262 
GERALD E. GRIFFIN. 
direction of the regimental commander, attend the public ani¬ 
mals at his station, and, upon request, such authorized private 
horses of mounted officers as may stand in need of medical or 
surgical treatment.” 
This is to the point certainly, but the veterinarian should 
have the sole charge and management of all sick animals 
without “suggestions ” to or from any individuals. 
No. 291. * * * * * * 
“ Veterinary surgeons and farriers should be encouraged 
to make collections of specimens, obtained from post mortem 
examinations, illustrating the anatomy of the horse, in order 
to popularize and disseminate in the army a knowledge of 
this subject.” 
Good idea! but where are these specimens to be kept ? 
Kicked around each troop guard house, stowed away in the 
forage room of each cavalry stable or dumped into some old 
packing box in the quarters of the veterinarian, who is so 
often pushed for the necessary house-room that he is himself 
forced to build on additions to his residence so that he may 
not be compelled to sleep, cook and eat in the one apartment ? 
It is all nonsence and waste of good time and material to 
issue such orders as these until there is first something done 
for the veterinarian himself. His position must be improved 
in order that his opinions and actions shall receive that re¬ 
spect both from enlisted men and officers that it is his right 
to expect. 
As I have before remarked, I am by instinct and education 
a military man, and feel that I would be .happier and more 
content in the military service that in civil life, nevertheless 
I have refused two appointments as army veterinarian, for 
the reason that I could not criticise the orders affecting the 
veterinarian issued from time to time by the War Depart¬ 
ment, as it would be directly opposed to army regulations, 
good order and military discipline, and I am too much of a 
soldier to disobey any order issued by my superior officer; 
then again I could not so well advocate the cause of the army 
veterinarian from the army itself, as I would be looked upon 
as a malcontent and grumbler; but out in civil life practicing 
