330 
CORRESPONDENCE 
VETERINARY MEDICINE AT THE SCHOOL OF APPLICATION, 
FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANS. 
In 1881 the Government established at this post a School of 
Application for cavalry and infantry. It consists of four troops 
of cavalry, five companies of infantry, one light battery of artil¬ 
lery, with their respective officers; one colonel commanding the 
school, three majors, and one lieutenant from each of the thirty- 
five regiments of the army. 
The school was organized in the autumn of 1881 and termi¬ 
nated its first course iu June, 1883. The very satisfactory ex¬ 
amination passed by the first class gives great promise for the 
future of the institution, for the methods and details of instruc- 
4 
tion were of necessity largely experimental during the first two 
years, and experience will no doubt suggest such changes in the 
course of instruction as shall make this a model military school. 
"When the board of officers appointed for that purpose were 
considering the curriculum to be adopted, they decided to recom¬ 
mend a number of standard works on veterinary surgery as text 
books, but for reasons unknown to me no instruction has been 
given on the subject. Several members of the first class expressed 
a desire to receive practical instruction in veterinary medicine, 
and proposed starting a class for that purpose, but owing to 
numerous obstacles the project fell through. 
That some of the officers of the school are in favor of estab¬ 
lishing a course in veterinary surgery 1 personally know, while 
the advantages which would result are apparent to all who may 
give the subject serious consideration. 
A large majority of the officers detailed for a course of in¬ 
struction at the school are young men, mcst of whom have had 
but little experience in the use and care of animals. But, as 
officers, this responsibility will almost surely come to them in the 
near future, for if they belong to the cavalry or light artillery, 
care for the public animals of their troop or battery is a part of 
their daily duties. If they belong to infantry regiments, they are 
liable at any time to be mounted, and are always eligible can¬ 
didates for appointment as acting assistant quartermasters—a 
position often entailing a responsibility for a large number of 
