48 HISTOKICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VETEKINAEY DEPARTMENT OF 



conducting the Institution must have brought to bear on the 

 discharge of their duties. In reporting on the College to the 

 General Meeting in July 1853, Professor Goodsir said he had 

 much pleasure in stating that for the eihciency of the Examining 

 Board, the Society was indebted on the late, as on former, 

 occasions to the zeal and energy of a number of members of the 

 veterinary and of the general medical profession. He more 

 particularly directed the attention of the Society to the increas- 

 ing interest taken in the Edinburgh Veterinary College and its 

 annual examination by members of the veterinary profession 

 itself. The great interest taken by the leading veterinary 

 surgeons in the examination of the candidates on points of 

 practice would, he believed, give much satisfaction to the 

 Society, as affording a guarantee that their Veterinary Examining 

 Board, however efficient in matters of science, was not, on that 

 account, forgetful of the j)ractical bearing of a professional 

 education. On this occasion it was reported that the building 

 of a new class room had been commenced, and that the fo.rmer 

 class room would be thrown into the apartments formerly 

 employed as a museum. 



Thirty -first Session, 1853-54. 



In the absence of Professor Goodsir, Captain Falconar of 

 Eoxhall, presided at the examinations on 24tli and 25th April, 

 for the thirty-first session. The education showed a satisfactory 

 standard, and twenty-two certificates were granted. After the 

 prizes had been awarded. Captain Ealconar alluded to the 

 absence of Professor Goodsir, and to the improving state of his 

 health, which gave the gratifying prospects of his being able 

 next season to undertake the duties he so ably discharged. He 

 also referred to the very satisfactory position of the Veterinary 

 College, and congratulated Professor Dick on the high proficiency 

 of the young men whom he was sending forth as veterinary 

 practitioners. He trusted they would advance in their pro- 

 fession by the aids of experience and extended reading, and thus 

 sustain the character of the Institution, and receive the respect 

 of their neighbours and the confidence of their employers. 



Thirty-second Session, 1854-55. 



At the examinations on 24th and 25th April 1855, Pro- 

 fessor Goodsir, the Chairman of the Examining Board, was 

 absent from indisposition, but his place was ably filled by 

 Captain Ealconar of Eoxhall. Prior to each day's regular busi- 

 ]iess, all the pupils were carefully tested as to their acquirements 

 in veterinary medicine and surgery, by the veterinary surgeons 



