14 
ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
The allowance of baggage on the line of march is 6 cwt. ; all 
extra to be paid for according to the weight. 
Coals . — The Summer weekly allowance, 140 lbs. sea coal, or 175 lbs. inland 
coal. 
„ Winter „ 260 „ or 325 „ 
Candles . — The Summer allowance 2 moulds. 
„ Winter „ 5 „ 
Retirement . — In case of reduction before he has completed 
five years’ service on full pay, he shall be entitled to temporary 
half-pay, at 3s. 6d. a day for three years only, and be subject, 
of course, to a recall to employment during that period. 
s. 
d. 
Above 
5 years’ 
service 
as veterinary surgeon 
5 
0 per diem. 
10 
99 
55 
6 
0 „ 
99 
15 
99 
55 
7 
0 „ 
99 
20 
99 
55 
8 
0 „ 
99 
25 
99 
55 
10 
0 „ 
99 
30 
99 
55 
12 
0 „ 
No veterinary surgeon shall be entitled to claim retirement 
after any period of service under twenty-five years, upon the 
ground of ill health contracted in the service, unless such 
unfitness be supported by medical certificate, satisfactory to 
the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary-at-War. 
Duties . — The regimental duties are, I am given to under- 
stand, very onerous. The sanitary condition of the stables 
he is responsible for; likewise the proper teaching of the 
farriers and assistant-farriers, both in shoeing and in the use 
of medicines. He has likewise to attend fairs with the 
colonel for the passing of troop horses ; an occupation, I be- 
lieve, where there is a pecuniary loss to both, in consequence 
of the Government allowance being inadequate to meet the 
contingent expenses of both. 
A cavalry veterinary surgeon has a great many other 
duties of a minor nature to perform ; such as sending in a 
daily report of the sick, keeping books for the entry of all 
cases, besides being in constant attendance upon the colonel, 
who can make the appointment either a pleasure or a pain to 
the veterinarian. 
On perusing the foregoing facts, I cannot see any in- 
ducement for me to change my resolution of educating my 
son for an appointment where there will be a little more 
return for my outlay than what is to be found in the army 
for a properly qualified veterinary surgeon. 
1 am sure, Messrs. Editors, the subject of the foregoing 
letter is but little known to the parents or guardians of 
