20
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Owing partly to Surgeon-Major Sibthorpe and Surgeon Dymott having accom-
panied the Expeditionary Field Force to Burma, the changes in the College Staff
were unusually numerous.
2. At the opening of the session there were 226 students against 215 in the
previous year. The increase is all the more gratifying in that it appertained to every
branch of the institution. It is also noteworthy that every class of the community
was represented. With the exception of nine female students and those in the
Chemist and Druggist class, all had passed some University examination. This
augurs well for the future prosperity of the college. One female student had
passed the F.A. examination, while four were matriculates. A very strong proof
of the high esteem in which the college is held is that several students, male and
female, have joined it from Bengal and Bombay.
3. Two students proceeded to Europe to prosecute their studies. It is matter
for regret that from death, illness and other causes the number fell to 214 by the
close of the session.
4. Out of the 116 students who went up to the University examinations, 71,
or a percentage of 61.2, passed.
5. There having been a failure of 24 out of 84 in Anatomy in July 1885, the
very proper step was taken of giving increased attention and time to that subject.
6. The Acting Director regrets to observe that several of the Professors have
had occasion to report unfavorably of some of the Senior department students,
their deficiencies being mainly ascribed to lack of industry. The Professors of
Medicine and Hygiene express dissatisfaction with the L.M.S. students. Sixty
per cent. are included by the Professor of Physiology and Ophthalmology under
the two heads of " deficient " and " specially deficient " in Physiology and 57
per cent. in Ophthalmology. The Professor of Midwifery reports that the Senior
department was, generally speaking, less industrious than the Second department.
Complaint is made by the Professor of Materia Medica of the want of industry and
intelligence of both the M.B. and C.M. students and the L.M.S. students. It is
to be hoped that the senior students will in future do all in their power to maintain
the high character of the institution.
7. The number of candidates going up for examination with a view to medical
degrees has steadily increased, having risen from 31 in the year 1881 to 132 in
1886. The strength of the Senior or University department too shows considerable
increase, having been 82 in 1881-82 and 134 in 1885-86.
8. The success of the three young men who took the M.A. degree in Biology
is very creditable.
9. It is hoped that the example of the Tinnevelly Brahmin landlord, referred
to by the Principal, will have many imitators.
10. The concession granted by the Scottish Branch of the Medical Council,
Edinburgh, is a valuable one, and " may," as the Principal observes, " be accepted
as proof of the growing estimation in which the college is held."
11. The reservation of the Warrant Medical Branch for Medical graduates is a
salutary measure and is sure to increase the popularity of the college.
12.
The Principal's hope that there will be no lack of employment for the
passed students will certainly be realized, it being undeniable that as the country
advances in intelligence, western medical skill will be more and more sought after.
13. The success of three former students in England, who have obtained
commissions, is alike creditable to them and to their place of education.
14. There were seventy-one male and five female students in the Second
department, which, the Principal points out, will cease to exist two years hence.
This is not to be regretted, as the system of gratuitous education will cease with it
and as a higher qualified body of medical students will fill the positions hitherto
held by those passing out of the department.
15. The results of the Primary and Final examinations were highly satisfactory.
16. There was one failure out of four examined for the Druggist diploma.