458 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH 
other more difficult cases ; for these little cases are the most pro- 
fitable part of professional practice. The cure of these slight cases 
is, in general, attended with more satisfaction, leads to more 
practice, and yields more profit to the veterinarian in the long 
run. But should a professional man be called in at the last hour, 
when every hope or chance of restoration is for ever fled, the 
veterinarian, not being able to repair the breaches which delay 
and bad treatment have made in the part or parts afflicted, incurs 
no little blame. If any one should remark to the owner the folly 
of such proceeding, he will immediately have his answer ready, 
and say, “ Oh, I got such a veterinarian to the animal, but he 
could do him no good (the animal being drawing its last breath 
when the veterinarian was sent for): the horse or cow just did as 
my book or such a person said he would do.” 
This system, Sir, was never more exemplified than during the 
late epidemic. I am sure that in this district the farmer or his 
men have, on an average, treated ten cows where the veterina- 
rian has one. 
Now, I wish to know how the veterinary surgeon is to live , and 
how he is to keep up that station in society, or the honour and 
high character either of himself or his profession, under such 
opposing and powerful difficulties ; and if these things are to 
remain and are to go on, what favourable prospects can the young 
practitioner, whose nest is not yet feathered, or the young as- 
pirant for a diploma or other veterinary honours — I say, what 
cheering prospects can they see in the prospective before them ; 
and especially when they behold the Veterinary Colleges passing 
and manufacturing young veterinarians at the rate they do. 
Now, Sir, it appears to me strange that persons holding such 
liberal views, views which will not permit them to belong to any 
exclusive society, not even when the existence of that society 
depends on its exclusiveness — that these very persons are found 
to be the great advocates of this very principle, which they shew 
by their strenuous exertions to obtain a charter, and this very 
charter, it must be admitted, being based on the very same exclu- 
sive principle. It was this honourable feeling, united with other 
reasons, which would not permit me to join in the call for that 
measure ; for my opinion is, that the more a person or a prin- 
ciple is held up by the strong arm of the law , or by power 
and force , the less is that person or that principle esteemed. 
Feeling so strongly the influence of this opinion, I could not add 
my name to the list of those gentlemen, nor join with them in 
the cry for a charter. 
I again state, that I think the present modes of disseminating 
veterinary science are calculated to almost, if not quite, ruin the 
