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Bazar medicines have been seriously studied and a good collection of them formed. This. I think, is an
important advance, because students are a little apt to overlook the cheaper and more easily procured
remedies.
In paragraph 11 of my last Annual Report I remarked:—
'In some respects I was not satisfied with the students—1st, they were not as manly as they might be;
2nd, owing to their previous ignorance of animals they were exceedingly awkward in handling them; 3rd,
in clinical diagnosis they were weak; 4th in diagnosing lameness they were bad, and 5th, some of them were
lazy.'
During the passed year I set myself the task of remedying the faults indicated.
The first step was to get rid of the two former lecturers, who were of little use, and get others that were
well up in practice. Therefore Messrs. Doctor and Shroff made way for Messrs. D'Silva and Foy.
The students were got into the hostel, and it then became possible to double the amount of practical
instruction. They were constantly drilled in clinical matters and lameness, etc. Means were found to correct
laziness, of which, however, there has been little this year.
In order to make the students tougher, gymnastics and games were added and encouraged by the occa-
sional distribution of prizes which I made, and the promise of something worth competing for at the end
of the year; but owing to the want of apparatus we could not show much variety; this want will be removed
now, as Government has sanctioned the re-appropriation of Rs. 250, originally passed to acquire a site for a
latrine for the purchase of gymnastic apparatus.
Riding has been encouraged for two reasons:—1st. because the man who can ride is, generally speaking,
less afraid of a horse than one who cannot; and 2nd, because the appearance of a "Veterinary Babu," who
cannot get on to a tat in the mufassal, is calculated to make things ridiculous. Therefore all the students
acquire the faculty of sticking on to a pony, more or less, and most of them could jump a hurdle or a ditch
either in a saddle or bare-backed.
I must add that very few of the students required any pressure to learn to ride, they liked it, and took
their occasional falls very kindly.
They were at first allowed to ride quiet, convalescent patients requiring walking exercise, and later they
rode a pony I provided, which I kept at the Infirmary for their use. Since then Mr. E. M. Konstam has
given an old pony to the Institution for the students to ride.
As these experiments have turned out a success, I suggest that a certain amount of riding and gymnastics
might very well be demanded at the examination.
1110. The class of first year's students was composed of 29 men at the
beginning of the session, only 15 continued their studies during the year but all
were successful at the examination.
The class of second year's students commenced with 19, but ultimately only
15 attended. All presented themselves for the final examination and 14 passed.
The passes were therefore 100 per cent. in Class A. and 93.33 in Class B.
This is a great improvement on last year when only 64 per cent. passed in the
latter class.
1111. The Assistant to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department,
who attends the examinations held at all Schools and Colleges, when reporting on
that held at Calcutta, remarks:—
The students showed a very marked improvement in their handling of animals, and the institution of a Boarding
House has been of immense help to the Instructors, in that they have more control over the students.
1112. Remarking on this subject, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Bengal, states:—
The good results of the examinations are due to a tightening of discipline, to better teaching, and to the Hostel
being opened, which has made it possible to increase the practical instruction.
I am not yet satisfied with the amount of practical knowledge the students have been able to acquire, and this
includes practical surgery, but in the year and odd four months during which the lectures are held (for a two years
course is not two years of study owing to holidays, &c.) the staff has done its utmost to instruct the students. It
only remains, if more practical knowledge is to be imparted, to give more time for the purpose by extending the
period of study. This subject has been discussed so fully that it seems hardly necessary to refer to it again, beyond
giving in Appendix VIII a copy of the last report I was called upon to render to Government. I should welcome a
decision one way or the other, as the delay is influencing the class of men who apply for admission, because they are
naturally anxious to know how they are likely to stand when they have obtained their certificates.
The Muhammadan students have been a source of considerable disappointment to me. Several of them were
likely looking youths when they joined, but they soon ceased to attend under one pretext or another: the general
excuse being that their stipends were not sufficient for them to live on.
1113. With reference to the extension of the period of study the matter is
now occupying the attention of the Government of India. The opinion which I
have frequently expressed is, that, if it is found that more time is required to
ensure thorough practical training, by all means extend the course to 3 years; but
what I fear is that if the men are too highly educated they will consider it
derogatory to take appointments involving hard work, and these are the men that
are required in the Districts.
1114. Much has been done to make this institution successful, but still the
Museum remains in somewhat a backward state. On this point Veterinary-
Captain Raymond remarks:—
I regret to report that the Museum is in much the same condition as it was last year. A sum of money was
budgetted for the purchase of the models and specimens that are so badly required, but it had to be re-appropriated
or another still more urgent purpose. I propose to re-submit this item in next year's budget.