THE VETERINARY INSTITUTIONS OF FRANCE. 271 



being occupied by the accomplished M. Bouley, member of the 

 Academy, etc. In the year 1777 the French Government published 

 very detailed regulations for the guidance of the schools, which have 

 suffered but few modifications to the present day, although their 

 organization as part of a common institution of the land was not 

 fully completed until May 19, 1873, when a decree to that effect 

 was issued. 



In accordance with this decree, the students are classed as " eleves 

 internes," or regular students, " eleves externes," and " auditeurs 

 libres " ; of these, the first form by far the greater majority. On 

 account of the similarity of organization, a visit to one of the three 

 national schools will give an observer a very good idea of them all. 



The number of professors is the same at each of the three schools, 

 being six, and an irregular number of " chefs de service," or assist- 

 ants. The professors and assistants receive their appointment from 

 the minister, after having demonstrated their ability by public com- 

 petition for the vacancy in question. These competitions are made 

 known to the public in appropriate publications, some six months 

 before they are to take place. Each competitor must be a French- 

 man by birth or naturalized, and a graduate of one of the national 

 schools. If the competition is for a place as assistant, the person 

 must bring a certificate that he is free from military duty, or that 

 he has permission to present himself for the purpose. 



The competition is generally divided into five sittings or parts : 

 at the first, the competitors have to present an essay upon some sub- 

 ject in connection with the vacancy which is open ; in the second 

 and third, they have to deliver oral dissertations of a like character ; 

 in the fourth, in connection with any subject belonging to veterinary 

 medicine ; in the fifth, they must show their practical ability in 

 different branches of the profession. The tasks for the second, 

 third, and fourth sittings are made known to the candidates twenty- 

 four hours before each sitting. The candidates for the positions of 

 " chefs de service " must make known their intention of competing 

 one month previous to the date fixed for competition. In the year 

 1871 the budget ordered for the support of the veterinary schools 

 was 673,000 francs ; and in 1873, 656,500. No perquisites are 

 allowed the professors for examinations, the money received for the 

 same being added to the school funds ; in the place of this the pro- 

 fessors receive 500 francs a year in addition to their regular pay. 

 At Alfort, all officers of the school have free lodgings found them, 

 each professor having six rooms, two being situated on each story of 

 a three-storied building. Each assistant has three rooms at his service. 



