FRENCH ARMY VETERINARY SURGEONS. 325 
in order that he may make those ameliorations which he may 
deem proper. 
The numberless petitions which are addressed to one or the 
other of the chambers every season on the state of the veteri¬ 
nary art in France; the objections which have been made to the 
ordonnances that regulate the profession, are, it appears to me, 
sufficient indications that they are not yet properly modified, or, 
at least, that much yet remains to be done. The petition of 
which we are now speaking relates only to the position of veteri¬ 
nary surgeons in the army ; and I am not afraid of being contra¬ 
dicted by any general officer in the cavalry w'hen I say, that it 
is not what it might be, and what it ought to be: and that, in 
giving them a more determined situation, we might require from 
them knowledge even more profound, instruction more complete, 
and hope for services even more important. This question is 
also connected with another of very great importance, and which 
ought, particularly at the present time, to occupy the attention 
of the minister of war; I mean the examination of the various 
circumstances which have occasioned the loss of so many 
horses, and which loss has been felt by most of the cavalry regi¬ 
ments. Proper diet has, we know, the greatest influence on 
the preservation of the health of horses: it is proper that this 
should be managed with discernment; that it should be directed 
and applied by men actually belonging to that duty, and com¬ 
petent to discharge it, and who are attached to their profession, 
and will fulfil all its duties. It is from this course of thinking, 
that I am led to believe the proper regulation of the rank of the 
army veterinary surgeons, and their settled organization, are ob¬ 
jects of importance ; and without entering into any longer de¬ 
tails, which would fatigue the attention of the chamber, I vote 
that the present petition be sent to the minister of war, as well 
as all the other dcrcuments which may serve to enlighten the ad¬ 
ministration on this subject. 
M. le General LaUemand. —Gentlemen, in reading the report 
of the petition which has been presented to you, I remark with 
pain, at the end of it, a phrase which seems to me very un¬ 
founded and ill-applied. The petitioner complains, that the fate 
of the veterinary surgeons has hitherto depended on the will of 
the commanding officer of the regiment. This is an attack on 
the commanding officers which I ought to take up. The veteri¬ 
nary surgeons are always treated with respect. The commanding 
officers are consulted as to their merits, and the recompense 
which they ought to obtain from government. The reports of 
the colonel are given to the^nspectors, and it is not until after a 
most scrupulous examination that they are presented to the 
VOL. VI. Tt 
