8
Among the new subjects introduced I would specially draw attention to
the study of poisons (Toxicology), examination as to soundness, the use of the
Microscope, and Bacteriology.
Class A. men have, on my authority, now to attend daily for one hour's dis-
pensing and compounding. Their instruction in Pharmacy and Materia Medica
has hitherto been conducted by a Medical man, who was necessarily not thoroughly
acquainted with the applications of these matters to Veterinary Science ; to correct
this weak point I (for the coming year only) intend to myself teach these
subjects not only to the students but also to the Graduate who in future will
have to take charge of this branch. A Syllabus of the College course of Instruction
has been prepared by me and is now being printed. The work in each subject-
of each branch has been carefully mapped out not only with a view to informing
examiners, students, and enquirers as to the scope of our instruction, but also for
the guidance of the instructors. I had a suspicion that our lecturers- at times
indulged in flights of eloquence more with a view to show their brilliancy than
in the hope of converting their audience into sound veterinarians. The syllabus
shows there is no time for such flights and exhibitions, but an urgent necessity
that the maximum amount of instruction in each subject specified be given at
each lesson, the system adopted being tutorial rather than professorial. With
our young instructors, whom I am anxious to convert into sound teachers and
specialists, this was the more necessary. Appendix F. shows the number of
instructions given, which is approximately the same as last year, i. e., that pre-
scribed by regulations—some 1,700 lectures and demonstrations in all.
10. A number of minor buildings and fittings have been supplied through
the agency of the Public Works Department during the past year. They include
a horse trevis and measuring shed, a bullock treyis, some cupboards for appliances
appended to the operation shed, and certain minor works. These add to the
efficiency of the Clinical Department, but in importance are less than the valuable
concession made by Government (vide Government Resolution, Revenue Depart-
ment, No. 7446, dated 3rd October 1889) of the Farrier's quarters to be used in
future as a Pharmaceutical Laboratory. This step was necessitated by the proved
unhealthiness of the quarters in question, and they have answered their new
purpose most excellently, there being room for a store, a dispensary, a large
compounding chamber, an office, and a washing room, besides extra store and kitchen
accommodation. The students' quarters, as built by Government at a cost of
Rs. 998-10-11, have proved feverish for certain portions of the year, so that stu-
dents naturally refuse to reside in them. Under these circumstances I have,
when possible, let them out as day studies and thus secured a part of the money
anticipated by Government as annual rent ; and I have obtained an indirect rent by
using them as workshops in which I have had done at a cheap rate carpentering
which would have been very expensive off the premises. Unhealthiness of these
quarters has thus prevented my getting six resident students for direct charge
of the wards and to benefit by the influences of residence ; however non-residence
is to an extent compensated for by the fact that living in Bombay is in itself an
education to up-country students. I very much question, nevertheless, whether
three years is a sufficient length of time to produce a permanent general and
professional effect on the habits of thought of a native student. I have a
shrewd suspicion that as I am the only European teacher with whom our students
have much to do, their culture and education, general and professional, must have
many mannerisms. I trust, therefore, that in due course Government will see
its way to increasing the European element on the College staff. Now, the
College is, I feel, too much dependent on efforts of one individual, and I want it
to be on a more secure basis. It may seem strange that, holding such views. I
have lately recommended replacement of the Farrier Major by a Graduate
specially educated in Farriery. This is because experience has shown that it is
extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get an European officer of the stamp required
from the Farrier class. Old soldiers seem incapable of adapting themselves to
the responsibilities of a teaching post and the freedom from the close and
immediate supervision which it entails. Any addition to the professorial strength
of the College must be dependent on the action taken as regards the Civil Vete-
rinary Department, the initiation of which is imminent. I trust to be able to
make proposals to Government under this heading in the coming year.