184
(c) That the results of the examinations held this year have proved
the candidates to be somewhat inferior to those who have pre-
sented themselves on former occasions, especially as regards
practical knowledge.
(d) That the cause, in all probability, is due to the fact that the classes
are too large.
(e) That the practice is well maintained and that it is ample to afford
clinical instruction to the students.
(f) That the formation of a class for nalbunds is likely to prove of
infinite value.
588. Whilst adverting to the Lahore Veterinary College, it might be stated
that this institution provided 24 veterinary assistants for the Chitral Field
Force; this will show its usefulness, but I regret to find that the same fault
was found with some of these men as is found by the Superintendents, to
mark their career in civil life, viz., that whilst some are lazy and unreliable,
many are useless from a practical point of view. From a report on
these men, received through the Principal Veterinary Officer in India,
I find that 11 of the 24 employed are badly reported on, the majority
for want of practical knowledge, or, as is stated with reference to this, by
the Inspecting Veterinary Officer:—
"These men have all qualified at the Lahore Veterinary College. They are sadly wanting in experience
and very little able to apply their theoretical knowledge; they require constant supervision in the duty
they perform in hospital, where they attend to the dressing of simple wounds.''
This question will be more amply dealt with in the Cattle Section, by the
Assistant to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, when con-
sidering the work done by veterinary assistants in the districts.
Bengal Veteri-
nary Institution.
589. This institution has now completed the second year of its existence, and
during the year under review, the first batch of students have been examined for
their certificates. Nineteen presented themselves for examination, of whom
12 passed and 7 were rejected, giving an average of 63 per cent. of passes.
These 12 students having now qualified, it remains to be seen whether they
will find employment in Bengal, as on their success in this direction will
depend the success of the institution.
Twenty new students joined the institution and all have regularly
attended the course of lectures.
The classes therefore consisted of:—
Class A
Class B
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
TOTAL
...
...
...
24
19
43
590. The hospital attached to the institution appears to be more popular than
it was, and in this way more practice was obtained for the students.
During the year under review, 432 horses, 234 head of cattle, 62 dogs and
45 sheep, etc., making a total of 773 animals, were treated; this shows an
improvement of 110 when compared with last year.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, who is also
the Principal of this Institution, states:—
"The number of cattle, in-patients, has very much fallen off. The number treated last year being
129 against 61 for the year 1895-96. One probable explanation for this is that in the former year, the Com-
missariat Department sent a large number of their sick cattle from Dum Dum to the institution for medical
care, while this year the number of patients from this source was few. It is hoped that the Commissariat
Department will continue to send their sick animals to this hospital, as it will afford much practice to
the students, and there is every appliance for the careful treatment and nursing of animals, and trained
assistants constantly watching the cases. Cattle practice is extremely important as a part of the veteri-
nary instruction, and as this Branch of their profession will probably form the main work of veterinary Assist-
ants employed by the District Boards, it is desirable to obtain as many bovine patients as possible."
The subject is one of great interest, for not only will it provide patients
for clinical instruction, but also will it ensure proper and careful treatment of
Government animals; this will therefore form the subject of a special
reference to the Government of India.