4
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
for the services of each graduate in medicine to be eagerly required and amply
rewarded. In a more recent order, No. 65, of the 14th February 1878, Government
seem to consider it rather desirable than otherwise to encourage a continuance of
the system under which young men, after studying for two or three years in the
Madras Medical college, proceed to Europe to complete their medical education.
4. The number of students in the Second Department at the commencement
of the session was 68 against 37 last year.
The composition of the three classes of
this Department is shown in the margin.
The whole of the third-year students,
fifteen in number, passed their final
examination before the Board of Examiners,
four being placed in the first class. Of
these four three were female students, Miss
White, Mrs. Scharlieb, and Miss Beale,
standing respectively first, second and fourth in the list. The Principal states
that the proficiency of these ladies has been seldom surpassed by the alumni of the
College. The Board of Examiners, while approving generally the new system of
marking which has now for the first time been applied to this examination, suggest
that the placing of candidates might be left in some degree to the discretion of the
Examiners, who might determine which of those candidates who obtain 75 per
Cent. of marks should be classed in the first division. This would be an entire
departure from the principle on which the present scheme is based, and I do not
see on what grounds a first class could be refused to any one who had fulfilled the
conditions laid down. The progress and conduct of the students in the other
classes have been satisfactory, except as regards one student, who has been
irregular in his attendance and has been recommended for dismissal.
5. The Junior Department, at the commencement of the session, contained 63
pupils against 82 last year, One of the second-
year students died ; the other 43 appeared before
the Board of Examiners. Of these four failed ;
the other 39 passed for the grade of Hospital
Assistant, and the Mysore students were again
found superior to the other students. The Board
remark, however, that "none of the candidates of
this Department (with two or three doubtful
exceptions) is, in his present state of knowledge and experience, fit to hold an
independent charge." This is a remark which has been often made before. In the
report for 1872-73 to which I have already referred, Dr. Smith and Mr. Powell
both point out that when the present scheme of instruction was laid down, it was
fully recognised that Native Medical pupils were not to be placed in independent
professional positions involving the responsibility of human life. The students of
the first year's class appear to have made satisfactory progress, and the young men
of this Department are described as generally well conducted and attentive to their
duties.
6. MEDALS.—The Johnstone Medal and the Blacklock Medal have both been
adjudged to Civil Hospital Apprentice Newland. The Government Gold Medal
has not been awarded this year.
7. PROFESSORS' REPORTS. —The Professor of Materia Medica remarks that in his
course of lectures he has alluded to drugs, of which as yet no specimens exist in
the College. The Professor of Chemistry complains also in the following passage
of the insufficiency of the chemical apparatus at his disposal:–
"The Laboratory furniture and apparatus being insufficient for the class, emergent indents
for the necessary additions were forwarded by the Professor, in ample time to admit of the
necessary supplies being received before the opening of the Summer Session. The furniture
was delivered shortly after the beginning of the sessions. After the dismissal of the class,
intimation was received that the emergent indent on the Secretary of State for apparatus
would be complied with at some future period. On the 24th May some bottles, &c., due on
last year's ordinary indent were received, which somewhat diminished the great difficulty
Second Department.
1st
Ye a r .
2nd
Year.
3rd
Year.
Military Hospital Apprentices.
6
. . .
...
Civil
do.
do.
. . . 33
6
9
Colonial do.
do. . . . 2
6
2
Female Students
...
... ...
...
4
Total ... 41
12
15
Junior Department.
1st
Year.
2nd
Year.
Native Civil Pupils
...
19
32
Mysore Pupils ...
...
. . .
12
Total ...
19
44