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practical histology, a subject which is put under the department of Anatomy
in progressive and new schools of medicine but which is perhaps better not
disturbed in this college so long as the existing conditions of the building
and equipment of the departments concerned are not changed.
Pharmacology and Materia Medica.—Several indigenous drugs and
plants were investigated in this department, but research in this line cannot
progress very satisfactorily unless a whole-time research staff assisted by one
or more expert chemists devote themselves solely to the task. Animal
experiments were done to demonstrate the methods of proving the actions of
drugs on different organs of the body to the third year students, besides work
in pharmacy for the junior students.
Organic Chemistry. —The syllabus in this subject has been thoroughly
revised and a demonstrator has been appointed. For want of space, benches of
concrete for balances have been placed in the room meant for the lecturer
and his assistants. More accommodation is needed for this department.
Pathology. —The Pathology Museum has been extended and many
important specimens from various sources have been obtained by the special
efforts of the professor in charge.
Extra microscopes at a cost of Rs. 2,199 out of special grant of Rs. 14,066
have been purchased to enable every student to have a microscope to work
with.
Biology.—Extra microscopes at a cost of Rs. 3,400 out of special grant
of Rs. 14,066 have been purchased as in the departments of Physiology and
Pathology to enable every student to have a microscope to work with.
The garden and the museum attached to this department have grown
remarkably well in a short space of time, and small as they are, they have
been carefully planned to serve the purpose for which they are intended. But
though the teaching facilities are being steadily consolidated, no satisfactory
arrangements can be made for research for want of space.
Anatomy.—The difficulty of getting subjects for dissection was keenly
felt as the few unclaimed cases available from the hospital were required for
post-mortem examination for finding out the cause of death or confirming the
diagnosis made for Pathological demonstration to the students.
Arrangements have been made to import cadavers from the Campbell
Hospital and it is hoped that the junior students will get enough material in
the future for their dissection.
Miscellaneous. —Under orders of local Government the Principal and
Major Bose attended the 7th Congress of the Far Eastern Association of
Tropical Medicine held at Calcutta in December 1927.
The Provincial Pathological Laboratory which was sanctioned last year
is working under the Pathological Department of the college with Major
Bose as Bacteriologist but the Pasteur Institute has not yet come into
existence.
Conclusion.—It is satisfactory to note that the institution, young as it is,
has already started research work in. all its departments and. thanks to the
willing and expert co-operation of the teaching and clerical staff, the strides
it has taken are considerable for its age.
H. R. DUTTON,
LT.-COL., I.M.S.,
Pri nci pal , t he Pri nce of Wal es Medi cal Col l ege, Pat na.