92 PRESENT CONDITION OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
unfortunately, depended alone on what was taught in the schools, 
have failed ; they had only a smattering of dogmatical theory, with- 
out practical ideas; and the public, generally discerning enough 
where their own interests are concerned, soon found this out ; and, 
as these failures were not isolated, naturally enough charged the 
same upon the whole of your College men : and, finding that they 
were treated quite as well in the aggregate by the quacks or far- 
riers, with the advantage of having lower charges to pay, they 
took indiscriminately the one or the other, according as they found 
them best suited. Such has been the state of tuition, that prac- 
titioners themselves have refused to take those young men for 
assistants whose knowledge was alone derived from the Colleges. 
That this actually was or rather is the case, I knew of an instance 
only a few months since. How can we wonder, after this, at public 
estimation 1 
Having said thus much against, let me endeavour to shadow 
forth means of overcoming this lamentable state of things. Every 
one will be able to adopt those measures for amelioration which 
may be most requisite for his own particular position or locality ; 
but there are a few points I would suggest : — let every bona fide 
member of the R.C.Y.S. adopt the designation of “ Member of the 
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.” It is a long sentence to 
write, which is an objection ; but the initials are not long, 
“ M.R.C.V.S.” This will shew that they belong to the chartered 
body, and will not be so easy to pirate. 
Firmly unite and support every effort to produce better edu- 
cated men, both generally and professionally ; shew to the world 
that, as a body, we are both able and willing to deserve support ; 
also that the employment of proper men is more advantageous 
than that of the pretenders. Once establish a name for superior 
knowledge, and therefore of skill, and all those who now are neces- 
sarily practising as pretenders (i. e. under the assumed appellation 
of “ veterinary surgeons”) will never have their vacancies filled up 
by others from the same class. Depend upon it, ignorance is only, 
at the best, but tolerated ; it never can hold its way with knowledge 
and skill. On the other hand, the public will never do any thing 
to support those who do not shew by their exertions their know- 
ledge that they are worthy of it. 
Hitherto there has been no rallying point, no means of acting in 
unison ; — there is now both : the Charter has given us this ; let us 
avail ourselves of it, and not allow further time to be lost. 
Let us not forget that our kindred, the human surgeons, were 
once as low, or even lower, than we are or have been ; yet by 
labour, patience, and the constant attendance to the improvement 
of its new members, what have they become I — one of the first and 
