ADDRESS. 
stock; and also of the loss caused by epidemics. For the owner 
of a single sick or lame horse, it is most important that his ani¬ 
mal should be cured of that particular malady. But for the 
country at large it is of much more consequence to prevent its 
recurrence, or to avoid its coming as an epidemic. In all con¬ 
tagious or infectious diseases this is especially important; and in 
performing such a service veterinary medicine will do its greatest 
amount of good. 
There is a vulgar notion that to prevent disease would be 
against the interest of the veterinarian, because it would lessen 
the number of his patients. I need hardly ask you to repudiate 
this idea, not only because it is degrading, but also because it is 
false. A man would more gladly pay for keeping all his horses 
and cattle sound, than for curing some of them after they are 
sick. There is no danger that the owners of animals will not 
always need the advice and skill of the veterinarian. Diseases 
of all kinds, and especially epidemics, are a disaster to the ani¬ 
mal wealtli of the country. They diminish the number of valua¬ 
ble animals, and interfere with the prosperity of their owners. 
It is for the interest of veterinarians as a class that the produc¬ 
tion of horses and cattle should be abundant; and the more 
numerous and valuable these animals are in a country, the more 
important and remunerative will be the business of the veterina¬ 
rian. Beside, the more good veterinary medicine shows itself 
capable of accomplishing in this respect, the higher will it stand 
in the estimation of the public; and this alone cannot fail to in¬ 
crease the consideration and prosperity of its practitioners. 
What we call preventive medicine and conservative surgery are 
acknowledged to be the highest practical applications of the med¬ 
ical art in every department. 
Finally, gentlemen, let me offer you a few suggestions as to 
your own future prospects, and what will be most likely to ensure 
your success. I presume of course, that you have made good use 
of your time here, that you expect to keep on learning hereafter, 
and that you are sincerely devoted to the business you have 
chosen. All these things are essential, and I take them for 
