Page:Macaula yʼs minutes on education in India, written in the years 1835, 1836 and 1837 (IA dli.csl.7615).pdf/88

Rh prizes, let us reserve a portion for next year.—[Page 15.] 6th May, 1836.

Clinical Examination.—I fear that an examination of this sort is a very defective test of the progress which the students may have made in a science where so much depends on quickness and accuracy of observation on natural phenomena. Still I do not know that we can devise a better test. I am not sufficiently informed on the subject to say whether, as the education of the pupils is conducted in a great measure by clinical lectures, it would be possible to test their proficiency by clinical examinations. I do not object to what is proposed.—[Page 19.] 28th July, 1836.

Private practice of the Professors.—I would put to Mr. Goodeve the question which our Secretary suggests, and if his answer be satisfactory, I would recommend that this request should be granted.

To put the salaries of the Professors on a different footing would at present be impossible. In time, the system under which the Medical and Surgical Schools of London flourish, may be introduced here. But in the infancy of the science, such an arrangement is out of the question.—[Page 43.]

Private practice of the Professors.—I quite agree. We may be certain of this that unless we pay our teachers as large a sum as they can obtain by practice, we must let them take practice or they will leave us.—[Page 48.] 4th November, 1836.

Dr. Helfer’s lectures on Natural History.—I would refer this to Dr. Bramley and the other gentlemen who are at the head of the Medical College. If they wish Dr. Helfer to lecture I can have no objection. If they tell us that such a course of lectures would not at present do any good, I would decline Dr. Helfer’s offer.—[Page 28.] 12th November, 1836.

Cost of each Pupil in the Medical College Rupees 36 a month in 1837.—I should be heartily glad if the number of pupils were three times as great as it is. But I see nothing discouraging in the aspect of things. We must remember that the work now in progress is no less than the introduction into a great empire of a science, the most important of all sciences to the well being of mankind. If the institution turns out twenty or even ten good native physicians or surgeons, I shall think the cost well bestowed .—[Book I. page 63.] 30th June, 1837.