EDUCATION OF THE VETERINARY SURGEON. 635 
made to vomit at all. This breathes only through the nose, 
that principally through the mouth. 
Again, the duty of the veterinary surgeon is by no means 
free from danger, owing to the temper, vice, or violence of 
his patient. His most important operations are performed 
amidst struggles and plunges, that would intimidate some 
human practitioners, and decidedly interfere with the nerve 
of others. Yet amidst all these difficulties, the veterinary 
surgeon performs his duty satisfactorily to his employer, and 
humanely to his patient. The human practitioner is thanked 
if his patient gains but a temporary amelioration ; but the 
veterinary surgeon is expected to perforin a perfect cure. It 
is not the life only, but the services of his patient that are 
required. 
If, therefore, we have greater difficulties to contend with 
and overcome, a greater variety of animals to study, a more 
difficult master to please, and are expected to be perfect in 
all these duties, I contend, that in a scientific, a meritorious, 
and useful point of view, the veterinary profession, per se , 
is not unworthy to take its stand alongside that of the 
human ; therefore its members are justified in contending for 
a recognition of its merits. 
But, sirs, although it has been thus shown that the veteri- 
nary profession has a right to rank itself with the sister 
science, the fact, 1 think, is indisputable that, popularly at 
least, its status is somewhat lower than could be wished. 
I will not at present stay to argue the point, but take it 
as an admitted fact, and simply inquire, why is it so ? If, as 
we have seen, the veterinary profession is worthy to rank 
with the medical, why do its members not hold that posi- 
tion to wffiich their profession entitles them ? 
In answering this question, I do not wish to offend the 
sensibilities of the humblest of my confreres , but am compelled 
to say the fault 
“ i s no t in our stars. 
But in ourselves.” 
Further that the depreciation is attributable — 
Firstly, to the superiority of the human practitioner in 
point of education ; and — 
Secondly, to the connection which exists between the 
veterinary surgeon and the blacksmith’s forge. 
The veterinary surgeon does not enter life with the stamp 
of education demanded by his calling ; since no examination 
of an educational nature assures the public of his suitability 
to rank higher than an ordinary tradesman. 
