5
animals died subsequently. In the previous year inoculation was carried out in 267
outbreaks, in which 8,653 animals died before inoculation and 30,439 animals were
inoculated, of which 898 animals subsequently died.
ITINERANT ASSISTANTS' WORK.
29. Table IV shows the number of animals treated and castrated by the Veterinary
Assistants on tour during the year. The Assistants were 35 in number against 26 in
the previous year. They visited 6,680 villages, castrated 118 animals, treated 16,263
animals for contagious diseases and 49,213 animals for non-contagious diseases. These
make a total of 65,594 animals. In the previous year 6,083 villages were visited,
9,005 animals were treated for contagious diseases and 36,917 animals for non-conta-
gious diseases, making a total of 46,026 animals.
There is thus an increase of 7,258 animals treated for contagious diseases. This
was due to the more or less prevalence of Foot-and-Mouth disease throughout the
Province. The mortality from this disease is low if the animals are not neglected.
There is an increase of 12,296 animals treated for non-contagious diseases. Thus the
total increase in the number of cases treated by Assistants on tour from that of the
last year is 19,554. The work of the itinerant staff compares very favourably when
the actual increase in the number of the Assistants to that of the previous year is
taken into consideration. These figures do not include those cases in Which men call
for medicine for animals in the mofussil; medicines are given, but unless the Assist-
ant actually sees the cases they are not counted as cases treated.
VETERINARY HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES.
30. Table V shows the working of the Hospitals and Dispensaries of which there
were only 2 in number during the year under report. The total number of animals
treated during the year—as both in and out-patients—was 4,462, of which 567 were
equines, 3,332 bovines and 563 others ; in the previous year the total was 4,356.
31. Silchar Veterinary Hospital.—During the year 34 in-patients and 3,632 out-
patients were treated in the Hospital, making a total of 3,666, of which 417 were
equines, 2,895 bovines and 354 others. In the previous year 22 in-patients and 3,213
out-patients were treated, making a total of 3,235. Besides the figures reported above,
advice was given and medicines distributed to 1,973 cultivators, etc., who came to the
Hospital for that purpose from the mofussil.
A sum of Rs. 214-12 was deposited in the treasury as dispensary fees.
32. Shillong Veterinary Hospital.—-During the year 150 equines, 437 bovines and
209 other animals were treated as in and out-patients, making a total of 796 against a
total of 672 in the previous year.
A sum of Rs. 372-4 was deposited in the treasury as dispensary fees against
Rs. 333-4 of the previous year.
The Veterinary Hospital at Shillong is also an infirmary for the care and treat-
ment of animals sent under the Cruelty to Animals Act.
33. Last year a Dispensary was shown in Dhubri; but the itinerating work was
found to be more important and consequently the Assistant had to spend more time on
tour.
34. The location of a central Hospital, Laboratory and Office at Gauhati has been
sanctioned by the Administration and the construction of the buildings in that
connection is nearing completion, and it is hoped that ere long the Hospital will be
opened.
PART III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
35. Table VIII shows the number of stud bulls in the Province during the year.
In the previous year 15 bulls were reported from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, but in
view of the remarks of the Director of Agriculture that most of them are intended for
sale 13 have been eliminated from the list. So the actual number of stud bulls that
stood at the beginning of the year was 14, and the number at the close of the year was
13. As in previous years some applications for bulls were received from Local
Boards ; these could not be complied. with, as suitable animals could not be found.