508 
EDITORIAL. 
invasions of contagious diseases from the East, were the first to 
take the lead in these appointments, and it is thus that we found 
the appointment of our esteemed associate, Dr. Paaren, named as 
Veterinarian of the State of Illinois. It is known that attempts 
have been made in other States, and the probabilities are that 
before long, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming Territory, and others 
will follow in the ranks. 
The same question, however, as far as we know, has not 
seemed to be as favorably considered in the Eastern States, for 
we believe that so far Connecticut is the only State where the 
question has been agitated ; in fact is so much so now that there 
is a great deal of feeling existing in that State as to whether a 
State Veterinarian is a necessity or a superfluity. 
Speaking of this subject, an article has appeared in the New 
England Homestead , which says, after discussing the need of the 
appointment: 
“ There would be about as much sense in asking the Legisla¬ 
ture to appoint a State physician, giving to such person exclusive 
medical privileges over the mass of practicing physicians. The 
State does appoint its Board of Health, whose duties may be said 
to be similar to those of the cattle commission; now how would 
it look to abolish that board and appoint a State physician ? 
And while in the line of appointments, why not appoint a skill¬ 
ful physician of the soul to look after the moral diseases of the 
people and provide for them ? If such a course as that was to 
be pursued and satisfactory results arrived at, it is quite probable 
that all objections to the cattle commission would disappear, as 
would also the desire for the appointment of a veterinarian. It 
will be time to meddle with the existing condition of things 
when there is a popular cry coming up from the mass of farmers 
in our State, but until that time it is best for legislators to be 
slow of being led away by the pretentions of any parties who, 
from any jealousy or ambition, may urge action that is not sought 
for nor demanded by those who are most affected thereby.” 
Now, all this is very well, and to a very great extent we are 
of the opinion of the New England Homestead , which claims 
that as long as there is a cattle commission in the State which 
fulfils its duties to the general satisfaction of the people, there is 
