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THE VETERINARIAN, FEBRUARY 1, 1870. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
THE INTENDED PRACTICAL EXAMINATION OF 
YETERINARY STUDENTS. 
If much deliberation affords any guarantee of the wisdom 
of a new measure, the resolution which was adopted by the 
Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, at 
their last quarterly meeting, deserves to be deemed a wise 
one. More than a year ago, a proposition embodying the 
idea of the necessity for a practical examination of the can- 
didate for the diploma, was submitted to the Council, and 
withdrawn, in compliance with an expressed desire on the 
part of some of the members, that time should be allowed 
for the consideration of a complete scheme of examination. 
Since then, changes more or less elaborate in character have 
been suggested, discussed, referred to committees, reported 
upon, referred back, and shelved ; and now, at last, we have 
succeeded in achieving a very important and most necessary 
reform, of the value of which there never arose a single 
doubt, and concerning the practicability of which, no dif- 
ference of opinion has ever been expressed, and which might 
easily have been carried into effect two years ago. In 
place of a complete change of the system of examinations, 
requiring a new arrangement of subjects, and even an ex- 
tension of the curriculum for its full development, we are 
to have established an additional test of tbe student's quali- 
fications — a test which can be applied without disturbing 
existing regulations, and which will not, even by its instant 
application, press unfairly on the candidate for admission 
to the body corporate. 
It will be seen by reference to the report of Council 
proceedings, that the idea of extending the examinations to 
other subjects than those which are at present taught in the 
College is not abandoned ; but, pending the completion of 
an efficient scheme, which shall meet the views of the pro- 
fession, and at the same time, accord with the method of 
