FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
319 
the decree of Napoleon, when the schools not being able to sup¬ 
ply a sufficient number of veterinary surgeons for the service of 
the cavalry, these incompetent persons were of necessity ap¬ 
pointed. They required surveillance, and the riding-master was 
the most competent person to superintend them. He adds, that it 
was for want of reference to the actual merits of the case, and 
from the preparers’ of the successive ordonnances careless copying 
the words of the former ones, that this surveillance, which w^as 
intended to be exercised over the unskilful and the untaught, was 
extended to and perpetuated over those to whom it is an insult. 
M. Vogeli states this strongly, yet respectfully, and prays 
that the minister of war would grant to the veterinary surgeons 
a proper rank, and restore to them that consideration and re¬ 
sponsibility which had been taken from them and bestowed on 
the riding-masters. 
He then sketches a plan (the appointment of a veterinary ex¬ 
amining committee) by which, if it were needed, the competence 
of the veterinary practitioner might be more effectually ensured : 
and concludes with complimenting the minister of war on his 
zeal for the service, and the readiness with which he had ever 
attended to the humblest suggestion which had a tendency to 
benefit it; and says, that he reposes the utmost confidence in 
the good sense and justice of the minister, and is assured that he 
will impartially consider the claims of a class of military men too 
much neglected; and with these impressions he respectfully 
awaits the result. 
In our estimation the memorial does infinite credit to the in¬ 
telligence and good feeling of M. Vogeli; and we can hardly 
conceive how it could fail of making deep impression upon every 
impartial and well-disposed mind. 
It was presented to the Chamber of Deputies, and referred, as 
all petitions are, to the consideration of a committee charged to 
inquire into the justice of its prayer, and report thereon to the 
Chamber. 
On the 7th of January, 1832, Mr. Hector Daulnay, the chair¬ 
man of the committee, made the following report:— 
M. Vogeli of Lyons, assistant veterinary surgeon to the fifth 
squadron of the train of the park of artillery at Douai, petitions 
that army verinary surgeons should obtain the rank and title of 
commissioned officers. 
The petitioner founds these pretensions on the nature of the 
services which the veterinary surgeon has to perform, on the me¬ 
dical studies which these services require, on the moral responsi¬ 
bility which he incurs in regard to the cure of the sick horses, 
and preserving the health of those that are well; and, lastly, on 
