THE ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT. 
355 
is not at all surprising that the Veterinary Department, as then 
established, was most noted for its wonderful inefficiency and en¬ 
tire lack of knowledge of even the rudiments of veterinary 
science. But great as lias been the improvement in some re¬ 
spects of this department, it is still of but little credit to itself, 
to the Government, or to the profession it cannot be said to rep¬ 
resent ; and it will remain in this condition until some radical 
changes are effected. If it is so great a desideratum that all ap¬ 
pointees in future shall be graduates in veterinary surgery, as is 
required by the order of the War Department of March 27,1879, 
how much more important would it seem that the ability of those 
appointed before this provision was adopted should be deter¬ 
mined. 
From a sentimental standpoint there may be objections to 
discharging from the civil service, on account of simple ineffi¬ 
ciency, individuals appointed prior to 1879 ; but that such a pro- 
ceedure would prove of inestimable advantage to the Government, 
and that the animals In the public service are entitled to intelli¬ 
gent veterinary attendance, cannot be doubted. The service ren¬ 
dered to the Government by the Army Veterinary Department 
ought not to be less efficient than that performed by the Medical 
Department, for its importance, although differing somewhat in 
character, is not less great. Outside of the temporary service 
which each individual renders, it may be said that the Veterinary 
Department accomplishes nothing, for the monthly reports are 
unreliable and most imperfect; observations as to the effects of 
climate, altitude, labor, exposure, food, water, etc., are not con¬ 
sidered of sufficient importance to demand attention, while no 
provision whatever is made for detecting the most flagrant viola¬ 
tions of all the principles underlying the science of medicine and 
surgery. That such a department is not in good repute is not to be 
wondered at; but the fault and the remedy lie with the Govern¬ 
ment, for the department is precisely what the Government has 
made it, and it will never be better than the Government is will¬ 
ing to require. 
Before this department can be made what it deserves to be, 
no doubt the Government will find it necessary to make the 
