VETERINARY EMPIRICISM IN FRANCE. 341 
was particularly observed in the case of a horse belonging to 
M. Col um bard, a farmer. 
Such declarations constituting the plaintiffs case, the judge, 
having first had the carcass of the cow inspected by another 
veterinary surgeon, M. Gombauth, submitted to the Procureur 
of the Republic, whether there was not ground for impeach¬ 
ment, 
1st, On the score of practising illegally and contrary to law, 
the healing art, as constituting a contravention of the statute of 
21 germinal, year XI. 
2dly. On the score of having by him a stock of drugs for sale, 
contrary to the same statute. In the face, however, of these re¬ 
monstrances, M. Procureur of the Republic decided, there was 
not ground for prosecution, by reason of there being no law in 
existence which prohibits the practice of the veterinary art by 
persons not in possession of diplomas from the Government 
(Veterinary) School. 
On which decision, the Editor of the “ RecueiV observes— 
Certainly it is not our place to teach veterinary jurisprudence 
to M. le Procureur; though we cannot help making the remark, 
that if surgeons and veterinary surgeons be amenable, as they 
are, to justice, for want of foresight, or recollection, or skill in 
the practice of their respective professions, surely the man who, 
a weaver by trade, undertakes to practise medicine on animals, 
not only with audacity but with manifest injury, ought to be 
much more the subject of-pains and penalties! If, messieurs 
the magistrates hold surgeons and veterinary surgeons responsible 
for their practice, why absolve empirics, and in cases, too, when 
their mal-practice causes the death of their animal patients, 
thereby occasioning serious damage to their employers 1 Since 
anybody out of pure caprice is permitted to turn veterinary 
surgeon, surely it is but fair that the amateur doctor should 
share responsibility with the professional Veterinarian. 
H. Bouley. 
**•* The above case shews that the veterinary diploma, even 
though emanating from a Government School, is no more pro¬ 
tected by law in France than it is in England. In our country, 
however, an action for damages for the loss of the cow would 
clearly have laid; but even that does not appear to have been a 
plea available with our neighbours across the channel.— Ed. 
Vet. 
