ON THE STATUS OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 37 1 
future prospects of the veterinary profession. I am not one of 
those who do generally take the dark side of the picture ; yet 
I must confess I see but little to encourage the aspirant to 
veterinary science, when we behold our path obstructed and in- 
terrupted by empirics, who meet with encouragement from 
quarters we should but little expect, both on the part of ig- 
norant pretenders, and also another class, now becoming some- 
what numerous, termed amateurs. Nothing can be more 
pleasing to a veterinary surgeon than to find an employer 
somewhat versed in the nature of his art; while nothing is more 
troublesome than to meet with a conceited self-styled amateur 
veterinarian, a term I always take as synonymous with dilapi- 
dated gent. 
When we find registered members of our own body sending 
forth their flaring advertisements in our sporting and agricul- 
tural papers and periodicals, extolling their several constitu- 
tional, sedative, and renovating medicines ! accompanied with 
the old ditty, which is only worthy of such names as James, 
Goss and Culverwell, of “come buy my cheap physic, and I will 
give you my advice gratuitously, either personally or by post- 
letter others, recommending their “golden” applications as a 
“safe and certain cure” for all defects and diseases of horses’ 
legs, with an addendum, that it will completely supersede the 
use of our old and faithful friend, the cautery — I contend, in 
opposition to such statements, and am ready to maintain, after a 
somewhat lengthened trial in a fox-hunting county (in which I 
feel confident of being backed by scores of professional brethren), 
that so long as the legs of horses are subject to injury, so long 
will the IRON be resorted to as a remedial agent . 
Others of our members have attached themselves to news- 
papers, in answering the queries of correspondents, who wish to 
obtain knowledge by illicit means, some of which questions, to 
use a parliamentary phrase, might be termed both “ frivolous 
and vexatious;” so much so as to excite both the disdain and 
contempt of the practical man. 
Amongst others, a few weeks since, the following highly 
amusing one appeared : “ What’s to be done when little pigs 
lose their tails'!” Suffice to say, it was answered, and by a 
veterinary author too ! Whether his suggestion was successful 
or not, the little pigs’ owner has not yet divulged for the public 
benefit. But I am taking up too much of both your time and 
space ; so, for the present, I must remain, 
Your’s very truly. 
Kimbolton, May 1851. 
