EDITORIAL. 
257 
that careful examination and researches have been made all over 
the continent without detecting the slightest evidence of the foot 
and mouth disease, will certainty do much to show the impro¬ 
priety of the action of the House of Commons towards American 
stock. But, if we felt indignant at the injustice of this proceed¬ 
ing, we could not refrain from demanding evidence of the 
necessity of measures which would do much to relieve our people 
from vexatious restrictions, and would aid in getting rid of con¬ 
tagious diseases as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible. 
We have asked for the appointment of State veterinarians and 
of sanitary veterinarians, connected officially with Health Boards 
of States and cities, and peculiar circumstances have recently 
occurred, which show not only the importance of such appoint¬ 
ments, but that of severe regulations, clothing such veterinarians 
with power such as they may need for the official performance of 
their duties. These remarks are specialty suggested to us by the 
difficulties encountered by Dr. Paaren, in Illinois, which were of 
such a nature that he was compelled to call upon the Attorney 
General of the State for his opinion as to his rights and duties. 
A somewhat similar case recently presented itself in Hew Jersey; 
when, notwithstanding the mortality of long standing amongst a 
number of horses, the similarity and the nature of the symptoms 
in all the animals, the undoubted evidence of contagion, the 
positive assertions of several agreeing veterinarians as to the 
diagnosis, the post mortem examination, etc., one individual 
resisted the official veterinarian, ignored his opinion, and, in fact, 
gave up his resistance only when threatened to have his business 
stopped by order of the principal officer of the city—the Mayor. 
The fact that such malignant and contagious disease existed to 
the extent that it did, in Illinois and in New Jersey, and that 
there are only imperfect laws relating to the disposition of such 
diseased animals, calls peremptorily for measures of reform and 
improvement in that direction. 
"Veterinary medicine has made rapid progress on this con¬ 
tinent within the last few years, but we believe there is nothing 
which will better serve to elevate it in the esteem and appreciation 
of Americans than the services it may render in promoting 
the National wealth. Acting in his proper sphere and capacity, 
