286 ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
The President said it might simplify matters if he were to put 
it in this light: First, “ that it is desirable to adopt a system of 
marks instead of words ; secondly, to discuss what number of 
marks were necessary to pass, good, very good, and reject; and, 
thirdly, to discuss the question of difference of value between 
different subjects of examination. He begged, therefore, to 
move that the Council adopt the system of marks instead of 
verbal notation. 
Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which was carried. 
The President then moved, “ That it is desirable to establish a 
difference in value in the different subjects of examination.” If 
the Council agreed to this, they could discuss what value was to 
be assigned to the different subjects. 
Mr. Greaves thought there ought to be a relative difference in 
the value of different subjects students were examined upon. 
Mr. John Wilkinson had always held to that opinion, and had 
pointed out to him (Mr. Greaves) many instances where young 
men were good anatomists but bad practitioners, and he con¬ 
sidered it of the greatest importance that the students should 
be able to diagnose diseases. If the student was well up in prac¬ 
tice, even if he was somewhat deficient in chemistry, botany, and 
other things, it would be much to his advantage. He thought 
the marks ought certainly to be more in his favour if he was 
found to be a useful, good practitioner. He had great pleasure 
in seconding the motion. 
Professor Pritchard said, he was inclined to think that in 
the event of a pupil becoming "acquainted with the fact that a 
little more importance would be attached to one subject com¬ 
pared with another, it would have a very demoralising effect on 
his mind. He proposed as an amendment that the marks be all 
equal. 
Mr. Cartledge thought it unnecessary to make any alteration in 
the marks, because the theory that prevailed in the minds of the 
students that most importance was attached to the diseases of 
horses and the practical examination of them would still be 
maintained, whatever decision the Council may come to. 
Professor Proton agreed with Mr. Cartledge, that the student 
well knew he would get off better if he passed a good examina¬ 
tion in horse pathology than if he passed a good examination, 
say in botany. On that ground he did not see any necessity for 
intimating to the examiners those subjects which were different 
in value. They, knowing the circumstances, would arrange the 
matter among themselves. There was, however, an advantage 
in keeping the numbers as they were now, giving more value to 
those subjects that belonged to the Pass Examinations than to 
the two previous ones. He had worked the proposed scheme 
out in a variety of ways, and he quite approved of it. It seemed 
to him to be exceedingly well arranged. 
Mr. Greaves said that a system of marks were being laid down 
for the guidance of the Examiners, which in some measure took 
