30 THE VETERINARY PROFESSION 



veterinary on a level with the medical profession, 

 if not quite socially, at all events scientifically ! 

 As a matter of fact, a first-rate vet requires 

 ability almost superior to a leading solicitor's or 

 a well-known doctor's. The reason is obvious : 

 Balaam's ass always excepted — animals are born 

 dumb, and so cannot inform those who treat them 

 where their aches and pains are felt most keenly. 

 Again, there is a likelihood that an owner or his 

 groom have experimented with a patient before, 

 as a last resource, they " send for the vet." 



Any amateur who has tried to "examine" a 

 horse, more especially one that he has never 

 seen before, will indorse the statement that a vet 

 who has built up a good practice is very rarely 

 an impostor, because the majority of horses and 

 cattle are kept by shrewd, practical business-men, 

 who are quick to find out if their animals are 

 cured by those who are well paid to attend them 

 in sickness. In this way a clever member of the 

 veterinary profession sooner or later makes his 

 way ; whilst his inferiors are employed only by 

 those who consider it economy to call in a second- 

 rate practitioner who charges less for his services. 



Unlike similar institutions on the Continent, the 

 Royal Veterinary College, London, is not sub- 

 sidised by Government. Nor has it a riding- 

 school. In the present college-grounds there is 

 not sufficient space to erect so large a building. 

 In the near future, perhaps, some arrangement 

 will be made by which "diploma-candidates" can 

 be taught riding and driving. Yet it must be 

 remembered how fully occupied the veterinary 



