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editorial observations. 
THE CHOICE OF EXAMINEES. 
It will be seen by reference to another part of our journal 
that our respected co-Editor, Mr. Fleming, has seen tit to 
relieve himself from the responsibility—if any—attaching to 
the sentiments which were expressed in our last month’s 
Leader on the appointment of a member of the medical 
profession as an Examiner. Under the peculiar circumstances 
of the case, we feel it to be only due to our colleague that the 
Veterinarian should be placed at his disposal that he may 
give full expression to his sentiments, and, for the same 
reason, we insert, without complaint, his communication 
in extenso . It is necessary, however, to state that as Editors 
—apart from our colleague—we are quite content to bear 
any additional responsibility which may be thus cast upon 
us; for we believe that Mr. Fleming has viewed this matter 
from a stand-point which throws the deepest shade upon it— 
a darkness which, in truth, does not belong to it, but rather 
to the seer. 
To drop metaphor, we unhesitatingly affirm that, for our¬ 
selves, we shall still labour to strengthen by every means in 
our power the union which happily exists between the several 
members of the two professions, and especially as Examiners 
of aspirants for veterinary honours. We fully admit that 
Surgeons—as Surgeons—are certainly not to be regarded as 
authorities on the diseases of the lower animals ; but in advo¬ 
cating Physicians or Surgeons as Examiners on Anatomy and 
Physiology, we well know that we are selecting from a 
profession which can boast of possessing really efficient men. 
The great difficulty of the veterinary profession is that it 
has so little choice of Examiners from among experienced 
teachers; and we repeat—for the hundredth time—that 
unless a man is, or has been teacher, he makes as a rule but 
a very indifferent Examiner. Time, practice, and study 
have done much for those in office, and will, doubtless, 
do as much to remove difficulties and render other Vete¬ 
rinary Surgeons proficient as Examiners; but, after all, 
these things can never stand in the place of that daily 
