MADRAS MEDICAL COLLEGE.
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is why failure has been the result at the annual examination in chemistry, the
percentage of marks gained being only 29.
The levity and irregularity of conduct mentioned have not escaped my attention,
although it has not occurred in my own class; but there has been some little attempt
at insubordination, which in one case (Eyles) led to expulsion. It arises from two
causes, one is the increased number of students, which naturally increases the
number also of idle and noisy youths, and the loss of the sharp and severe punish-
ment of "solitary confinement," which in former years always rapidly brought to
reason any refractory student. Although always loth to use this form of punish-
ment, I perceive now it is gone (save to Military Apprentices) that the Principal has
lost his most effectual remedy for indiscipline.
The members of the class referred to by the Professors of Midwifery, Ophthal-
mology and Medical Jurisprudence have, without any exception, been reported
qualified by the Final Examination Committee. This success, though fairly achieved,
cannot however be considered as relieving the youths of blame for failure to render
their teachers satisfaction. It is to be hoped that these students will in future so
take advantage of opportunities as to fit themselves in a greater degree for the
discharge of such duties as they may be called upon to perform. Students of classes
continuing in College are warned that, as heretofore, no negligence or want of
intelligence on their part will ever be overlooked. The instances of deficient
attainments and irregular conduct reported to have occurred amongst them will be
dealt with by the Principal.
With reference to Professor Brockman's remarks on the junior class attending
the course in Physiology, I would here remark that these youths are not expected
to attain the same degree of proficiency as those who have gone through a second
course. A general but sound acquaintance with the leading facts of physiology, so
as to enable them to enter with profit on the study of medicine during their second
year, is absolutely necessary and should be imparted. The acquirement of the
minutiæ of physiology—a domain of science the theories of which are perpetually
undergoing change—if necessary at all in this class of students, of which I have and
have had for many years grave doubt, might be attempted during their second year
of study, but never at the expense of instruction in the well ascertained land--
marks and established facts of physiology, in which they should be thoroughly and
soundly grounded. Judging by the percentage of marks obtained by the class at
the annual Professors' Examination, which exceeds half the maximum, the class in
question would seem to have in a fair degree obtained this knowledge. As these
students as a rule go through a precollegiate course of study and are thus to some
extent prepared to profit by the Professor's lectures, I see no sufficient reason for
altering existing arrangements in regard to their tuition.
A case of serious misconduct occurred in the third-year class. The matter
was reported to Government, and they have directed that the punishment shall
rest with the Colonial Government, to which the student in question belongs.
THIRD OR JUNIOR DEPARTMENT.
Composed of pupils intended for the Hospital Assistant class.
The pupils of the senior class, 24 in number including 1 private student, were
examined by the Final Examination Committee as to their fitness for the grade of
3rd-class Hospital Assistant; 19 were reported qualified and 5 considered unfit.
The corresponding class instructed at the Royapuram Medical School was also
examined by this Committee; 45 were reported fit and 11 were rejected. Of the
students of the class educated at the College, Amir Hussain, T. R. Soobbaroya
and N. Davasagamony passed the best examination, and of the class trained at the
Royapuram School Y. Rungiah, K. M. Streenavassa and V. V. A. Iyahcunnoo
passed the best. The Committee remark that "many of these who have passed
will require a deal of supervision and training before they are qualified for an
independent charge."
The junior or first-year class has 30 pupils; 8 of this number belong to the
Mysore service and 1 is a private student supported by the Coimbatore Municipality.
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