368 ON THE STATUS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
almost. Let it, then, suffice to say that, be dressings as numerous 
as they may, the hand of science must select them as well as 
direct their use; the object of treatment in the disease under 
our consideration being, to destroy anormal productions, correct 
morbid and faulty vital action, and substitute in its place the 
formation of normal horn. 
ON THE STATUS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By Chas. Dickens, M.R.C.Y.S. London. 
Dear Sir, — M y attention has recently been called to an 
article contained in your April number from a “ Non-Vet.” 
anxiously making inquiry as to what had become of some of 
your former Contributors, or, if I may be allowed a sporting 
phrase, some of those hounds which occasionally used to give 
tongue with the old pack. Being one of those he has chal- 
lenged by name, I had almost said by lash , I will, in accordance 
with his wish, endeavour once again to “ rouse myself” — “ to 
shake off that slumber and sleep” he complains of. It may 
stimulate others to do likewise. 
Your Contributor, Non-Vet., with all his anxiety for the 
welfare of our art, is doubtless in possession of The VETERI- 
NARIAN for 1841 ; a reference to which pages will prove, I have 
no doubt, sufficiently explanatory of the silence he complains. 
Believe me wffien I state, that, on my part, it has not arisen 
from any want of respect and esteem to the memory of your 
departed colleague, Mr. Youatt, or of gratitude towards yourself 
for your indefatigable labours in our vineyard. 
In perusing a late Number, I was rejoiced to see the name 
of my old fellow pupil, Mr. Pritchard, of Wolverhampton; and 
the more so, to find him exercising his independent spirit in our 
cause, in answer to a Sporting Surgeon, who seems to express a 
great deal of sympathy for our degraded position, and anxiety 
for our elevation in the scale of society. For such, all true 
Vets, should express their gratitude ; but I must confess that I 
have not yet been enabled to observe the wide gulf which the 
Sporting Surgeon would lead us to believe exists between us 
and his own craft. He seems to forget, that, although our avo- 
cations are to a degree allied, yet they are at times widely 
different in their prosecution. He insinuates a charge, as a 
drawback upon our respectability, that we hold companionship 
with coachmen, grooms, bailiffs, &c. It is true, we are often 
