THE FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 179 
Lastly, if I may be permitted to add as a last example among 
many others, and of as much weight — a veterinary commission 
having been created some years since, several illustrious members 
of the Institution had solicited and obtained the privilege to be 
of the number, and they have not considered it as beneath their 
rank to find themselves associated with veterinary surgeons. 
They have occupied themselves, without blushing, with works 
which, to the eyes of certain officers, would appear degrading 
to many of the officers of the regiment. 
This is not all : the well-informed veterinary surgeon is not 
only respected and honoured, as just stated, in his civil career, 
but it would be easy for me to shew that, with due zeal and evi- 
dent good conduct, he will, ere long, find himself advantageously 
situated, and will probably obtain independence, while often a 
pension is allowed them in their old age. 
Thus, honours, ease, and consideration may be the reward of 
every practitioner who gives this direction to his studies and his 
practice. 
The perspective is the same in the military and civil career of 
the man. His position, and the consideration that is granted 
him, are ensured by the development of his knowledge, and of 
the increase of his personal value. 
Before, and at the time of the foundation of the schools, the 
management of the horse was practised in regiments by the 
master farriers without any instruction, and not exceeding the 
rank of quarter-master. At present, when veterinary medicine 
is making such progress, and accomplishing such revolutions — 
when long preliminary and peculiar studies are necessary to prove 
their ability to obtain their diploma at Alfort, veterinary sur- 
geons are still strangely classed with quarter-masters. The men of 
science and of a liberal profession continue to be on an equality 
with the acting workmen. They rank with the master tailor , 
the master boot maker , and the master saddler of the regiment. 
Whatever be their learning, their zeal, their good conduct, and 
the services which they can render, they always remain sub- 
officers. That is their invariable position. It is their only hope. 
It is, so far as their regimental prospects go, the only encourage- 
ment given them. 
The result of this is easily to be foreseen: the moment they 
imagined that they were above their situation they began to 
complain — at first to their officers — then to the superior adminis- 
tration — then to the general inspectors — then to the Chambers, 
who occasionally have listened favourably to their complaints : 
but, finally, seeing that, notwithstanding the consent of the 
Chambers, their position did not change, they began to act a 
