192 CERTIFICATES FOR SHOEING. 
Board appointed by the Council of the Royal College of Vete- 
rinary Surgeons. 
Antecedent to a young man presenting himself for an exa- 
mination, he must have attended his two sessional courses at 
College, during which time, if he has employed himself pro- 
perly, and carefully laid to heart the instructions given by his 
able preceptors, he must have stored up a goodly amount of 
knowledge. Still, there is one point upon which nine-tenths 
of the students are as ignorant as they were the day of en- 
trance, viz. “shoeing;” notwithstanding there is, within the 
College, a forge and two smiths, who are fully employed. Now, 
to whom or to what can we attribute this neglect] for neglect 
it is, and a most important one to the student. Can it be that the 
foot is not dwelt upon at the lecture table, or that that beautiful 
and complicated part of the animal frame, with the diseases apper- 
taining thereto, is not fully investigated ] No; for whoever has 
attended the talented lectures and demonstrations delivered 
upon this subject must bear witness against any such ideas. 
Can it, then, be the student’s fault] I can boldly answer, No. 
And whilst I briefly shew the position in which the student is 
placed, I will leave others to point out the means by which 
so great a defect can be repaired. 
The student, having paid his fee for entrance, has commenced 
his regular rotation of College studies. Feeling pleased and 
interested in the profession he aspires to become a member of, 
he takes every opportunity of improving himself, and culti- 
vating that mind which in after life should shine forth with 
credit. He enters the forge for the purpose of taking off a shoe, 
or, may be, to pare out a foot. Here his ardour is at once 
damped, and his aspiring hopes crushed; and where he, at least, 
expects civility, he is treated coolly, and looked upon as an in- 
truder. Perhaps he retires with disgust; but should he be 
bold enough still to continue his operations, it must be at his 
pocket’s loss. Things continue in this state until his studies 
are ended, and he is qualified for an examination. He obtains 
his certificates from each of the professors, and one of his age 
from the vicar or curate of the parish in which he was regis- 
tered. Thus armed, he presents himself at Fetter Lane. Here 
he is again crushed by the question — “Where is your certi- 
ficate for shoeing ] — you must get one, Sir, before I can enter 
you in the books.” What is he now to do ] Previous to his 
entering College he never had, perhaps, an opportunity of paring 
a foot or adjusting a shoe. And he is now demanded to pro- 
duce a certificate for having learned that which the College does 
not profess to teach ! But, we will place him in another light. 
During his apprenticeship — if he has served one — or during his 
