90 PRESENT CONDITION OP THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
As the Secretary to the Registration Committee, returns have 
passed through my hands from all parts of the kingdom ; and but 
one conclusion can be drawn from them, — that the veterinary art 
is any thing but despised, any thing but thought light of. It is 
all very well to say that “ veterinary surgeons,” that is, those who 
hold certificates or diplomas from the schools, are held but in little 
estimation, and that every itinerant who chooses to adopt the name 
is held in as good repute as the “ certificated” man. Let those 
who so complain assure themselves that there is a cause for all 
this, and probably much nearer home than they imagine. But 
here is a fallacy on the very face of such assertion. Would these 
itinerants assume the name of veterinary surgeon without a 
cause ? Assuredly there is one, or they would keep to theoriginal 
designation of their tribe. Doubtless there was a period when 
the old “ farriers” complained of the assumption of their designa- 
tion, as much as the “ veterinary surgeons” do now. The plain 
truth is, that there is a value in the name, and that it does give a 
certain stamp, or it would not be pirated. 
Look around at those practitioners who have succeeded ; and 
what do you find 1 Men of industry, knowledge, integrity, and 
worth — such men as the ymrld delights to honour ; for the world 
is just, and will reward those wdio seek for honour by honourable 
dealing. It is these men who have upheld the position of the art ; 
who have given a name — a stamp of worth — to the designation of 
“ veterinary surgeon ,” as they would to any other term. Do not 
let us run away with the idea that it is the establishment of the 
veterinary schools which has done this; they arose out of the 
wants of the community, and are merely a nucleus from whence 
the real authors started. The same cause has raised our great 
seminaries of learning — Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Westminster, et 
hoc genus omne ; the sending forth of men who have adorned 
their respective social spheres. 
Let us give honour where honour is due ; but, in blaming an- 
other, do not let us be blind to our own faults. Depend upon it, 
the success or failure of our professional body remains with our- 
selves : it is only by our exertions, individually and collectively, 
that we can raise ourselves above the competition of quacks or 
itinerants. Who is there amongst us who is so powerless that he 
cannot do a something for the benefit of the body at large 1 I as- 
sert fearlessly that none such exists. Every man has it in his power 
to do a little ; and it is by the union of these many littles that 
great things become achieved. 
As a body of men recognised by the state, we have existed but 
for little more than three years. Can much be expected to be done 
in such a short period of existence, even under the best of circum- 
