The War Office and Horse Transport. 263 



improved education, obtained full public and 

 private recognition, as we may learn from 

 the fact that the surgical attainments of 

 Lord Lister have procured him entrance into 

 the peerage. The officers of the R.A.M.C. 

 have combatant rank, which many of them 

 value much more highly than their pro- 

 fessional status, on account of social con- 

 siderations. The veterinary profession is 

 following fast in the footsteps of the medical. 

 In the year 1844 the R.C.V.S. was formed, 

 and the veterinary art was recognised as a 

 profession by Royal command. For several 

 years after that time a veterinary diploma 

 could be obtained by a short and elementary 

 course of study. Subsequently, a three years' 

 college course was instituted, although a 

 smattering of the three r's was sufficient for 



