412 
A. A. HOLCOMBE. 
Nor should the Veterinary Surgeons be confined to cavalry 
regiments alone. His services are just as essential in the light 
Artillery and Quartermaster’s Department. Unfortunately there 
are many small posts garrisoned by the army, so that too many 
of the commands are so small as not to warrant the employment 
of veterinary attendance for the sick. But it is the opinion of 
prominent army officers that in a few years time troops will be 
stationed in large garrisons, the smaller posts being abandoned. 
When this is effected, the veterinarians’ services will be more 
effective; and, to guard against the danger of congregation, vio¬ 
lated laws of hygiene, and the disasters of contagion, more 
necessary than now. 
The army now needs at least the following officers to consti¬ 
tute a proper Veterinary Department: 
1. One Chief Veterinary Surgeon. 
2. Ten Inspecting Veterinary Surgeons. 
3. Ten Senior (Regimental) Veterinary Surgeons. 
4. Ten Junior “ “ “ 
The rank, pay, etc., of the 1st should be that of a Major. 
The 
u 
it 
2d “ 
“ Capt. of Cavalry 
The 
u 
it 
3d “ 
“ 1st Lieut, of “ 
The 
it 
a 
4th “ 
“ 2d “ “ 
After a service of five years the J unior should be entitled to 
rank and pay of a Senior. 
At the end of ten years total service, the Senior should be 
eligible for promotion to Inspector, in event of a vacancy. 
On completing twenty years of service the Inspector should 
be eligible for promotion as Chief. 
The Chief Veterinary Surgeon should be stationed at Wash¬ 
ington, D. C. His duties should consist in the examination (as 
one of a Board) of all candidates for commissions and promo¬ 
tions ; the revision and supply of all requisitions for veterinary 
medicines, instruments and dressings; the inspection, tabulation, 
etc., of all reports; and, when necessary, the investigation and 
direction of the treatment of diseases. 
Inspectors should be stationed at headquarters of military 
divisions and departments Their duties should consist in the 
