3
The Pársi element, it will be observed, is very strong on our benches, and
this affords me much gratification, for I find that the business-like habits and
steadiness of purpose of the Pársi is frequently associated with considerable
aptitude for the handling of animals and appreciation of their requirements in
health and disease. I look forward to our being able to turn out some very good
Pársi graduates.
The zeal and. application of the Hindus as veterinary students deserves
commendation. They show a little tendency to book-work rather than practical
studies, and the Staff has endeavoured to counteract this. I should like to see
more Mahomedan applicants. It will be observed that all of this caste have been
sent up by the Native States, or otherwise as non-paying students. Mahomedans,
as among the best horsemen in India, should make good veterinary students:
some of the few students of this caste have worked very well.
The one Jewish and several Portuguese students, also those of the European
and Eurasian section, have made good progress, perhaps more marked in practical
work than in theory. It is this section, only, of our students which has some
knowledge of domesticated animals before coming to the College and, of course,
it is thereby at a great advantage. If I be permitted to generalise from my
teaching experience in Great Britain and India, the English student shows a de-
cided practical aptitude, but a distaste for pure theory; whereas the native of
India shows a decided inclination towards theory and literary work. From this
it must be deduced that the studies at the Bombay Veterinary College must
be essentially practical in every possible respect. There is, especially, one
practical matter to which I wish to draw attention—our need for a riding school
on the premises; for it will certainly not do for us to turn out veterinary practi-
tioners who have never been on horseback ! I am submitting my proposals in
this matter through the Committee to Government.
7. The subject of preliminary education demands careful consideration.
The future status of our graduates will depend on their general education to a
degree second only to their professional knowledge and practical abilities.
There can be no doubt that it would be an advantage if only matriculates were
admitted, in so far as results are concerned, and even some of the matriculates
gain familiar acquaintance with colloquial English only after entering the Col-
lege. Students from the outlying districts are those most likely to have practical
acquaintance with animals prior to entering the College ; but they, also, are the
ones least familiar with English, and most deficient in general education. The
minimum limit of general education of applicants has been fixed at the 6th
Standard, but all non-matriculates are, under the Rules and Regulations, to pass
such educational test as satisfies the Superintendent that they are capable of
following the course of instruction. If in the future, as I consider very desirable,
our College be affiliated with the University of Bombay, the time will have
arrived when admission may be refused to non-matriculates; I am decidedly of
opinion that at present such a measure would be premature : it would tie the
hands of Native States and Provinces sending up students, and would practically
exclude certain races from among whom it is desirable representatives should be
sent to the College, notably Mahomedans and Maráthás.
8. As our College may to an extent be deemed the first outcome of the
movement in favour of technical education, and as it is the first which has been
started in India with a view to the educating of Natives for independent charge
as veterinary practitioners, I may be permitted here to briefly comment on the
reasons which have induced young men to enter our College and the hopes they
entertain in doing so. I am sorry to say that very few have entered through any
special liking* for either their future profession or for domesticated animals, but
almost all because they consider the profession will give fair prospects of employ-
ment, especially under Government. They constantly enquire what veterinary
service, if any, Government intends to establish, and the value of appointments
in it. Many have entered with a view to obtaining the free professional education
placed at their disposal in the form of Government and Municipality free student-
ships, and for these there has been considerable competition, rendering selection
rather difficult. The principles adopted in that selection have been to make sure,
by a certificate from some responsible officer (especially a Civil Servant of the
native place of the applicant), that the candidate is a suitable person and not in a
* I am glad to say the majority of the students after entry soon show such a liking, and
become keen and apt at their work.