315 
THE PRESENT STATE OF 
VETERINARY MEDICINE IN AUSTRALIA. 
By R. Gibton, A.B., T.C.D., M.R.C.V.S., Melbourne. 
To the Editors of the 6 Veterinarian? 
“I'll publish, right or wrong.” 
Gentlemen, — It has been frequently a matter of surprise 
to me that I so rarely see in any of your numbers, which regu- 
larly reach me, a veterinary communication from this portion 
of the world. It surely cannot be that you at head quarters are 
indifferent about our small but useful detachment so remotely 
situated ; nor can it be that we forget the benefits received 
at your hands, and which now, to a certain extent, render 
us so independent. Believing you at heart to be interested 
in the welfare of every member of the profession, no matter 
where placed, w r e exonerate you from the charge of indifference. 
And whilst w 7 e deny that we are guilty of forgetfulness, we 
are free to confess that the same gold mania that so transfixed 
others had the like influence on ourselves ; and we are 
happy in now being able to say that the chaos that was the 
result of this mania is fast resolving itself into something like 
order, and that men (although not forgetting the main object) 
are directing their attention to other subjects. With such 
feelings it is that I ask myself if it be not time that you 
should hear from us? And although I do not flatter myself 
that I can worthily supply the ellipsis, yet I know how 
valuable beginnings are ; and, therefore, propose to furnish 
you with an epitome of veterinary affairs at the Antipodes; 
nevertheless, convinced how imperfect it will be, we ask your 
indulgence. 
We shall make our remarks under three heads, and regret 
that we are obliged to do so from recollection and not from 
notes, (a proof of our past carelessness.) They will be as 
follow, viz., 1st. “Who practise?” 2d. “ What we practise?” 
3d. “ For whom we practise ?” 
1. Who practise? 
This is an inquiry of some importance, not only to our 
employers, but also to the profession at large, as showing 
who are really held in estimation here. The former must 
be interested for their own sakes, and the latter ought to be 
for the credit of our common profession. It is needless to 
say that the professional usurper has held sway here, and 
