and who are eminently qualified is the key to this 
problem, which so urgently presses for solution. 
In some particulars our boards of health are required to be 
scrupulously careful, and yet said boards have no one who is 
scientifically qualified to examine the products which cause so 
much disease. Is this not inconsistent ? Why so rigid and ex¬ 
acting in some particulars and so inexcusably careless and dila¬ 
tory in others ? 
In view of this it behooves us to make a supreme effort to 
have a veterinarian appointed on every board of health and to 
be known as the veterinary health officer. In his sphere of the 
work he should be co-equal in authority with the medical health 
officer and he should have direct charge of all dairies, slaughter¬ 
houses and whatever is incumbent upon our profession. And 
without reservation I assert that these officers should be gradu¬ 
ated veterinarians and licensed to practice in the State of Ohio. 
There is no defensible reason for the appointment of unprofes- 
