THE FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 225 
atmosphere, and the prevalence of epizootic disease. It follows 
from this that the first veterinary surgeon derives an income of 
about 2200 francs a year; and, in order to increase the real pe- 
cuniary advantage of the veterinary surgeons of the regiment, 
their pay must be raised to more than 2400 francs. 
What is the design of the law? It is true that they raise 
the pay of the first veterinary surgeons from 1000 francs to 
1800 francs. But, in reality, it is reported to be the intention of 
the Minister of War entirely to suppress these amenssements, 
and by using economy in furnishing the medicines for the regi- 
ments, he calculates that the pecuniary improvement in the situa- 
tion of the veterinary surgeon, will be much increased, but the 
means by which he hopes to entice and fix in the army more 
worthy veterinary surgeons, will cause to them an annual loss of 
at least 400 francs. On the other hand, I have said, and every 
one will agree to it, that, at the present time, to attract and attach 
to it superior men in this profession, the Administration of War 
ought to offer them advantages at least equal to those which 
they would obtain in common practice. But what veterinary 
surgeon is there established in any tolerable locality who does not 
gain more than 2000 francs a year ? The common veterinary 
surgeon gaining more than the regipient offers him, he hesitates 
to engage himself in it. 
Then, without doubt, it is only by increasing the pay of the 
surgeon that we can hope to obtain and preserve talented and use- 
ful men in our cavalry regiments. 
I will add, to the honour of the veterinary surgeon, that it 
was never for money that he asked when he complained of his 
position ; it was on account of the total want of consideration and 
common respect. It was not the money which concerned him, 
it was his military rank. In the army, more than elsewhere, it 
was not a struggle for gain, it was a question of honour. 
For my own part, I am entirely of the opinion of those who 
think that it would be at the same time an act of justice and ne- 
cessity to class the veterinary surgeons more worthily. I believe 
with the Government — with the majority of the general inspectors 
of cavalry especially consulted on this question in 1838 — with 
the President of the Chamber of Deputies, who has just given his 
sanction and vote on the occasion, that it is highly proper to allow 
admission of the staff of the regiment to those who are at the 
same time the oldest and the most distinguished veterinary sur- 
geons of every regiment. 
Is it, then, any unfounded pretension, exorbitant and ridiculous ? 
Is it vanity and presumption on the part of these useful men to 
think themselves, after long and painful studies— after numerous 
