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15. I now come to the several departments of the College study and notice
important points connected with each.
Anatomical.—Three complete skeletons are now available for the study of
anatomy; some good specimens of joints and tendons made by Class B students
are available for demonstrations; a number of useful diagrams has been added.
There was a fair number of subjects for dissection, but as they were not obtain-
able regularly throughout the year, dissections were continued all day whenever
possible, while on the other days an hour's instruction from diagrams, dried up
specimens and models, was arranged. Owing to the rapid decomposition of the
subjects—notwithstanding the strict antiseptic precautions—telling on the health
of men and animals, it has been arranged not to keep them for more than two
days at a time. In order to avoid all sorts of danger to health it is further
under contemplation to have dissections only during the dry season of the year,
and not in the rains. A cesspool is urgently required behind the dissection and
post-mortem rooms, as at present although the dirty water is carted away, some
of it soaks in the grounds behind and is often a source of danger to health.
Physiological.—For the first time during the year under report the Histoloy
classes were instituted by Dr. Nariman. The new instructor in the subject is
quite a novice in practical work, but in a year or two he will make up the defi-
ciency by working in the Patho- Bacteriological Laboratory. Arrangements have
been made to teach systematically Physiological Chemistry from the ensuing year,
and thus a great desideratum will be supplied. It is hoped that these practical
classes will remove the existing difficulty on the part of the students in learning
Physiology and the constant complaints of the examiners that the students are
weak in this subject, the majority of them cramming from the lectures or books
without understanding the matter.
Chemical.—The laboratory is now pretty well equipped and arranged.
Elementary Practical Chemistry classes were held during the year, but there was
no course in Organic Analysis. The insufficiency of water-supply and the want of
gas are the two principal drawbacks in the laboratory. Proposals for removing
these defects will be submitted to Government in conjunction with similar
proposals regarding the Patho-Bacteriological Laboratory.
Botanical.—It is to be regretted that no progress can be made in teaching
Practical Botany so long as the hospital authorities express their inability to
spare a plot of ground for a botanical garden. The growing of lucern and the
various kinds of grasses ought to be an essential part of this study, as a fair
number of graduates is employed in charge of breeding studs and State paddocks.
Numerous communications have been received from graduates and others regard-
ing the importance of this study. In the absence of any arrangements at the
College for teaching Practical Botany, the classes were taken to the Victoria
Gardens for the purpose on certain days. It is hoped that failing any concessions
from the hospital authorities, Government will be prepared to rent the grounds
required and appropriate them for paddocks and botanical garden in such a way
as to expose the grounds freely to sun and air and thus remove the causes of
malaria.
Pharmaceutical.—The original farrier's quarters, which have been utilized
for a pharmacy, seem to answer their purpose better than the room at the top
of the Hospital Manager's office which was formerly used for the purpose ; still
they are far from satisfactory on account of the rooms being not large enough
for dispensing, compounding, &c. As soon as the hospital authorities erect a new
building for the Pharmacy, the present quarters can be better utilized in some
other manner. The Principal in the last year took classes in Practical Pharmacy
and Materia Medica with a view to help and put in the way the new Instructor in
these important branches of study.
Pathological.—The students had, as in the previous year, special courses of
instruction in post-mortem examinations and Morbid Anatomy. The study of
various microscopical specimens practically and the handling of microscopes were
for the first time introduced. The students show a keen interest in Microscopy,
so much so that some used to bring their own microscopes and make their
own specimens of soft tissues and liquids. Most of the senior students have thus
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