ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 139 
to the authorities of the different schools. It had always 
been his opinion that the wishes of the teachers should, as 
far as possible, be met in the appointment of examiners. 
It was desirable that they should, without going contrary to 
the Charter, be made consenting parties to the election. 
Unless a special meeting was held for the purpose of electing 
the examiners, there would be an incomplete Board at the 
next examination, for it would be unfair to ask any gentle- 
man to examine a day or two after their election. 
Mr. Ernes said, while agreeing in the main with Mr. 
Wilkinson, he thought the Council should not be too much 
dictated to by the teachers. He thought a veterinary sur- 
geon should be a pathologist of all the domestic animals. 
The President thought a special meeting of the Council 
would be competent to elect examiners. 
Mr. Wilkinson said they might elect a Trustee at the same 
time if notice was given. 
The Secretary then proceeded to read the following Report 
from the Examination Inquiry Committee. 
REPORT OE THE EXAMINATION INQUIRY COMMITTEE. 
In accordance with a resolution adopted at the last Meeting 
of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 
held on the 6th of October, the Examination Inquiry Com- 
mittee have considered the propositions made by Mr. Ernes 
relating to the Bye-laws on the Examinations, and which 
are — 
First. That the examinations be limited to once a year. 
Secondly. That they be practical on the living as well as 
on the dead subject. 
Thirdly. That they be by writing. 
Fourthly. That they be oral. 
Fifthly. That botany and the use of the microscope be 
added to the subject of the examinations. 
Your Committee felt that it would not be to the interest 
of the profession for the solution of this question to be in- 
definitely postponed. 
It is universally acknowledged that reforms in the system 
of testing the capabilities of young men for the practice of 
the veterinary art are urgent. 
Nevertheless, your Committee consider it impossible to 
give effect at once to all the propositions made by Mr. Ernes 
without meeting with obstacles which might endanger the 
early adoption of the most pressing modifications in the 
examinations for the College diploma. 
Under existing circumstances it might be absolutely pre- 
