EDITORIAL. 
259 
surgeon for his regiment. The communication speaks for itself, 
and is creditable to the intelligence of so distinguished an officer. 
Surely the condition of the army veterinary surgeon promises 
speedily to undergo a change for the better, when officers of high 
rank and long service recognize the importance of securing for 
the service men who not only hold diplomas, but who have 
unquestioned ability. So long as present regulations exist, it 
cannot be expected that competent veterinary surgeons will 
remain in the service, for not only is the remuneration most 
inadequate for respectable living, under the circumstances, but 
worse still, there is no opportunity for promotion, pension, or 
retirement. Time spent in the service now, is, practically, so 
much time lost, for the increasing live-stock interests of the 
country demand more civil practitioners than all the colleges of 
the world have yet been able to supply, and the compensation is 
most liberal. If the Government would have an efficient army 
veterinary department, (and there can be no question as to her 
need) a reorganization must be effected on the principles which 
underlie the Medical Department. Until such changes are made 
the department will remain what it is now and always has been— 
a useless appendage. 
MAJORITY OF THE UNITED STATES VETERINARY MEDICAL 
ASSOCIATION. 
On the 18th of this month the anniversary meeting of the 
United States Veterinary Medical Association will be held in New 
York city. 
For a number of years the members of this Association have 
assembled every six months, in New York and Boston alternately. 
The Association now numbers seventy-two members, from various 
parts of the country ; most of them, however, from the eastern 
States, one might almost say from two States, as the largest num¬ 
ber come from Massachusetts and New York. Still the Associa¬ 
tion is entering now upon its twenty-first year, in what might be 
called her majority. This we hope will mean for the society a 
new ambition and desire to work for the advancement and benefit 
