7
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
45. Table X1V (a) shows the expenditure of the Department as furnished by
the Comptroller, Assam. The expenditure of the Department during the previous
year was Rs. 1,24,930-7-11.
46. The Local Boards in Assam incurred the following expenditure in connection
with Veterinary charges. The figures are furnished by the Boards:—
Pay, etc. ... ... ...
Allowances, contingencies, medicines, etc.
Stipends and fares to Stipendiaries ...
Cattle breeding ... ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Rs.
38,654
21,494
180
883
a.
12
7
0
11
p.
7
5
0
6
PART VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
47. The increase and general progress of the Department were maintained in spite
of many adverse circumstances. Five dispensaries had to be temporarily closed (and
the itinerating work for those places were suspended for the period) when the Assistants
were sick or on leave and no substitute could be arranged as no Preserve Veterinary
Assistant was available. The demand for Veterinary assistance and advice continued
to grow more in some places and it was found impossible to meet all the demands with
the existing staff. In Surma Valley two Local Boards are maintaining one Assistant
in each while one Local Board of Assam Valley has already sanction for the 3rd
Assistant and some other are contemplating to take more Assistants. The smaller the
area for each Assistant the greater is the facility for work to render help to the ryots
at the time of their need. Though the importance of prevention and control of con-
tagious disease by isolation and disinfection of the shed have not yet been well appre-
ciated by the mass in general, there is an indication that it would be a primary thing
on their part to accept it gradually by the precept of the leading and influential
people of the villages many of whom have already acknowledged it. It is gratifying
to note that the mass have shown a great desire for curing the animals suffering from
contagious diseases.
48. An adequate supply of serum required for the province was received from
the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory during the year. The following is a compa-
rative statement for three years:—
Rinderpest ...
Anthrax ...
Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia
...
...
...
1922-23.
75,000
5,000
2,000
...
...
...
1921-22.
138,000
Nil
Nil
...
...
...
1920-21.
176,000
6,000
3,000
49. The number of cruelty cases sent by the Magistrates to the Infirmaries at
Gauhati, Shillong and Silchar were 48. Though the figure is greater this year than
the previous year it is small in comparison with the number of cruelties prevalent in
the towns. The general carelessness on the part of the owners and deliberate inflic-
tion of cruelties to poor animals by carters and drivers are solely responsible for this.
The more the number is seized and sent to the Infirmary the more the owners will
learn to take better care of their animals.
50. In the districts 60 cruelty and 113 maiming cases were examined by the
Veterinary Assistants and they had to attend the court to give evidence on 90
occasions.
51. Surra had been more prevalent in some districts than in former years. At
one place 11 polo ponies were destroyed or died; this loss was clue to the first two
oases not being reported and the danger was not anticipated. There has been consi-
derable delay in getting the infected animals destroyed immediately after the certificate
was issued. It is hoped that when the danger is appreciated there will be no delay
in future.
A further treatment of 2 Surra cases was undertaken this year on experimental
basis; of these one was cured and one had remained free from any sign of the disease
for 120 days, his blood being tested weekly.
52. An experimental treatment of Rinderpest by intravenous injection was taken
up this year. Trial has been made in most susceptible animals among which the
mortality is generally very high. The result obtained was not unsatisfactory but it
requires further trials to come to a definite conclusion.