354 
ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
are; but it might be doubted by some, and the question has 
been asked very recently by the Lord Advocate, whether the 
examinations by this body were a proper test ? The exami¬ 
nations occupy one hour, and the board is divided into four 
sections, each occupying a quarter of an hour. I believe 
that this arrangement was originally made in imitation of the 
Royal College of Surgeons. But instead, as 1 am informed, 
of an hour being now occupied, the pupils have to be present 
four days. They are examined on each day on separate 
points. Now, I do not know whether it would not be 
worthy of this College to imitate this plan also, and to have 
our examinations more effectual, for it should be remembered 
that we are responsible, not only to the candidates, but also 
to the public. If, unfortunately, we send forth members 
who are not qualified, and who have not acquired that know¬ 
ledge which will enable them to properly treat their patients, 
we certainly might be considered to be culpable, as they 
have nothing but our certificate to recommend them to the 
public. Therefore, I think, that in electing the members of 
the Council, who will afterwards have to regulate and fix the 
time and the manner of the examinations, and also have the 
appointment of the examiners, you cannot be too careful in 
the selection you are about to make. 
Mr. Gamgee —In agreeing completely with my friend, Mr. 
Ernes, in what he says about the examinations, I should like 
to submit another question. Has this body any control over 
the education of the students ? That is the first question; 
the examination is the second. We must bring the mate¬ 
rial to the board to be examined, before we can have it there, 
and we must put information into the man’s mind before we 
can take it out. We have no right to ask a student for that 
which we have never taught him. 
Mr. liobinson —Will you allow me to say that you are out 
of order. We have nothing at all to do with the teaching of 
the pupil; it is perfectly out of our province to teach the 
pupil at all. After he has been taught, then he comes to be 
tested by our examination. 
Mr. Gamgee —Then you have no control over the educa¬ 
tion ? 
Mr. Robinson —No control whatever, except the test by 
examination. 
The Secretary —It is necessary that the gentlemen to be 
ballotted for should be proposed. 
The names of several gentlemen having been proposed 
and ballotted for, the scrutators retired, and after the lapse 
of a considerable interval they returned, and presented the 
following report of their scrutiny: 
