EDITORIAL. 
291 
We have lost by diseases of swine in a year no less than $20,000,- 
000. Who knows how much we lose by pleuro-pneumonia, by anthrax, 
by glanders and farcy, by diseases of fowls, etc., etc. ? Is it not time 
that our people should look into that fact ? Is it not time that Ameri¬ 
cans should realize that veterinary science is something more than giv¬ 
ing balls or drenches, or selling condition powders ; that veterinary 
science is one essential branch of our wealth, as it is the science which 
not only cures but prevents. 
Let our Acting Commissioner ask Congress for an appropriation, 
but not for investigations as referred to in its circular of September, 
1877; not even for the establishment of a Veterinary Sanitary Depart¬ 
ment, but for the foundation, support and endowment of a large Veter¬ 
inary Institute in Washington, or in proximity with some of our large cities. 
Let that Institute be a true centre of veterinary education. Let 
our young men who are looking for an opening to a useful life, come 
and educate themselves in those many important departments of the 
profession which, one amongst all others, is so intimately connected 
with the social economy, trade and wealth of a nation, by the impor¬ 
tant services he may render as a physician, a surgeon, a jurisconsult, 
and, above all, as a sanitarian. 
PHILADELPHIA VETERINARY DIPLOMA SHOP. 
In one of our last numbers we called attention to the closing of the 
veterinary diploma mill headed by Prof. McClure, of Philadelphia, and 
most of our readers to-day know of the verdict following the trial of 
that person, inflicting upon him an imprisonment of nine months in the 
penitentiary and a fine of $2,000. To Mr. Gadsden," of Philadelphia, 
the profession owes a tribute of thanks for his untiring efforts in bring¬ 
ing the culprit to justice , and it is a high credit to him that his whole 
work in this matter has been only for love of the profession to which 
he belongs. We present our friends in this number of the Review 
copies of the original correspondence which took place between Robert 
McClure and the gentlemen who were the active agents in proving the 
scheme of the diploma shop also with a proof of the diploma itself 
Those who have been unfortunate enough to buy these worthless 
sheepskins, as these credentials are called in our day, will probably, after 
this, see fit to remove them from their office, from the large and hand¬ 
some frames where they were exhibited, and store them up in some place 
where they will never again see the light. 
