Chap. 509.—An ACT to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and sur-
gery in the state of Virginia.

Approved February 27, 1896.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That from
and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, the
following persons and no others shall be permitted to practice vete-
rinary medicine or surgery in this state:

First. All persons who prior to the first day of May, eighteen hun-
dred and ninety-six, are practicing veterinary medicine or sugery in
this state: provided that before the first day of November, eighteen
hundred and ninety-six, they shall apply in writing to the state
board of veterinary examiners created by this act and furnish satis-
factory proof that they have been in practice in this state prior to
the first day of May, eighteen hundred and ninety-six. The state
board of veterinary examiners shall thereupon issue to such person
a certificate, without fee, allowing them to continue in practice
without having to undergo an examination as provided by section
seven of this act.

Second. All persons who shall hereafter receive certificates from
the state board of veterinary examiners of this state as provided by
section seven of this act, and who shall also in all other respects
have complied with the provisions of the same.

2. All persons who begin the practice of veterinary medicine or
surgery in this state on or after the first day of May, eighteen hun-
dred and ninety-six, and all persons who neglect to comply with
the requirements of the first clause of section one of this act shall
comply with the provisions of section seven before a certificate to
practice shall be issued to them.

3. Any person shall be regarded as practicing veterinary medicine
or surgery within the meaning of this act who shall profess publicly
to be a veterinary surgeon and offer for practice as such, or who shall
prescribe for sick domestic animals or for domestic animals needing
medical or surgical aid, and shall charge and receive therefor money
or other compensation, directly or indirectly. But nothing in this
act shall apply to residents of this state who confine their practice
to the castration and spaying of live stock, nor shall it prevent any
person from prescribing for live stock who does not claim to be a
veterinarian or veterinary surgeon. _

4. There shall be for this a state board of veterinary examiners,
consisting of five members, whose term of office shall be four years,
or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The term of
office of the board first appointed after this act takes effect shall
commence on the first day of May, eighteen hundred and ninety-six.

5. The said board shal! consist of men learned in veterinary medi-
cine and surgery, and shall be appointed by the governor on or
before the first day of May, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, and
every fourth year thereafter, from a list of ten names to be recom-
mended by the Virginia state veterinary medical association every
four years. Vacancies occurring in such board for unexpired terms
shall be filled by the governor by selection from the five names not
appointed from the ten last recommended by the association. Such
recommendation shall be by vote of a majority present at some
meeting of the said association and shall be certified to the governor
by the president and secretary of said association; provided if said
association fail to make such recommendations prior to the time of
appointment the governor shall appoint such board, either in whole
or in part, without regard to such recommendations. If any of said
examiners shall cease to reside in this state his office shall be deemed
vacant.

6. The members of said board shall qualify by taking the usual
oath of office before the county or corporation court of the county or
corporation in which they respectively reside, or before the judge of
such court in vacation. The officers of said board shall be a presi-
dent, vice-president and secretary (who shall also act as treasurer),
said officers to be members of and selected by the board. Regular
meetings of the board shall be held at such times and places as the
board may prescribe, and special meetings may be held upon the
call of the president and any two members, but there shall not be
less than one regular meeting each year. Three members of the
board shall constitute a quorum. The board may prescribe rules,
regulations and by-laws for its own proceedings and government, and
for the examination by its members of candidates for the practice of
veterinary medicine and surgery.

7. It shall be the duty of said board, at any of its meetings, toexam-
ine all persons making application to them who shall desire to com-
mence the practice of veterinary medicine or surgery in this state, and
who shall not, by the provisions of this act, be exempt from such exam-
ination ; and when an applicant shall have passed an examination sat-
isfactory as to efficiency before the board in session, the president
thereof shall grant to such applicant a certificate tothat effect. A fee
of five dollars shall be paid to said board, through such officers or mem-
bers as it may designate, by each applicant before such examination is
held. In case any applicant shall fail to pass a satisfactory examina-
tion he shall not be permitted to stand any further examination within
the next six months thereafter or until the next meeting of said
board, nor shall he have again to pay the fee prescribed as afore-
said: provided, however, no applicant shall be rejected upon his ex-
amination on account of his adherence to any particular school of
medicine or system of practice, nor on account of his views as to the
method of treatment and cure of disease; and provided, further,
that when, in the opinion of the president of the board, any appli-
cant has been prevented by good cause from appearing before the
board, the president of the board shall appoint a committee of three
members who shal! examine such applicant, and may, if they see
fit, grant him a certificate, which shall have the same force and
effect as though granted him by the full board.

8. The fund realized from the fees aforesaid shall be applied by
the board to the payment of its expenses and to making a reasonable
compensation to the president and secretary.
9. The secretary of the state board of veterinary examiners shal]
record in a book, to be kept for such purpose, the names of all prac-
titioners of veterinary medicine or surgery in this state to whom
certificates are issued, allowing them to practice as provided for in
this act. Said book shall be styled and recognized as the register of
the practitioners of veterinary medicine and surgery in Virginia,
and it shall be admissible in evidence. Said register shall be accu-
rately kept by the secretary of said board, who shall at any time
during business hours allow it to be inspected in his presence by
any person interested, either at his office or at any meeting of the
state board of veterinary examiners. Said secretary shall insert in
said register any alteration in the name or address of any registered
person which may come to his knowledge, and he shall also record
the decease of any registered person as soon as he receives satisfac-
tory proof thereof.

10. Any person who shall practice veterinary medicine or surgery
in this state in violation of the provisions of this act shall be fined
not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars for each
offence, and it shal] not be lawful for him to recover by action, suit,
motion, or warrant any compensation for services which may be
claimed to have been rendered by him as such practitioner of
veterinary medicine or surgery.

11. This act shall be in force from and after the first day of May,
eighteen hundred and ninety-six.