252 
ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
The Secretary then proceeded to read the following Report 
from the Examination Inquiry Committee, on the mode of 
conducting the practical examinations of candidates for the 
diploma of the College. 
Report of the Examination Inquiry Committee on the mode 
of conducting the Practical Examination of Candidates 
for the Diploma of the Royal College of Veterinary 
Surgeons. 
In accordance with the wishes of the Council, your Com- 
mittee have carefully considered the best means to be adopted 
to give effect to the proposal, that candidates for the diploma 
be tested as to their practical qualifications upon the living 
subject. 
The programme may be said to include — 
1st. Examiners. — This part may at once be disposed of, 
inasmuch as there are six members of the Board of Exa- 
miners, for each section, who will be able to perform this 
duty. 
2nd. Time of Examination. — This should be fixed on so as 
to be followed consecutively by the oral examination ; that is, 
the first twelve pupils should undergo the practical examina- 
tion either the day before or during the early part of that on 
which the oral one takes place. 
3rd. The Nature of the Examination. — It must of necessity 
be left to the discretion of the examiners as to the various 
tests which they will resort to. The examination will be in a 
great measure clinical, technical, and manipulatory, and 
should especially include the age and soundness of the horse, 
ox, sheep, and other domesticated animals. 
4th. Place of Examination. — It is hoped that the authori- 
ties of the schools will kindly afford the examiners an oppor- 
tunity of carrying out this duty within the precincts of 
the respective establishments, or at some other suitable 
place. 
5th. Procurement of Subjects. — This the Council, with the 
co-operation of the professors, will be able to accomplish 
through the Secretaries. 
6th. Number of Examiners. — It is considered that two 
examiners for horses, and two for cattle and other domesti- 
cated animals, will be sufficient. 
7th. Results of Examinations. — Should a pupil fail at the 
practical examination, it will be for the Council to determine 
whether he shall be entitled to present himself for oral exami- 
