834 PRINCIPAL VETERINARY SURGEON TO INDIAN ARMY. 
the sheep being thoroughly drained, and also save a good 
deal of the dipping mixture. 
It is necessary to add fresh liquor from time to time, to 
keep up both the heat and proper strength, and also to supply 
the place of that which has been used. The amount required 
will depend very much upon the length of the animaPs wool. 
The sulphur is kept floating in the bath by the agitation of 
the fluid, and as such it settles in the wool, acting, I have no 
doubt, as the chief preventive of scab. It is usual to dip the 
sheep again at the end of a fortnight, but in my opinion one 
thorough soahing is sufficient, if done in hot liquor . The tobacco is 
best boiled in bags, as it is then easily removed from the copper 
when its strength has been extracted. Leaf tobacco, is, I 
think, the best, but all the common sorts are used. Man}' of 
the settlers grow their own tobacco, but rather more of this is 
required, it not being very strong. 
THE APPOINTMENT OE A PRINCIPAL VETERI¬ 
NARY SURGEON, &c., TO THE INDIAN ARMY. 
By “ Argus .” 
India ; February , 1862. 
Gentlemen, —The advisability of appointing a principal 
and staff veterinary surgeons.in this country has been under 
the consideration of the government of India for some time 
past. A few months ago, the commanding officers of brigades 
of artillery and regiments of cavalry were called upon for their 
opinion, and the majority, if not all, were in favour of the 
measure. I have seen the reports of four officers, all of whom 
stated that they thought such appointments would be pro¬ 
ductive of good results. I have, however, lately heard that 
there is some intention on the part of the authorities to select 
military officers holding stud appointments for the duty of 
periodically inspecting and reporting upon the stable manage¬ 
ment of corps, the general condition of the horses, and the 
respective merits of the different breeds, and their suitability 
for the various branches of the service. Should not this form 
part of the duty of the principal and staff veterinary surgeons? 
I think so. Pray use your influence with the “ Veterinary 
Surgeon Generalat home, who, I am sure, will not fail to 
urge the claims of the military veterinary surgeons in India. 
Last year the above duty was performed by military officers 
sent from the studs. Yours faithfully. 
To the Editors of c The Veterinarian .’ 
