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MADRAS MEDICAL COLLEGE.
Changes among Professors and Assistants.— The changes in the teaching staff
of both Professors and Assistants were numerous; and the Director has to record,
with much regret, the decease of Professor Rogers, Professor Harvey and Mr.
Hamilton, and of the Librarian.
2. Dental Surgery.— Mr. Gould having joined the college, a course of Dental
Surgery was delivered to the outgoing students of the Second department who were
also taught practically at the General Hospital. The introduction of regular
instruction in this branch of surgery under a competent Professor is a new and.
satisfactory feature in the history of the college.
3.
Midwifery.—The Principal points out that next year there will probably be
one female student in the class qualifying for the Degree of Licentiate, and that, if so,
arrangements will have to be made for a course of lectures for her, the Syndicate
being unwilling to accept the certificate of the Apothecary of the Lying-in Hospital.
The matter is receiving attention.
4. Professors' Reports.— In Hygiene the practical work done was of a limited
character, and efforts towards improvement in this respect are contemplated when
the additions to the college building are made. Until then it seems hardly necessary
to take into consideration the Professor's suggestion that the course of Practical
Hygiene should be attended only by such students as seek to qualify specially in
sanitary science.
5. The Director is glad to note that a good start was made with the class of
Practical Physiology, there having been a timely arrival of twelve good microscopes.
The class, though large, went through a tolerably good course of training, both in
the construction of the microscope and in the mounting and examination of
specimens. The following is a summary of the statement in the report showing
the number of lectures and examinations during the winter and summer sessions:—
Total number of lectures ...
... ... ... ...
839
Total number of examinations
...
...
...
... 411
6. Strength of the Institution.—The Senior department shows an increase of 25.
At the close of the last session, there were 88 students including three females.
At the commencement of the present session, there were 113. Twelve students with-
drew during the year and one died. The Second department also shows increase.
viz., 84 against 65 at the end of the preceding session. Thus the total strength of
the institution, excluding the Junior department which was abolished, was 197
against 153, an increase of only 29 per cent. At the close of the session 1882-83,
there were 27 Native medical pupils, all of whom were transferred to the Auxiliary
Medical School at Ráyapuram. It is satisfactory to note that every class of the
community was represented, Europeans and Eurasians forming three-fifths of the
total attendance. The presence of so many Brahmans and Native Christians is note-
worthy, the latter as indicating the energy of this branch of the community, the
former as indicating the growing decline of the prejudice of the highest caste of
Hindus to the exercise of the art of healing. The insignificant representation of
Muhammadans indicates the low general educational attainments and the apathy of
the Muhammadan population of South India, as there is amongst Muhammadans.
no prejudice against the adoption of the profession by men of their race.
7. Senior Department.—It is gratifying to note that most of the students have
made good progress, and that, without exception, their conduct has been satisfactory.
As observed, the results of the University examinations were very creditable. Of
19 candidates who presented themselves, only two failed. There is still much
difference between the number in the Senior department, and the number which
goes up for the University examinations, and this is due to the natural preference,
as often explained, shown for British degrees. It is matter for regret that the
Madras University has not been able to get its degrees recognized in England, such
recognition being impracticable under the Medical Act of 1858, but it is probable
that, with the local encouragement now given to students of the college who hold
Madras degrees, there will be a rapid rise in the number of candidates seeking them.
This, in fact, is exemplified by the number, 50, going up this year; and it is
particularly gratifying to find that, among the intending candidates, 22 are from the
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