CORRESPONDENCE. 
375 
bers of the medical profession, who, of all others, should be best 
able to understand the truth of our claims and the first to concede 
us our dues. 
Comparisons are usually the most odious when founded in 
unpalatable facts, and it was probably owing to his memory of 
professional forefathers who, as Greek slaves, were keepers of the 
Roman bath and barbers, that he made reference to their vocation 
and deficient knowledge of dermatology. 
Whether or not lie entertains any reverence for these progeni¬ 
tors of his, or whether they were properly acquainted with the 
nature and general prevalence of “ sycosis ” amongst the citizens 
of Rome, does not appear, but it cannot be denied that their 
knowledge of surgery excelled that of their self-assumed superiors, 
who scorned with contemptuous indifference the claims which 
these votaries of a struggling science had upon the practitioners 
of medicine and the State. 
Had it not been for this intolerant bigotry which supported 
centuries of persecution and oppression, the history of human 
surgery might have been more glorious than it is. That veterinary 
surgery should meet with a kindred experience at this time and in 
this country, so noted for its rapid progress, is almost beyond the 
understanding of one who is acquainted with the history of the 
past. 
The statement that “ the present status of veterinary medicine 
is so undefined ” affords no just grounds upon which the claims 
of the profession to render important service can be derided, nor 
is it a sufficient pretext for opposition to our endeavors to gain 
just recognition at the hands of Government. 
The virtue of the medical profession is not entirely above re¬ 
proach, if we may judge from the opinions expressed by the ma¬ 
jority of her practitioners, and the elements of her composition 
are not so commendable as might be inferred from the Record’s 
strictures upon the veterinary profesion. We need not go beyond 
the confines of Hew York city to find practices perpetrated under 
the wing of the medical profession that would put to the blush 
the barbers of any age. The profession, as a whole, is com¬ 
posed, not of three, but of five classes ; First are the regular 
