NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
25
In the three years' period of study, pathology, as had been suggest-
ed by Mr. Ware, could not be properly taught, as it pre-supposed
a knowledge of histology and general biology. For the short period
of study, it would probably be well to eliminate not only these
subjects but also chemistry and botany, and not attempt to produce
thereby men with any pretence to scientific attainments. Our
knowledge in regard to the nature of animal disease had increased
so much during the last 15 or 20 years that a sound frame work of
education in the science could not be imparted in a period of three
years, and men trained for this period would not be worth, or
capable of, further education in their profession. He favoured
the admission of students who had passed the University Inter-
mediate examination in chemistry and biology as soon as possible.
The Matriculation standard in science was not sufficient.
Mr. Hewlett maintained that the two years' course of study
had been tried in Bombay and was not found successful. He con-
sidered it necessary to continue the system of training men for at
least three years.
In reply to Mr. Ware, Colonel Walker said that he had suggested
to the Punjab Government that men who went through a four years'
course of training should start on a salary of Rs. 100 a month. He
would not be able to get recruits for the course if the graduates were
made to start at the ordinary commencing salary of Veterinary
Assistants, namely, Rs. 60 per month.
Mr. Ware said that he saw no objection to the prolongation of
the course to four years in the Madras college.
Mr. Hewlett considered that prolongation would be too expen-
sive at the Bombay college, where the students were not stipen-
diaries for the most part.
Mr. Quinlan said he could not see his way to agree with the
institution of the higher course of training at the colleges on account
of the lack of training facilities at present existing in the country.
Teaching up to the higher standard was not possible in the existing
circumstances.
After further discussion the two following parts of a resolution
were passed:—
(4) That in view of the circumstances arising out of the existing
situation of the country it is not practicable to introduce
this system of education generally.
(5) That less costly, shorter courses must continue.
It was decided that the details of the shorter courses should be
referred to a committee, to which the following members were
appointed:
26
The Chairman (Colonel Walker), Messrs. Hewlett, Wilson,
Cameron, Quinlan, Ware and MacGregor, with Mr. Edwards as
Secretary.
Before presenting the report of the committee, subsequently,
the Chairman said that arising out of the proceedings of the com-
mittee he thought that it would be advisable to amplify the first
paragraph of the resolution already passed during the discussion on
this section of the subject of education, as the paragraph appeared
incomplete as it stood. With the proposed addition, this part of
the Resolution would read thus,
Resolution I (a)
(1) The system of study drafted by the meeting of Principals
at Bombay is approved as a curriculum representing
the present minimum requirements for the training of
Indians in India up to the highest standard of veterinary
education necessary for the country, as demanded by
the Public Services Commission (1912-14).
(2) The constitution of a Board of Veterinary Studies as
recommended by them is urged very strongly, and the
Board might be authorized to make minor modifica-
tions and additions to the course from time to time as
required and in consideration of the needs of the several
provinces. The desirability of raising the standard
of preliminary education as soon as possible is worthy
of early consideration.
(3) It is considered that Muktesar is unsuitable for such a
course and immediate steps should be taken to institute
it at one of the existing colleges and, as soon as financial
considerations permit of the constitution of an efficient
organization for dealing with problems connected
with veterinary state medicine, at the other colleges
also.
Mr. Hewlett strongly protested against the constitution of a
Board of Studies as he believed it was not consistent with the general
policy of devolution and made for centralization. Otherwise, he
agreed to the addition.
The Chairman pointed out to Mr. Hewlett that as a member of
the Principal's Conference he had already agreed to the formation
of the Board of Studies.
Mr. Hewlett said that he had since changed his mind.
The addition was agreed to by all the other members.
27
The report of the committee, appointed to consider the duration
and scope of the shorter courses under part (c) of the resolution, was
as follows:—
"It was decided, Colonel Walker and Mr. Edwards dissenting,
that the course should extend over a period of three years. The
preliminary entrance examination should be, at the minimum,
the sixth standard examination. Each college should further
establish its own tests of general education, based upon the needs
of the provinces concerned.
"The following course of study was drawn up and agreed to
unanimously:—
"First Year—Class A.
"(1) Anatomy. The special and comparative anatomy of the
domesticated animals, including the ox, horse, sheep, and dog.
The carcase of a ruminant animal should be dissected systematically
at least once by each student.
"(2) Physiology. General principles of physiology: the func-
tional mechanisms of the domesticated animals in health, with an
elementary study of the minute structure of the tissues and organs.
Laboratory demonstrations.
"(3) Handling of animals: riding exercises.
"Second Year—Class B.
"(1) Pharmacology and Therapeutics:
(i) Pharmacology of drugs (with Materia Medica, Pharmacy,
and Toxicology).
(ii) Therapeutics. Uses and actions of the common medicinal
agents used in veterinary treatment; methods of
administration.
"(2) A study of the common animal and vegetable parasites affect-
ing the domesticated animals; the nature of the disease changes set
up thereby; elementary laboratory methods.
"(3) Diagnostics. Signs and symptoms of the common 'internal'
disorders of the domesticated animals.
"Third Year—Class C.
"(1) State Veterinary Medicine: the principles of preventive
medicine, including elementary hygiene and the nature of, and
methods of dealing with, the common contagious diseases of the
domesticated animals; meat and milk inspection.
28
"(2) Clinical Veterinary Practice: the nature and methods of
treatment of the common non-contagious diseases of the domesticated
animals. Surgical methods (including examinations for soundness,
ageing, and surgical shoeing). Obstetrical methods."
The above report was unanimously approved and accepted by the
meeting.
The committee was unable to progress further with the tasks
allotted to it in the time available; hence the Chairman put the
following supplementary resolution covering the remainder of the
terms of reference to the full meeting. It was carried unanimously
(Mr. Hewlett dissenting).
"It was decided that the detailed syllabus for the course
should be drawn up by a Central Board of Studies.
Persons who pass through the proposed course should
be entitled to the designation 'Veterinary Assistant.' "
SUBJECT I (b).—EDUCATION. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE
REQUIRED FOR:—(1) THE PROMOTION OF SUBORDINATE MEMBERS
OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THE PROVINCIAL SERVICE. (2) THE
PROMOTION OF PROVINCIAL OFFICERS TO THE IMPERIAL SERVICE.
(3) THE DIRECT APPOINTMENT OF INDIANS TO THE IMPERIAL
SERVICE.
The Chairman said: "This reference is framed in order to deter-
mine, if possible, the policy to be adopted in promoting the members
of the various grades to the higher ranks. It will be useful if
separate resolutions can be passed dealing with each category on its
merits. We will deal firstly with the promotion of subordinates to
the Provincial Service. When Colonel Morgan was Inspector-
General, I myself suggested to him the creation of the grade of
Deputy Superintendent carrying with it the rank of gazetted officer.
This suggestion materialized, and for many years subordinates have
been selected to posts carrying gazetted rank, teaching posts in
colleges included. The nomenclature differs in some provinces
but the rank is the same and the limits of pay have been fixed by the
Government of India. Hitherto, so far as I know, vacancies have
been filled by selection only. I am inclined to think that in future
some uniform system of tests should be applied. The men who
undergo the four years' course on the lines laid down at the Prin-
cipals' Conference should be eligible without further instruction, but
a competitive examination might be introduced to take place
among selected candidates.
29
"With regard to the men already in the existing appointments
who have only gone through a three years' course, or less in some
cases, I am of opinion that promotion should only be given in future
to selected men who have undergone post-graduate instruction.
Post-diploma courses should impart different kinds of instruction
suitable to the needs of the various appointments which have to
be filled. Two courses of nine months each are detailed in the pros-
pectus of the Punjab Veterinary College. They are intended for
three years' men who have not had the advantage of having been
fully trained in pathology and the other sciences. If possible, both
courses should be taken by candidates selected for Deputy Superin-
tendentships before promotion. For officers selected for profes-
sional chairs special training is required, and until a higher standard
is reached in our veterinary colleges it is apparent that special
arrangements have got to be made for them. In the Punjab we
have deputed and are deputing selected men to Europe and other
colleges in India to fit them to teach up to the higher standard of
veterinary education now adopted at the college. They should be
able to train likely successors, but I am a great believer in change of
environment during the teaching of the specialist if it can be
arranged. I think, therefore, we might suggest that, in future,
those men who have not undergone a four years' course should
receive post-diploma instruction in State medicine before they are
promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent, and that before
he is promoted to a professorial chair carrying gazetted rank a man
should have received special extra-mural instruction in the subject
which he is to teach.
"In both cases the special study should be approved by a
competent authority before promotion has effect. I do not think
that promotion should be given to any man who cannot serve 10
years or more before retirement."
Mr. Hewlett said: "With regard to the qualifications required
for promotion from the subordinate department to the Provincial
Service, my view is that the matter being entirely of provincial
concern had better be left to the Local Governments and their
Advisers."
Khan Saheb Sheikh Naiz Mohammed had circulated in his
printed copy of observations upon this item in the agenda
the following note on the requirements of subordinate members
of the department selected for promotion to the Provincial
Service:—
(a) Good education, of at least Matriculation or School
Leaving standard;
C
30
(b) Good administrative ability;
(c) Must have gone through a post-graduate course;
(d) Should be up-to-date in his professional knowledge
(e) Must have served as a Veterinary Inspector in the Depart-
ment for at least 5 years.
Mr. Cameron again referred to the experience gained in connec-
tion with the two cadres in the Veterinary Service in Burma. Pro-
vincial officers, i.e., Deputy Superintendents, had all been trained
at the Bengal Veterinary College and possessed Matriculation certi-
ficates of the Calcutta University, and a thorough knowledge of the
English language was also demanded of them. On graduation
they were admitted into the service in the category of Inspectors.
It was possible that an Inspector might serve as such for as long
as 9 years before he was promoted to the grade of Deputy Superin-
tendent, and in the case of many, the capacities displayed by them
did not hold out for them any likelihood of obtaining promotion at
any time during their career. It was possible for a Veterinary
Assistant trained at the schools at Burma to attain before the end
of his service the rank of Inspector, but ordinarily he held this rank
for a period of only a few years, four or five perhaps, before retire-
ment.
Mr. Wilson stated that none of the Deputy Superintendents in
the Central Provinces had matriculated. He considered that the
qualifications necessary for promotion to this rank should be left
in the hands of each of the provinces concerned. The framing of
any rules which might be required should be arranged entirely by the
particular provinces, and he considered that it was essential to send
the men selected for promotion out of the provinces for post-graduate
training.
Mr. Ware stated that in Madras post-graduate courses of instruc-
tion were given at the veterinary college to Assistants selected for
promotion to the rank of Inspector and also for Inspectors selected
for promotion to the rank of Veterinary Deputy Superintendent.
He thought that the qualifications expected of men promoted in
these grades should be left to the Local Governments.
Mr. Hewlett agreed with this view.
Mr. Hickey pleaded that a system of uniformity in the matter
of promoting subordinate members to the Provincial Service should
be adopted throughout the country. In adjacent provinces the
standards in vogue might vary greatly and cause considerable
discontent in the province where higher qualifications were
demanded.
31
The Chairman said it seemed that the question at issue now
resolved itself into whether the qualifications should be left entirely
to the Local Governments to decide upon, or whether it was advis-
able to standardize them.
Mr. Branford thought that some general indications concerning
the qualifications of selected men were desirable, but thought that
no immutable rule should be laid down.
Mr. Davis thought that the difficulty might be surmounted by
not admitting as candidates those who did not possess a Matricula-
tion certificate.
Mr. Farbrother stated that there appeared to be required two
categories of Veterinary Deputy Superintendents, namely, one
destined to occupy posts in the colleges, who were expected to be
specialists and therefore required post-graduate training, and
secondly, one serving in the districts for whom further training was
not essential. The latter category could be selected as in the past,
by the experience gained with regard to their work in the field;
the best men for the class of work which they were expected to
undertake could not be surely discovered by an examination system.
Mr. Quirke considered that this matter had best be left to the
discretion of the Local Governments.
Mr. Quinlan stated that a system analogous to that adopted in
Madras was in vogue in Bihar.
Mr. Kerr considered that a post-graduate course of instruction,
with the adoption of certain necessary tests, should be insisted upon
as a necessary qualification.
Mr. Harris stated that in Assam there was only one Veterinary
Deputy Superintendent on the staff in his province. He considered
that it was desirable to lay down that a man promoted should undergo
a post-graduate course of training and be examined: otherwise a
delicate situation might be created by selecting men for promotion
who did not appear to deserve such promotion in the minds of their
colleagues on the ground merely of seniority.
Mr. Hickey agreed with this view and pointed out that discon-
tent might arise among Inspectors if selection based upon the
opinions of a superior officer with regard to past work were the
means of promotion.
Mr. Kerr admitted that certain members might display evidence
of suitability on account of the administrative ability they had
displayed in the course of their career, but notwithstanding this it
was in his opinion preferable to standardize the system of promo-
tion.
C 2
32
After some further discussion it was resolved unanimously:—
Resolution I (b)
(1) That the promotion of subordinate members of the depart-
ment to the Provincial Service should be left in the hands
of Local Governments and their Advisers, but it is desir-
able to impart to the men selected for promotion a suitable
form of post-graduate instruction followed by a test, the
nature of which should be decided upon by the Local
Government and its Advisers.
SUBJECT I (b) (2).-THE PROMOTION OF PROVINCIAL OFFICERS TO
THE IMPERIAL SERVICE.
The Chairman: "I am not in the confidence of the Government
of India in this matter and I confess that I find the present position
very bewildering. After thinking over the recommendations of the
Public Services Commission for a number of years, the Government
of India in 1920 affirmed that the standard of teaching at the
provincial colleges was low and that 'it was idle to contemplate
the possibility of obtaining students with attainments sufficient
to enable them to benefit by post-graduate courses in a central
college.' It was stated that what was wanted first of all was the
raising of the standard of teaching at the provincial colleges. Pend-
ing that desideratum, however, they recommended, (a) the promo-
tion of officers who had served in the Provincial Branch and had
subsequently been through a course of post-graduate training in
Europe; (b) the grant of State scholarships to enable young men
to proceed to Europe with the object of gaining the diploma of the
R. C. V. S.
'At present we are concerned only with the first suggestion.
It is a strange one, as it had already been stated that it was idle to
contemplate the possibility of obtaining students with attainments
sufficient to enable them to benefit from post-graduate training.
It was stated, however, that they would not be appointed to the
Imperial Service unless they obtained the same qualifications as
candidates recruited in England. At this stage, in discussing
the rate of Indianization of the Service, the Government of India
were strongly opposed to any lowering of the standard of efficiency
and qualifications demanded from veterinary officers, and stated
that they had no intention of countenancing any relaxation of that
standard. In June 1921 the Government of India discovered that
it takes four or five years to obtain the diploma of the R. C. V. S.
and that the Royal College would be unlikely to grant a diploma
unless the full course was taken.
33
"They considered that there would probably be only a few
Provincial Officers who possessed the requisite education and ability
to reap the full benefit of such a course.
"They suggested in lieu a course of two years in England
for these ill-educated men and stated that they were advised that
special study of the kind would be of 'greater value' than a study
of the subjects required for the diploma of R. C. V. S. After
two years' study it was proposed to promote these men to the
Imperial Service in spite of the fact that they would not have the
qualifications that they had considered necessary a year previously.
This scheme was sent to Local Governments for opinion and in due
course reached me.
"I said that I considered the proposal to be retrograde and that
it appeared that the admitted backwardness of veterinary educa-
tion in India was being put forward as a plea for lowering the
standard of the Imperial Service. I pointed out the revised course
of four years' study at the Punjab Veterinary College approximated
closely to that of the R. C. V. S. and that the instruction provided
in the basic sciences would enable students to take advantage of
post-graduate training on the lines suggested by the Government
of India.
"I stated that Provincial officers holding chairs in subjects
for which they had special qualifications and aptitude and in which
they had gained distinction were in a different category and should
be regarded as special cases. I added that if. in pursuing a policy
of expediency, it was decided to send members of the Provincial
Service for training, equal facilities should be given to men employed
in the Punjab in spite of the fact that I did not agree with the
proposed course: It would obviously be hard on men of equal
ability in one province to be denied advantages given to men in
other provinces.
"It seems to me that in making selections for the Imperial grade
without expert advice the Government of India are in a very diffi-
cult position. Provinces do not demand equal standards of attain-
ments in their Provincial Services, and their recommendations are
influenced accordingly. A selection Board of Imperial Officers
is certainly indicated.
"The Government of India apparently had some support for
their scheme for training selected men in England as it was sent to
the Secretary of State for approval.
"He referred it to Sir Stewart Stockman and Professor Edwards,
who doubted its practicability and suggested that the desired train-
ing should be given in India.
34
"On Professor Edwards' arrival in India he was consulted.
He drew up a very enthusiastic scheme extolling the advantages of
Muktesar for the purpose. This scheme was presented to the
Principals at the Bombay conference, who were unable o discuss
it at the time in the detailed manner considered necessary.
"It was suggested that it should be circulated for opinion as
it appeared to be open to considerable criticism and amendment.
The opinions of the Superintendents were obviously necessary.
The Principals had already suggested that selected students who
had taken the proposed degree in veterinary science, i.e., after the
four years' course of study, might be regarded as candidates for
appointment to the Imperial Service, after undergoing a further
course of post-graduate instruction in India. The Government of
India, however, ignored these suggestions and decided, without
taking further advice, to adopt Mr. Edwards' proposals and to start
the course from the 1st July, 1922, by way of trial. The letter
propounding this was dated 16th June and was received by the
Principal, Punjab Veterinary College, on the 18th July.
"It is understood that some provinces have nominated candi-
dates and they are undergoing instruction. They have a flying
start, therefore, of any possible candidates from Punjab. As a
matter of fact the Punjab Government were not asked to send
any men.
"I am unable to accept the course as drawn up by Mr. Edwards.
It is merely an outline and lacks detailed information. Mr. Edwards
suggested that prior to admission candidates should be interviewed
and submitted to certain tests by an examining board. As far as
I know this very obvious and necessary safeguard has not been
adopted.
"It was also suggested that only men who had at least 10 or
more years service to put in should be deputed, which appears to be
sound. I understand, however, that this suggestion has also not
been put into effect. What sort of test, if any, is to be applied at the
end of the course remains to be seen.
"Recently, a Provincial Service officer in Madras has been pro-
moted to the Imperial grade without having done this course.
"I will sum up the situation. In 1920 the Government of
India drew up a scheme for training Provincial officers for promotion
to the Imperial Service. In 1921 they revised the scheme, but it
was not approved by the Secretary of State. In 1922 they insti-
tuted another. In 1923 they promoted an officer without any of
special training which they had previously announced necessary.
I repeat that I am bewildered by the comparative rapidity of the
changes brought about and the obscurity of the situation.