42 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
New York State Veterinary Society. They found the bill was in the hands of 
the Public Health Committee, who, through the kindness of its chairman, Dr. 
Cartwright, gave them a hearing the same day they reached Albany. Mr. Marsh, 
the legal representative of the veterinary organizations of the State for the bill, 
introduced the delegation to the committee, after strongly and forcibly advocating 
the same. Drs. Pendry, R. Finlay and himself also addressed them, advancing 
arguments in favor of the passing of an act to recognize and protect the veterinary 
profession in the State. 
The delegation were well and kindly received by the committee. Many of 
the gentlemen addressed showed, by the questions they put to members of the 
delegation, that they were interested in the question under discussion before 
them. The bill was referred to a sub-committee to redraft, as it was thought 
somewhat too stringent to pass the Assembly. That sub-committee had reported 
back to their committee a bill that could not possibly meet with any opposi¬ 
tion. It certainly was not as strong a bill as was desirable, but far better than 
none; it legally recognized the veterinary profession henceforth, which was one 
grand point gained. The provisions of the bill, as reported by the sub-committee, 
were, that no person should be allowed to practice veterinary surgery or medicine 
in any city of this State, having a population of 15,000, or upwards, unless he be 
registered in the county clerk’s office of the county in which he shall reside. And 
the qualifications necessary to registration, were, that he be a graduate of a legally 
chartered or incorporated veterinary college, or shall hold a certificate of qualifi¬ 
cation from a legally incorporated veterinary society, or shall have practiced 
veterinary surgery or medicine for not less than five years preceding the passing 
of the act, an affidavit to that effect to be proof of the same. There was every 
chance of the bill passing in that shape, but it was still necessary that every mem¬ 
ber should do all he personally could to help the bill through. It was the best 
that could be done now, and would, beyond a doubt, lead to something better. 
Dr. Pendry, in moving that the report be received, said the profession had 
been favored with more consideration than he expected it would, and that the 
bill as reported by the sub-committee ought to be accepted, but he held that 
whatever was done should affect the whole State if possible. 
Dr. L. McLean thought the profession was on the downward path, when it 
accepted such a bill, and held that it should be opposed by the Society. If an 
affidavit was the only proof of the party having been in practice for five years, it 
was no proof to be satisfied with. He considered too, the term “practice” was 
too wide. 
Dr. Coates said it was quite easy to ask, but quite another thing to succeed. 
Since his return from Albany, he had received letters, saying there was opposi¬ 
tion to the bill. 
The motion to receive the report was carried, with a vote of thanks. 
On the call for nominations for new members, the following names were 
proposed: M. Weise, D.Y.S. ; Haru Taka Yokura, D.Y.S. ; Wm. Dimond, 
D.Y.S,; Theo. Birdsall, D.V.S ; Geo. F. Bower, D.Y.S ; John Lindsay, D.V.S., 
and E. Lowe, D.Y. S. All of which were referred to the Board of Censors. 
Dr. C. C. Cattanach moved that the privilege of the floor be extended to Dr. 
R. W. Finlay, the President of the New York State Veterinary Medical Associa¬ 
tion, who was present with many members of that organization. 
