366 PAY AND POSITION OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
I don’t know whether these remarks will be of any service 
to you in furthering your answers, but I have hastily given 
you my views. 
Yours truly, 
Richard Cooper. 
Mr. Cox. 
THE PAY AND POSITION OF VETERINARY 
SURGEONS IN THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. 
By A Bengal Artillery V.S.,” Meean Meer, Lahore. 
Dear Sirs, — Having just perused a letter from “ Pater- 
familias” in your number of the Veterinarian for January 
last, on the subject of veterinary surgeons in the Queen’s 
army at home, I am induced to believe that a little informa- 
tion about those in the Company’s service may prove inte- 
resting to the majority of your readers. I will therefore give 
you a brief outline of my own experience since entering the 
Indian army. 
After a young veterinary surgeon has successfully passed 
all the necessary examinations, he appears at the India 
House and takes the oath of allegiance before the chair- 
man and court. He must embark within three months 
from that date, unless prevented from so doing by illness 
or some other good and sufficient cause. When ready 
to take his passage, he receives <£95 from the Company to 
assist him in defraying all expenses. Should he make up 
his mind to go round the Cape he can obtain a first-class 
cabin for £80 in one of Smith’s or Green’s best vessels. 
This sum includes breakfast, dinner, wines, &c., in fact, 
every thing during the passage out. Some persons object to 
the Cape route, because of the supposed monotony and the 
length of time it occupies ; but I must confess that I never 
spent a happier time than the four months I was at sea. 
We had no less than tw'enty-three unmarried young ladies on 
board, most of them pretty, and, of course , all of them be- 
witchingiy amiable. My advice is — “ Go round the Cape.” 
On arriving at Calcutta, the veterinary surgeon at once 
proceeds to Fort William with his embarcation order, and 
reports himself to the town major. His name next day 
appears in general orders as having been brought on the 
strength of the army, and he ranks and draws pay from 
