496 
ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. 
they have a right to practise—a right to do the best for them¬ 
selves and families. All are not vulgar, ignorant, and assuming : 
there are some well behaved, well informed, and unassuming; 
ready to follow your advice, though they may be five times your 
superior in years. When they are in attendance they do their 
best. And when you may be called in, should you find that one of 
the latter class has been employed, be very careful that you do not 
stab him in the back: it is a most cowardly act. If, on the contrary, 
you should meet with a felloxo whose horrid ignorance and conceit 
disgusts you, and who assails your ears with his impertinence , 
tell him quietly, after the paroxysm has subsided, that you make 
every Allowance for his feelings, but that you advise him, if he 
studies his own interest, to be civil towards you. 
You will, of course, frequently come in contact with horse- 
dealers, many of whom are men of the most perfect honour, and 
who prefer a buyer taking a horse to a Vet. to be examined be¬ 
fore he purchases him. If the dealer is not satisfied with your 
opinion he will say, You may be quite correct, but he differs from 
you ; and learns his own veterinary surgeon's opinion. There are 
some of them, however, whose whole duty is the very reverse of 
the Vet.'s: it is the dealer's duty to conceal faults, while it is 
our duty to expose them. They will frequently call on you and 
say, <6 To-morrow you are going to examine that ’ere cab of mine 
for a gemman; I hope you vont say nothing about that 'ere off- 
peeper of his." You will say, “ I am sure you have too much 
good sense to think I would cut my own throat: I know you con¬ 
scientiously think the injury of the eye no detriment, otherwise 
you would not wish me to overlook it: if he has defects I must 
mention them, but I will not magnify them; and if, after I have 
examined the horse, I can honestly recommend him, I will assist 
you to my utmost." 
By strict rectitude of conduct, and a thorough knowledge of 
your profession, the life of a Vet. is frequently enviable. He be¬ 
comes immediately acquainted with the most affluent in the 
neighbourhood—with sportsmen and agriculturists: his employ¬ 
ment is healthy and interesting ; he gets paid for what he does, 
very different, frequently, to the surgeon and apothecary, who 
may see, perhaps, more patients in one day than you in a week ; 
but in the former case they book much and receive little ; what 
we book we get. James Kerr, V. S. 
