EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
317 
the administration of a draught or a ball by a student, 
would most certainly be attributed to want of skill on his 
part. It is not that a valuable horse runs any greater risk 
than a common one, but that the onus is so much greater 
in the one case than the other. The student at the worst 
will only be required to do, during tbe latter part of his 
pupilage, precisely what will fall to his share as soon as he 
obtains his diploma and commences practice either as prin- 
cipal or assistant; and during his period of study he will at 
least have the advantage of the direction and superintend- 
ence of his teacher, who will no longer be at his elbow when 
he is fairly started in the world. Under any circumstances, 
therefore, it is necessary for young and inexperienced veteri- 
nary surgeons to acquire skill in surgical manipulation, and 
confidence in treating the disorders of domestic animals. 
These they can best gain, with the greatest benefit to their 
patients, while they are acting under competent direction ; 
hence we advocate the admission of gratis patients into 
veterinary colleges. The Edinburgh school has taken the 
initiative in the matter, as we observe from an article in 
the ‘ North British Agriculturist/ although the principle 
was long ago accepted at the Royal Veterinary College, and 
will ere long, we trust, be carried into practice. 
So urgent is the need for a good supply of patients of all 
kinds in the infirmaries of our teaching colleges, that failing 
to obtain these, even by the offer of gratuitous treatment, 
the authorities might well devote a yearly sum for the pur- 
chase of interesting cases of disease in any of the domestic 
animals. The establishment of a practical examination by 
the council almost necessitates an extension of the present 
facilities for clinical instruction in order to enable candidates 
for the diploma to qualify themselves within the college 
walls both in reference to the art and science of the 
profession. 
XL1I1. 
22 
