EDITORIAL. 
431 
duties. How does, he live ? Is lie expected with this meagre al¬ 
lowance to furnish himself with the necessaries of life—his uni¬ 
form (if any is required), his horse, his equipment? Where do 
they come from ? Of course we must acknowledge that we are 
somewhat ignorant on the subject. 
In the French army a first gift of 400 francs is made to licen¬ 
tiates for equipment, and a supplement of 500 francs to those who 
are promoted as assistants. How is it in the American service ? 
We hope some of our military brothers will favor us with infor¬ 
mation on the subject. 
Another important question, however, presents itself—upon 
which we have already dwelt—that is, the manner in which the 
appointment is to be made. The new regulations say that it is to 
be made by the Secretary of War only on recommendation from 
the commanding officer of the regiment; and the letter of the 
Adjutant-General says, “upon the favorable report of a regi¬ 
mental examining board.” 
In Europe examinations are also required. Some of them are 
very severe, being written, oral and practical. Now what is the 
examining board for admission in the United States army to con¬ 
sist of ? Certainly it cannot be composed of veterinarians, and if 
made up of physicians will it be a competent Board ? These are 
points of major importance, and which we hope will not escape 
the attention of the gentlemen engaged in the work of reform. 
What we hope to see established is a regular corps of veteri¬ 
narians, with a principal inspector, and his officers distributed 
in the different regiments of cavalry. What the reforms must 
principally rest upon are regular appointments, with rank, quarters 
and privileges of officers, and pay in proportion to the educa¬ 
tion and ability of the veterinary practitioner, with a social 
standing equal to the surroundings in which he may be placed. 
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN THE EASTERN STATES. 
The subject of contagious pleuro-pneumonia does not seem in 
any wise to be losing its interest to the public in those localities 
where it already exists or where it may readily be introduced. 
