EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
1.25 
upon himself, even more than upon his patients and the 
public. The awkwardness which will certainly distinguish 
his first attempts to play his part in the stable or cowshed, 
may damage him seriously in the opinion of his employer, 
and probably close to him for the moment the opportunity 
of exercising the scientific knowledge which he possesses. 
Truly, it is not much to demand that a candidate for the 
license to practice the healing art on the bodies of all do- 
mesticated animals, shall know how to handle them firmly 
and gently, and be able, at least, to search intelligently for 
the signs of disease. The possession of this small amount 
of practical qualification may not be deserving of much 
praise, but unlimited censure must be awarded to him 
who has it not. It is well worth while, therefore, for 
the pupil to remember that in the extremely elementary 
character of the practical examination, lies its real danger. 
There is a possibility that working men (of idlers we take 
no account), may deem such small matters as those to 
which we have just referred, quite beneath their notice, or, 
at least, unworthy of serious attention, and the natural 
result will be that, in the presence of the examiners, they 
will fail to satisfy them, by their manner of performing the 
simple duties required of them, that they are fit and capable 
persons to practise the art and science of veterinary surgery. 
No extent of theoretical knowledge can serve the student in 
passing through this ordeal ; if he fails, his failure is for the 
moment hopeless ; but he need not, indeed, should not, 
fail ; nothing will be required of him which he may not 
learn by observation and practice during his pupilage at one 
of the colleges ; he may know how to approach a horse or 
a cow, by watching an experienced groom or cowman ; by 
attention during the clinical rounds he will acquire know- 
ledge of the method of examining diseased animals; and in 
the infirmary practice, he will learn the duties of a dresser. 
All important changes, however ultimately useful, or even 
immediately necessary they may be, entail considerable in- 
convenience upon those who are not prepared for inno- 
vations, and often excite much opposition from others, who 
are always satisfied “ to rest and be thankful but, in the 
present instance, we cannot see the smallest sign of a 
