Query on Occupation on Death Certificate? 1864

[LibbyW]

My 3x GGrandmother Hannah Procter nee May, died in 1864 of 'Softening of the brain, Paralysis, 12 months Certified'.
Her husband Thomas George Procter all through his life, on his marriage certificate and every census his occupation is 'Veterinary Surgeon'. 
So any thoughts on why on his wife's death certificate his occupation is 'Farrier'?
 

[IgorStrav]

Perhaps his occupation had previously covered other animals but then focused on the care of horses, and at the time of his death he was specifically:

"a skilled craftsperson with a sound knowledge of both theory and practice of the craft, capable of shoeing all types of equine feet, whether normal or defective, of making shoes to suit all types of work and working conditions, and of devising corrective measures to compensate for faulty limb action."


definition of a farrier from The Farriers Registration Council.

[Treetotal]

Maybe he was he took up this job after his retirement as  Vetinary Surgeon.
Carol

[KGarrad]

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons was formed in 1844, but it wasn't until 1881 that the Veterinary Surgeon's Act was passed.
This Act distinguished between qualified and unqualified practitioners.

Possibly, he wasn't qualified?
Or let his membership of the RCVS lapse?

[rosie99]

A vet practice that I have used in the past started out as a Farrier / Vet 
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9D1-X23

Note it is still trading, I am not that old 

[Viktoria]

You also got Farrier Blacksmiths, one of my Grandfathers was one, he could correct the faults in a horse’s hooves ,by corrective shoes,
There are so many bones in a horse’s foot ,and malformations can render work very painful .
There is at Chatsworth House a horse’s hoof with such a shoe ,it was a Derby winner in the 1800’s when fortunes were wagered on horse racing.
It was built up at one side to level the hoof out as otherwise the horse would have compensated and over time its pelvis would have been affected, so pain in its spine and the inability to carry even a light jockey.
I hasten to add my  grandfather  was not trained in any other veterinary work .
There was a Veterinary Dept at a University where we lived at one time , a horrible sight was to see sets of horses’ legs ,in fours ,two front and two back ,leaning against the wall,ready for students.
It was a country where horse meat was for human consumption !
Poor feet and a horse cannot work.
Viktoria,.

 

[LibbyW]

Thank you for all your input, its interesting isn't it, how documents differ. Up until his death in 1891, he was registered on all the census as a Veterinary Surgeon.
Maybe he was that upset at his wife's death that it was easier to be a farrier?

[KGarrad]

As I said before, in 1881 the Veterinary Surgeon's Act was passed.
From that point only qualified, and registered Veterinary Surgeons were allowed to use that job title.
Much like people calling themselves a dentist or a doctor.

That's why I said that maybe he wasn't qualified?
"Farrier" was probably the closest he could be to a Vet. without incurring the wrath of the RCVS?

The Act was designed to clamp down on the mis-use of the term Veterinary Surgeon.

I have a family of Vet's in my tree!

[Viktoria]

Yes my grandfather only made horseshoes ,fitted them and pared hooves etc .No surgery.

He would work from about 1886  ,in rural Lincolnshire ,later Manchester.
Viktoria.