732 
ARMY VETERINARY LEGISLATION. 
brace the opportunity held out to them of assisting the com¬ 
mittee by moral and substantial support. 
The Review presents herewith a copy of a letter sent to vet¬ 
erinarians by the Committee, together with the circular of in¬ 
formation for their guidance in seeking the aid of Congressmen 
and Senators. 
Washington, D. C., December nth, 1899. 
Dear Doctor : — This committee has been instructed by the Ameri¬ 
can Veterinary Medical Association to again bring the matter of legis¬ 
lation for the army veterinary service to the attention of Congress, and 
to make a further appeal for a measure that will give our arm v the same 
expert knowledge in the selection, care and medical treatment of its 
horses as has been furnished to the armies of other civilized countries, 
and which will incidentally give the army veterinarian the respect and 
authority that will make the position attractive to educated and com¬ 
petent men. 
Some progress was made at the last session of Congress, but our com¬ 
mittee is of the opinion that it is essential for the highest efficiency of 
the army, for the honor and standing of our profession, and to secure 
the humane treatment of army horses, that the veterinarians already 
provided for shall have the rank of second lieutenant, that the service 
shall be extended to the artillery and transportation department, and 
that there should be a veterinary director. 
The committee, knowing your interest in all that pertains to this 
subject, has directed me to send you our printed circular of information, 
and to ask you to assist in the efforts to obtain the desired legislation. 
You are, therefore, requested to write at once to the member of Congress 
from your district and to both Senators from your State, telling them 
that you are greally interested in the proposed legislation for improving 
the veterinary service of the army, and urging them to use their influ¬ 
ence to secure its passage. It is thought that you have friends, not 
necessarily veterinarians, who are also interested, and who would, on 
your request, send similar letters. 
Will you not attend to this at once and write to me so that I may 
know you have received this letter, and that you have written to your 
representatives in Congress ? As the expense for printing and postage 
to reach the large number of veterinarians who are co-operating is con¬ 
siderable, the committee will be glad to receive and acknowledge any 
small contribution which you may desire to make for this object." 
I am also directed to thank you for the assistance which you have 
heretofore given, and to say that the prospects are favorable for success 
at this session of Congress. Very truly yours, 
D. E. Salmon, Chairman. 
Address P. O. Box 189, Washington, D. C. 
NEEDED VETERINARY SERVICE-UNITED STATES ARMY. 
Attention is invited to a few facts showing the importance of legis¬ 
lation to establish a Veterinary Corps in the United States Army, and 
the advantages and economy which will result from it. 
France, Germany, and other countries have, within two years, 
largely increased the force in the Veterinary Corps of their respective 
