THE STATE OF THE VETERINARY ART. 
637 
medical science, undergone great improvement, and that, in its 
improved state, it had rendered essential services to both horse 
and cattle kind. We stated that some noisome and destructive 
diseases had, under its benign influence, almost or quite disap- 
peared from observation, and that others were now treated ac- 
cording to a system not having reason alone, but likewise hu- 
manity for its directing principle ; and that there was no sort of 
comparison to be made between the success of this mode of treat- 
ment and the mischief and deterioration animal property sustained 
under the old practice of farriery. On the present occasion we 
purpose turning our attention from the art to its practitioners. 
As the veterinary art, emerging out of a state of barbarism, 
began to assume the aspect of a science, its professors or practi- 
tioners grew not only more numerous, but began to reckon 
among them persons of an educated character. The prospects of 
the new science were becoming inviting, its study was found to 
be a pleasing one, and horse-men of the first rank in the country 
did not disdain to lend to it their name and countenance. What, 
however, told more for its respectability than any one thing be- 
sides, was the obtaining for veterinary surgeons commissions in 
the army : thus constituting them ex officio gentlemen, and placing 
them, as a matter of right, by the side of those who were “ gen- 
tlemen bred,” and, on occasions, persons of rank as well. For 
the new honours candidates speedily poured in, in numbers 
ample, and of a better caste than had been seen before ; and at 
this period such a selection might have been instituted as would 
have rendered the general body of veterinary surgeons respectable, 
by keeping out such as have since thrown discredit upon it. Un- 
fortunately, however, this was not done ; — every Thomas Nokes 
and Jonathan Styles who came with twenty pounds in his pocket 
was sure of gaining admittance ; and the consequence has been, 
in the course of time, a profession of that motley character such 
as we at the present day behold it. This accounts for the ab- 
sence of any thing like amalgamation or association in the profes- 
sion. It is no less true, that professional bodies composed of he- 
terogeneous elements are incapable of holding together than that 
a house divided against itself must fall. In the metropolis, and 
some few other places, where members were to be found in suffi- 
