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39. The names of the following Assistants are noted for their good work :—
Babu Bhudhar Chandra Chatterjee, Staff Veterinary Assistant, Gauhati, Babu
Satish Chandra Das Gupta, Silchar, Maulvi Abdul Rakib Choudhury,
Hailakandi, Babu Naresh Chandra Das, Sylhet, Babu Girindra Nath Syam
Choudhury, Karimganj, Babu Hem Chandra Sen, Shillong, Maulvi Afseruddin
Ahmed, Dhubri, Maulvi Jamaiuddin Ahmed, Jorhat, Maulvi Syed Ataul
Hoque, Moriani, Maulvi Azizuddin Sarker, Golaghat, Moulvi Fariduddin
Ahmed, Dibrugarh, Maulvi Mafizar Rahman Borah, Tinsukia, and
Moulvi Mahomed Hossein, Reserve Assistant, on deputation to the Mishmi
road.
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
40. Information under this heading has been furnished by the Comptroller,
Assam. The cost of the Department was Rs. 85,611-3-7. This shows an increase
of Rs. 7,373-9-11 over that of the previous year and is accounted for by the general
growth of the Department, employment of more staff and increment in pay of those
already serving. The contribution of Rs. 10,000 towards the up-keep of the Bengal
Veterinary College has not been included in the statement under Veterinary instruction.
PART VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
41. Though the Department is not yet up to full strength owing to dearth of
qualified Assistants, considerable progress has been made in the year under report.
At the present rata of progress a number of years must pass before tho full cadre is
complete. The selection of stipendiaries should be carefully made. The 83 per cent
failure in the last examination of candidates sent to the college by the Local Boards
emphasises the fact that all Local Board stipendiaries should be examined by me
before they are sent to the college, and the attention of the Local Boards has been
drawn to the above. This year the full number of Government stipendiaries has been
sent to the Bengal College.
42. The question of improvement of cattle has been postponed pending the issue
of Mr. Blackwood's report on the cattle of Assam. The number of bulls maintained
by Local Boards and Government is too small to show much improvement. The
effect of two Government bulls in Silchar has been watched closely for two years and
the general result is disappointing. The people take very little interest in them and
the efforts made to improve the stock are in the majority of cases not appreciated.
The Veterinary Inspector has kept under observation the calves got by these bulls
and the owners have been advised about the care and feeding of young stock. Very
seldom do the calves get an adequate supply of milk with the result that they do not
develop as they should. This question of improvement is full of difficulties and until
the ryot himself earnestly wants an improvement, little permanent progress will
be made.
43. Reports of outbreaks are now received more promptly by the Assistants under
the revised system of notification. Cases have occurred where simple, non-contagious
disease has been reported and the Assistant's time wasted. Reporting officers should
note that the postcards which have been distributed are for the purpose of reporting
contagious diseases likely to affect seriously large numbers of cattle. There are still
many outbreaks of virulent cattle disease which are never reported to the Department
till the end of the year.
Veterinary leaflets were sent to all Local Boards and Veterinary Assistants for
free distribution to the public.
44. The supply of serum has been sufficient during the year. Forty-six thousand
and six hundred doses of serum were received from the Imperial Laboratory.
Opposition to inoculation still, exists in places in Assam. The successful Assistant
should gradually overcome this by patience, tact and skill.
45. Greater opportunity might be taken to utilise Veterinary hospitals for all
cases of cruelty. Instead of a fine being paid into court, the animal would be
detained in hospital and the usual fee paid. The owner might learn to take more
care of his animal and the advantage of seeking advice early. The Veterinary
Hospitals at Shillong and Gauhati are infirmaries for the treatment of animals under
the Cruelty to Animals Act.