702 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
though, before we do so, we would take occasion to remark, that 
it is no proof that such does not exist, to bring evidence forward, 
such as Mr. A. or Mr. B., a veterinary surgeon, enjoying the best 
society and associating with the literati in his own neighbourhood ; 
or, if in the army, freely and unreservedly mingling and associ- 
ating with his brother officers. We repeat, this is no valid evi- 
dence to shew that professional taint does not exist. These are 
but individuals, picked out here and there ; and, after all, were they 
themselves closely and confidentially interrogated on the point, we 
verily believe that in most cases, from their hearts, they would 
feel themselves constrained to confess its influence. Indeed, were 
it deemed requisite, we are afraid we could adduce but too marked 
and substantial evidence of it in our own and surrounding cases. 
One ostensible, if not admitted, reason why the veterinary art 
and its professors should be held inferior to medical science and 
the practitioners thereof, is, that one is easier of acquirement than 
the other, does not call for the same standard of intellect, and 
has, therefore, naturally fallen into the hands of men to practise it 
of an inferior grade of society. Against the lower demands of our 
science — if studied as it ought to be — as compared with those of 
medicine, we have already entered some words of protest; to 
which here, we will simply add, that in proportion as the re- 
quirements of our art call for increased qualification, in the same 
ratio necessarily ought the character of its student and professors to 
become enhanced. 
Another reason for our alleged inferiority is to be found in the 
object sought to be preserved or relieved. A horse’s life cannot — 
ought not — to be put into the scale against the life of a human 
being. It is true that there are men who are said to love their 
horses better than their wives; and some ladies who set more store 
upon their chers petits mignons of dogs than upon their lords and 
masters ; but this cannot be allowed to have any thing to do with 
the contrasted worth of human and animal life. 
A third reason why the veterinary practitioner often finds him- 
self unable to cope, in point of respectability, with the surgeon, is 
the circumstance of the habitation of his patient being the stable or 
the kennel, or the cow-house, instead of the drawing room or the 
chamber. “ The doctor” becomes an acquaintance of the patient 
