638 
THE STATE OF THE VETERINARY ART. 
cient numbers, professional societies were formed, and for a time 
appeared prospering : owing, however, to some of the ill* leaven 
having insinuated itself, sooner or later ferment commenced, and 
the conventions exploded. And so general has this been, that, 
with the single exception of the Veterinary Association, which is, 
for the most part, a pupil’s affair, there is hardly a veterinary 
society remaining. It is consolatory, however, to feel that mat- 
ters, in this respect, appear to have come to their worst. Per- 
sons of a better class than formerly are now seen entering the 
profession, or at least the same unqualified candidates would 
hardly be received now as gained entrance before. For the army, 
under the present administration, we feel quite secure. The 
wholesome check placed at the military portals will assuredly 
close the doors against all persons proved either incapable or cha- 
racterless. And it will be something to keep the military veteri- 
nary department sound. Men of reputation in the profession will 
always find a sort of rallying point for themselves in private life 
in their brother army veterinarians, and the two together will, 
against much opposition, succeed in maintaining a good stock of 
professional importance. 
For several years following its institution the veterinary profes- 
sion went on increasing in numbers and respectability, there being 
those in its ranks who, by dint of talent and industry, worked 
out for themselves a good name, and for it a good amount of re- 
putation. At length, however, the supply of veterinary surgeons 
became greater than the demand for them. Every market-town 
in the kingdom had one or more, and the army and East India 
Company were full : the consequences were, that in many large 
towns the number of practitioners became augmented, and vete- 
rinarians were to be found located in parts of the country which 
before had been included in the range of those practising in the 
nearest towns. In this state of affairs came peace, retrench- 
ment, and railroads. The peace dismissed several veterinary 
surgeons from the service of government, and drove them to seek 
livings through private practice. Retrenchment, coming with de- 
pressions in commerce and trade and agriculture, cut down esta- 
blishments and equipages : packs of hounds that had been for 
years hunting the same countries were given up, either entirely 
