TO VETERINARY STUDY. 
411 
of horse surgery and horse practice, would put the acquirements 
of the candidate fairly to the test, and consign many of these 
precocious geniuses to some additional months of study. 
Could the examiners ever suppose that it was possible for the 
pupil, at the commencement of his attendance wholly uninstructed, 
in less than half a year to become fully qualified to practise the 
veterinary art in all its branches ? 
We will suppose that we had the power to turn the tables upon 
these gentlemen, and, after the preparation of a few little months, 
to admit the soldier and the sailor, the tinker and the tailor,’’ 
into that profession of which they deem it an honour to be 
members. Would they brook the insult, or would they not in¬ 
dignantly tear the paper which associated them with such prac¬ 
titioners ? . . 
We respectfully yet sternly appeal to them, as they will an¬ 
swer it to us, to their own profession, to the public, and to them¬ 
selves, no longer to sanction these measures, unworthy of their 
high unblemished characters, and destructive of our respectability. 
We appeal to our venerable friend Dr. Pearson, who told us, at our 
last anniversary dinner, although not with perfect accuracy, that 
little farther was wanting in the veterinary school, except more 
time for the labours of the students.” We appeal to Dr. Babing- 
ton, who wished that the veterinary surgeon could be sent into 
the country with all the learning of the human physician; for 
then the veterinary profession would be estimated as it deserved.” 
(All the learning of the human physician acquired by the barber 
and the man-milliner in five months!!!) We entreat every ho¬ 
nourable member of the examiners’ board no longer thus to insult, 
and injure, and debase us. 
Well may they, so much of whose early life was devoted to 
careful, laborious application—over whom year after year passed, 
and they continued to be anxiously preparing, but were not deemed 
qualified for the exercise of their profession, and who are now 
convinced that that was the only time for laying the foundation 
of science, reputation, and success—well may they scorn to admit 
at the same board with themselves those to whom so little time 
had been allowed for the acquirement of fundamental principles, 
and whose practice must necessarily be mere empiricism. 
