QUALIFICATIONS OF VETERINARY STUDENTS. 681 
that for which we contend is, that a general obligation should be 
levied on those entering college to possess certain acquirements, 
similar to those which are required of those entering the medical 
or other learned professions; and that it is equally necessary, I 
think, is obvious to all, and yet the want of such still remains. 
Surely men merely conversant with their daily avocations are but 
ill fit to associate with any save those who are conditioned as 
themselves. I know they may be very interesting companions 
for the jockey, the public-house frequenter, et hoc omne genus ; 
but is it to this that the properly educated veterinary surgeon 
aspires! We should anticipate not : and wherefore is it so 1 — It is 
because a good education tends to refine the habits of the man, 
although there are many exceptions : yet, that it is one of the means 
to produce the above end, we are convinced ; therefore why 
neglect it 1 The tendency of such an alteration would be, not to 
diminish numbers entering the profession, but in our mind the 
contrary effect would be produced. Our gentry would then equally 
bring up their sons to the veterinary profession as to any of the 
liberal ones ; but there is a current opinion abroad — and when we 
say so we speak from experience — that a young man the more he 
is of a sporting or gambling character, the fitter is he to become a 
veterinary surgeon. 
Now, if such be the case, can any wonder that so many members 
of the profession do not hold prominent places in society ! It 
appears to me, that the duties of the regular practitioner are not 
sufficiently circumscribed or select. Many would deem a vete- 
rinary surgeon incompetent to practise his art were he not a per- 
fect adept at administering balls, shoeing, &c. ; while, in reality, 
these come not within his province, although, of course, more or 
less, he should be able to direct the farrier. What we understand 
the duty of the veterinary surgeon to be, as the term implies, is 
the medical treatment of animals. Why then not adhere to that. 
Let them not be mere mechanical agents ; bodies, as it were, with- 
out minds. Surely, I fear we might apply to several what Sallust 
has to many : “ Sed multi mortales dediti ventriatque somno in- 
docti incultique vitam secuti peregrinantes transeire quibus pro- 
fecto contra naturam corpus voluptati anima oneri fuit. Eorum 
ego vitam mortem que juxta sestumo quoniam de utraque siletur.” 
Let, then, the experiment be made of appointing an examina- 
tion previously to the college entrance ; and we shall be much 
surprised if the respectability and usefulness of the profession be 
not increased. But now let us briefly attempt further to prove if 
such would not be its tendency ; and, as it were, to turn to the 
bright side of the question. We rejoice to say that there are and 
have been many in the profession happy enough to be exceptions 
to the general rule ; men who by their talent and learning would 
VOL. XX. 4 X 
