ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 143 
Charter did not compel them to have a Christmas 
examination, and as their practice seemed to favour the 
Camden Town College more than the other schools it was 
desirable to put an end to it. The student really obtained 
no additional knowledge between the May examination and 
the Christmas one. He did not think many able three- 
session students would come up for the winter examination. 
Mr. Fleming said, as a member of the Committee, that the 
subject had been taken into consideration, but it was thought 
advisable to leave it for another opportunity. They were 
afraid that if they attempted too much at once they might 
arouse opposition, and fail in their attempts at improvement. 
Professor Brown said it was most important that the 
practical examination should be established at once. It 
would produce a very good effect upon the public mind, 
and would meet with no opposition. 
Mr. Ernes seconded the motion for the adoption of the 
report. He had absented himself from the Committee meet- 
ings because, when the former Committee brought up their 
report, it was said that he had led them. He was sorry the 
Committee had not adopted more of his suggestions, but he 
was pretty well satisfied with what they had done. How 
were they now going to deal with the recommendations? 
Was it necessary .that they should be suspended again? 
Mr. Hunt said that, as the recommendations did not propose 
any alteration in the bye-law, it was not necessary to suspend 
them. He agreed that it was essential that they should in- 
troduce the practical examination at once. It was the great 
thing which the public required. So long as they neglected 
it they did wrong to two parties, — to the student, by taking 
his fees without fitting him to perform his duties, and to the 
public, by palming on them persons who really did not under- 
stand their business. Two thirds of the pupils turned out at 
present did not know how to tell the age of a horse by looking 
at his mouth. 
Mr. Ernes : Do you intend to confine it to horses only ? 
Professor Gcmigee : No; animals. 
The President said that, at the special meeting, it was felt 
that if they wished to do away with the Christmas examina- 
tion it would be necessary to alter a bye-law, and no end of 
discussion and opposition would have arisen. 
The resolution for the adoption of the report was agreed 
to unanimously. 
Mr. Wilkinson said it would not do to leave the matter in 
its then condition. Some steps ought to be taken by the 
Council with the view of at once putting the machinery to 
