456 VETERINARY SURGEONS IN THE FRENCH ARMY. 
has, at all times, appeared in the eyes of superior officers, even 
among those who were our best friends, obstacles of the most 
serious character to the elevat on of the position of the army 
veterinary surgeon. 
Rank equivalent to grade places its holder in the same ho- 
norary position as the possessor of the grade; it is of equal value 
to him in the regiment, and gives him the same place in mili- 
tary ceremonies. It is true, that its holder possesses no power 
of inflicting punishment upon any one under him; though, for 
all that, he is not left without the power of causing its inflic- 
tion, since he can demand it; which, in point of fact, is the 
same in the end. 
So that, in my opinion, it matters nothing that veterinary 
surgeons are permitted only to assume such or such rank, in 
place of holding the reality. It is true, I might have been dis- 
satisfied with whatever rank they might have held, had such 
been exclusively confined to veterinary surgeons. So far from 
this being the case, however, I am credibly informed that this 
principle of non-assimilation is intended to be equally applicable 
to medical officers and commissaries. 
Not only, however, do I see no inconvenience arising from 
this arrangement, but, on the contrary, I find for my brethren, 
for their comfort’s sake, indeed for them in every respect, ve- 
ritable advantages. When I consider that, putting alteration 
totally out of the question, veterinary surgeons, whatever may 
be their rank, ought to enjoy, for the due exercise of their pro- 
fession, an independence and power of a much more extensive 
nature than any that could be granted to them through the plan 
of assimilation, this may be looked upon, I think, as a change 
long earnestly desired. 
From what I know of the plan of the board, veterinary sur- 
geons will enter the service as sub-officers, while the principal 
veterinary surgeons will rank as captains. For the others, 
nothing is yet fixed, save that they will necessarily form part 
of the ttat-major. 
As to pay : — 
That of a principal veterinary surgeon will be 3000, increasing 
to 3200 francs per annum. 
That of a veterinary surgeon en premier of the first class 
2400, increasing to 2600 francs per annum. 
That of a veterinary surgeon en premier of the second class, 
2200 francs. 
That of a veterinary surgeon en second of the first class, 
1800, increasing to 2000 francs. 
That of a veterinary surgeon en second of the second class, 
1500 francs. 
