284 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
are superior to the so-called Irregulars, who are practicing with¬ 
out the highly prized diploma; then they will be protected by 
their own ability. 
I would like to ask if there are not as good practitioners and 
operators that have no diplomas as there are that have. 
I think the way for the so-called .Regulars, no matter from 
what school, country or college, either from this side or the other 
of the Atlantic, to protect themselves is by being united, and not 
try to hurt a brother practitioner that is in the same town or city 
with him. Protect each other by lending a helping hand, if need 
be, and not give each other a back cut whenever the opportunity 
occurs. 
Every man has his opinion and a right to express it, so long 
as it is not detrimental to his neighbors. We do not all think 
alike. 
Is it not better to have no legislation at all than to have a 
law by which any hostler, groom, coachman or blacksmith can 
register and be on an equal footing with your honored self, so 
far as the law is concerned ? 
This leads to another question, that of the curriculum of study 
in the different schools not being of a uniform standard. Will 
it ever be so ? 
I do not believe it ever will, as most of the schools, so far as 
I know, are private ventures, though they may be connected with 
some high toned university—and as such, every one tries to get 
out the most students and graduates. What is the result? that in 
order to make it a paying investment the curriculum is shortened, 
and out of the list of graduates turned out many of them cannot 
apply a bandage on a horse’s leg. 
One of these graduates settles in a town where a so-called 
quack has been for years; this quack is a man of close observa¬ 
tion, long experience, a student well posted in veterinary and 
medical literature, a good practitioner and as a man above reproach 
and of good character. The graduate, after getting settled in 
his office, first of all goes to work to impress on the public mind 
that Mr. Quack is a quack; then he looks to the Legislature for 
protection, to prevent Mr. Q. from earning his living. Now, 
