322 
FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
the corps to which they are attached would be considered of 
more importance, and, consequently, would be more useful, if 
they were in a more independent and elevated station ; and that 
every thing which concerns the health and condition of the 
horses would be benefitted. On this occasion they observe that, 
so far as the interests of agriculture, and the revenue are con¬ 
cerned, too much attention cannot be given to this division of 
the military service; and it is consequently both reasonable and 
useful that those men should be treated with distinction, who 
devote their attention to the study of the horse, his condition, 
and his diseases. England, Germany, and Prussia, appreciate 
the services of their veterinary surgeons, and do not hesitate to 
bestow on them the rank of commissioned officers. It is only 
in France, where our profession had its birth, that they are 
refused that rank which they possess everywhere else. Impressed 
by these considerations, your petitioners demand : 
First, That the candidates deemed fit for the study of vete- 
rinaiy science, and destined for military service, be, in conformity 
with the royal ordonnance of the 28th of August, 1832, admitted 
as supernumerary military pupils during their first two years of 
study, and that they shall not be titular pupils until they have 
undergone an examination to prove their capacity. 
Secondly, That the pupils quitting the school, after having 
obtained a diploma, shall rank in the regiment into which they 
enter as officers, and enjoy all the prerogatives attached to this 
rank. 
Thirdly, That a committee, composed of veterinary surgeons, 
shall be formed by the minister of war, and of whom the director- 
general of the cavalry shall be the president: of which committee 
there shall be two subdivisions: the first shall examine all those 
who are connected with the purchase of horses, or the manage¬ 
ment of the military studs; and the second, those who are con¬ 
nected with the service of the regiments. 
“ For a considerable time the situation of the veterinary sur¬ 
geons, attached to our regiments, has attracted the attention of 
the minister of war, and of all our cavalry officers devoted to the 
study of their profession. The different ordonnances on the mat¬ 
ter, which have followed each other, prove that they appreciate 
the services which the veterinary surgeons render, and wish to 
stimulate their zeal by ameliorating their condition. At the very 
moment that this petition is submitted to you, a copy of it is 
sent to the central committee of the cavalry for their consideration. 
Although your commission is convinced that it will be treated 
with all the attention which it claims, nevertheless, as the peti¬ 
tion vvdiich has been addressed to us may offer some new discus- 
