TO THE PROFESSION 
9 
TO THE PROFESSION. 
By F. S. Billings, V.M. 
In a certain way the Review lias changed hands. It has been 
the organ of the profession through its Association. It is that 
no longer. With the late meeting in Boston this connection 
ceased. The Review has passed into the hands of Dr. Liautard. 
He *lone must shoulder the whole burden. In this there is no 
change, for he has always carried this burden too much alone. 
Too much of the work of not only editing, but supplying the 
material for its pages, has devolved upon him. This reflects upon 
the profession. They are willing to pay for edification, but not 
willing to mutually contribute to edify and educate one another. 
We plead guilty, also, but, we have always thought, not without 
cause. What the cause was, is no matter; it no longer exists. Dr. 
Liautard having assumed the burden financially, as well as edito¬ 
rially, we have cheerfully given our assent to become an assistant 
not in name, but in deed. Deeds speak ; words are soon lost. It 
is to be hoped that the work of supplying material for the Review 
will not fall entirely on the few men Dr. Liautard has asked to 
assist him. We shall all do our part, but it is to the outsiders 
that we look for aid. 
The advancement of the profession as a unit, is, it is to be 
hoped, equally dear to every one of us. The question of the 
suppression of contagious animal diseases is one which is gradu¬ 
ally assuming its proper place in this country. That of the re¬ 
lation of animal diseases to the public health, will not be less 
slowly developed. Both are the questions upon which the pro¬ 
fession depends. Through these questions, we interest a nation ; 
while as practitioners we are but of interest to the customer. As 
practitioners alone, we can never get beyond the stable door; the 
back door which enters to the family, to the legislative halls, to 
public advancement of our body, is not now, and never will be, 
open to or opened by the practicing veterinarian. It is only when 
we manifest our ability to save the community from large losses. 
