258 
THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
By EDWARD Mayhew, M. R.C. V.S. Spring-st., Sussex Gardens. 
To the Editor of" The Veterinarian .” 
Sir, — However much I may lament the necessity, the circum- 
stances which surround us leave no choice. Once more am I 
obliged to be silent upon those subjects which are of general 
interest and scientific importance, that I may again speak to the 
profession of matters which the Professors have made notorious. 
How long the mercenary motives and arrogant pretensions of three 
or four individuals are to distract the minds and retard the useful- 
ness of the veterinary body it is hard to conjecture. The duration 
of the evil seems to be limited only by the patience of the minister 
for the Home Department, and some persons are very tolerant of 
others’ wrongs. So long, however, as the annoyance is permitted 
to exist, even for such a period must those who have feelings to 
express make their voices heard. I have no pride in the dispute, 
and no desire to keep alive the bitterness of sentiment to which it 
has given rise. Sincerely do I wish the affair were ended. Still, 
conscious that the right is with our cause, and convinced that jus- 
tice is on our side, there is now no disposition to retreat. The 
time when compromise was possible has passed. The battle must 
be fought : let those who have provoked the strife abide the issue. 
No man must allow his energies to be damped by words. Pro- 
mises are easily made, and more easily broken. Declarations of 
what is meant should now be received with caution. Facts have 
been made known, and these alone ought to be regarded. The 
act should shew the motive : if the one is upright, the other can- 
not be crooked. To actions, therefore, we have now to look : it is 
deeds we have to deal with. By these let the designs be inter- 
preted ; and what do they exhibit when the intentions of the Pro- 
fessors are deduced from that which they have attempted in the 
draft of a proposed new charter 1 
The preamble to that document sets forth the long-felt grievance 
that veterinary practitioners do not enjoy those privileges and ex- 
ceptions which the members of the medical profession are entitled 
to. The statement is not to be denied. So far as it may contain 
a mere acknowledgment of a notorious fact, it is worth something : 
beyond that, however, it is of no value. The question is not now 
for the first time proposed, nor is the sympathy it implies to be 
depended upon. It is an empty plea put forth to catch the thought- 
less and impose upon the weak. The subject did not demand the 
advocacy of the petitioners in order to attract notice. It has been 
for some time before the Council. A committee has been appointed 
