reached by the normal intake of the Central Medical School, but it 1s
confidently expected that they will overcome this handicap since they are
starting at the beginning of the School’s session.
The second year students present the greatest difficulty in fitting into the
regular classes. in that they received no anatomy or physiology during their
first year at Guam. Arrangements have now been made tor them to start
the study of anatomy and physiology so that they will not have to miss another
six months’ tuition while waiting for the next anatomy class to commence.
Additional lectures are being given during the evenings to these students
to enable them to catch up with the normal curriculum for the other CMS
students.
Third and fourth year dental students will fit into the teaching programme naturally and should have no trouble in mastering their subject.
Third and fourth year medical students will be at a considerable disad-
vantage in that they have not had as much clinical experience as the CMS
students in these years (the third year students from Guam have had no
hospital experiences and fourth year students have had only six months as .
compared with our six months and eighteen months respectively and none
of them have had anypractical work in a dispensary). These students.
however, have been put in their equivalent years at the CMS and if they
work hard it is hoped that they will make up the lost ground.
The students have made a good impression and there ts no doubt that
they will fit into the life of the CMS and take their part in all its activities.
The students so far appear to be happy and conscientious in their studies.
A system of prefects extsts for each year with whom the students may discuss
any of their immediate problems and have them referred to the Principal
of the School, who is always willing to advise the students in their academic
and personal problems.**
Conditions at the school remained confused throughout the spring
of 1951. Physical facilities were definitely inadequate and the staff
was too small for the increased pupil load. The director requested
additional instructors from the Trust Territory administration but
only one civilian dentist, Dr. Harry Cloud, could be spared, and his
services were utilized principally in working with the dental students
and setting up facilities for their training. In May 1951, the Navy
contributed seven dentalfield kits with chairs for their use.
A further report of the progress of the Trust Territory students was
made at the request of HiComTerPacls by Dr. Felix M. Keesing, a
member of the South Pacific Commission, who visited Suva from
May 23-30, 1951 enroute to a meeting of the Commission at Noumea.
18 pessimistic report noted that adjustment of the students to the
training and living conditions was difficult. The transfer also had
8 Staff Anthropologist
Re
/
Pologist “Preliminary
“Prelaminary Report
on the Progress
of Students.”
n.d.
937