492 
CORRESPONDENCE 
ment from the American War Office, although such are anually 
published in all European armies. What is the social and pro¬ 
fessional status of Uuited States Army Veterinary Surgeons? 
tor, as far as I can learn, qualified practitioners are rare in the 
Yankee Cavalry. “Sick animals invariably die in the service,” 
therefore the loss must be comparatively enormous for want of 
proper professional skill. His position is stated by one military 
authority to be that of a civilian performing a certain military 
duty. By another, he is an enlisted man, ranks as Sergeant 
Major with a meagre salary, and, as far as I can learn, no extra 
allowances, no forage, servants, quarters, etc. How of all sheer 
nonsense, to expect a respectable young man with sufficient money 
and education to go to college for two or three years, graduate in 
a scientific profession, and then accept a position (indefinitely) at 
best as non-commissioned officer in a cavalry regiment; and if he 
happens to be driven by necessity to that course, what are the 
results ? Does he take an interest in professional details ? Are 
his instructions likely to be properly carried out by his subordinate 
(if he has any) ? Who will be his companions. He is by his pro¬ 
fessional education above those in the ranks. His unenviable 
position places him beneath those who are his equals in Europe; 
and if lie should attempt to maintain his social position, the result 
may be anticipated. And it must be remembered that American 
cavalry are mostly stationed at isolated forts, where officers are 
chiefly dependent on one another for social amusements. The 
social and pecuniary position occupied by private professional 
practitioners is surely and rapidly improving, more particularly 
in the United States. The recent rule of not accepting any but 
qualified gentlemen for the service, is sheer nonsense and will 
remain a dead letter, owing to the grievances which I have endeav- 
01 ed to point out. Treat the veterinary surgeon as a irraduated 
scientific medical practitioner, and in a similar manner to the 
Euiopean Veterinary Medical Service, give him a position and 
relative rank as a commissioned officer, and like them provide for 
his futme welfaie in case of ill-health, injuries and long service, 
and the result cannot be otherwise than satisfatory. The present 
non-qualitied attendants could act as subordinates to their proper 
