512 IMPROVEMENT* OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
here. I would have the examiners, twelve in number at least, 
selected from the body of veterinary practitioners at a public 
meeting of that body, and the vacancies filled up at an annual 
public meeting; although I should not much object to suffer the 
vacancies to be filled up by the remaining examiners. I would 
have required from every one who presented himself for examina¬ 
tion an evidence of veterinary education, in some form or other, 
and some where or other, and no matter where, but for a com¬ 
petent period (say two or three years); some portion of that, how¬ 
ever, should be spent under a public teacher; and it would be 
the fault of the St. Pancras teachers if they did not here bear off 
the bell. I could not be assured that the student would possess 
that anatomical knowledge which is the only sure foundation of 
good practice without this. Lastly, I would have the examina¬ 
tion strictly veterinary, and extending to the whole duty of the 
veterinary surgeon, and public. 
I ask you again, gentlemen, why this has not occurred to you ? 
why you have not publicly advocated it ? or whether you can 
state any plan so well adapted to remedy the evils which you 
have too truly proved to exist ? Those already in practice must 
be left to pursue their course. We must have no ex post facto 
laws, for they are manifestly unjust; but we should thus guard 
against the future admission of incompetent persons; and much 
sooner than you or the “ Stander-by” expect, the character of the 
profession would be redeemed. 
Are there none among us who have sufficient spirit and in¬ 
fluence to set this a-going ? Is there no public-spirited senator 
who will ensure the gratitude of our profession, and of the public, 
by bringing it under the cognizance of the legislature ? Such, I 
have no doubt, will soon be found. The grant from government 
for the establishment of this true veterinary college would not be 
great; and at no distant period of time, this college, like the 
others, would support itself. 
In advocating this, what harm are we doing to any one? Let 
the St. Pancras school still remain. Its number of subscribers, its 
number of patients, its number of pupils need not be diminished: 
its professors need not be pushed from their chairs. Nay, the 
