THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XIX, No. 221. MAY 1846. New Series, No. 53. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT STANDING OF 
THE VETERINARY ART, AND SUGGESTIONS 
FOR ITS IMPROVExMENT. 
By W. Arthur Cherry, V.S. 
“ We must, with all our strength, prefer reason to custom; and we must not use 
the triple argument — that is to say, this has been laid down, this has been usual, 
this has been common, therefore it is to be held by. For the very opposite con- 
clusion does much better follow from the premises. And though the whole world be 
possessed by these causes of error, let us freely hear opinions contrary to established 
usage.” — (Friar) Roger Bacon , opus majus, obiit 1284. 
“ Before adding, accumulating, one must exist. We .must create and strengthen 
the living germ of the young being. ”• — Michelet. 
AS we are just on the eve of another general meeting, under 
the new charter, of the veterinary profession, a few observations 
on the status of its members, and the relative position which 
human medical and veterinary sciences bear to each other may 
not be out of place ; for unless some means are devised by which 
that status can be raised, the advantages that were expected to 
be gained by the charter will prove naught. It is certainly to be 
viewed as a great gain , the being recognized as a chartered body ; 
but there still remains much to be done before we can hope to 
derive the full benefit of such gain. 
The following remarks have been for many years a subject of 
thought, and more extended experience shews me that one of the 
principal causes of our depression arises from our not having that 
social rank to which, as professional men, we ought to have 
granted to us. I therefore trust that the views I have here 
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