164 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
him now? We fear not. The army should afford the best 
examples of the scientific veterinary surgeon—the culti¬ 
vated comparative pathologist,—for no civil practitioner ever 
has or can expect the same opportunities for study and 
observation, ranging over such a diversity of climate and 
comprising so many different creatures necessary for the 
welfare of man. The evidence before us proves that this 
want of stimulus to exertion, this apathy to labour and im¬ 
provement, must be injurious not only to the service, but to 
the country at large. The veterinary literature of Britain 
proves this. Compare it with that of France, and it will be 
found that the army veterinary surgeons of that country 
contribute largely to its welfare, by making known every¬ 
thing connected with the animals entrusted to their care, 
not only in France, but in her colonies. The management 
and the maladies of every animal employed by the French 
in Algeria are as well known as if these creatures were 
natives of France. Can we say as much for India or any 
other of our numerous colonial possessions? We have not 
a single text-book on the varied and ofttimes serious 
maladies that the young veterinary surgeon has to contend 
with when he first proceeds on foreign service. This would 
not be, if our War Department or Horse Guards were fully 
alive to the interests at stake. 
As affairs now stand, it is comparatively a matter of in¬ 
difference to the veterinary surgeon in the army whether, 
after he receives his commission, he keeps up or adds to his 
scientific knowledge or not. He who happens to be senioV* 
to him, though he may never read a professional book, and 
may even avoid everything that might be termed profes¬ 
sional, is just as likely to be promoted as the one who en¬ 
deavours to raise himself and the profession by unremitting 
study and conscientious zeal. 
Surely this ought not to be the case ! The system is one 
which requires to be amended. The younger veterinary 
officers ought to be encouraged in every possible way; the 
seniors, comparatively speaking, are much better provided 
for ; a higher rate of pay should be allowed to the young 
officers, for it is they who always bear the brunt of active 
