292 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
tion, the Committee have not thought it necessary to take 
any action on that suggestion. 
The Committee also submit whether the reorganization of 
the Examining Board should not be considered by the Council 
with a view of substituting veterinary surgeons for medical 
examiners. 
On the question of the election of examiners for life. 
The Committee were of opinion that the system is 
inexpedient.” 
It was then moved by Professor Brown, and seconded 
by Mr. Moon — 
That the Report be received.” 
The Council then proceeded to discuss the Report as a 
whole. 
The members of the Committee expressed the great diffi¬ 
culty they had had to contend with in consequence of the 
suggestions laid before them being somewhat indefinite in 
character. 
The Committee expressed a desire to co-operate with the 
teaching colleges. 
It was considered by the Council that the present exami¬ 
nations were insufficient, and that it was impossible to ascertain 
in the course of one hour whether or not a candidate for the 
diploma of the College was capable of practising the art and 
science of veterinary surgery. 
They agreed with the Committee that the examination 
should be oral, written, and practical. 
The want of a practical knowledge was admitted to be 
a great grievance ; and it was suggested that it would have 
been prudent on the part of the Committee to recommend 
the Council to put itself in communication with the authori¬ 
ties in the different schools, in order to arrange for practical 
examinations being held within the precincts of the colleges. 
It was admitted that a great necessity existed for improving 
tlie general education of the individuals entering the pro¬ 
fession, and, as the Royal Veterinary College had already 
instituted a preliminary examination, an additional step might 
be taken by entrusting the preliminary examination to a 
number of independent gentlemen, such as a Committee from 
the College of Preceptors. 
It was also considered that the great want of the present 
day was a good scholastic education. 
By the provisions of the Charter of the College, it was 
thought that the hands of the Council were tied in respect 
to the education of the pupils at the School. 
It was remarked that the Court of Examiners of the Roval 
