PREVENTION OF WASTAGE. 49 



A properly organised Army Veterinary Service, 



In an article published in the July issue of the Journal of the 

 United Service Institution, I described the constitution of Army 

 Veterinary Service in War, its function in relation to the 

 preservation of animal health, and the procedure appertaining 

 to it in its role of treatment of ineffectives and the reduction of 

 wastage. It is therefore not necessary to refer to it again 

 except to say that it forms practically the most important item 

 in the matter now under review. 



I may further say that approval has now been accorded to 

 the formation of a properly organised Army Veterinary Corps 

 in India which I am sanguine will not only render an efhcient 

 account of itself in the course of time, but will contribute 

 greatly to its own cost by reducing loss and grading up 

 efficiency of our animals in India. It is a business proposition. 



I intend also to deal later with an economic side to wastage 

 of animals, so will defer further mention on this heading. 

 Knowledge ol Animal Management. 



Too much stress cannot be laid on this very essential factor 

 in the reduction of wastage. So important is it that I deem it 

 necessary to devote a special section to the subject, and to the 

 role of Army Veterinary Service as an Instructional Agency. 



It was extraordinary in France how our original Divisions 

 and Cavalry never lost the art and knowledge of management 

 of Army animals. This was intuitively handed down, like the 

 good tone of our " Old Contemptibles " and as a part of their 

 esprit de corps. In speaking of Animal Management I do not 

 wish it to be inferred that I allude to Horsemanship or 

 Horsemastership in the sense of the fine art of riding, driving, 

 breaking in, and study of the latest creations that cover the 

 nether extremities of the faculty, but rather to the hygiene of 

 the animal that preserves his health and adds to his utility. 

 It is all a matter of instruction and it forms a part of the 

 curriculum of a soldier's training in common with other items. 

 What knowledge begins, association fosters, and the end is the 

 love of comrades in arms, reciprocated and enduring. 



I recall an incident — it is only one of many — of a visit to an 

 " Old Contemptible" battalion after three years of war of the 



