490 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
an undesirable position with insurmountable difficulties and yet 
asking some one to sacrifice himself by trying to take it. When 
you consider that most of the graduates that are likely to apply 
for these positions in the army, reside in the Eastern and Middle 
States, you will readily understand what a hardship it must be for 
the candidate to travel two or three thousand miles, at an expense 
of from fifty to one hundred dollars, in that he may present him¬ 
self in competition for the position, without even the guarantee 
that the place will not be filled before his journey is completed. 
What inducement can the veterinarian have to apply for so un¬ 
certain a position ! Why cannot the candidate for the position, 
now that he must be a graduate in good standing, have his quali¬ 
fications considered nearer home, (at Washington, for instance) so 
that no possibility can exist of 1 1 is making a journey only to find 
that he is too late or rejected, and compelled to return at a loss of 
money and time that most cannot afford ? If the veterinarian is 
willing to sacrifice his prospects of professional success and ad¬ 
vancement to the advantage of his Government, ought not unnec- 
cessary obstacles at least be removed from the besrinnino’ of his 
course ? I cannot see that the Government makes a single sacri¬ 
fice. or effort even, to secure better veterinary surgeons, for in 
the past it has employed unqualified men on the same terms and on 
the same conditions that it now offers to the educated prac¬ 
titioner. If the educated man is-more worthy of hire than his 
unfortunate predecessor, he is also worthy of a greater remunera¬ 
tion. Let tlie Government of the United States render justice to 
her army veterinarians, and in a short time the service will be 
equal to any in the world. 
Respectfully, 
A Veterinarian. 
AMERICAN ARMY VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS 
To the Editor of the American Veterinary Review : 
Sir : Hearing that a new army warrant for the veterinary 
service of the army of the United States is in process of con¬ 
struction, 1 venture to make a few remarks on the subject, hoping 
