VETERINARY REFORM. 
373 
lay before you a host of mal-treated cases, which would have had 
a different issue under skilful hands, and their subjects would have 
been preserved to their owners; but I conceive I have said enough 
to induce my professional brethren to exert themselves strenously 
to establish a reform. Let us put the question, is it emolument 
to ourselves or a duty we owe to the public ? I maintain the 
latter; for if we destroy property, or suffer others to do so through 
ignorance, we are, to all intents and purposes, abusing that con¬ 
fidence which is reposed in our judgment. How are we to 
establish reform ? Not by changing the examining committee; 
that, in my opinion, would be increasing the evil; for, by rendering 
it more difficult to pass the proper ordeal, without stipulating the 
period necessary for the education of veterinarians, would un¬ 
doubtedly be increasing empiricism ; but by a petition to Par¬ 
liament, which should point out our grievances, and pray for an 
enactment of such laws as would compel the veterinary student 
to devote a much longer period for the acquirement of the funda¬ 
mental principles of his art, a knowledge of which are so neces¬ 
sary to ensure success ; and at the end of that period be strictly 
examined ; and, if found deficient, let him be sent back to his 
studies, to undergo, at some future period, a further examination, 
until he is duly qualified to practise the art in all its branches; 
or let him be subject to a heavy penalty for every case he at¬ 
tends. As long as men can practise the veterinary art, and com¬ 
mit such egregious errors, there will always be found a great 
number dishonourable enough to do so. No man has a greater 
respect for Mr. Coleman, and his coadjutor Mr. Sewell, than 
myself; and gratitude bids me thank those gentlemen for the 
indulgences I have received from their kindness, as I have always 
found them easy of access, and willing to communicate any re¬ 
quired information. I have one favour more to ask of these 
gentlemen, not merely for my own interest, but for that of the 
profession generally, and the community at large ; viz., that they 
will participate with us in endeavouring to procure the required 
relief; and that the veterinary profession may be under the same 
protection as the medical. It is true that human existence is 
considered more valuable than brutal; but are not cattle suscep¬ 
tible of pleasure and pain ? and do they not form a very consi¬ 
derable part of the property of the agriculturists ? who have too 
often been deprived of many valuable animals, owing to the 
ignorance of those assumed veterinarians who have not had the 
candour to confess their inability to do justice to the cases pre¬ 
sented to their notice; but from sordid and selfish motives have 
wantonly and cruelly tampered with lives of valuable animals, 
i do not mean to say that all veterinarians who have not diplomas 
3 c 
