2
There was only one private student attending the college in class A, who passed
out his class examination and was promoted to the higher class during the year under
report.
6. The number of Graduates allotted to this Province during the year was only
two, and 8 Graduates were recruited from Bengal to fill up the vacancies, but they
did not actually join the Department till after the close of the year. To attract a good
type of men the value of the Government stipend has been increased from Rs. 12 to
Rs. 15, and the number increased from 4 to 6; new conditions of pay and prospects
of the subordinate service are being considered by which the cadre is expected
to improve in the future.
7. During the year under report, a Nalbund was deputed to the Bengal Veterinary
College to undergo a course of training in horse-shoeing at the cost of the Administra-
tion. On his return, he was placed in Shillong Hospital with his own tools. If his
work is appreciated and sufficient support given, a forge could be opened at the
Veterinary Hospital.
PART II.—TREATMENT OF DISEASES.
8. Table II shows the number of deaths from contagious diseases reported during
the year. Reports have been received from all districts of Assam except Lushai
Hills. The most salient feature of the report is that there has been a general
decrease in the mortality from contagious diseases, as compared with that of the
previous year; it was especially low amongst bovines, though a large number of
animals died from Rinderpest in Lakhimpur district, which reported the heaviest
mortality.
9. The total mortality reported for contagious diseases was: —
Equines ...
Bovines ...
Others ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1912-13.
178
42,311
3,053
1911-12.
170
44,991
8,071
10. These statistics are furnished by the District Officers and have been checked by
Veterinary Assistants as far as possible, but they are only approximately correct. As
for instance, the Veterinary Assistant, Tezpur, in his remarks on the figures for that
district says that he did not get any report of contagious diseases except only a few
cases of Rinderpest and Foot-and-Mouth disease, but still many deaths have been
shown under the heads of all contagious diseases : so, these figures can hardly be relied
upon. Although arrangements have been made to receive more promptly the reports
of outbreaks of cattle disease from various agencies, there is still a great deal to be
done to bring the system into proper working order. Delay and remissness in this
respect becomes the cause of unnecessary mortality and the delay of one day even
results in a large mortality.
EQUINES.
11. Glanders.—There was no death reported from any district.
12. Anthrax.—Twenty
deaths were reported from 7 districts during the year
against 43 in the previous year. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopical
examination in all districts except Darrang and Garo Hills from where no report of
the prevalence of the disease was received in the Superintendent's office and, conse-
quently, no action could be taken.
13. Surra.—There were 47 deaths reported from 5 districts. In the previous
year 28 deaths were reported from the same number of districts. Diagnosis was con-
firmed by microscopical examination in all districts. Surra has been scheduled under
the Glanders and Farcy Act in all Plains districts except Sibsagar.
14. Douritte and Epzootic
Lymphangitis.—There
was no case of dourine
reported during the year, but a case of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Cachar was brought
to the notice of the Department; no action could be taken except isolation, as the
disease was not scheduled under the Glanders and Farcy Act.
15. Other contagious diseases.—The number of deaths from other diseases is 111
against 93 of previous year ; but no details are available.