SYNOPSIS OF CONTINENTAL VETERINARY JOURNALS. 2l5 
a place among matters of instruction; no doubt the book by 
M. Thierry gave rise to this, but it by no means follows that 
because we can write on odontology we can make it a 
distinct course of instruction. And is not the best method 
of teaching to, as M. Corneille says, “ teach by example ?” 
The Congress adopted this view, and no vote was made on 
the matter. The composition of the Board of Examiners 
for the Veterinary Diploma received attention, and the vote 
expressed on this question is that veterinary practitioners 
should be associated with the professors, to give candidates 
all guarantees of complete impartiality. The Congress also 
asked that competition for the employment of imperfectly 
qualified veterinary assistants should be published. And it 
voted in favour of proofs of efficiency in knowledge of 
farriery which were formerly obligatory, but have been erased 
from the “ pass ” examination as being incompatible with 
the more complete conditions of instruction now required 
from candidates. The Congress, in affording support to 
this opinion expressed by some of its members, is inspired 
with the importance of shoeing and the advantages which it 
would confer on such veterinarians as are called upon to 
direct forges by conferring on them the authority of practical 
as well as theoretical knowledge of the art. A master is 
more respected if he can himself do what he orders. But 
there was no intention to return to the past conditions, to 
render proofs of knowledge of farriery obligatory. It seemed 
to be compatible with all views to keep a record, as may be 
determined, of the fitness of candidates as shown before the 
Board, in the art of shoeing and forging. The Congress 
was of this opinion. The following votes were expressed at 
the fourth sitting of the Congress :— 
1. That the terms of admission into the veterinary schools 
should be so modified as to ensure importance to the following 
scientific subjects—Physics, Chemistry, Natural History, 
and Mathematics. 
2. That the extern and free auditor systems should be 
abolished. 
3. That the salaries of professors should be increased, 
that they may abstain from competitive private practice, and 
act only as consultants. 
4. That in the examinations for admission into the 
profession account should be kept of the fitness of the 
candidates for forge duties. 
5. That the competition for the employment of partially 
qualified veterinary assistants at the Ecole de Cavalarie 
should be public. 
