736 
ARMY VETERINARY LEGISLATION. 
nary department of the University of Pennsylvania, on this subject, 
said : 
“ In Prussia the veterinarians enter the army as non-commissioned 
officers, and after two years receive the commission of lieutenant; but it 
must be remembered that the army surgeon in the same country only 
became a commissioned officer in 1845. It is estimated that the cost of 
the veterinary service in the German army is only one-twentieth of the 
value of what it saves. In all other civilized countries except the 
United States the veterinarian enters as a lieutenant and may be pro¬ 
moted to the rank of colonel. In France the veterinarians became 
officers, with a definitely organized corps, in 1843. During the several 
years previous to this the loss of horses in the French army was from 
80 to 85 per 1000 ; in 1845 it fell to 77 per 1000. In 1*852 the service 
was improved by increase of pay, pension and retirement, securing 
better veterinarians, and the annual loss fell to 67 per 1000. In i860 
considerabty increased pay again attracted better men, and the loss fell 
to 28 per 1000. ” 
Dr. Schwartzkopf, in speaking of the present army veterinarians, 
said : 
“ If we now review the professional position of the veterinary sur¬ 
geon we find that he has but little support in regard to his duties and 
privileges. Very little is said about it in the army regulations and 
cavalry tactics, and this with open cautiousness. This puts the veteri¬ 
nary surgeon in a doubtful place, and his position is dependent by favor 
or disfavor of his commanding officer and his special orders in regard to 
veterinary matters. No office or veterinary hospital is given him ; he is 
compelled to go to the different stables for the treatment of the sick 
animals. 
“ The gathering together and carrying of implements from one sta¬ 
ble to another in special cases causes trouble and delay, and much treat¬ 
ment must be omitted for want of proper medicine, instruments, and 
any arrangement for certain diseases. The veterinary surgeon gets but 
little willing assistance from the farrier and shoeing smith, who logic¬ 
ally should be his subordinates ; but he has no authority over them, his 
instructions are carelessly executed, and his orders in the treatment and 
shoeing of horses often changed by others in authority, who measure 
their competence to indulge in the practice of scientific medicine among 
horses by virtue of their rank, which the veterinary surgeon does not 
possess. 
“Now, the responsibility of the troop commander over his horses 
under treatment of a veterinary surgeon is a great drawback, as it pre¬ 
vents the latter from using his judgment and energies in critical cases, 
for it is almost certain that a difference of opinion may exist, and all 
exact knowledge and practice gained by years of studying in colleges 
and universities goes to naught by reason of prejudice and superstition. 
But cavalry tactics require of officers that they shall be able to treat all 
ordinary cases of injury and disease in horses. This is exactly the 
point in view one hundred years ago, but to-day is an absurdity. The 
only competent authority to treat disease in horses is the veterinary 
surgeon, and he alone should be responsible for the proper medical 
treatment. 
“ But the general rules of the hygienic care of horses in their natu- 
