272 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



only the loss of material and the time put upon it. Ignorance in the 

 treatment of a disease in an animal may mean the same kind of loss 

 and much more— the infliction of pain and cruelly upon helpless creatures 

 that is positively Ijarbarous; the dissemination of contagious diseases 

 because of lack of recognition, and the constant possibility of infecting 

 people. If the ignorance of the self-styled veterinarian affected himself 

 only, it would be bad enough, but to offer his services as a commodity to 

 persons that do not know his ability is an imposition, and needs restric- 

 tion to prevent harm. 



The meaning of the act of 1901 is quite clear, that only those who 

 are graduates of reputable veterinary colleges and those having practiced 

 veterinaiy medicine or surgery as a livelihood for a period of tive years 

 immediately preceding the passage of the act should be granted cer- 

 tificates to practice. The act further provides that any person may prac- 

 tice upon his own stock, may castrate, spay, diehoru, or render assistance 

 in emergencies, and to do these things he does not need a certificate. 

 Some of the clerks of the court have made some wonderful interpretations 

 of the law. It is easy to understand how they could be misled by a college 

 diploma and not know the difference between a reputable institution 

 and one that is not, but it is not so easy to understand why a certificate 

 should be granted to castrate to persons following the blacksmith trade, 

 to stockmen Avho do not follow veterinary practice as a profession, and 

 the number of other conditions that have been recognized. The result 

 has been the giving of a legality to their work and the apparent stamp of 

 approval to their qualifications. In some respects the condition is worse 

 than before. It is manifest that the whole matter should be in the 

 hands of some one person competent to pass upon the qualifications, 

 and not by ninety-nine persons that do not understand the conditions. 



The following is the text of the act with the amendment of irX)3 and 

 the list of those who have been granted certificates: 



An Act entitled "An act to define veterinary medicine and surgery, and 

 regulating the practice of veterinary surgery or any branch thereof in 

 the State of Indiana." 



[S. 291. Approved March 11, 1901.] 



Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of In- 

 diana, That the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery within the 

 meaning of this act, shall be any act or operation, the prescribing or 

 giving of medicine for the relief of diseases, injury or accident; for the 

 correction of habit, defective act, deformity or vice; spaying, castration, 

 obstetrics, and dentistry upon any domestic animal. 



Sec. 2. The right to use degree or title veterinarian, veterinary sur- 

 geon, doctor of veterinary medicine or surgery, doctor of comparative 

 medicine, or any derivative thereof, 'shall be limited to those holding a 

 license to practice under this act. 



