524 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
just in proportion to the standing of the veterinary profession at present. Third, 
Do I believe in apprenticeships? Yes, I believe students will do well to get prac¬ 
tical knowledge as soon as possible, providing it is with an educated man.” Prof. 
Liautard also expressed his regret at not being able to attend the meeting, but 
hoped we might have a pleasant meeting, in fact, he knew we would, and asked 
the Cor. Secretary to be^his interpreter, and extend to the members his most sin¬ 
cere wishes for their future welfare. 
Another communication from Dr. Jas. Hughes on behalf of the Trustees of 
the Chicago Yeterinary College, was received. “ Regarding the first query 
therein, viz.: That the applicant for admission be required to pass a creditable 
examination in spelling, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, and posess a 
good common school education, we would state that since the organization of 
the Chicago Yeterinary College, this rule has been rigidly adhered to, each 
student, on failure to produce a certificate, being subjected to a critical examina¬ 
tion in the common school branches before being enrolled. Query second, That 
the term of study shall be increased from two terms, as it now is, to three. Be¬ 
fore answering this query permit us to make a short statement. Nearly a year 
since, a bill entitled, “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Yeterinary Medicine 
and Surgery in the State of Illinois,” was introduced into the Legislature. Fath¬ 
ered by the Illinois State Yeterinary Medical Association, modest in its demands, 
and comparatively lenient to those whom it was intended to operate against, this 
bill was thrown out by committee both in the Hopse and Senate, the sole objec¬ 
tion being that the examination asked for, although rudimentary, would exclude 
the majority of non-qualified practitioners in the State, and leave extensive areas 
destitute of veterinary services. This reply gives the key to the status of the 
profession in this and many adjoining States, and leads the way to the question as 
to whether we are justified in voluntarily consenting to extend the course of the 
Chicago Veterinary College from two to three terms. Under the existing circum¬ 
stances we think we are not. We consider we would be doing an injustice to 
ourselves, as qualified practitioners, by limiting the number of students who 
attend colleges, thus leaving the profession often to non-graduates, with whom 
the properly qualified veterinary surgeon is practically placed upon the same 
level. We would be doing an injustice to live stock owners, as also to live stock, 
by continuing to leave them in the hands and at the mercy of those who have 
and still take advantage of the old time privilege to usurp the title of Veterinary 
Surgeon. And lastly, we would be doing an injustice to our students. The 
average veterinary student is not a millionaire, and in the majority of cases 
can ill afford to bear the expenses attendant on an additional term. He is 
usually a man of ambition and energy, who by years of toil and saving, accumu¬ 
lates sufficient to enable him to attend college with a view of graduating. Pos¬ 
sessed of a good common school education, accustomed to industry during his 
early life, he carries his industrious habits with him to college. Here he wastes 
no hours of study; he sees all the diseases which occur in routine practice ; he 
assists in the performance of all operations which are necessary, upon all the 
lower animals; and after attending two full courses he passes an honoroble 
examination and graduates. So much for the two years’ course which we still 
adhere to. We consider that a three term course would be premature at present. 
