FllENCII ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
313 
Monsieur le Marechal, 
Penetrated by the irrterest which you have never ceased 
to evince in all the measures of your administration rela¬ 
tive to the proper care and management of horses in France, 
I venture to hope that you will lend a favourable ear to the peti¬ 
tion which I have the honour to address to you, on the organiza¬ 
tion of the veterinary medical department in cavalry regiments. 
Having hitherto been ranked beneath the riding-master, v.'ho 
fills in reality, and in virtue of his duty, the proper situation of 
the veterinary surgeon, the latter, unnoticed and despised, has 
numberless obstacles opposed to his advancement. Considered, 
without regard to his medical knowledge, as occupying an in¬ 
ferior grade in the army, without any particular claim to regard, 
he always is superintended and often commanded by the riding- 
master; thus testifying the mistrust which is attached to him, 
and the injustice and folly of such regulations. 
To elucidate this statement, permit me, M. le Ministre, to refer 
to and comment on some of the regulations which point out the 
rights and duties of the riding-master and the veterinary surgeon. 
The regulations relating to the interior direction and discipline 
of the cavalry regiment, say, article 77 :— 
—This officer (the principal riding-master) is charged with the super¬ 
intendence of the infirmary. 
Article 79 .—He shall propose to the major, who shall submit to the council 
of administration, all directions for the treatment of horses cither under dis¬ 
ease or suffering from accident, and also directions for the shoeing of the 
troop horses and those of the officers. 
He shall at the same time deliver to the major a report, 1st, on the service 
of the veterinary surgeon and of the infirmary ; 2d, on the management of 
the shoeing and the administration of forage and medicines; Sd, on the 
general health of the horses, and the changes which have taken place 
amongst them. 
He shall deliver to the major a report of the forage which is given to the 
horses, and any changes which he may deem necessary. 
Article 80.—The riding-master, assisted by the veterinary surgeon, shall 
inform himself of the proper medicines and regimen which should be pre¬ 
scribed for each horse, so that the horses shall not be classed in stables 
according to the squadron to which they belong, but according to their 
strength, their health, and the care which they require. 
The paragraphs seven and eight, intitled, the Superintendence 
of the Infirmary and Farriery, contain regulations which I must 
state somewhat at length. 
Article 83.—The riding-master is responsible for the management of the 
infirmary, both as regards the treatment of the horses and the exhibition of 
medicines, but without intermeddling with the details relative to the veteri¬ 
nary art. 
I'hc horses that arc admitted into the iiilirmary shall cease from the day 
of their entry to be under the superintendence of the commanding officer 
