DEFECTS OF THE ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE. 
43 
l -;-;- 
As a professional representative he cannot associate with the 
enlisted men, 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. 
In all European armies, including those of England, France, 
Germany, .Russia, Egypt, Italy, Sweden, etc., etc., the veteri¬ 
narian is a commissioned officer, ranking from lieutenant to 
colonel; some of those countries are so particular in this respect, 
(France and Germany) that they graduate and educate their own 
' veterinary cadets , and in all of them, their veterinary services are 
organized into special corps and departments. 
The British War Department control thirteen thousand six 
hundred animals, and employ about two hundred of the most 
scientific and talented veterinarians, ranking as commissioned 
Department 
but fourteen 
veterinarians , ranking as enlisted men , hence none but the very 
refuse of the veterinary profession will remain in the army 
under the present humiliating conditions, resulting in great loss 
of public property and detriment to the military service. 
Troop horse-shoers and farriers are detailed to these duties 
1 without the slightest intelligent instructions, but-are left to their 
own ignorant, injurious, and often cruel devices, resulting in ruin¬ 
ing, crippling and poisoning public animals, large numbers being 
permanently and prematurely rendered useless, and sold as 
unservicable and unfit for further service, from the above easily 
preventive causes. 
I / The establishment of a veterinary hospital, pharmacy and 
! shoeing shop in each post, under the special control and super¬ 
vision of a veterinarian, would cause immense saving, preventing 
the present exhibition of enormous and poisonous doses of drugs 
by ignorant farriers, the ruinous foot butchery and hoof mutilation 
now carried out by horse-shoers, and for the isolation of sick 
animals; the latter are now retained in their usual stalls in the 
midst of their companions, hence the frequency of outbreaks of 
contagious diseases amongst army animals. 
Approaching service in cities, and neighborhood of the centres 
i officers from lieutenant to colonel. The U. S. War 
control over fifteen thousand animals, and employ 
