416 
MISCELLANEA. 
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 
[From the “Mark Lane Express,” 7th June, 1845.] 
The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England have 
lately had brought before them a proposal from the Highland Agri- 
cultural Society of Scotland for the formation of a new Veterinary 
Charter ; this proposal is, we believe, to be taken into consideration 
on Wednesday next (now past). The attention of the Council 
has been directed to this subject in consequence of representations 
having been made to them that the Council of the Royal College 
of Veterinary Surgeons had not laid down a proper plan for the 
education and examination of the veterinary pupil in the diseases 
of cattle, sheep, &c., On due inquiry, however, it will be found 
that, so far from this being the case, the Council of the Royal 
College of Veterinary Surgeons have done as much as in one 
twelve months could reasonably be expected from them, and have 
already taken, and are taking, every precaution in order to secure 
proper instruction and an efficient examination on every depart- 
ment relating to veterinary science. 
Some good they have already effected. At the examination of 
the pupils of the Edinburgh Veterinary College, last year, we are 
informed that scarcely any questions relating to chemistry, materia 
medica, and cattle pathology, were put to the pupils ; this year 
they were strictly examined on all these subjects, and the examina- 
tions are reported to have been very satisfactory. The contest for 
a silver medal, given by the Highland Agricultural Society for the 
pupil who passed the best examination on chemistry, was so well 
contested, that the directors of the Highland Agricultural Society 
gave two medals instead of one. 
The examinations of the pupils of the Royal Veterinary Col- 
lege, St. Pancras, have been this year far more satisfactory in 
every respect than those of last year. The pupils that have pre- 
sented themselves have been better informed, cattle pathology in 
every instance forming part of the examination. 
According to a plan lately tried by the Examiners, which is likely 
to be permanently adopted by the Council, and is in accordance 
with the system pursued by the Royal College of Surgeons, every 
pupil is examined for one hour, one quarter of which is necessarily 
devoted to the following subjects : : — Chemistry and materia medica, 
general anatomy and physiology, pathology of the horse, diseases 
of cattle, sheep, &c. 
The Council also require that the pupil shall produce a proper 
certificate from each teacher prior to his being admitted to an 
examination. 
Taking these and others plans already in progress into con- 
sideration, we do think that the Council of the Royal Agricultural 
