THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
513 
contagious pleuro-pneumonia is very rife in South Derbyshire. 
On good authority, I state that there are few parishes (nay, 
townships) in that political division of our county in which 
numerous cases of this disease have not occurred during the 
present year. I look upon this fact with great anxiety, in¬ 
asmuch as there is a vast amount of misapprehension in the 
mind of the agricultural public as to the true nature of this 
specific disease. We have strong evidence of this in the 
recent discussion of the members of the Derbyshire Agricul¬ 
tural Society, where it was stated that brewers^ grains, 
chopped hay and straw, artificial foods, &c,, were among its 
causes. What else could be expected when land agents, 
farm bailiffs, &c., assumed to be authorities on veterinary 
medical subjects? 
THE VETERINARY PROFESSION FROM A NEWEY- 
FLEDGED MEMBER’S POINT OF VIEW. 
By John Gerrard, M.R.C.V.S., Ware, Herts. 
As an humble member of the veterinary profession, and 
having for the last ten years taken a lively interest in all its 
concerns, perhaps you will allow me space for a few remarks 
on the state and prospects of the profession from my 
point of view. 
And first of the annual report and meeting. In reading 
over the report and speeches of the meeting one is struck with 
the unanimity of sentiment which seems to prevail on the 
question of educating and examining the future students of 
the profession. Indeed, the whole matter seemed conceded ; 
it being agreed to by all present, that not only were more 
stringent examinations necessary, but that a greatly more 
extended curriculum of practical education was required. 
Not one step was taken, however, or a suggestion made re¬ 
garding a much more important subject, viz. the obtaining 
of a new charter or renovating the old, to protect those who 
shall undergo the searching ordeal from the annoyances 
and difficulties experienced by them on commencing practice, 
from the multiplication and recognition of unqualified prac¬ 
titioners, who swarm like a flock of Egyptian locusts, with 
powers equally as destructive, over the length and breadth 
of this so-called enlightened land. 
I am certainly no opponent to the contemplated improve- 
