RESPECTABILITY OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 323 
that which is only too true ; and I think it would be much more 
judicious to seek a remedy than deny the truth of such charges. 
Certainly the recommendation of the writer in your last publi- 
cation would do much towards obtaining such a result; but 
there is one cause, apparently overlooked, which, unless remedied, 
will always have a degrading influence, and at the same time 
do much to deter well-educated and honourable men from en- 
tering the profession. 
Mr. Pritchard is, fortunately for himself, in a district where 
his employers, being regular residents, have a personal know- 
ledge of him and his ability, and therefore the grooms have little 
or no power over him ; but how is it with those dependant on 
the exercise of their profession in such places as Brighton, Bath, 
Cheltenham, Leamington, cum multis aliis ? 
Now, having had some years’ experience, I am enabled to tell 
you. It is, as the Sporting Surgeon asserts, the servile custom 
to doff their hats to their patrons. But this is not all, they must 
also submit to the insolent familiarities of the grooms themselves. 
They must also pay them poundage on all bills, and, if re- 
quired, must not hesitate to unite with them in defrauding the 
masters by charging for new shoes in cases where removes only 
have been supplied, and also for medicines which have never 
been required, and, possibly, never been given : the groom either 
receiving all or an important share of the plunder. 
Observe, I do not mean to say that all veterinary surgeons 
living in such towns are guilty of such practices ; but this I do 
most boldly affirm, that wherever you find a man extolled by the 
grooms they are well paid for so doing, and this at the expense 
of the master. On the other hand, those who will not lend 
themselves to such dishonesty are sure to incur their hostility, 
which, from the despotic influence submitted to by their masters, 
leads to nearly a total loss of business. 
I have no doubt these remarks will draw on me a heavy 
storm of abuse ; but, being in a position to prove the truth of the 
foregoing statement, I will endeavour to bear the infliction with 
patience, and will hereafter, if necessary, and with your per- 
mission, enter more into detail. 
My object in writing this is not to degrade the character of 
the veterinary surgeon, but with a latent hope that the matter 
will eventuall}' come before the parties most interested (I mean, 
of course, the proprietors of horses), and that they will, if only 
from personal motives, lend a helping hand to raise him from 
such a humiliating position. 
I beg to remain, & c. 
A Veterinary Surgeon. 
April 26th, 1851. 
