THE FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
127 
the grand-duchy ofHessia, of Wurtemburg, of Baden, of Nassau, 
and even the government of Egypt. 
It is a universally acknowledged fact, that it is not only just 
but necessary to bestow on army veterinary surgeons a higher 
rank than they at present occupy in this country — this country, 
too, which was the birth-place of veterinary medicine, and has 
educated the professors of most of the veterinary schools in Europe. 
It is to the alterations proposed to be introduced that I beg leave 
to call the attention of your majesty. 
It is thought that the division of these military men into four 
classes, instead of two, would be advantageous in exciting their 
emulation, and insuring to them such promotion as their talents 
and services entitle them to. The first class to consist of six chief 
veterinary surgeons attached to the major-generals and principal 
depdts. United temporarily in special or deliberative commission, 
they should examine the annual reports of the regimental veteri- 
nary surgeons, and thus furnish to the military committees and to 
the administration valuable remarks respecting the causes of dis- 
ease in the horse, and the best mode of treatment or prevention. 
Should circumstances require it, these veterinary surgeons in chief 
may be commissioned to visit certain regiments, and co-operate 
with the veterinary surgeons of it. They will then be under the 
direction of the general inspectors or general officers commanding 
that division. 
The veterinary surgeons in chief of the new organization should 
preserve the same privileges as those now enjoyed by the actual 
veterinary surgeons in chief. 
The principal veterinary surgeons and the veterinary surgeons 
in chief should be appointed by your majesty, and ranked next to 
the grand etat-major * of the regiments or establishments to which 
they are attached. 
The two last classes, under the denomination of veterinary as- 
sistants and sub- assistants, bearers of ministerial commissions, 
should rank next to the petit etat-major * of the regiment, and 
should be endowed with the same privileges as those enjoyed by 
the actual second veterinary surgeons. 
The principal veterinary surgeons not opposing this new classi- 
fication should continue to be subordinate to the officers of every 
rank. 
The veterinary surgeon in -chief, named by the ordinance of 
your majesty, should have a right to a good horse, or its equiva- 
lent in money, on the conditions determined by the ordinance of 
Nov. 3, 1837. 
* The grand etat major is the commissioned staff of the regiment ; the petit 
e tat major the uncommissioned staff — Ei>. Vet. 
