George Fleming (veterinarian)

George Fleming (1833–1901) was a Scottish veterinary surgeon. He was a prolific writer, and supported the passing of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1881, which regulated the profession, in his time as President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

He was born in Glasgow on 11 March 1833, and when still young moved with his father to Manchester, where both of them worked as farriers for veterinary surgeon. A Manchester veterinary surgeon, John Lawson, sent him to Dick's College in Edinburgh. He took medals and prizes, and in 1855 obtained the certificate of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, at that time a recognised veterinary diploma. At the end of the year he entered the army veterinary service.

Fleming served through the Crimean War. In 1860 he volunteered for the Second Opium War, and was present at the Third Battle of Taku Forts and the surrender of Beijing, receiving for his services a medal with two clasps. In 1866 he obtained the diploma of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and in 1867 served with the army in Syria and Egypt. On his return he spent some years with the Royal Engineers at Chatham. In 1879 he was appointed inspecting veterinary surgeon at the War Office, and in 1883 principal veterinary surgeon to the army. In 1887 he was made C.B. and in 1890 he retired from the army.

Fleming became a vice-president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1867, a year after his admission, and a member of council in 1868. He was elected president in 1880. Agitation for an act of parliament to restrict the title of veterinary surgeon to the diploma-holders of the College had become acute, and he helped securing the passage through parliament of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1881, which imposed a penalty on unqualified persons who used the title of veterinary surgeon. He was then re-elected president for three years in succession (1881–4), and again in 1886–7.

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