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THE VETERINARY SURGEON. 
has come to hand, and I am glad to find its worthy Editor taking up 
the subject, and admitting the depression of our state, also acknow- 
ledging some of the same causes which I ventured to state to my 
brethren in 1837. 
I am certain that every country practitioner must know, and see, 
that these causes have rapidly increased, and will continue to in- 
crease, in spite of all the Charters, in proportion as the insigni- 
ficance and unnecessity of our patients does and to all probability 
will go on increasing. Our state cannot be better so long as the 
late method of forging new veterinarians, together with the present 
mania and system of publishing prevails ; all being done as a mer- 
cantile transaction, and for profit only. 
I observe also in The VETERINARIAN that other members are be- 
ginning to see with both their eyes where they could see with only 
one before. I am glad of it. When we can all see one way, we 
shall all go together for mutual good. In the remarks of the Editors 
I nearly concur, with some exceptions. You speak as if there were 
very nearly as many horses kept and employed in England, &c., as 
ever there were. You will allow me to differ with you in opinion on 
this ; for I believe that there is not a man of forty years of age, who 
has been a general observer of these things, and who has had fair 
opportunities of judging, who would not conscientiously say that 
there are not three-fourths of the number now kept there were before 
railways commenced : say nothing of their exposure and laborious 
exertions, which are not one-half of what they were before. There 
may be other causes that may weigh a little in the scale against 
us ; one is, that our clients are better informed as to the keeping and 
management of their stock. To bring about this desirable object, 
I dare say, we have all contributed our share, by giving them the 
best instruction, daily, on this point. Indeed, I think this one part 
of our duty. Then I would say, let us put away all party strife, 
and endeavour to become unanimous in our desire to better our 
state, and join together in that bond of union — honestly and heartily 
unite in friendly discussion — not with those bombastical appearances 
and statements which have been too much the fashion of late, but 
with a true desire to support our common cause. Applying our 
earnest attention amicably and devotedly to these subjects we shall, 1 
think, do the members of our art more real good than all the charters 
the legislature could frame or grant. I have trespassed too much on 
your space; but the importance of the subject will, I think, in part 
excuse me. 
And now, dear Sirs, to prove that your great and worthy efforts 
to promote our cause, and your talented exertions on our behalf, 
are not forgotten by me, I purpose at my earliest opportunity to for- 
ward you my opinions and practice on the abstraction of blood, 
