DEFECTS OF THE ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE. 
41 
f' 
“ 
Large numbers of animals anatomically unsound, physically 
nfit from bad conformation, etc. etc., are annually purchased, 
*om want of professional veterinary examination previous to 
eing bought. 
The present position of the army veterinarians, their low 
dative rank, poor pay, utter want of prospects, promotion or 
ension for long services, injuries or wounds, to which their pro- 
isssonal duties render them so liable, is such as to deter respect- 
ale, efficient or talented professional men from entering, or, hav- 
ig entered, remaining in the service. 
The Board of 1879 decided that all 4 •army veterinarians must 
3 graduates of reputable colleges or schools, ” nevertheless, four 
t the best appointments are at present in the hands of quacks 
id empirics, including the position of “ Inspector of Cavalry 
orses for the Division of the Missouri , ” the latter resulting in 
\e purchase of anatomically unsound and physically unfit 
>iimals in large numbers. 
On the arrival at their post of ninety remount horses,purchas- 
l in 1885, a casual professional examination revealed seventeeji 
p them affected* with varions chronic diseases, which not only 
mdered them worthless for military purposes, but reduced their 
ecuniary value at least seventy-five per cent, below what they cost 
le Government. 
Appointments as army veterinarians are in the hands of regimen- 
il commanders. From individual idiosyncracies,difficulty of retain- 
g veterinarians, etc., cavalry regiments, composed of animals to 
le value one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, are frequently for 
png periods without professional assistance, often resulting in 
srious losses of public animals; as instanced in the First Cavalry in 
576, where an outbreak of “glanders,” after two years duration, on 
le appointment of a veterinarian, was shown in its true light, and 
oppressed only by the destruction of horses and property, value 
Hty thousand dollars, and several human lives were sacrificed. 
The Act of Congress specifically states “ that each cavalry 
igiment shall have one veterinary surgeon,” nevertheless, many 
igiments are frequently, for long periods, not so provided) 
atably instanced in the Fourth Cavalry, where, owing to personal 
