Tribute to Ontario Veterinary College.

THE HEALTH OF ANIMALS DIVISION, Canada Department of Agriculture, sends best wishes to the veterinary profession on the occasion of this Centennial and Convention issue of the Journal. The principal function of the Health of Animals Division is the administration of services arising from legislation, the Animal Contagious Diseases Act and the Meat Inspection Act. It is timely to note that the present Animal Contagious Diseases Act can be traced back to 1865. At that time, it was known as the Animal Health Act. One of the first Acts passed by Parliament following Confederation in Canada was the Animal Contagious Diseases Act which incorporated many of the provisions of the earlier Act of 1865. Canada's agricultural welfare and prosperity is dependent on a healthy livestock industry. The Canada Department of Agriculture, through the Health of Animals Division, is vitally interested in maintaining a healthy and efficient livestock population. It is for this reason that the Health of Animals Division to-day engages a staff of approximately 1,500 persons, including veterinarians and other professional classes, as well as administrators. The purpose of this veterinary organization is to prevent the introduction of diseases not present in Canada, eradicate those diseases which are present, and prevent the export of diseased animals. As the profession has grown and developed, so has the field of regulatory medicine. For many years, veterinary port officers have been maintained at ocean ports, as well as ports of entry along the international border. In recent years, increase in air movements of livestock and animal products carried as air cargo has emphasized the importance of veterinary officers stationed at international airports. Similarly, with the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, it was recognized that the dangers of introducing foreign animal diseases would be increased. Each vessel passing through the St. Lawrence Seaway is boarded by a veterinary officer, and all meats aboard the vessel from countries where serious animal diseases exist are placed under detention by Departmental seal while the vessel remains in the Seaway system. The basis of veterinary education and regulatory medicine, as we know them to-day, was conceived in the 1860's. Therefore, on the occasion of the Centennial celebration of the Ontario Veterinary College, it is only proper that we recall with respect those persons who had the foresight to provide for veterinary education and a national system of animal health.