THE VETERINARY PROFESSION 29 



What, then, is the best training for a veterinary 

 surgeon who desires to be equally proficient in 

 both the theory and practice of his profession ? 



To begin with, he ought to serve an apprentice- 

 ship to a leading country vet. This will enable 

 him to watch the growth of young animals in 

 their natural state. It will also give him oppor- 

 tunities to excel in horsemanship, and to cultivate 

 a " natural touch " with animals. This will prove 

 most advantageous to him in after-life ; for good 

 horsemen do not feel much respect for vets who 

 do not handle stock in a persuasive manner, 

 which convinces them that the animal doctor has 

 been accustomed to such patients from boyhood. 



It is scarcely fair to send a youth to the Veteri- 

 nary College and expect him to learn everything 

 there connected with the profession ; unless he has 

 previously served an apprenticeship, the chances 

 are in favour of his being too theoretical when he 

 leaves Camden Town, 



A subordinate, in a hard-working country prac- 

 tice, has his hands constantly dirty. Sometimes 

 he is engaged cleaning or putting on hobbles, 

 making up medicine, rubbing in blister, or giving 

 patients balls ; not infrequently even grooming or 

 harnessing a horse. Or else keeping the day- 

 book, or " attending distant cases in the small 

 hours of the morning." 



After he has matriculated, the student who has 

 been so trained, is able to contrast the diseases 

 which are prevalent in the country with those 

 that are more peculiar to towns. 



By now, the reader will have surely placed the 



