VETERINARY EDUCATION IN AMERICA. 
443 
respect tor his energy and self-assurance, but, as one interested 
in the future welfare of the profession, I sincerely deplore the 
condition of affairs which renders such a thing possible. No 
man is too large for the chair of Surgery, I care not how 
varied and extensive his experience, nor how comprehensive 
and profound his knowledge; yet there is not a college in 
America where that subject receives the undivided attention 
of a veterinarian. If we look to the practical side of this 
question we find that probably from one-fourth to two-thirds 
of the professional income of the average veterinarian is de¬ 
rived from surgery alone, and yet, how few recent veterinary 
graduates know the first principles of the science of surgery, 
either in theory or practice ? I am certain that upon leaving 
the Ontario Veterinary College my knowledge of surgery was 
disgracefully meagre and by contact with men from other 
colleges I am forced to conclude that such is usually the case. 
But what else can be reasonably expected so long as the pro¬ 
fessors of surgery in all our colleges have such a multiplicity 
of other duties. 
There is another matter worthy of careful consideration 
and concerted action. Three terms of six months each is un¬ 
doubtedly the proper length of a college course, but if such 
cannot be secured at present, might not a determined effort 
secure a course consisting of, at least, two terms of nine months 
each ? Eighteen and not eleven months should certainly be 
the minimum for actual college work. 
Much has also been said concerning a uniform standard of 
examinations for all the colleges, but, in my opinion, such is 
neither practicable nor desirable. A consummation much 
more to be desired is the establishment of a nearly uniform 
standard of instruction. 
If sufficient interest were evinced by the “ rank and file ” 
of the profession, might not the colleges themselves take the 
initiative in bringing about the desired results ? But if they 
will not be convinced of their duties, why would not the 
United States Veterinary Medical Association be aroused 
to action. True, the past record of that organization 
seems to scarcely justify the idea, but is not even this 
