so Si^AfE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT OF THJ-] ])EAN OF THE VICTERINARY DIVISION. 



President F. S. Kedzie, Michigan Agricultural College. 



Dear President Kedzie — I have the honor, sir, to submit herewith my 

 annual report for the year ending July 1, 1919. 



The very unusual and disturbed conditions incident to the world war 

 had their influence on college work in no small degree. At the very 

 opening of the fall term students of the Veterinary Division, as was the 

 case in other divisions of the college, were enlisted into the Student Army 

 Training Corps. At that time fully eighty percent of upper class veterinary 

 students were already a part of the United States Military Organization, 

 having been inducted into the Medical Enlisted Reserve Corps during 

 December of the previous college year and from which they were transfer- 

 red in early October to the S. A. T. C. 



Because of the large percentage of students previously enlisted in 

 various phases of army service, enrollment among the upper classes 

 (as was anticipated) last fall fell far below preceding years characterized by 

 a steady increase in numbeis; also, the fres'imen class failed to reach 

 our anticipations as based upon the evident favorable opportunities ap- 

 parent in veterinary fields but which, like other phases of college work 

 had little influence in vocational selection during the past year. Our 

 total enrollment fell approximately 50%. In spite of these conditions and 

 though many of the class of 1919 relinquished college work to serve their 

 country, the number graduated in June constituted the largest group of 

 ■ young men given the D. V. M. degree at a commencement period since 

 the establishment of the division in 1910 and of the number over one half 

 are planning to enter general practice. 



Now that conditions are slowly becoming normal enlisted men rapidly 

 being demobilized and veterinary fields offering especially attractive 

 vocational features we should, with proper advertising, look for rapid in- 

 crease in student enrollment. In this respect the advertising campaign 

 begun this year, though delayed in its fulfillment, should do much if 

 continued for a few years toward attracting young men to the vet- 

 erinary medical course at M. A. C. 



With approximately 20% of efficiently qualified veterinarians answer- 

 ing their country's call, 87% of the graduates of M. A. C. Veterinary 

 Division entered military service and many, with rank, pay and allowances 

 of commissioned officers, saw service in Eui()i)e within the Federal Veterin- 

 ary Reserve Corps. 



The teaching schedule for the year was severely jolted at the very open- 

 ing of the fall term. Under direction of the Surgeon General, United 

 States War Department, whose office had taken over dictation of all 

 phases of medical education for enlisted men, placed upon inactive lists 

 to complete their studies, our published course was altered to facilitate 

 adherence to prescribed work; inasmuch as the armistice was declared 

 prior to the winter term, we were enabled to readjust a greater part of the 

 work and finished the year with but slight deduction from regular courses. 



Though the need for properly qualified veterinarians threatened, in 

 fact did make inroads upon the teaching staff of the division, the early 

 secession of hostilities made possible a timely return and further enabled 

 augmenting our staff by the engagement of Lieut. R. A. Runnells in the 

 Department of Animal Pathology at the beginning of the present calendar 

 year; Dr. Runnells graduated from the division in 1916. 



