52 
A CIRCULAR. 
a small pension to which it was generally thought she would be 
entitled; a national decree requiring that for these rights to be 
secured it is necessary that marriage should have preceded the 
death of the functionary five years. M. Dupuy had been married 
but three years when his sudden decease took place. Besides 
his widow/he has left a son about twelve years of age by a former 
marriage. 
With respect to Jean B. Rodet, who has just died from a sud- 
den attack of a cerebral disease, and which arrested him in his 
labours at the period when his accumulated scientific knowledge 
had rendered easier the duties of his professorship ; he has been 
taken away after fifteen years only in the exercise of this function, 
and has left his family almost without resources of any kind, 
which is composed of four persons, his widow, two daughters, and 
a son. His widow, according to the terms of the law, has the 
right to a pension amounting to a little more than twelve pounds 
per annum. 
On account of these unfortunate circumstances, affecting indivi- 
duals so eminent in their profession, and in every way worthy of 
respect, the members of the National and Central Society of Vete- 
rinary Medicine of France think it belongs to them to take the 
initiative, and to make an appeal to all the members of the vete- 
rinary profession to meet the misfortunes which have just over- 
taken the families of two of the most worthy of their brethren. 
We therefore address ourselves to you, and solicit you to take 
part in this benevolent act. The members of almost all the pro- 
fessions in France have passed between them a contract of mutual 
assistance to relieve any of their members who may be overtaken 
by any sudden misfortune. Unfortunately, in our profession so 
commendable an association does not exist. 
It is this unfortunate circumstance which obliges us to make 
this appeal to you, and we address you in order to unite all our 
efforts in this pious work of brotherly charity. 
The National and Central Society of Veterinary Medicine has 
the firm hope that your donations will not inconvenience you. It 
does not ask a large sacrifice. It well knows the times in which 
we live; nor is it ignorant of the numerous misfortunes produced 
by the changes in society, and how frequently private charity is 
taxed ; and this it is which has caused us to request so little from 
you. The magnitude of the most majestic river is effected by the 
number of rivulets which bring their tribute to its waters. It is a 
result of this kind which we wish to obtain. We number in 
France two thousand five hundred veterinary surgeons, and we 
venture to calculate within a certain limit upon a number of our 
foreign brethren with whom the Society is in correspondence to 
