90
546. The various points raised in the above recommendations have been
referred to the various Local Governments, and if adopted, must lead to the
increased practical utility of the Veterinary Assistants.
547. The conference also considered the officers who should be appointed
examiners and the method in which the examinations should be conducted:
they also laid down the percentage of marks which would be necessary to
ensure a 'Pass.'
548. These points have also been referred to the Local Governments con-
cerned, and if adopted, will result in uniformity in the standard of men turned
out from the various Colleges.
VETERINARY COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
549. By the revised rules for the preparation of the Annual Administration
Report of this Department, the review of the work done at the various Veteri-
nary Educational establishments in India should be compressed as much as
possible. To be concise, I purpose reviewing the whole of the Colleges under
separate headings, as I am opinion that this will render it more clear.
Examinations.
550. The points which call for notice are the numbers which passed. Only
the results in the examination of the final year's students can be compared, as
the first year's students at Ajmer and Lahore are examined by the teaching
staff. I hope to see more uniformity in this respect, when the recommendations
of the Umballa Conference are accepted by the various Local Governments.
(1) Bengal .
.
.
(2) Lahore . . .
(3) Ajmer . . .
(4) Bombay
. .
No.
passed.
. . 15
. . 47
. . 16
. . 9
No.
failed.
1
7
8
10
Percentage
of passes.
93.7
87.0
66.6
47.3
Bengal heads the list, and it is satisfactory to learn that in the important
subject of Operative Surgery, the students showed scientific skill.
Lahore comes next, which reflects great credit on the teaching staff, but I
regret to note that the students were wanting in the practical portions of
Pharmacy, viz., prescribing and the recognition of drugs.
At Ajmer, the percentage of passes is very fair. This school has suffered
during the year from frequent changes in the teaching staff; three officers
having held the appointment of Principal.
Bombay comes last with a very low percentage of passes, and again the
Board of Examiners remarked on the want of practical knowledge of the
students. They also noted on the physical unfitness of some of the men, which
is a most important point considering the hard work which Veterinary Assist-
ants are at times called upon to perform.
Practice.
551. The following will show the number of indoor and outdoor patients
admitted during the year:—
Bombay .
.
.
.
.
Lahore .
.
.
.
.
Ajmer . . . . .
Bengal .
.
.
.
.
In patients.
1899.
1,085
736
236
752
1898.
1,510
651
308
850
Outdoor patients.
1899.
828
3,103
364
839
1898.
725
3,949
198
680
The above shows a reduction nearly all round except in the case of Ajmer
where I am pleased to find an increase, as the great want in this School is
practice to instruct the students. The number of cattle, both in and outdoor
patients, admitted at the last named institutions only amounted to 105 animals.
I have drawn the attention of the Agent to the Governor-General, Rajputana,
to this point and have stated that strenuous efforts should be made to increase
the practice amongst bovines, as this should form one of the most important
branches in the education of Veterinary Assistants.
Shoeing Classes.
552. Shoeing Classes for the training of Nalbunds are held only at Lahore
and Ajmer. There is a great demand for this class of men in India and an