THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 173 



Fiftieth Session, 1872-73. 



The examinations tins session took place on the 14th, 15th, and 

 16th April 1873, and were for the first time held in the Highland 

 Society's Hall, No. 3 George IV. Bridge. Twenty-nine gentle- 

 men presented themselves for examination, and the certificate 

 was conferred on twenty-six. 



Mr Finlay Dun said that the examiners, who had for several 

 years been in the habit of conducting these examinations, had 

 come to the conclusion that it was very desirable that they 

 should endeavour, if possible, to increase the attention that was 

 paid by both teacliers and taught at the Edinburgh Veterinary 

 College to the important subject of practical clinical ; and 

 accordingly they determined last year to unite and give a prize, 

 which would amount to something like twelve guineas, to the 

 gentlemen who displayed the greatest amount of proficiency in 

 this important branch of his education. This prize was com- 

 peted for by thirteen candidates, and was awarded to Mr 

 Archibald Eobinson, Greenock. He need not say that, as 

 examiners, they were very glad indeed to see the practical pro- 

 ficiency displayed by a great number of the students educated 

 at Edinburgh. 



Captain Tod of Howden said he was happy to see that the 

 examinations and the classes were considered so satisfactory, and 

 to those students who had now succeeded in finishing their 

 course of studies he held out to them the prospect that they had 

 before them. In the course of life they were entering upon, 

 they must remember that they belonged to a profession of a 

 most useful character in this country. And it was most desir- 

 able that they should not forget those things that they had 

 learned during their course of instruction, but keep up their 

 studies, and be able in the most satisfactory manner to attend 

 to the wants of the community. In their position they had a 

 certain dignity to support. The veterinary profession had now 

 a reputation to maintain in the world, and those who were 

 entering practice would no doubt get sufficient employment 

 without going in the way of others. There was no necessity to 

 canvass for business ; they were sure, if they followed their pro- 

 fession properly and conducted themselves in a creditable 

 manner, that they would always get employment. The best 

 thanks of the Society were due to the examiners, and to 

 Professor Williams, and the Professors at the College. 



Mr Dollar, V.S., London, wished particularly to point out 

 that practical knowledge had been made a sine qua non in the 

 veterinary examination. Students who did not pass the 

 practical clinical examination were debarred from going forward 

 to the oral examinations ; and two students who presented for 



