545 
DEFECTS OF U. S. ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE. 
transportation, horse-shoeing, clinics, obstretrics, surgery, forensic 
medicine, veterinary police and contagions diseases, meat inspec 
tion, animal conformation, operative practice, microscopy, sanita¬ 
tion, stabling, examination of forage, grain, water, etc., hygiene, 
skin diseases, ophthalmology, helminthology, jurisprudence, etc. 
The Army Veterinarian is paid less than the signal service 
soldier, ordnance sergeant, wagon boss, mule packer, post 
blacksmith and carpenter, Q. M. clerk, general service clerk, 
headquarter messengers, etc., etc. He has only the rank, quarters 
and social status of the enlisted man, consequently his professional 
suggestions and instructions are neither received nor executed with 
the respect and promptness they deserve. 
Amongst all other branches of Government veterinary service 
(the Bureau of Agriculture and various State veterinary officials) 
the Veterinarian is recognized, treated and respected as a profess¬ 
ional representative and a gentleman, with stipend from two 
thousand dollars ($2,0U0) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) a year. 
The Veterinarian has no control over those who should be his 
subordinates, viz.: the farriers and blacksmiths, consequently his 
instructions are ignored or carelessly performed, his treatment of 
sick and lame animals are frequently countermanded and interfer¬ 
ed with by the veriest tyros and smatterers in veterinary matters. 
The Army Veterinarian’s pay, $75 for juniors and $100 for 
seniors, per month, is not sufficient to supply more than the bare 
necessaries of life, as army living is high and expensive. In trav¬ 
eling, he is only allowed the same amount of baggage as an enlist¬ 
ed man, and consequently must dispose of his effects when leaving 
and purchase others at the next station. His travel pay stops on 
his arrival at his destination, although he is frequently compelled 
to remain at hotels, etc., for long periods, through scarcity of 
quarters. 
The Quartermaster General in his annual report of 1884-5, 
states “that Veterinarians are practically without quarters.” 
As a professional representative and gentleman he cannof 
associate with the enlisted men, more particularly if he wishes to 
command the respect necessary to the proper performance of his 
duties. His present status and pay debars him from the society 
of officers and their families. 
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