I 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 101 
What modification of Mr. Erne^s plan may be recom¬ 
mended by the committee it remains to be seen; and 
pending their deliberations it is not our wish to prejudge 
the very intricate question wliicti is before them ; but^ 
without any reference to the results of their labours, we mav 
state our conviction that Mr. Ernes has done the profession 
good service in bringing the matter before the Council, and 
still more in pushing it to a substantive position. It seems 
pretty evident that unless the final test is made crucial, 
there is a end to progress in veterinary education. There is 
a certain amount of speciousness in the oft-repeated sophism 
—that it is only fair to examine upon subjects which are 
taught at the schools; but, on the other hand, the schools 
might retort that no necessity exists for teaching subjects in 
reference to which there is no examination ; and thus arguing 
in a circle the result would be continued stagnation. The 
Charter gives the governing body no power to interfere with 
the curriculum of the colleges; and we apprehend that evil, 
rather than good, would come of the exercise of such power 
if it were conferred. Quite sufficient influence may be 
brought to bear upon the educational course through the 
medium of the examining board ; and in this department the 
power of the Council is absolute : at least is only circum¬ 
scribed by such limits as are imposed by courtesy and a 
desire to work in harmony for the advantage of the profes¬ 
sion. Until some steps are taken by the Council, it is 
scarcely possible for the colleges to make any important 
changes in the course of study, particularly in the direction 
of an extended curriculum which would necessitate an 
increase of fees. The movement, if commenced by the 
schools, would seem like an effort to increase the amount of 
their revenues, whereas the same action taken in due course 
after the Council had notified its intention to require the 
student to submit himself to further tests before he would 
be admitted a member of the college, would bear no other 
interpretation than that of ready and courteous compliance 
with the wish of the profession expressed by its representa¬ 
tive body, the Council. 
We do not advocate any sweeping measures of reform; 
