CORRESPONDENCE. 
131 
and it is none the less objectionable because indulged in by some 
very respectable and honored gentlemen who lend a semblance of 
regularity to the business by being possessors of diplomas. 
The editor’s assumption that be can intelligently practice vet¬ 
erinary medicine through the columns of a paper, smacks strongly 
of unlimited self-conceit, and lowers him, at least in this respect* 
to the level of all those pretenders who attempt to gull an over¬ 
confiding public. 
That any veterinary surgeon assumes such a position in the 
honest belief that he is benefiting either the profession or the 
public, is not consistent with our opinion of the dictates of a 
highly cultured professional intellect. The objects sought to be 
attained are evidently the pecuniary remuneration attached to the 
position, the very questionable notoriety, or the privilege of free 
advertising; any or all of which are unworthy perquisites to a 
truly scientific mind. 
A possible excuse might be offered where the remuneration 
was the only means of support, but a reference to the veterinary 
editors of American papers exhibits an entire absence of any such 
necessity; and even had we found it otherwise, we are not pre~ 
pared to believe that necessity should sanction the perpetration of 
so great a wrong. 
Lastly, besides the unjust stigma cast upon veterinary science, 
is the injustice suffered by the patient, by the client, and by all 
other members of the profession ; for the free bids made for prac¬ 
tice by the editors, supplemented by an occasional flattering edi¬ 
torial from the editor-in-chief, places all other practitioners in a 
false light, and deprives them of a part of their just patronage. 
This is felt more particularly by young men just entering upon 
practice, and we trust that every alumnus of all the veterinary col- 
eges in America will add their censure to an evil practice which 
should have died with the advent of the first u veterinary editor.” 
__ L. L. 
SANITARY LEGISLATION. 
notice. 
The undersigned, Commissioners on Contagious Diseases 
